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Barabak: How New Mexico went from a battleground state to a blue state

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE —  For five long weeks, the White House hung in the balance as one of the closest, most wrenching presidential campaigns in history went deep into overtime.It all came down to Florida, where Republican George W. Bush was finally declared the winner, by Supreme Court decree. The official margin was 537 votes.But in 2000, one state was even closer.Lost amid Florida’s tumult and all the legal gladiating was Al Gore’s victory here in New Mexico, where the Democrat prevailed by a mere 366 votes.The result established New Mexico as one of the country’s foremost presidential battlegrounds, a status reaffirmed in Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign when he won the state by less than a percentage point.Since then, it’s been one Democratic victory after another — none of them close.“We’re not purple,” said Joe Monahan, a blogger who has chronicled New Mexico politics for decades. “We’re blue. Very blue.”To a large extent, it’s a story of movement.People relocating from more liberal cl...

So much home, so little DIY

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

You’re the handy type. Or you’re not. You love to do-it-yourself. Or you don’t.You’d like to imagine that every build-it, create-it, decorate-it, plant-it, maintain-it or fix-it job is an opportunity to develop a closer relationship with your house. But who has the time?For many, if not most, new-home buyers, stepping back from DIY work for a while drives much of the decision to choose new construction, in which everything is brand new and perfect. For others, the new home provides an opportunity to learn some DIY basics.Some projects always require a professional. These include major plumbing alterations or updates; electrical rewiring or circuit additions; changes to the roof and gutters; HVAC installations; structural work or additions; and heavy-duty landscape or hardscape work.Now for the fun part: All homeownership comes with some degree of cleaning, decorating, maintenance and repairs. Even at a new home. This upkeep can be incredibly gratifying at a new home. Keeping the hou...

Sonic Automotive: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Sonic Automotive Inc. (SAH) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $23.4 million.The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company said it had net income of 65 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $1.83 per share.The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.63 per share.The auto dealer posted revenue of $3.65 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $3.64 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SAH at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SAHSource

FMC Technologies: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Britain (AP) — NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Britain (AP) — FMC Technologies Inc. (FTI) on Thursday reported a loss of $87.2 million in its second quarter.The Newcastle Upon Tyne, Britain-based company said it had a loss of 20 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and restructuring costs, were 10 cents per share.The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 15 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 16 cents per share.The provider of equipment and services to energy companies posted revenue of $1.97 billion in the period, topping Street forecasts. Eighteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.93 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FTI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FTISource

Lennox: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

RICHARDSON, Texas (AP) — RICHARDSON, Texas (AP) — Lennox International Inc. (LII) on Thursday reported second-quarter net income of $217.2 million.The Richardson, Texas-based company said it had profit of $6.10 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $6.15 per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 15 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $5.21 per share.The manufacturer of furnaces, air conditioners and other products posted revenue of $1.41 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Fifteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.37 billion.Lennox expects full-year earnings to be $15.50 to $16 per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on LII at https://www.zacks.com/ap/LIISource

Southwest: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $683 million.The Dallas-based company said it had profit of $1.08 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $1.09 per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.08 per share.The airline posted revenue of $7.04 billion in the period, also topping Street forecasts. Nine analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $6.99 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on LUV at https://www.zacks.com/ap/LUVSource

Donegal: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) — MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) — Donegal Group Inc. (DGICA) on Thursday reported net income of $2 million in its second quarter.On a per-share basis, the Marietta, Pennsylvania-based company said it had net income of 6 cents. Earnings, adjusted for investment gains, came to less than 1 cent on a per-share basis.The insurance holding company posted revenue of $229.2 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $226.7 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on DGICA at https://www.zacks.com/ap/DGICASource

First American Financial: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — First American Financial Corp. (FAF) on Thursday reported profit of $138.5 million in its second quarter.The Santa Ana, California-based company said it had net income of $1.33 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.35 per share.The financial services company posted revenue of $1.65 billion in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FAF at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FAFSource

Boston Scientific: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $270 million.On a per-share basis, the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company said it had net income of 18 cents. Earnings, adjusted for amortization costs and costs related to mergers and acquisitions, were 53 cents per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 49 cents per share.The medical device manufacturer posted revenue of $3.6 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Eleven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $3.5 billion.For the current quarter ending in September, Boston Scientific expects its per-share earnings to range from 46 cents to 48 cents.The company expects full-year earnings in the range of $1.96 to $2 per share.Boston Scientific shares have increased 13% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P’s 500 ...

Carrier Global: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:26:15 GMT

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Carrier Global Corporation (CARR) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $199 million.The Palm Beach Gardens, Florida-based company said it had net income of 23 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 79 cents per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 76 cents per share.The company posted revenue of $5.99 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.77 billion.Carrier Global expects full-year earnings in the range of $2.55 to $2.65 per share.Carrier Global shares have risen 32% since the beginning of the year. The stock has increased 43% in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on C...