Market Newsdesk

April 1, 2025 12:53 pm

Freight Technologies Enters into Securities Purchase Agreement with Fetch Compute to Acquire Tokens in One of the Largest Decentralized Artificial Intelligence Computing Networks

– Creates asset diversification in addition to a crypto treasury and platform for Freight Technologies to introduce crypto to the Over-the-Road (OTR) carrier and logistics markets –

– Freight Technologies and Fetch.AI to collaborate on a development partnership to further blockchain and AI technologies in the logistics space –

HOUSTON, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freight Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRGT; “Fr8Tech” or the “Company”), a logistics management innovation company, offering a diverse portfolio of technology-driven solutions, announced today it has entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) for the acquisition of $5.2 million of FET Tokens from Fetch Compute, Inc. (“Fetch Compute”), in exchange for 2,311,248 Series A4 preferred shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Shares”). The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated April 1, 2025, announcing the execution of the Agreement.

FET Tokens are the cryptocurrency that power Fetch.ai, a decentralized machine learning platform that aligns with Fr8Tech’s vision for scalable and secure AI solutions in the OTR carrier and logistics markets. Acquiring FET Tokens allows Fr8Tech to begin actively participating in Fetch.ai’s decentralized AI ecosystem, expanding its competitive advantage in the logistics industry.

“On the heels of the launch of our AI Tendering Bot, an innovative solution designed to automate and streamline the load tendering process for shippers and freight brokers, today’s token acquisition announcement brings further breadth and depth to Fr8Tech’s commitment to logistics innovation, while simultaneously strengthening and diversifying our balance sheet,” said Javier Selgas, the Chief Executive Officer of Fr8Tech. “With a FET Token treasury in place and by leveraging Fetch.ai’s empowered decentralized digital economy, our ultimate goal is to empower clients with real-time visibility and greater supply chain transparency to handle different activities inside the decentralized economy, whether it’s improving supply chain logistics, maintaining solid record-keeping systems, executing computational tasks, or enabling transactional interactions.”

About Freight Technologies Inc.

Freight Technologies (Nasdaq: FRGT) (“Fr8Tech”) is a technology company offering a diverse portfolio of proprietary platform solutions powered by AI and machine learning to optimize and automate the supply chain process. Focused on addressing the distinct challenges within the supply chain ecosystem, the Company’s portfolio of solutions includes the Fr8App platform for seamless OTR B2B cross-border shipping across the USMCA region; Fr8Now, a specialized service for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping; Fr8Fleet, a dedicated capacity service for enterprise clients in Mexico; Waavely, a digital platform for efficient ocean freight booking and management of container shipments between North America and ports worldwide and Fleet Rocket a nimble, scalable and cost-effective Transportation Management System (TMS) for brokers, shippers, and other logistics operator Together, each product is interconnected within a unified platform to connect carriers and shippers and significantly improve matching and operation efficiency via innovative technologies such as live pricing and real-time tracking, digital freight marketplace, brokerage support, transportation management, fleet management, and committed capacity solutions. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit fr8technologies.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Fr8Tech’s and Fr8App Inc.’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside Fr8Tech’s and Fr8App Inc.’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Fr8Tech’s ordinary shares on Nasdaq; (2) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (3) the possibility that Fr8Tech or Fr8App Inc. may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (4) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Fr8App Inc.; (5) risks related to the organic and inorganic growth of Fr8App Inc.’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; and (6) other risks and uncertainties identified, including those under “Risk Factors,” to be filed in Fr8Tech other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission.

Fr8Tech cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Fr8Tech and Fr8App Inc. caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Fr8Tech and Fr8App Inc. do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Fr8Tech Contact:
Jason Finkelstein
IGNITION Investor Relations
[email protected]

April 1, 2025 12:53 pm

Producer sentiment slips due to rising policy uncertainty

PR Newswire

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.
, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Farmer sentiment declined in March as concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy weighed on producers’ outlook for the future. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 12 points to a reading of 140, down from 152 a month earlier. Contributing to the weakened sentiment in March was a 15-point drop in the Index of Future Expectations to 144 and the Current Conditions Index falling 5 points to 132. The drop in sentiment was influenced by falling crop prices since mid-February, along with increasing uncertainty surrounding agricultural trade and farm policy. Despite the decline, producers remained more optimistic about future conditions than the present, with the Future Expectations Index remaining higher than the Current Conditions Index by 12 points. This month’s survey was conducted between March 10-14.

Alongside the weakened sentiment, the Farm Capital Investment Index fell 5 points to 54 in March. Despite the dip, it is the second-highest reading since June 2021. The Farm Financial Performance Index also saw a drop, decreasing 8 points to 102. While slightly above 100, the index indicates that, on average, producers still anticipate their farm’s financial performance to improve compared to a year ago.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index remained steady at 118 in March, matching the previous month’s level and only 6 points below its reading from a year ago. Except for the late summer and early fall of 2024, when sentiment was more pessimistic, the index has generally ranged between 110 and 126 since early 2023. This suggests that farmers maintain a cautious outlook for farmland values, anticipating they will either remain stable or increase modestly in the coming year.

“While the overall sentiment shift in March reflects growing uncertainty, farmers remain cautiously optimistic about the future, particularly with farmland values holding steady and the outlook for strong returns in the livestock sector helping to offset weaker expectations among crop producers,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’sCenter for Commercial Agriculture.

Since 2019, the barometer surveys have asked producers about their expectations for U.S. agricultural exports over the next five years. Historically, exports have been a primary driver of U.S. agricultural production demand and are closely linked to strong farm incomes. Producers reported they were optimistic about export growth in 2019 and 2020 surveys, but that optimism began to decline in 2021 and has continued to erode. In March, expectations for U.S. exports reached a record low in the survey, with 30% of producers anticipating a decline in exports, nearly matching the 33% who expect exports to rise.

In addition to worries about exports, farmers’ focus on agricultural policy has shifted over the past year. Since late 2022, barometer surveys have regularly asked producers to identify the most important policies or programs for their farms in the next five years. Before the November 2024 election, farmers reported a higher focus on interest rate policy than trade policy. However, since the election, trade policy has become a fast-growing concern, with 43% of respondents, on average, now citing it as the most critical issue impacting their farms, up sharply from an average of just 21% prior to the election.

Uncertainties about trade policy and its potential impact on U.S. agricultural exports are closely tied to farmers’ expectations for farm income. The March survey asked producers about the likelihood of a program similar to 2019’s Market Facilitation Program, created to compensate for lower output prices due to a trade war. Approximately two-thirds of respondents believe a follow-up to such a program is either “likely” (52%) or “very likely” (13%) to be implemented. Additionally, 74% of farmers in March indicated that the passage of a new farm bill this year was either “very important” (49%) or “important” (25%) to them.

About the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture
The Center for Commercial Agriculture was founded in 2011 to provide professional development and educational programs for farmers. Housed within Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, the center’s faculty and staff develop and execute research and educational programs that address the different needs of managing in today’s business environment.

About CME Group
As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data — empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products and metals. The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec is a trademark of BrokerTec Americas LLC and EBS is a trademark of EBS Group LTD. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”). “S&P®”, “S&P 500®”, “SPY®”, “SPX®”, US 500 and The 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones®, DJIA® and Dow Jones Industrial Average are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Futures contracts based on the S&P 500 Index are not sponsored, endorsed, marketed, or promoted by S&P DJI, and S&P DJI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

CME-G

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/producer-sentiment-slips-due-to-rising-policy-uncertainty-302416741.html

SOURCE CME Group

April 1, 2025 12:53 pm

Franklin Access Announces the First in Its New Series of Remotely Managed M2M Routers for IoT: The Seiona – RT410S

SAN DIEGO, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Access, a leading provider of integrated wireless solutions, has unveiled its latest product, the Seiona – RT410S, at the Channel Partners Conference in Las Vegas. The Seiona – RT410S delivers secure, stable, and reliable connectivity for a wide range of edge applications, expanding Franklin’s product offerings into the multi-billion-dollar IoT market. Designed for industries such as digital signage, healthcare, ATMs, kiosks, vending machines, and EV charging stations, the Seiona – RT410S facilitates seamless data exchange between computers and automated systems, enhancing operational efficiency.

Setting itself apart from competitors, Franklin’s Seiona series integrates full access to the Pintrac Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform, enabling comprehensive remote management. This solution allows administrators to configure, secure, deploy, monitor, and update devices remotely, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with on-site servicing. The Seiona – RT410S is the first in a series of upcoming devices and will be available in various physical configurations, all leveraging LTE technology.

At its core, the Seiona – RT410S incorporates proven cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS technologies to ensure robust performance. Its compact and portable design makes it ideal for a variety of deployment scenarios. Currently, Seiona is undergoing technical evaluation with leading national retailers for kiosk applications.

The Seiona – RT410S is currently undergoing U.S. wireless carrier certification and will be available for purchase soon.

About Franklin Access

Franklin Access (NASDAQ: FKWL) is a leader in integrated wireless solutions, offering state-of-the-art 4G LTE and 5G technologies, including mobile hotspots, routers, and mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Learn more at franklinaccess.com.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to various factors.

April 1, 2025 12:53 pm

Schneider leader honored as a “Top Woman to Watch in Transportation”

Schneider leader honored as a “Top Woman to Watch in Transportation”

Katie Justman is recognized for her commitment to excellence, empowering associates and delivering superior results for shippers

GREEN BAY, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Shippers searching for flexible, results-driven solutions rely on industry professionals who can deliver capacity and insights. One such expert is Schneider’s Director of Operations, Katie Justman. Honored as one of the Top Women to Watch in Transportation by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), Katie exemplifies operational excellence, mentorship and a customer-first mindset.

Over her 26-year career at Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE: SNDR), a premier multimodal transportation, intermodal and logistics provider, Katie has a proven track record of creating solutions that empower her team and deliver exceptional service. Her leadership spans across ten customer accounts that represent $143 million in Network and Dedicated annual revenue, and she oversees a team of 800 professional drivers who consistently deliver on Schneider’s promises to be responsible, reliable and safe. In fact, one of the drivers on Katie’s team recently achieved a remarkable five million safe miles.

“Katie’s recognition as a Top Woman to Watch is a testament to her innovative approach to customer service and dedication to building relationships,” said Schneider Chief Commercial Officer and Senior Vice President Erin Van Zeeland. “Her ability to understand complex customer needs and translate them into impactful results help give customers an edge in today’s competitive landscape.”

Katie’s dedication to excellence doesn’t stop there; she is committed to cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. That’s why she is an active mentor in both the Schneider Women’s Network, the company’s longest-running internal Business Resource Group, and the Accelerated Development Program — initiatives that align seamlessly with Schneider’s mission to create a growth-oriented workplace where everyone can thrive.

“Receiving the Top Woman to Watch award is really a reflection of the incredible support I have received at Schneider and our collaborative culture where we ensure associates have what they need to succeed for our customers every day,” Katie shared. “My experiences help me mentor the next rising stars so they, too, can move forward along their career path while helping our customers achieve meaningful results.”

Schneider’s steadfast commitment to advancing women in transportation is evident. Women hold approximately 13% of driver roles — nearly double the industry average — and 40% of leadership positions. In addition, the company and its leaders have consistently earned accolades from WIT, including the Top Women to Watch in Transportation award and being listed six consecutive years as a Top Company for Women to Work in Transportation.

For shippers seeking reliable supply chain solutions backed by proven operational experts like Katie Justman, visit, schneider.com. For those seeking a role with a responsible organization with leaders who support professional development and personal growth, visit schneiderjobs.com.

About Schneider

Schneider is a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services. Offering one of the broadest portfolios in the industry, Schneider’s solutions include Regional and Long-Haul Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Port Logistics and Logistics Consulting.

Schneider has been safely delivering superior customer experiences and investing in innovation for 90 years. The company’s digital marketplace, Schneider FreightPower®, is revolutionizing the industry giving shippers access to an expanded, highly flexible capacity network and provides carriers with unmatched access to quality drop-and-hook freight – Always Delivering, Always Ahead.

For more information about Schneider, visit Schneider.com or follow the company socially on Facebook,LinkedIn and X: @WeAreSchneider.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250331497410/en/

Kara Leiterman, Media Relations Manager

M 920-370-7188

[email protected]

schneider.com/news

KEYWORDS: United States North America Wisconsin

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Supply Chain Management Trucking Rail Retail Transport Logistics/Supply Chain Management

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April 1, 2025 12:53 pm

LTC Declares Its Monthly Common Stock Cash Dividend for the Second Quarter of 2025

LTC Declares Its Monthly Common Stock Cash Dividend for the Second Quarter of 2025

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LTC Properties Inc. (NYSE: LTC) (“LTC” or the “Company”), announced today that it had declared a monthly cash dividend of $0.19 per common share per month for the second quarter of 2025. Distribution dates are outlined in the table below.

Record Date	Payment Date	Amount
April 22, 2025	April 30, 2025	$0.19 per common share
May 22, 2025	May 30, 2025	$0.19 per common share
June 20, 2025	June 30, 2025	$0.19 per common share

About LTC Properties

LTC is a real estate investment trust (REIT) investing in seniors housing and health care properties primarily through sale-leasebacks, mortgage financing, joint-ventures and structured finance solutions including preferred equity and mezzanine lending. LTC’s investment portfolio includes 189 properties in 25 states with 30 operating partners. Based on its gross real estate investments, LTC’s investment portfolio is comprised of approximately 50% seniors housing and 50% skilled nursing properties. Learn more at www.LTCreit.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that are not purely historical and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Company’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All statements other than historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Please see LTC’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its other publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and LTC assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Although the Company’s management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The actual results achieved by the Company may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties of such statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401086299/en/

For more information contact:

Mandi Hogan

(805) 981-8655

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Communications Residential Building & Real Estate Commercial Building & Real Estate Construction & Property REIT Public Relations/Investor Relations

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April 1, 2025 12:52 pm

Federal Judge Rejects Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Strategy, Paving Way for Talc Victims to Seek Justice in Trial Courts

Federal Judge Rejects Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Strategy, Paving Way for Talc Victims to Seek Justice in Trial Courts

Court ruling marks major victory for ovarian cancer patients as legal battle shifts to multidistrict litigation

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
In a resounding victory for thousands of women who have suffered from ovarian cancer linked to Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) talcum powder products, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez has rejected the company’s third attempt to shield itself from liability through bankruptcy.

The ruling clears the way for claimants to seek speedy jury trials in state courts and through the bellwether process in multidistrict litigation (MDL).

“This decision affirms what we have argued all along — J&J’s bankruptcy strategy was nothing more than a bad-faith maneuver to avoid full accountability,” said Andy Birchfield of the Beasley Allen Law Firm. “With this ruling, we are now moving forward without delay to trial, where our clients will finally have the chance to present their cases before a jury and obtain the justice they deserve.”

Judge Lopez’s ruling follows years of J&J’s attempts to manipulate the bankruptcy process to force victims into an inadequate settlement. J&J has filed for bankruptcy three separate times in three different venues and has used three different company names, including LTL, LLT, and this latest, Red River. The company pursued bankruptcy protections despite being financially solvent and having a market capitalization approaching $400 billion.

“This case has always been about fairness,” said Adam Silverstein from Otterbourg P.C., one of the lead attorneys representing The Coalition of Counsel for Justice for Talc Claimants, which opposed the bankruptcy. “J&J tried to wear down victims through delay tactics, legal loopholes, and backroom deals. Today’s ruling shuts down that abuse and ensures that real people — not corporate executives — will decide what justice looks like.”

The ruling comes after vigorous opposition from the U.S. Trustee’s Office, lawyers from the Department of Justice, and attorneys representing Travelers Insurance, all of whom argued that J&J’s maneuver was a blatant abuse of the bankruptcy system. Attorneys representing the claimants say this combined effort was instrumental in holding J&J accountable and preventing a dangerous precedent that could have allowed wealthy corporations to manipulate the bankruptcy process and use its protections to escape liability for harmful acts.

“The Court’s decision is a victory for fairness and the integrity of the bankruptcy process,” said Brian Glasser, founder of Bailey Glasser and co-lead counsel to the Coalition. “This ruling recognizes that the plan put forth by Red River and J&J was fundamentally flawed, from the irregular and rushed voting procedures to the impermissible nonconsensual third-party releases. The court rightly concluded that the process was driven more by a desire to meet an arbitrary threshold than by a commitment to ensuring claimants’ rights.”

With the bankruptcy case dismissed, the legal fight now shifts to trial courts and juries, including the MDL in New Jersey federal court and the New Jersey state courts, where claimants will pursue bellwether trials to establish liability and set the stage for fair compensation. Those claims allege that J&J’s manufacturing and deceptive marketing of the talc-based Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower brands caused ovarian cancer in tens of thousands of women. In 2020, the company announced it would no longer sell talc-based powders in North America, then ended all sales worldwide in 2023.

Mr. Birchfield emphasized that his team will push for expedited proceedings to ensure that affected women, many of whom have been waiting for years, do not face further delays.

“We recognize that many women and their families did support the plan and the finality it promised. We want them to know that we will pursue everything possible to assure that J&J will finally recognize its responsibility and engage in fair settlement discussions,” Mr. Birchfield said. “When J&J is ready to get serious about justly compensating all women with talc-related ovarian cancer, we’ll be there to meet them.”

Richard Golomb of Golomb Legal, co-leader of The Coalition, also praised the decision. “For too long, Johnson & Johnson has used delay tactics to sidestep accountability,” he said. “With this ruling, we move forward with the goal of ensuring that every woman harmed by J&J’s products has her day in court. The victims deserve justice, and this ruling brings us one step closer to that goal, As the court said, the voices of the claimants deserve to be heard.”

Mr. Birchfield also highlighted the financial burden many victims have faced. “Many of our clients are hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt due to medical bills and insurance liens. Any fair compensation must consider not only the suffering endured but also the financial devastation these women have experienced. That is what we will fight for in court,” he stated.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401705697/en/

Media Contact:

Mike Androvett

800-559-4534

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Class Action Lawsuit Professional Services Legal

MEDIA:

April 1, 2025 12:52 pm

Coherent Demonstrates 1.6T Optical Transceivers Based on 200G VCSELs

SAXONBURG, Pa., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, will demonstrate a 1.6T-SR8 optical transceiver at OFC 2025. This transceiver incorporates advanced 200G vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and photodiodes produced by Coherent.

VCSEL-based transceivers have established dominance in data center environments due to their exceptional cost-effectiveness and low power consumption for short-reach connections. Additionally, surging demand from artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads continue to drive significant growth in such short-reach transceiver solutions.

“We are proactively demonstrating this 200G-per-lane multimode technology even as the standards are still being written,” stated Dr. Lee Xu, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Datacom Business Unit at Coherent. “This initiative underscores our belief that VCSEL-based multimode links will be vital in shaping the future of data center networking.”

For additional information, please visit Coherent at booth #1519 during OFC 2025 in San Francisco from April 1-3.

About Coherent

Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.

Media Contact

:
[email protected]

April 1, 2025 12:52 pm

Worthington Steel Ranked No. 1 in Large Organization Category of Columbus Top Workplaces

Worthington Steel Ranked No. 1 in Large Organization Category of Columbus Top Workplaces

COLUMBUS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Worthington Steel, Inc. (NYSE: WS) has been named the No. 1 Top Workplace in Columbus in the large organization category by Columbus CEO magazine. This marks the 13th consecutive year Worthington Steel has been named to the list—and its first as a standalone public company.

In addition to securing the top spot among large organizations, Worthington Steel also earned a special Leadership award, recognizing the Company’s exceptional leadership and employee confidence in its direction. The rankings are based entirely on feedback from employees, with survey results reflecting strong scores in key workplace factors such as respect, support, opportunities for growth and empowerment. Worthington Steel was one of just 81 companies to be named a 2025 Columbus Top Workplace.

“Being ranked No. 1 in our category and recognized for leadership is an incredible honor—especially in our first year as an independent company,” said Geoff Gilmore, president and CEO of Worthington Steel. “Our people are the foundation of our success, and this award is a testament to the culture they’ve built. I want to thank our team for their dedication, their feedback and for making Worthington Steel a top workplace in Columbus.”

Worthington Steel has been recognized as a Columbus Top Workplace every year since the inaugural list was published in 2013, demonstrating the Company’s long-standing commitment to putting people first and fostering an engaging and rewarding work environment.

For more information on the Columbus Top Workplaces list and to see all 2025 honorees, visit Top Workplaces.

About Worthington Steel

Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS) is a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions. Worthington Steel’s expertise in carbon flat-roll steel processing, electrical steel laminations and tailor welded solutions are driving steel toward a more sustainable future.

As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its approximately 5,000 employees harness the power of steel to advance our customers’ visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Steel operates 32 facilities in seven states and six countries. Following a people-first Philosophy, commitment to sustainability and proven business system, Worthington Steel’s purpose is to generate positive returns by providing trusted and innovative solutions for customers, creating opportunities for employees and strengthening its communities.

About Energage

Making the world a better place to work together.™

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401442094/en/

Melissa Dykstra

Vice President

Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

Phone: 614-840-4144

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Ohio Indiana Kentucky

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Automotive Manufacturing Alternative Energy Manufacturing Energy Steel

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April 1, 2025 12:52 pm

Locafy to Present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference April 3rd

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

PERTH, Australia, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locafy Limited (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) (“Locafy” or the “Company”), a globally recognized leader in location based digital marketing solutions, with market leading SEO capabilities, today announced that CEO Gavin Burnett will present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on April 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Burnett will discuss how Locafy is addressing the rapidly evolving online and AI search landscape. He will highlight the Company’s proprietary entity-based SEO technology, which enables businesses to achieve fast, cost-effective Page 1 visibility across both traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered platforms. Burnett will also explore how AI is transforming search behavior and emphasize the importance of unique, authentic business content and optimized digital infrastructure for gaining recognition in both AI and organic search. Additionally, he will preview Locafy’s upcoming AI Chat and Voice Bot solutions—designed to boost customer engagement and drive conversions—as part of the Company’s broader strategy to scale globally through strategic partnerships and a subscription-based business model.

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask questions in real time. An archived webcast will be made available after the event for those unable to attend live.

Online investors are encouraged to pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more and register at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

About Locafy

Locafy (Nasdaq: LCFY, LCFYW) is a globally recognized software-as-a-service technology company specializing in local search engine marketing. Founded in 2009, Locafy’s mission is to revolutionize the US$700 billion SEO sector. We help businesses and brands increase search engine relevance and prominence in a specific proximity using a fast, easy, and automated approach. For more information, please visit www.locafy.com.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

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April 1, 2025 12:52 pm

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Reports Announcement by Angel Oak Companies, LP of Acquisition Transaction

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Reports Announcement by Angel Oak Companies, LP of Acquisition Transaction

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (NYSE: FINS) (the “Fund”) today reported that Angel Oak Companies, LP, the parent of Angel Oak Asset Management Holdings, LLC, itself the parent of Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC (“Angel Oak”), the investment adviser of the Fund, announced a strategic partnership with Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (“Brookfield”) in which Brookfield has agreed to acquire a majority of Angel Oak Companies, LP (the “Transaction”). The closing of the Transaction is expected to be completed by September 30, 2025. The Transaction is not expected to result in any material change in the day-to-day management of the Fund. However, the closing of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions, and there can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as planned, or that the necessary conditions will be satisfied.

If successful, the closing of the Transaction will result in a change of control of Angel Oak (the “Change of Control”). Consistent with applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the current investment advisory agreement between Angel Oak and the Fund (the “Existing Advisory Agreement”), contains a provision that the Existing Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Change of Control will cause an assignment of the Existing Advisory Agreement and will result in the automatic termination of the Existing Advisory Agreement.

At a meeting to be held prior to the anticipated closing of the Transaction, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Fund will consider the approval of a new investment advisory agreement between Angel Oak and the Fund (the “New Advisory Agreement”). If approved by the Board, the New Advisory Agreement would also need to be approved by shareholders of the Fund at a special meeting of shareholders (the “Special Shareholder Meeting”), at which the Fund’s shareholders will be asked to consider the approval of the New Advisory Agreement. The New Advisory Agreement is expected to have the same advisory fee and substantially similar terms and conditions to the Existing Advisory Agreement. The New Advisory Agreement will not result in any material changes to the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies.

More detailed information about the Change of Control and the proposal to be voted on at the Special Shareholder Meeting will be provided in a forthcoming proxy statement. When you receive your proxy statement, please review it carefully and cast your vote to avoid the additional expense to the Fund of any future solicitations. This Supplement is not a proxy and is not soliciting any proxy, which can only be done by means of a proxy statement.

About FINS

Led by Angel Oak’s experienced financial services team, FINS invests predominantly in U.S. financial sector debt as well as selective opportunities across financial sector preferred and common equity. Under normal circumstances, at least 50% of FINS’ portfolio is publicly rated investment grade or, if unrated, judged to be of investment grade quality by Angel Oak.

About Angel Oak Capital Advisors, LLC

Angel Oak Capital Advisors is an investment management firm focused on providing compelling fixed-income investment solutions to its clients. Backed by a value-driven approach, Angel Oak Capital Advisors seeks to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns through a combination of stable current income and price appreciation. Its experienced investment team seeks the best opportunities in fixed income, with a specialization in mortgage-backed securities and other areas of structured credit.

Information regarding the Fund and Angel Oak Capital Advisors can be found at www.angeloakcapital.com.

For additional information regarding the fees and expenses associated with an investment in shares of the Fund, see the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus when available.

Past performance is neither indicative nor a guarantee of future results. Investors should read the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, when available, and consider the investment objectives and policies, risk considerations, charges and ongoing expenses of an investment carefully before investing. For more information, please contact your investment representative or EQ Fund Solutions at 866-751-6314.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Fund’s actual results or level of performance to be materially different from any future results or level of performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, those listed in the prospectus supplement and accompany the prospectus when available. As a result of these and other factors, the Fund cannot give you any assurances as to its future results or level of performance, and neither the Fund nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements. The Fund undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250401259056/en/

Media:

Trevor Davis, Gregory FCA for Angel Oak Capital Advisors

443-248-0359

[email protected]

Company Contact:

Randy Chrisman, Chief Marketing and Corporate IR Officer, Angel Oak Capital Advisors

404-953-4969

[email protected]

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