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Quantum computing could help cut US reliance on China rare earths

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Quantum computing could help cut US reliance on China rare earths

Quantum computing could give the U.S. and its allies a new tool in their effort to reduce reliance on China for critical rare earth elements, with one technology company betting the emerging technology can make extracting and processing limited Western supplies more efficient.

Pasqal is partnering with USA Rare Earth and Riven Systems to explore how quantum computing, artificial intelligence and rapid chemical testing can improve the separation and processing of rare earth elements.

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Pasqal CEO Wasiq Bokhari told FOX Business that the goal is essentially to get more usable rare earth material out of the resources already available outside China.

China, Bokhari explained, has significant control over global rare-earth supply and processing, while the U.S. and its allies are seeking to develop alternative supply chains for materials used in magnets, electronics, defense systems and advanced manufacturing.

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A worker holds a soil sample at a Meteoric Resources rare earth exploration project

Pasqal is partnering with USA Rare Earth and Riven Systems to explore how quantum computing, artificial intelligence and chemical testing could improve rare-earth separation and processing. (Victor Moriyama/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“When we have smaller reserves, then it becomes even more important to be more efficient at finding that element,” he said.

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Because rare earth elements generally aren’t sitting underground by themselves, and are mixed with other minerals, chemically separating them can be a complicated process.

Bokhari said quantum computing can model the molecules and compounds containing rare earths at a deeper level, potentially helping researchers identify properties that can be exploited to separate the valuable material more efficiently.

“What we can do is we can create models of the molecules or the compounds that these rare earth elements occur in… be able to identify their specific properties that we can exploit to then separate them more effectively from other things that are not so rare,” he said.

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Pasqal CEO Wasiq Bokhari

Pasqal CEO Wasiq Bokhari told FOX Business that quantum computing could help make the extraction and processing of limited rare-earth supplies more efficient. (FOX Business / Fox News)

Pasqal is partnering with USA Rare Earth, which brings rare-earth resources and processing expertise to the project, and Riven Systems, which specializes in rapid chemical experimentation and testing.

Bokhari said the effort highlights how the U.S. and its allies can combine advanced technologies to reduce their dependence on foreign-controlled critical supply chains.

The implications could extend well beyond mines and processing facilities, Bokhari said, because rare earths are used in critical technologies ranging from defense systems to advanced electronics.

“There are these elements, these specific materials, and currently we have to buy them from China. Now suppose if we get into a sensitive situation in which we still need those materials, but now somebody else has control over them,” he said.

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“They can constrict supply, which means we will not have access to those materials for our defense-related or non-defense-related applications,” he continued.

“During the COVID era, we saw what collapse of a supply chain could do globally. This is even more important because these are highly leveraged supply chains and going into very high-value components.”

FORMER SECRET SERVICE CYBERCRIME EXPERT WEIGHS IN ON PRIVACY AFTER HACKERS BREACH STOLEN FLOCK CAMERA

Rare-earth mine in Baiyun'ebo or Bayan Obo, China

China controls significant portions of the global rare-earth supply and processing chain, while the U.S. and its allies are working to develop alternative sources. (Bert van Dijk/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Even relatively small improvements at individual stages of the separation process could compound into significantly greater yields, Bokhari said.

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“For every ton of rock that I put in, I want to get certain amounts of rare earth elements. And if I can improve that by a factor of two, factor of three, factor of 10, that matters a lot.”

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PSQL PASQAL HOLDING SA 6.99 -0.35 -4.77%

While traditional computers are superb at many tasks, Bokhari said quantum systems can have advantages when modeling materials, chemicals and molecules or searching through enormous numbers of possible solutions.

Bokhari compared quantum computing today to artificial intelligence (AI) before ChatGPT and other generative AI tools pushed the technology into mainstream consciousness.

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Rare-earth elements are used in technologies ranging from advanced electronics and manufacturing to U.S. defense systems. (iStock)

“It was working under the radar for the longest time,” he explained. “And then suddenly, there’s this aha moment, ‘Oh, this has something that I can relate to.’”

“I would say as a comparison, quantum computing is only a few years behind,” he added. “I think we will see in terms of the kind of impact we can generate from quantum computing, it is the same size of impact that you will see from Gen AI. We’re just a few years behind.”

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Bokhari pushed back on the perception that practical quantum computing remains the stuff of science fiction.

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“Please don’t think of quantum computing as something that might be in the future. For Pasqal, it is here today,” Bokhari said. “In the end, it’s solving real business problems today.”

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UK PM Burnham to set out economic vision as inflation, Iran war pose challenges

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Florida Village Inn franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

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Florida Village Inn franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

The operator of a Village Inn restaurant in Oldsmar, Florida, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after reporting more than $554,000 in liabilities, according to court filings obtained by FOX Business.

VI Oldsmar LLC filed its Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida on Sept. 18, electing to proceed under Subchapter V, which is a streamlined bankruptcy process for qualifying small businesses.

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Court filings show the company listed about $72,335 in assets and $554,076 in liabilities, with between one and 49 creditors.

MAKER OF ICE CREAM SOLD AT GROCERY STORES NATIONWIDE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AS IT APPEALS $23.8M JUDGMENT

A Village Inn restaurant is shown in this Google Maps image

A Village Inn restaurant is shown in this Google Maps image. (Google Maps)

Its assets included about $5,235 in cash, $15,000 in food and paper inventory, $50,000 in kitchen equipment and roughly $2,100 in office furniture and equipment.

The company’s largest creditors include 3682 JAGS LLC, which is owed $250,000, the Florida Department of Revenue at $120,400, the Internal Revenue Service at $78,500, US Foods at roughly $40,301 and Sysco at $30,000, according to court filings.

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According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the franchisee has struggled with the lingering effects of the 2024 hurricanes that struck the Tampa Bay region, along with declining restaurant sales and rising operating costs.

OUTDOOR RETAILER CLOSING NEARLY 60 STORES AMID BANKRUPTCY

A Village Inn sign is shown in this Google Maps image

A Village Inn sign is shown here. (Google Maps)

The Oldsmar restaurant remains open and has no plans to close, an employee at the location told The Street on Tuesday.

The Oldsmar filing marks the fifth Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Village Inn franchisees operated by managing member Lloyd D. Lehan IV since June, according to The Street.

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The latest filing follows Bay Pines Group LLC’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition last month, court filings show. 

Bay Pines Group, which also is owned by Lehan, operates the Village Inn on Bay Pines Boulevard in Seminole, Florida, The Street reported.

DETROIT BANKRUPTCY CASE OFFICIALLY CLOSES MORE THAN 13 YEARS AFTER HISTORIC FILING

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy text

The Oldsmar filing reportedly marks the fifth Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Village Inn franchisees operated by managing member Lloyd D. Lehan IV since June. (iStock)

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Village Inn, which was founded in Denver in 1958 as Village Inn Pancake House, now operates more than 100 company-owned and franchised restaurants across several states, including Colorado, Florida, Texas and Arizona, according to its website.

Village Inn, franchise operator Lloyd D. Lehan IV and the Oldsmar restaurant could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.

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Proto Labs CFO Daniel Schumacher sells $476,604 in stock

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Invesco Conservative Income Fund Q2 2026 Commentary

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The doctor protects the savings

Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of the suitability of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE All data provided by Invesco unless otherwise noted. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd.’s retail products and collective trust funds. Invesco Advisers, Inc. and other affiliated investment advisers mentioned provide investment advisory services and do not sell securities. Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by the sponsor, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and broker-dealers including Invesco Distributors, Inc. PowerShares® is a registered trademark of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (Invesco PowerShares). Each entity is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. ©2015 Invesco Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Scaloni Reveals He Pushed Hard for Messi’s Final Argentina Farewell Match on October 6 in Buenos Aires

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Landon Donovan

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Scaloni Reveals He Pushed Hard for Messi’s Final Argentina Farewell Match on October 6 in Buenos Aires

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealed he personally pushed to bring Lionel Messi back for one final appearance with the national team, arranging a farewell match against Benin at Monumental Stadium on October 6, despite Messi having already announced his international retirement following this summer’s World Cup.

Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, closing out a career with the national team that stands as one of the most decorated in the sport’s history. He retires as Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker with 207 caps and its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, while having captained the team to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa America championships.

Messi’s World Cup record stands alone across several statistical categories. The 39-year-old has played more World Cup games, 34, and registered more World Cup goal involvements, 33, including 12 assists, than any other player in the tournament’s history. Only Kylian Mbappe, with 22 goals, has scored more World Cup goals than Messi’s own tally of 21. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also leads the all-time World Cup charts in shots, with 140, shots on target, with 64, chances created, with 99, and dribbles completed, with 250.

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Despite his retirement announcement, Messi was called up to Scaloni’s most recent Argentina squad and will make one final appearance for his country against Benin. Scaloni explained the reasoning behind bringing Messi back for the occasion. “I believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part because I wanted to be at his farewell,” Scaloni told reporters.

Scaloni acknowledged uncertainty about his own future with the national team factored into the urgency of arranging the match now rather than waiting. “Since I don’t know if I would be here later, we pushed hard so that he could be in this match,” Scaloni said. He described Messi’s willingness to participate despite the demands already placed on him this year. “We knew everything he was going through and even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and be able to say goodbye to the people who love him so much.”

Scaloni framed the timing of the tribute as essential, given the uncertainty of arranging a similar occasion in the future. “If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment,” he said. “With him, it will never stop, but later, the magic might not be the same.”

Messi’s on-field legacy with Argentina includes delivering the country’s first World Cup title since 1986, scoring twice in the penalty shootout that decided the 2022 final against France following a 3-3 draw after extra time. He followed that triumph with what Scaloni and others have described as a similarly sensational performance at this summer’s tournament, scoring eight goals, including his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, which came against Algeria.

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Reflecting on the experience of coaching Messi throughout his tenure, Scaloni offered an emotional assessment of what the partnership had meant to him personally. “For me, getting to coach him was the ultimate experience. It was a dream. I told him so, and I’ll say it for the rest of my life. There will never be anyone like him,” Scaloni said. He went on to describe what he sees as the rarity of a talent like Messi’s. “It’s very rare for a player like that to come along, not just because of what he does on the pitch, but because of everything he conveys off it. Let’s enjoy this.”

Scaloni also weighed in on Messi’s case for individual recognition following this summer’s tournament, suggesting the statistical record speaks for itself. “After the World Cup he just played, there isn’t much more to add. If the award is for the best player, there’s no doubt. It’s already spoken for, the statistics prove it,” Scaloni said. “As long as he’s on a football pitch, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve it.”

While Messi’s international future is now settled with the announced farewell match, the same cannot be said for Scaloni himself, whose contract as Argentina’s head coach is set to expire this December. Asked whether he had received any update on his own future with the federation, Scaloni said he planned to meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia in the coming days to discuss the matter. “It is a dream come true, but that doesn’t mean I have to cling to the job forever,” Scaloni said. “There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president, and we’ll see if we can reach an agreement.”

With Messi’s farewell match now set for October 6 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentine football fans will have one final opportunity to see the sport’s most decorated World Cup performer represent the national team, closing out a international career that Scaloni and others have suggested may never be matched by another player in the sport’s history.

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BUENOS AIRES — Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealed he personally pushed to bring Lionel Messi back for one final appearance with the national team, arranging a farewell match against Benin at Monumental Stadium on October 6, despite Messi having already announced his international retirement following this summer’s World Cup.

Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, closing out a career with the national team that stands as one of the most decorated in the sport’s history. He retires as Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker with 207 caps and its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, while having captained the team to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa America championships.

Messi’s World Cup record stands alone across several statistical categories. The 39-year-old has played more World Cup games, 34, and registered more World Cup goal involvements, 33, including 12 assists, than any other player in the tournament’s history. Only Kylian Mbappe, with 22 goals, has scored more World Cup goals than Messi’s own tally of 21. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also leads the all-time World Cup charts in shots, with 140, shots on target, with 64, chances created, with 99, and dribbles completed, with 250.

Despite his retirement announcement, Messi was called up to Scaloni’s most recent Argentina squad and will make one final appearance for his country against Benin. Scaloni explained the reasoning behind bringing Messi back for the occasion. “I believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part because I wanted to be at his farewell,” Scaloni told reporters.

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Scaloni acknowledged uncertainty about his own future with the national team factored into the urgency of arranging the match now rather than waiting. “Since I don’t know if I would be here later, we pushed hard so that he could be in this match,” Scaloni said. He described Messi’s willingness to participate despite the demands already placed on him this year. “We knew everything he was going through and even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and be able to say goodbye to the people who love him so much.”

Scaloni framed the timing of the tribute as essential, given the uncertainty of arranging a similar occasion in the future. “If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment,” he said. “With him, it will never stop, but later, the magic might not be the same.”

Messi’s on-field legacy with Argentina includes delivering the country’s first World Cup title since 1986, scoring twice in the penalty shootout that decided the 2022 final against France following a 3-3 draw after extra time. He followed that triumph with what Scaloni and others have described as a similarly sensational performance at this summer’s tournament, scoring eight goals, including his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, which came against Algeria.

Reflecting on the experience of coaching Messi throughout his tenure, Scaloni offered an emotional assessment of what the partnership had meant to him personally. “For me, getting to coach him was the ultimate experience. It was a dream. I told him so, and I’ll say it for the rest of my life. There will never be anyone like him,” Scaloni said. He went on to describe what he sees as the rarity of a talent like Messi’s. “It’s very rare for a player like that to come along, not just because of what he does on the pitch, but because of everything he conveys off it. Let’s enjoy this.”

Advertisement

Scaloni also weighed in on Messi’s case for individual recognition following this summer’s tournament, suggesting the statistical record speaks for itself. “After the World Cup he just played, there isn’t much more to add. If the award is for the best player, there’s no doubt. It’s already spoken for, the statistics prove it,” Scaloni said. “As long as he’s on a football pitch, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve it.”

While Messi’s international future is now settled with the announced farewell match, the same cannot be said for Scaloni himself, whose contract as Argentina’s head coach is set to expire this December. Asked whether he had received any update on his own future with the federation, Scaloni said he planned to meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia in the coming days to discuss the matter. “It is a dream come true, but that doesn’t mean I have to cling to the job forever,” Scaloni said. “There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president, and we’ll see if we can reach an agreement.”

With Messi’s farewell match now set for October 6 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentine football fans will have one final opportunity to see the sport’s most decorated World Cup performer represent the national team, closing out a international career that Scaloni and others have suggested may never be matched by another player in the sport’s history.

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Skillsoft CEO Ronald Hovsepian buys $66,414 in shares

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Rupee recovers as large public sector banks sell US dollars

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Rupee recovers as large public sector banks sell US dollars
Likely regulatory intervention helped the Indian rupee gain 15 paise to close at 95.81 against the US dollar on Friday, bouncing back from the intra-day low of 95.94 and the previous close of 95.96, while the benchmark bond yield rose to 7.14%, the highest level seen in the past four months.

Market participants said large public sector banks were seen selling dollars at the behest of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a market with thin volume, helping the local currency recover from the near the 96 level despite global crude price hovering near $105 a barrel and raising the risk of imported inflation.

The RBI was active in the market even before the opening of the day’s trade, boosting the rupee to a stronger opening of 95.90 per dollar, traders said.

During the day, the RBI used dollar-rupee sell-buy swaps to absorb rupee liquidity from the inter-bank system, two people said.

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Exporters also sold dollars while the one-year forward premium increased to 3.5%, a level not seen since the last week of May.


“RBI deputy governor Poonam Gupta’s remark that the rupee was overcorrected, making a case for appreciation, should stabilise the rupee,” the treasury head of a private bank said on condition of anonymity. “At least the pace of depreciation should moderate.”
The rupee had been weakening for the past couple of days due to these concerns and high dollar demand from importers, who were mopping up the US currency ahead of a likely bank strike to secure month-end payments.”The rupee remains under pressure from external financing requirements, changing capital flows and a higher global cost of capital,” said Siddharth Chaudhary, head- fixed income at Bajaj Asset Management.

“In this environment, a significant decline in domestic interest rates could work against currency stability. This may reduce the room for monetary accommodation and require real yields to remain higher than domestic inflation conditions alone would otherwise suggest,” he said.

The benchmark 10-year bond yield hit 7.14% earlier in the day before the auction, its highest intraday level since May 20, before easing a tad. The yield closed at 7.11% on Thursday.

This is in line with the global yield tightening. The US 10-year treasury yield rose above 5.20%, its highest since 2007. Japan’s 10-year yield rose to 3.115%, a level last seen in August 1996, while

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Germany’s 10-year yield, a benchmark for the euro zone, hit a 17-year high of 3.5798%, Reuters reported.

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InMode Stock: Hope Is Not Effective Investment Strategy, Neither Is Despair (NASDAQ:INMD)

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This article was written by

I have been investing in the stock market since I was 17 years old, and over the 25+ years since I have learned the joy of compounding, the value of dividend reinvesting, and the principle that patient investing through good times and bad brings the greatest rewards. I believe the key to creating wealth is the slow accumulation of high quality equities, and the key to enjoying the process of investing is to mix this steady approach with some high risk/high reward opportunities, underappreciated turnaround plays, and transformative technologies. I invest with integrity, only putting my money into companies and industries that aim to make the world a better place. I only analyze companies that embrace this same principal too.I am entirely self-taught, with no formal education in investing or business, but I’m smart at figuring out who is worth listening to. I read widely and embrace the notion that my own growth comes from learning from others. In my other life, I have been teaching at the college/university level for over 20 years. I have a PhD from Brunel University and am an accomplished academic writer and editor.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of INMD, NVO either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Costco cuts prices on produce, meat and home goods after tariff refunds

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Costco cuts prices on produce, meat and home goods after tariff refunds

Costco on Thursday said it received $184 million in tariff refunds in the company’s fourth quarter, the majority of which was reinvested into lower pricing for members shopping at the retail giant’s warehouses.

The big box retailer said the lower pricing from tariff refunds was applied to a range of everyday items, including food and beverages, as well as other product categories.

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Costco CEO Ron Vachris said on the company’s earnings call that the company “received some initial tariff refunds in the fourth quarter, and we reinvested some of these dollars to give value back to our members.

“This was predominantly through price reductions on a number of items in the second half of the quarter, including everyday items in produce, meat and beverages and some nonfood items such as home furnishings and hardware.”

WALMART SAYS IT WILL USE BILLIONS IN TARIFF REFUNDS TO KEEP PRICES LOW

costco new jersey

Costco said it plans to reinvest the majority of its tariff refunds in pricing improvements for members. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Costco CFO Gary Millerchip added that the company views the pricing reinvestments as “very much a giving value back to our members for the tariff refunds that we received.

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“Our goal was to make sure that we spread those as we could to items that would have the most impact for members. … Quite a few everyday items were impacted.

“We did also invest some dollars into a number of nonfood areas where tariffs would have had an impact on those items, in particular, when the IEEPA tariffs were originally introduced,” he added.

HOW SHOULD BUSINESSES APPROACH TARIFF REFUNDS?

An aerial view of shipping containers at the Port of Houston

Costco received $184 million in tariff refunds in the company’s fourth quarter. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Millerchip said Costco received $184 million in tariff refunds in the company’s fourth quarter, which consisted of $174 million in refunds and $10 million in interest.

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He added that amount represents a little over one-third of the total tariff refunds that Costco expects to receive, adding the company had already received a similar amount of refunds in the first quarter.

“We intend to continue reinvesting the majority of the dollars we receive in increased member values. As tariff refunds and tariff refund reinvestments are nonrecurring items that will continue to impact our financial results in fiscal year 2027, we plan to provide a similar level of information about the net impact on future quarterly earnings calls,” Millerchip said.

TRUMP ADMIN TO BEGIN REFUNDING $166B TO BUSINESSES IN WAKE OF SUPREME COURT DECISION

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COST COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP. 922.76 +26.29 +2.93%

Vachris was asked about the impact of tariffs on Costco’s offerings last year since the company had to remove a number of items from stores and replace them with other SKUs.

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He said it “really was most impactful in the first, second quarter, died off a little bit in the third quarter that we got back to a little bit more normalcy.”

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Rising Stars in the spotlight at building awards

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Three young professionals in running for 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards

From left, George Pain, Cory Staton and Nathan Bill, finalists in the Rising Star of the Year category in the 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards

From left, George Pain, Cory Staton and Nathan Bill, finalists in the Rising Star of the Year category in the 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards(Image: ProCon Leicestershire Awards)

Three young professionals have made the final of the Rising Star of the Year category in the 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards.

All three are under 30 years old and work for member companies of ProCon Leicestershire. The Rising Star category is sponsored by Galliford Try and is one of seven in this year’s 23rd ProCon Leicestershire Awards.

The Rising Star of the Year finalists are:

Cory Staton, HSSP Architects

Cory’s positive attitude, the consistently high standard of his work and the contribution he makes to the team are exceptional. He has fully embraced HSSP’s multi sector dynamic to the benefit of himself and the practice.

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His leadership and project management skills have flourished. He has developed his technical knowledge and sought increasing responsibility from senior colleagues which has been entrusted to him.

With an ability to manage multiple live projects simultaneously, he prioritises workloads, communicates effectively with clients and consultants, and actively solves problems.

The 2026 ProCon Awards logo and the award sponsors Salus and Unique Window Systems

The 2026 ProCon Awards logo and the award sponsors Salus and Unique Window Systems(Image: ProCon Awards)

George Pain, Gateley RJA

Throughout his apprenticeship, George has consistently achieved strong academic results while simultaneously delivering value to clients and colleagues.

Despite being early in his career, George has already established himself as a trusted and highly capable Quantity Surveyor, taking a leading role on several significant client accounts and projects.

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His ability to understand client objectives and provide practical, commercially focused advice has enabled him to build strong relationships and gain the trust of clients and colleagues.

Nathan Bill, MEC Consulting Group

For an individual still in the early stages of his career, Nathan has demonstrated exceptional progression. His promotion to Associate Director reflects both his technical capabilities and the trust placed in him to lead and grow regional teams.

What sets Nathan apart is his ability to think beyond his job title. He is always willing to help others and has built a nurturing, collaborative culture for his team. For clients, he exercises good judgement, is insightful, engaging and committed to achieving the best results.

His technical insight has proven invaluable on many projects, with multiple clients confirming they view Nathan as an extension of their team, rather than a consultant.

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Jon Marston, Managing Director at award sponsor Galliford Try Building East Midlands & Anglia, said: “Galliford Try are incredibly proud to sponsor this year’s Rising Star Award.

“The final shortlist showcases some exceptional candidates and is testament to the depth and strength of the young professionals contributing to our industry in Leicester and Leicestershire. With people at the heart of our business, it is an honour to support this Award and celebrate the talent in the region.”

The 2026 ProCon Awards are backed by two corporate sponsors: Salus and Unique Window Systems. The Leicester Mercury’s Business Live is the media partner.

The other six awards are:

  • Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
  • Medium Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
  • Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Merali Beedle
  • Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Knights
  • Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework
  • Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by NJC Surveys and AR Demolition

All the contenders will be in the spotlight at a Finalist Showcase at the 2025 winner Jewry Wall in Leicester from 6pm on Wednesday October 7.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on November 12 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Details of all the awards finalists are at: procon-leicestershire.co.uk/procon-awards/2026

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Companies keen to attend the Finalist Showcase, the ceremony or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities can contact Allyson Jeffrey on 0116 278 1443 or via email: info@procon-leicestershire.co.uk

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