Tag: 3BL

CLEVELAND, November 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Consumers are embracing a rewritten definition of financial success built on resilience, according to KeyBank’s annual Financial Mobility Survey, released today. The survey found that consumers are recalibrating their approach to money management to prioritize debt-free living over milestone chasing. In particular, approximately 3 in 4 (74%) Americans agree that debt-free living is an important milestone in their definition of financial success.

KeyBank also found that — even as 68% of Americans feel financial stress, up from 50% in 2024 — many are turning that pressure into purpose and building resilience for the long term. In fact, 1 in 3 (35%) Americans feel in control or proud of how they manage their money.

The KeyBank Financial Mobility Survey polled more than 1,000 Americans to gain insights into respondents’ spending and savings habits, levels of financial confidence, stress, resiliency, economic sentiment, and the impacts of debt.

Highlights include:

• Americans’ emergency readiness drops as costs climb: Over the past six years, day-to-day price increases and financial stress have eroded Americans’ confidence in their ability to cover an unexpected $2,000 expense. Today, one in four (25%) Americans are certain they cannot come up with $2,000 if an unexpected need arises compared to 19% in 2024. The most affected generation is Gen X, with 36% saying they could not come up with the money.
   
• Traditional milestones have taken a back seat … for now: 53% of consumers say that paying for experiences or a certain lifestyle was less of a priority than one year ago, and 39% said both buying a home and getting married were less of a priority than one year ago. Still, more than half (55%) consider homeownership a “very important” part of their definition of success.
   
• The feeling of success has decreased: Only 39% of Americans report feeling more financially successful than they did five years ago. For those who felt less successful (22%), it was due to the rising cost of living and inflation (71%), economic uncertainty (45%), and job changes or career burnout (26%). 
   
• Younger generations are living on their own terms: Gen Z is rewriting the definition of success, with just 13% saying they’re still pursuing traditional milestones. Additionally, 33% of Gen Zers say they have decided against buying a home, 33% have decided against getting married, 34% have decided against having children, and 34% have decided against pursuing a higher education because it no longer fits their definition of success.
   
• The kids are alright; the grandparents are not: 28% of Gen Zers say that their current approach to money is, “I’ll figure it out,” more than any other generation. On the flip side, 16% of Gen Xers say, “I need a financial miracle,” which is the highest of any generation.

“The financial landscape for Americans is shifting in profound ways,” said Daniel Brown, EVP & Director, Consumer Product Management at KeyBank. “It’s showing that the measure of success is not wealth alone, but also the ability to live debt free and prepare for what’s ahead. As consumers face rising financial stress, our role as a trusted partner is to help clients navigate uncertainty, uncover new possibilities, and move forward with clarity and confidence.”

Valuing Resilience over Riches

The rising cost of living and increased price of everyday items are putting a strain on wallets across households in America.

• Americans are most concerned about day-to-day expenses like groceries (55%), housing costs (35%), and credit card debt (26%). 
   
• Cost increases have led 49% of consumers to switch to less expensive brands or services and 41% to reduce subscriptions or memberships. 
   
• Even with daily and weekly trade-offs, savings are shrinking year over year – 66% of consumers say they have less money in their savings account this year compared to last.
   
• As rising expenses reshape household budgets, many Americans are cutting back where they can – 58% are spending less and 40% are saving less compared to previous years.

Using BNPL for Near-term Relief

For some, however, pulling back isn’t enough. To help sustain their desired lifestyle, many are increasingly relying on financial floats, like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), that blur the line between control and strain.

• More than half (58%) of Americans say they are using BNPL programs, but particularly younger generations such as Gen Z (79%) and Millennials (68%).
• BNPL users report having a slightly less negative personal financial outlook (49%) than non BNPL users (58%).
• In fact, only 10% of BNPL users cite BNPL payments as a top three financial concern.

Yet even as these tools offer short-term flexibility, nearly three in four (73%) BNPL users still report feeling financially stressed, underscoring the tension between near-term choice and long-term planning.

“For many Americans, rising costs aren’t just numbers on a reciept; they represent difficult choices that shape everyday life,” said Brown. “Whether it’s prioritizing debt reduction or using new financial tools, people are looking for ways to stay in control while navigating an uncertain environment. We know that every financial journey is personal, and our role is to help clients find practical, meaningful steps that fit their circumstances and help them move forward on their financial journeys.”

To learn more about the survey’s findings, visit the KeyBank 2026 Financial Mobility Survey Executive Summary.

Access KeyBank’s financial wellness online resources, including the Financial Wellness Center’s Banking 101 curriculum, or meet with a local banker to complete a Key Financial Wellness Review for a more financially confident future.

Methodology
This survey was conducted online by Schmidt Market Research in July 2025, polling 1,004 Americans, ages 18-70. All respondents have sole or shared responsibility for household financial decisions and maintain a checking or savings account. The survey examined respondents’ spending and savings habits, levels of financial confidence, stress and resiliency factors, economic sentiment, and debt impacts.

About KeyCorp
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at September 30, 2025. 

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

CFMA #251103-3705828

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Published by Action Against Hunger. 

Contact:

Meredith Whitefield 

mwhitefield@actionagainsthunger.org

(917) 771-0519

November 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Almost a year since a ceasefire was agreed, many farmers in Southern Lebanon are still denied access to their land due to displacement, ongoing Israeli attacks, and soil contamination, a joint report released today by Action Against Hunger, Oxfam, and Insecurity Insight has found.

The impacts of the war coupled with almost daily attacks and occupation have wiped out farmland and destroyed crops and essential food infrastructure, threatening the food security and livelihoods in some of the country’s most fertile and productive areas.

The report “‘We Lost Everything’: The Impact of Conflict on Farmers and Food Security in Lebanon” details the immediate and long-term impacts of repeated and ongoing attacks by Israeli forces on Lebanese agricultural land and food production.

It found the destruction of key centers of food production and distribution, such as the historic Nabatieh market, has deepened the economic challenges faced by communities. Attacks have resulted in lasting disruption to the agricultural sector and damaged the rural economy as seeds, fuel and other items necessary to plant and harvest are harder to obtain.

“Some farmers have lost everything, and this will have devastating repercussions not just for them and their families, but the communities they help to feed”, said Insecurity Insight Director Christina Wille. “The majority of interviewed farmers told us they had been unable to access their agricultural land at some point since October 2023, and most felt unsafe accessing land for planting, harvesting crops or grazing livestock. Several farmers had their food production reduced to zero, leaving them without their main income source.”

Even those who had been able to access their land raised concerns about continued and indiscriminate bombing, financial difficulties, and the inability to obtain almost everything required to farm — fertilizer and fuel, fodder, workers and equipment — and dangerous roads that prohibit transport of goods.

The ongoing threat of violence and the levels of destruction witnessed throughout the conflict have also had a profound impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of affected communities.

“Farmers across Lebanon are already in crisis as historically low rainfall has led to the worst drought on record. This climate stress is being exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the conflict, including contamination of the land, restricted access and disruption to supply chains. Urgent action is needed to restore hope for farmers and communities who rely on them”, said Action Against Hunger Country Director Suzanne Takkenberg.

Oxfam in Lebanon Country Director Bachir Ayoub said that it will be impossible for affected farmers to fully recover until the terms of the ceasefire are upheld. “The repeated attacks on farmland in South Lebanon and Bekaa are not only destroying livelihoods but deliberately undermining Lebanon’s food security. There must be an immediate end to these violations and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces so that farmers can safely return to their land and rebuild their lives,” added Ayoub.

Almost half of the farmers interviewed for the report had been internally displaced. Nearly a year since the ceasefire was declared in Lebanon, approximately 82,000 people remain unable to go home due to ongoing Israeli occupation and armed violence. This displacement means that large portions of agricultural land remain inaccessible and crops remain unharvested, exacerbating the already high levels of food insecurity in the country.

Farmers overwhelmingly said they cannot farm, access markets, or feed their families without peace and urgent assistance to mend deepening hunger and poverty.

The agencies recall that all parties to the conflict have clear obligations under International Humanitarian Law to protect objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including foodstuffs, agricultural areas, crops and livestock. The agencies call on urgent action to be taken to push for enhanced humanitarian and development material support and funding to address Lebanon’s heightened humanitarian needs and reconstruction plans. The agencies call for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory as a crucial component of the ceasefire agreement.

This report, produced with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, builds on the agencies’ earlier joint report “When Bombs Turn the Taps Off: The Impact of Conflict on Water Infrastructure in Lebanon”, which demonstrated the devastating long-term and reverberating impacts of repeated Israeli attacks damaging and destroying water infrastructure in southern Lebanon and Bekaa.

Trane Technologies is pleased to announce its collaboration with the University of Galway, Ireland, to develop sustainable and innovative technologies for advanced manufacturing processes.

This research aims to enhance manufacturing systems used in buildings, homes, and transportation, while simultaneously increasing productivity and reducing environmental impact.

The project is co-funded by I-Form, Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, and Trane Technologies.

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: “At University of Galway we have a proud and unique heritage in the field of engineering. Our research partnership with Trane Technologies is the essence of that, as we empower our academics, students and collaborators to pioneer an agenda of innovation, sustainability and learning.” 

Max Javaheri, Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing for Trane Technologies, said: “For over 45 years, Thermo King in Galway has been a cornerstone of manufacturing excellence and innovation. This public-private collaboration between Trane Technologies, the University of Galway, and I-Form will build upon that legacy and will focus on developing advanced, innovative, and sustainable production methods that will immensely impact our factories globally. It will also create meaningful impact by advancing clean manufacturing technologies and nurturing local talent. Together, we will transform the future of manufacturing and reinforce Galway’s position as a hub for innovation and advanced engineering.”  

The research will be led by Dr Noel Harrison, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, and Pádraig Conneely, Lecturer in Automation and Lean Manufacturing, both of whom are based in the School of Engineering at University of Galway. 

Professor Laoise McNamara, Head of the School of Engineering at University of Galway, said:  “This collaboration will combine cutting-edge academic research with a real-world engineering application, allowing University of Galway to collaborate with Trane Technologies’ subject matter experts and automation engineers, as well as creating new learning opportunities for our researchers and students.” 

Professor Denis Dowling, Centre Director, I-Form – Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, said: “This three-year collaboration exemplifies I-Form’s mission to drive the transformation of advanced manufacturing in Ireland through sustainable, high-impact research partnerships. By co-funding projects like this, we are helping to shape a more innovative and resilient manufacturing ecosystem for the future.” 

The research project aims to promote more sustainable, rapid and cost-effective development of new products and processes, as well as digitalised manufacturing. This will be achieved by replacing time-consuming, physical experimentation with advanced, predictive modelling. 

Trane Technologies, Thermo King R&D teams, based in Galway, will work together with University of Galway’s researchers and students to develop advanced manufacturing solutions that will be deployed across Trane Technologies’ global network. 

Together, the research team will design, develop and validate robotic and automated systems for brazing operations; build proof-of-concept prototypes and test beds to demonstrate system capabilities; conduct industrial trials and validate system performance in a production-representative environment; and develop robotic system programmes and virtual simulations of process and tooling using in-house robotic systems.

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About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT) is a global climate innovator. Through its strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and its portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, the company brings efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation.

Trane Technologies is widely recognized as a leader in sustainability, integrating sustainable practices into the company’s core strategy and throughout its global operations as it progresses toward its 2030 Sustainability Commitments. Since 2019, Trane Technologies has reduced customer carbon emissions by 237 million metric tons, on track to meet its Gigaton Challenge goal of reducing one gigaton (or one billion metric tons) of customer carbon emissions by 2030. Learn more at tranetechnologies.com.

About I-Form 

I-Form Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Manufacturing has partnership with 9 research institutes to bring together a nationwide pool of expertise in materials science, engineering, data analytics and artificial intelligence. The Centre is focused on research into the digitalisation of manufacturing, working in partnership with industry to enhance processing efficiency and sustainability, as well as reducing the risk and cost of new product and process development. We work in close collaboration with industry to ensure that our research is relevant, applicable, and impactful, delivering a step-change in competitiveness for Irish manufacturing. 

For more information visit: www.i-form.ie  

About University of Galway  

Established in 1845, University of Galway is one of the top 2% of universities in the world. We are a bilingual university, comprised of four colleges, 18 schools and six research institutes, with more than 19,000 students, including around 3,000 international students. We have been accredited with an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award, and 12 out of our 18 schools hold individual Athena SWAN Awards. We have more than 2,500 staff, and research collaborations with 4,675 international institutions in 137 countries. We have 133,000 alumni and 98% of graduates are in employment or further study within six months. 

For more information visit https://www.universityofgalway.ie/ or view all news  

Get the most from the expert commentary, views and stories from University of Galway on our Cois Coiribe platform https://impact.universityofgalway.ie/ 

“Leidos gave me my first opportunity to work in cybersecurity, and the engineers I joined were very welcoming,” says Brittany Kilgore, cybersecurity engineer at Leidos. “I never felt pressure while I was learning, because I always had help from them. Working for Leidos was pretty amazing.”

After nearly two years at Leidos, Brittany needed a career break to address personal matters that required her full attention.

“I always strive to deliver my best work and, at the time, I worried I couldn’t,” Brittany explains. “I was sad to leave, and my supervisor was very understanding. He even told me I’d be welcome to come back.”

It’s clear that he meant it, because Brittany returned to the same role one year later. Read on for more details about Brittany’s path back.

Applying to rejoin Leidos

“While working here the first time, I was inspired by the way Leidos values professional development and upskilling,” Brittany says. “I took many of the training courses offered and even started my master’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance.”

Among other things, Brittany finished earning her degree while away from Leidos and was once again ready to look for jobs.

Though she’d enjoyed working at Leidos, Brittany had reservations about reaching out since she’d chosen to leave, so she applied to jobs at other places. When nothing felt right, Brittany decided to see whether Leidos had open cybersecurity roles. A position was open — the same type of role she’d left nearly a year before.

“I was nervous to apply, but I asked myself, ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen? They could just say no.’” Brittany says. Realizing she had nothing to lose, she applied and realized she needn’t have worried. Leidos welcomed Brittany back in August 2025.

What Brittany is doing now and what she enjoys about working at Leidos

“My team’s work helps protect our military’s critical infrastructure,” Brittany says. A military veteran herself, Brittany understands how essential it is to keep sensitive information and important systems secure by detecting potential vulnerabilities and protecting against unauthorized access.

“I like knowing my work has a real impact and I’m especially glad that I get to do it for an employer that places a high value on integrity,” Brittany says. “I love the culture our leadership promotes.”

She also appreciates her team’s collaborative atmosphere: “I work with knowledgeable people who freely bounce ideas off one another. We learn a lot from each other and have a very supportive manager.”

Finally, Brittany enjoys participating in the Leidos Military Alliance Group, saying the meetings and fireside chats feel personal, welcoming and warm.

“The Military Alliance Group offers useful resources for those who are in the middle of transitioning to civilian service,” she says. “There’s a true understanding of our experiences and backgrounds as veterans.”

As Brittany focuses on deepening her expertise in cybersecurity, she looks forward to continuing to learn about evolving technologies and threats.

“Leidos is a great place to keep building knowledge and experience — and to grow your career,” Brittany says.

Published by Las Vegas Sands

November 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Over the past year, a rebirth has taken place in the historic and culturally significant Rua das Estalagens area of Macao with the opening of six unique new businesses. This local resurgence was made possible by Sands China’s Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme, which is part of the company’s broader Community Revitalization Programme and run in conjunction with the Macao Chamber of Commerce.

Introduced in April 2024, the entrepreneurship initiative within Sands China’s community revitalization program funds innovative entrepreneurial ventures from Macao residents interested in starting businesses on Rua das Estalagens, once a thriving commercial district in Macao. Sands China awarded funding to seven local businesses from 128 applications in July 2024, and six businesses have begun operations on the street.

Owner of Café Fantart, Chan Iat Seng, previously operated a catering business and saw the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme as a way to reach his larger business goals. He noted that the program’s entrepreneurial training courses on marketing, writing and pitching helped him raise the café’s profile. Since opening in May, Café Fantart has seen a steady increase in customer traffic as more locals and tourists visit.

“The workshops helped me refine my vision and understand how to position my café,” Chan said. “Sands China didn’t just give us funding; they gave us the tools to build a sustainable business. When I heard about the scheme, I saw an opportunity to turn my passion for food into a business that could contribute to the community.”

PanPan Bakery has become a popular attraction on Rua das Estalagens because of its unique baked goods. The shop sells a blend of European-inspired items, such as chocolate baguettes and pistachio buns, as well as items that reflect Macao’s culinary history, such as tofu pudding. PanPan’s brand and marketing director Steve Xie said they have been able to draw in both residents and tourists, including a younger clientele, in part due to the marketing support from Sands China.

“The launch of Sands China’s entrepreneurial program couldn’t have been timelier,” Xie said. “We were deep in our planning phase when we learned about the scheme. Being selected enabled us to become one of the pioneer brands on Rua das Estalagens.”

The entrepreneurship initiative within the overall community revitalization program provided crucial financial backing and strategic marketing support. Sands China facilitated introductions to prominent food bloggers and travel influencers, greatly enhancing visibility for all new businesses on the street.

Other entrepreneurs funded through Sands China’s Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme are:

• CATFEE Macau: The pet souvenir store features a cats and Macao theme and combines a cat rescue with artistic displays and a café. The store promotes an “adopt, don’t shop” mentality, and customers can enjoy a unique culinary experience from the rooftop with a view of Rua das Estalagens.
• Little Port: This retail shop features impactful Portuguese specialties that transform traditional souvenir offerings into unique collectible opportunities.
• OLÁLÁ: The snack shop features iconic Macanese light-meal offerings such as Pastéis de Bacalhau (fried salted cod fritters), which combine Chinese and Western ingredients, and other signature products that educate tourists about Macanese culture.
• Travessa Gelato: To introduce the Italian ice cream shop, its team members studied gelato making in Italy and obtained official certifications. The store offers fresh combinations of flavors to surprise and satisfy customers.
• Voyage Thai Kitchen: Founded in 2013, Voyage Thai Kitchen is one of Macau’s signature brands, and the soon-to-open Rua das Estalagens catering space is its latest venture. There, the Thai restaurant will provide specialty catering based on affordable pricing and feature nostalgic elements to create a private catering experience that integrates leisure, music, local culture and sharing sessions.

Since awarding funds to these businesses, Sands China has offered a series of supportive promotional elements such as inviting travel and food bloggers to visit shops, organizing media interviews and hosting a Food Fest for its Team Members at The Venetian® Macao. The event featured signature foods and products from five of the businesses to introduce more people to the offerings on Rua das Estalagens.

“With the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, we offered substantial assistance to these local entrepreneurs to help get their businesses started smoothly, while fostering sustainable economic development by integrating various business elements into the district,” Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China, said. “With initiatives such as the entrepreneurship program and the Team Member food fest, we are pleased to embrace the Macao SAR government’s policy to support SMEs, empowering them to succeed in the early stages of their businesses; promotional platforms such as these help them pursue their dreams while reviving the economy in the neighborhood. We look forward to continue bolstering local SMEs, thereby optimizing the business conditions for entrepreneurs and maximizing their impact on our community.”

While the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme supports the future of Rua das Estalagens, Sands China has also honored its past with publication of “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens.” The print and digital series highlights the street’s community, businesses and revitalization effort, and Sands China worked with the Macau Artist Society to produce the pictorial compilation and narratives showcasing the street’s rich history.

The PATA Gold Awards 2025 named “In Search of Its Roots” the Best Printed Marketing Campaign (Industry) at its annual awards celebration, which recognizes exceptional and innovative tourism initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. PATA awards are among the most sought-after accolades in the tourism industry.

Sands China’s Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme is part of the company’s broader Community Revitalization Programme, a collaboration with the Macao SAR government to support local efforts to restore the vitality of cherished Macao historical areas. These initiatives align with company’s commitment to preserving Macao’s heritage, promoting the region as a major tourism destination, and helping small and medium-sized enterprises succeed.

To learn more about Sands China’s community revitalization efforts in Macao, visit www.sandschina.com/the-company/scl-community-revitalization-programme.html

At AMD, high-performance and adaptive computing is transforming our world, from fueling medical and scientific breakthroughs to driving smarter, more sustainable use of natural resources. AMD technology powers progress that improves lives and strengthens our planet today and for generations to come.

Achieving these ambitious goals requires creativity, imagination and curiosity from the next generation of innovators. That’s why AMD is passionate about empowering students through hands-on learning experiences that bring technology to life.

Empowering Students Through Hands-On Learning

This year, several AMD sites partnered with local organizations to equip students with AMD powered technology and the knowledge to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Employees volunteered their time to guide students through the exciting process of building computers, helping spark new interests and career aspirations in STEM.

AMD Dublin hosted its inaugural student computer build. Volunteers helped 21 students from Mercy Secondary School Inchicore assemble 10 AMD powered computer systems. In addition to building the computers, the students were thrilled to learn that all the computer systems would serve as the foundation for opening a brand-new STEM classroom at their school.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the donation of the computers to our new STEM room. This kind of support makes a real difference to our school and to the future of our students. As we work to grow interest in science and technology, having partners like AMD cheering us on means so much,” said the chairperson of the Board of Management at Mercy Secondary School Inchicore.

The Santa Clara office hosted 20 students from Mt. Pleasant High School. Working side by side with AMD volunteers, they built 11 AMD powered computer systems. In partnership with the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, the computer systems are now enhancing technology learning across several local schools in East San Jose, from Maker Labs at Mt. Pleasant High School and Ida Jew Academy to tutoring centers at Overfelt High School and August Boeger Middle School.

In Austin, 34 students from KIPP Austin Public Schools joined AMD volunteers at the Austin FC stadium to build 16 AMD powered computer systems. In addition to the hands-on experience of assembling a computer, the group participated in a private tour of the stadium and met a few players. At the end of the day, the students were proud to know that the computer systems would be used for computer science classes at KIPP Arts and Letters Middle School.

Advancing Possibility

Across Dublin, Santa Clara and Austin, and in communities around the world, these events provide students with firsthand experience in computer assembly, teamwork and problem-solving while equipping their schools with the technology needed to continue inspiring future engineers, coders and creators. Thank you to all the volunteers who made each event possible. These student events are about more than assembling computers; they are about empowering students to imagine new possibilities, pursue STEM pathways and shape a brighter, more connected future.

To learn more, watch the video above, or read about AMD Community Involvement at: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/community.html

Together, we’re powering possibility, one build, one classroom, one student at a time.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Nov. 7, 2025 /3BL/ – With the school year in full swing, WK Kellogg Co is bringing new offerings of its beloved, trusted brands and better-for-you cereals to schools nationwide, expanding access to its portfolio of foods that help kids be their best and make eating well easy.

WK Kellogg Co is expanding its offerings to include the following cereals designed specifically for today’s K-12 environment: Kashi® Strawberry Banana Loops™ and Kellogg’s® Frosted Mini-Wheats® Cocoa.

Families will recognize these same great-tasting cereals from retail shelves, now offered in formats tailored for schools. They meet USDA Smart Snacks and school breakfast nutrition standards, supporting wholesome nourishment throughout the day. Their versatile, single-serve packaging makes them ideal for a variety of serving occasions – whether as part of a balanced breakfast or as a convenient à la carte option throughout the school day.

For the first time, Kashi® is entering the K-12 channel, bringing its legacy of wellbeing, whole grains and plant-based nutrition to school menus. Kashi Strawberry Banana Loops offers 15g of whole grains and is a good source of fiber. This vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified cereal is made with a touch of fruit purée and colored with vegetable juice – making it an ideal choice at the intersection of taste and nutrition.

Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats Cocoa is a good source of 7 vitamins and minerals, including iron and folate, and is an excellent source of fiber – nutrients most kids don’t get enough of. Made with whole grains and a rich chocolatey flavor, it’s a perfect combination that will get students excited about breakfast.

These new innovations reflect WK Kellogg Co’s leadership in providing foods that align with evolving health and wellness expectations among students, parents and operators.

“We’re excited to bring these new offerings to the school environment. Parents and schools are looking for foods that are nutritious, convenient and accessible, and cereal is uniquely positioned to meet those needs. Cereal and milk is one of the first meals that kids can make for themselves, fostering independence and reinforcing positive eating patterns from an early age. It’s the number one source of fiber and whole grains for kids at breakfast and brings other good foods along with it, like milk and fruit – making it a delicious and nutritious choice to fuel their day,” said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing & Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg Co. “These new offerings give kids a food they love and provide schools with a balanced option they can feel good about serving – all in service of our shared goal to help kids be their best.”

These new innovations reflect WK Kellogg Co’s ambition to help improve school meals and ensure cereal remains a relevant, reliable part of balanced eating. By offering choices that are compliant with federal standards, and flexible and familiar to students, the company is helping operators serve meals that are both wholesome and enjoyable – ensuring every bite supports student success.

ABOUT WK KELLOGG CO
At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger® and Toucan Sam®, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve.  Through our sustainable business strategy – Feeding Happiness® – we aim to build healthier and happier futures for families, kids and communities. We are making a positive impact, while creating foods that bring joy and nourishment to consumers. For more information about WK Kellogg Co and Feeding Happiness, visit www.wkkellogg.com.

For further information: media.hotline@wkkellogg.com

WHAT: Saint-Gobain announces its participation at COP30, Belém, Brazil, with the launch of an Action Paper on sustainable construction and the presence of Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain.

With buildings and construction accounting for 34% of global emissions, consuming 50% of natural resources, and producing 40% of solid waste, and as the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement approaches, the Action Paper addresses the critical “action gap” between intention and on-the-ground implementation.

The transformation of the built environment is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The well-being of billions of people, the resilience of our cities, and the environmental balance of our planet are at stake, and now is the time to move from intention to collective action. The paper, developed in collaboration with a global community of leading practitioners through Saint-Gobain’s Sustainable Construction Observatory, will present six critical issues with the greatest potential to drive systemic change across the construction value chain, and 13 priority actions.

The paper is for decision-makers: public and private sector actors with budget responsibility, procurement power, and policy and planning influence – who need to make critical decisions on whether and how to build a project sustainably or conventionally, with lasting repercussions for future generations.

WHO:

• Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Saint-Gobain

WHEN:

• Nov 12, 09:30am-11:00am: launch of the Action Paper at the session “Driving sustainable construction forward: pathways and priority actions for transformative change across the value chain”, at COP30 Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, International Code Council, PV-C82, Belém, Brazil

Nov 12, 6:30pm-8:00pm: Sustainable Construction Talk “Delivering on the Global Mutirão through sustainable construction: Priority actions to make the world a better home” at Museu do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil

### MEDIA ADVISORY ###

This advisory is provided for planning purposes. All information subject to change. Updated versions will be distributed as details are confirmed.

Last Updated: 05 November 2025

Saint-Gobain contacts in Brazil

Ana Elisa Matana Barradel Ana.Barradel@saint-gobain.com

Ana Carolina Franca Cavallini Ana.Cavallini@saint-gobain.com

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360^th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on X @saintgobain

Cascale and Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) staff attended High Point Market in High Point, N.C. October 25 to 29.

Cascale staff in attendance included Ashley Buchalter, manager, global membership development, AMER; Angie Kenny, manager, Cascale’s Sustainable Furnishings Council; and Scarlette Tapp, executive director of SFC. Approximately 38 SFC members exhibited at the market, among them American Leather, Copeland Furniture, Jaipur Living, Home Trends & Design, Hooker Furnishings, Vanguard Furniture, Composad, Arteriors, and Norwalk Furniture. The brands’ showrooms were spread across the furniture market district.

High Point Market focuses attention on buyer and designer education, hosting seminars with topics around sustainable materials, trends, and celebrity designer-licensed furniture. Highlights included a keynote from Amy Astley, who was celebrating her 10th anniversary as editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest, and a “Learning from Leaders Forum” around sustainable sourcing, with representative SFC member companies in discussion. Also new this fall, the National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) debuted at High Point Market, marking a strategic expansion into whole-home design.

Angie Kenny, SFC manager, judged and co-presented the Green Leaf Award at the annual Pinnacle Awards Ceremony hosted by International Furniture Designers Association.

Two SFC member companies were presented with Pinnacle Awards in other categories during the ceremony. These included Phillips Collection, winner of the “Accessories & Wall Décor” category; and Greenington Fine Bamboo Furniture, winner of the “Stationary Upholstery-Broad Appeal” category.

Furniture industry advocates will next convene at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market and the 36th Annual ARTS Awards in Dallas in January 2026.

John H. Fogarty, CFA| Co-Chief Investment Officer—US Growth Equities and US Relative Value

Kent Hargis, PhD| Chief Investment Officer—Strategic Core Equities; Portfolio Manager—Global Climate Transition Strategy

Lei Qiu| Chief Investment Officer —Thematic Innovation Equities

Shri Singhvi| Chief Investment Officer—Strategic Equities

James T. Tierney, Jr.| Chief Investment Officer—Concentrated US Growth

Thorsten Winkelmann| Chief Investment Officer—European and Global Growth Equities

AB ’s equity portfolio managers answer questions about the AI-driven boom in technology stocks and equity markets.

Technology stocks have continued to benefit from enthusiasm over the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Yet many investors are concerned that share prices and valuations may reflect overly exuberant earnings expectations. We asked several AB equity portfolio managers to share their thoughts and investing perspectives on the sustainability of AI-driven enthusiasm.

• Are we in an AI bubble?

  Shri Singhvi, Chief Investment Officer—Strategic Equities: There’s a big difference between an AI bubble and a stock market bubble. AI is most likely a generational disruption and may turn out to be one of the biggest we have seen in our lifetimes. Yet the use cases for AI, how widely it is deployed and the associated return on investment (ROI) are probably in the first or second innings. Meanwhile, the AI and AI-enabler stocks might be in much later innings. That is the challenge equity investors must grapple with. This so-called stock market bubble is not just AI centric; it’s fueled by excess liquidity from monetary and fiscal policies and goes far beyond AI. Most risk assets, including cryptocurrencies and meme stocks, are being bid up even though they have nothing to do with AI. That said, equity investors face a precarious choice: Is it better to be early or late should the market excesses correct significantly? Timing is hard and the cost of being wrong is high on both sides.

  Lei Qiu, Chief Investment Officer—Thematic Innovation Equities: I think it’s probably too simple to label the entire AI revolution as a bubble. Historically, we often underestimate the long-term impact of transformational changes while being overly optimistic about short-term revisions. Disruptive changes tend to happen suddenly and dramatically, but investors usually expect change to follow a steady, linear path. This mismatch can trigger violent moves in sentiment and stock prices. When it leads to a mispricing of companies with highly levered business models, “bubbles” will burst.

  The internet bubble burst because few business models could be monetized at the time. Streaming, social media and the proliferation of mobile apps didn’t exist when the heavily leveraged networking companies failed. However, the initial infrastructure investments—from undersea cable to fiber optic networks—created far too little capacity to support the number of users and the amount of traffic we have today. I think investors should keep these historical lessons in mind when considering AI today.

  Lastly, we should also recognize that when supply for components and power supply is so tight, there will be price gouging and double ordering. Over the longer term, the big question is which companies can maintain pricing power and generate profit pools. At some point, it will no longer be a “rising tide that lifts all boats” for anything that mentions the word AI. The short answer is that some companies are true AI winners and deserve the market cap, while many are not. So it’s a good time to be an active investor.

  John Fogarty, Co-Chief Investment Officer—US Growth Equities: The AI narrative drove the US equity rebound in 2023–24 after a sell-off in 2022, particularly for the tech titans. AI has continued to dominate equity performance in 2025. Beyond NVIDIA, more infrastructure providers have been catalyzed and rewarded by the increasing spend on data center build-out. It is more than hype, however, as the narrowness of the market can partially be explained by the substantial contribution of this capex cycle on GDP. But the question whether these trends can be sustained looms large.

  The continued parabolic spending intention rests on two critical assumptions: 1) AI training will continue to scale with increased compute to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI). 2) AI inference will generate sufficient revenues to support the capital build-out in years to come. A challenge to either assumption that even just slows capital spending could cause a “bubble burst” equity market correction. That, in turn, could cascade into a negative wealth effect, given the fragility of market concentration that has coalesced around the AI narrative.

  Jim Tierney, Chief Investment Officer—Concentrated US Growth: I agree with John about the market fragility. Think about the recent announcement that NVIDIA would give $100 billion to OpenAI—a large customer—so it can buy more graphic processing units (GPUs). This circular deal raises big questions. It reminds me of Pets.com and the internet bubble of the late 1990s. Here, OpenAI is the big spender, yet it has had negative free cash flow for years. So the risk is that if the market pulls the funding rug, the AI capex spending frenzy could cool quickly. Everything touching the AI space is predicated on capital spending climbing for years. But that story can be disrupted from many directions, such as more power-efficient chips, lower incremental model gains, power constraints, limits on AI-productivity improvements and overcapacity. We believe there’s no free lunch in AI land right now.

  Thorsten Winkelmann, Chief Investment Officer—European and Global Growth Equities: In my opinion, there are some differences to former bubbles like dot-com. All the major listed US, European and Asian companies involved in the AI narrative (think NVIDIA, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, ServiceNow, ASML, Applied Materials and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) are profitable, trade on explainable valuations (perhaps excluding NVIDIA) and are making a positive return on their AI investment at the moment.

  The bubble factor is more relevant to some key unlisted AI companies (OpenAI, Anthropic, Thinking Machines Lab, Z.ai, etc.), where valuations look absurd, in my opinion. The problem is, as Jim pointed out above, these companies are amplifying spending on AI infrastructure, which can be called circular when financed by the vendor. This pumps up order books and revenue expectations of the listed companies mentioned above.

  It seems as if we are in bubbly territory, but I’d argue that it’s less inflated than what we saw in the dot-com era.

  Kent Hargis, Chief Investment Officer—Strategic Core Equities: I think we are likely still in the early stages of a bubble. We’re witnessing an enormous AI-beneficiary rally in the market, driven by both quality mega-caps and low-quality speculative stocks. We’re also seeing an enormous amount of capital flowing into private companies (OpenAI valued at $500 billion; xAI and Anthropic each valued in the $150–$200 billion range). This initial capex phase of the AI infrastructure boom was largely funded by hyperscalers with strong cash flows and balance sheets capable of supporting massive capital outlays. However, the next phase is increasingly being fueled by less stable sources—including debt-financed expansion, inflated private company valuations, circular financing arrangements and risky private credit structures. This dynamic is adding fuel to speculative excesses and amplifying systemic risk as capital becomes less disciplined and more return-chasing. AI is a transformational technology, but based on our projections, technology capex is likely to surpass levels previously seen only during the dot-com boom. These and other notable red flags suggest that while the timing is uncertain, a correction at some point seems likely.

• How can investors gauge real AI potential versus hype?

  John: AI has transformed computer programming and transitioned digital advertising analytics from machine learning. Beyond that, there is more promise than irrefutable commercial successes fueling certain ROI adoption. As active managers, especially given our constructive view on this new compute paradigm, we are excited to identify successful AI adoption that improves productivity and sustainable profitability. However, these success stories have not progressed linearly, which may point to slower adoption or the need for incremental model improvement. While the clock ticks, the market continues to reward AI spending intent rather than AI adoption.

  Jim: To identify further AI upside, investors must look at 2026 capex growth, emerging revenue models and real-world cost/benefit stories from management teams.

  Lei: I’d argue that the “DeepSeek” moment in early 2025 marked an inflection point in adoption of AI inferencing, and we’re now seeing accelerated AI output. What NVIDIA is doing with OpenAI is simply funding a disruptor to challenge very well-funded tech giants’ dominance of their respective markets, which forces a faster pace of adoption of accelerated compute. We’ve always maintained the view that AI is as offensive as it is defensive when it comes to the mega-cap tech companies, as they simply cannot afford not to spend.

  Kent: The underlying technology must continue to advance to justify the rising intensity of AI-related capex. Large language models have improved at a remarkable pace, primarily by scaling compute during training. More recently, post-training techniques and reasoning models have been especially promising. Over the long run, sustained returns will require broader adoption of AI across use cases that meaningfully replace human labor. We’re already seeing early traction in areas such as coding, writing assistance, content creation and customer service. We’re monitoring these advances closely as leading indicators of potential ROI on the vast capital being deployed. If the rate of progress slows, the AI trade will inevitably correct.

  For now, the market remains in an AI “FOMO arms race,” exemplified by comments from Mark Zuckerberg and other prominent technology executives that the cost of underinvesting outweighs the cost of overinvesting. To navigate this environment, we’ve developed industry-specific frameworks to evaluate how companies are positioned along the “AI winner vs. AI loser” spectrum. While timing cycles remains inherently difficult, we believe a bottom-up approach focused on identifying true AI winners offers significant alpha potential.

  Shri: While it is true that early AI pilots have had mixed results, it’s too early to call AI hype. Those disappointments reflect a lack of corporate readiness for AI as well as the early stage of AI capabilities. There are also some big initial success stories, like in coding, where companies have seen efficiency gains between 25%–40%. Customer service is another very successful use case. And in healthcare, cycle times and costs of managing and filing claims have been reduced dramatically. Even bigger use cases are inevitable and can never be known beforehand. For example, the iPhone was launched in 2007, but Uber wasn’t even founded until 2010 and not widely used until much later. So with AI, we haven’t come close to imagining what use cases might be possible with time.

  We do know that every company and industry will have to adopt AI, if not for offense, then for defense. No one can afford to fall behind because catching up will require overcoming tremendous amounts of technology debt and significant competitive disadvantages. Finally, AI’s potential goes way beyond white-collar job efficiencies. We’re already seeing nascent physical AI applications with robots and autonomous operations like driving. The most important metrics to watch here are models and applications continuing to improve, 2) token costs continuing to get cheaper, and 3) not watching the average ROI on AI but the ones for companies that are leading the charge and have cracked the code on harnessing AI—because if they do, their competitors have no choice but to follow.

• Is there a way for equity investors to capture AI potential without taking excessive risk?

  Kent: In any bubble, speculative and lower-quality companies often outperform in the short term. But as speculative excesses continue to build across parts of the AI ecosystem, it’s increasingly important to stay disciplined and focus on quality. I think the most effective long-term approach is to identify companies that offer both meaningful upside from AI exposure and the risk reduction that comes from strong fundamentals in their core businesses. There’s always risk in any investment—particularly in a rapidly evolving growth theme like AI—but our strategy’s objective is to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns while minimizing downside risk. That means investing in durable, high-quality businesses capable of compounding value over time, rather than chasing the transitory gains of speculative AI stories.

  Shri: Investors need a nimble and basket approach to investing in AI while avoiding concentrated bets, as it is nearly impossible to call winners and losers early on. There are lessons to learn from the dot-com boom. In 1999, if you were investing in dot-com winners, you would have bought AOL and Yahoo—two early movers that were eventually disrupted. The eventual big winners, like Google, Meta and Apple, weren’t obvious early on. That’s why it’s critical to be nimble in a changing landscape and to be active and selective in approaching AI investing. I think a prudent approach is to get broader exposure to three baskets of AI: direct AI beneficiaries, indirect AI beneficiaries and AI users.

  AI will be highly disruptive for many industries in which current leaders will face the innovator’s dilemma. So it’s equally important for investors to avoid companies that will be disrupted by AI, including certain types of software companies, IT services groups and staffing companies.

  Lei: Historically what “bursts” a bubble is usually the debt market, when a company fails to pay interest owed because it is strapped for cash. Given the players involved, I think it’s too early to call it a bubble that is about to burst. In the meantime, though, we should monitor developments in the private credit market. If there is a bubble, I think it will begin to show there first.

  John: There are noted differences between this infrastructure build versus the telecom internet build around 2000, namely less debt financing so far and satisfying immediate demand versus the dark fiber build-out at the time. Nonetheless, capex intensity to current revenue for the hyperscalers has doubled, just like the internet boom. Capex cycles peak, as do associated valuations, regardless of a benign or steep fall off in spending. Looking beyond how this picks-and-shovels phase ends, like the eventual dot-com era, I think it’s likely that companies capitalizing on the application of AI have not yet emerged as market leaders. Identifying those adopters will generate alpha, regardless of the duration and ROI of the build-out.

  Thorsten: Those are all valid observations. That said, our strategy focuses AI-related investments on the “picks and shovels” rather than the gold diggers. When investing in the AI enablers, we always pay attention to which part of future revenues is explained by “regular” business and how much is AI hype that might be canceled or postponed tomorrow.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to revision over time.

References to specific securities are presented to illustrate the application of our investment philosophy only and are not to be considered recommendations by AB. The specific securities identified and described do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold or recommended for the portfolio, and it should not be assumed that investments in the securities identified were or will be profitable.

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