Royal Palm Companies Launches Sales of Legacy Hotel & Residences; Downtown Miami’s First Luxury Branded Mixed-Use Tower

November 19, 2019

Rendering of Legacy Hotel and Residences

MIAMI, Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miami-based real estate developer Royal Palm Companies (RPC), officially launched sales for Downtown Miami’s newest mixed-use tower, Legacy Hotel & Residences, the soaring branded skyscraper in the heart of mega-project Miami Worldcenter (MWC).

On the heels of the successful completion of PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter residential tower and its famous Sky-Port, developer Dan Kodsi aims to transform Miami’s skyline again, this time in the hospitality and branded residence market. Located at 942 Northeast First Avenue, Legacy is expected to break ground in 2020 in the heart of one of Miami’s most sought-after neighborhoods.

Bringing international flair to the downtown skyline, the neo-futurism-inspired tower features 278 branded residences sitting atop a 255-room hotel. OneWorld Properties will be leading marketing and sales.

RPC continues on its path to change the paradigm in real estate development with first-of-its-kind amenities, including ground floor retail, a hotel and microLUXE residences. Signature pieces of the tower include a sophisticated members-only international business lounge, dramatic cantilevered, Singapore-inspired pool, downtown’s largest hotel pool deck set on one acre, a first-of-its-kind medical and wellness center, all topped with the project’s signature amenity: the city’s first enclosed rooftop atrium, taking up the top seven floors of the tower.

Designed for the innovative and cosmopolitan traveler seeking a home away from home, Legacy Hotel & Residences aims to disrupt the condo space by introducing microLUXE living to Miami. The concept will offer homeowners luxury small living with the flexibility to live in or rent their home without rental restrictions, which will fulfill the demand of a rapidly growing and more international downtown core.

Legacy’s microLUXE residences range from 400 square feet to 949 square feet with studios and two-bedroom units. RPC takes the micro-living movement to the next level with their microLUXE concept, where each residence will offer the functionality of a micro-style home with the high-quality design and superior finishes of an elite luxury condominium. All residences will be equipped with a full kitchen and washer and dryer combinations.

“When travelers come to Miami and stay on the beach, they find themselves inevitably crossing the bridge to the mainland, where all the latest attractions are; from Wynwood, the Miami Design District to the American Airlines Arena and Pérez Art Museum Miami. We’ve seen the tourism growth and are filling a void for the leisure traveler who doesn’t have a downtown hotel with resort-style amenities in the center of it all,” said Dan Kodsi, Developer at RPC.

These small ergonomic but bespoke residences by RPC’s in-house design team in collaboration with Kobi Karp Architects and IDDI will offer buyers the freedom to rent their microLUXE residences without any restrictions. Residents will have the option to rent on their own or through the tower’s hotel rental program, offsetting carrying and maintenance costs.

“With our experience selling Downtown Miami through previous projects during its various real estate cycles, we understand the downtown buyers and their demands,” said Peggy Olin, CEO of OneWorld Properties. “We are bringing our buyers from over 60 countries an alternative pied-à-terre – the piece that was missing— for residents who seek small living and large experiences,” she said.

Legacy Hotel & Residences will become an iconic centerpiece of Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest private real estate developments underway in the United States. The ten-block project will include world-class retail, hospitality and residential uses in the center of Miami’s urban core. Providing unmatched accessibility, Legacy Hotel & Residences is conveniently located next to I-95 and I-395, as well as the Virgin MiamiCentral Station, the Metrorail and Metromover stations.

Legacy Hotel & Residences start at $300,000. For more information about the development, visit the on-site sales gallery. Information can soon be found at www.legacymiami.com.

About Royal Palm Companies

Daniel Kodsi is a real estate industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience developing a diversified portfolio of mixed-use, multi-family, condominium and planned single-family developments. With $2 billion in completed projects, he brings a proven track record of identifying underserved market opportunities, executing complex large-scale projects, and generating value for private and institutional investors. With 27 separate development projects completed and underway and more than 6,000 units successfully developed or repositioned, he is consistently credited for defining new neighborhoods with award-winning projects.

About OneWorld Properties

OneWorld Properties, led by Peggy Olin Fucci, is a Florida-based full-service real estate brokerage firm offering elite services for luxury properties as well as integrated sales and marketing for residential development condominium projects. With nearly 20 years of experience, OneWorld Properties is an international leader in luxury real estate marketing and sales reaching markets in Asia, Europe and South America through their knowledgeable and multilingual staff. Nationally, the OneWorld Properties brand is also recognized for their work in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta.

Media Contacts

Camila Gamero
QUINN PR
[email protected]

Stephanie Ramirez
QUINN PR
[email protected]

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SOURCE Royal Palm Companies

Legislators, Radio Executives and Leading Hispanic Advocates Examine Social Determinants of Health in US Latino communities

November 19, 2019

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanic Communications Network (HCN – HCNMedia.com) /La Red Hispana (LaRedHispana.org) hosted political, government and community leaders, together with senior media executives of major Spanish-language radio networks, at the first National Hispanic Media Retreat in Washington, DC. The unprecedented 3-day conference focused on analyzing core social determinants affecting the health of US Hispanic communities, and promoting positive changes that will enable Latino families to live the healthiest life possible.

Centering on the theme “Building a Culture of Health”, HCN/La Red Hispana held its first national Hispanic Media Retreat November 11-14, 2019 at the United States Capitol and the National Press Building. Notable political appointees and elected officials attending include the Mexican Ambassador to the US Martha Bárcena, US Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), and US Representatives Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Nannette Barragán (D-CA) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA).

“Economic and social factors such as income, housing and education affect our health, regardless of the decisions we make as individuals. Bringing together people who have positions of national influence in Congress, the federal government, Hispanic advocacy organizations, direct service providers and the media, allows us to unite our efforts, share experiences and ideas to motivate positive changes that can lead to greater health equity for Spanish-speaking communities in the US,” said CEO of HCN/La Red Hispana, Alison Rodden.

Participation among representatives of federal agencies included HRSA Deputy Administrator, Diana Espinosa, USDA SNAP Deputy Administrator, Jessica Shahin, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director of the All of Us Research Program Participant Center, Ed Ramos, and USDA Forest Service Fire & Aviation Management Assistant Director, Frank Guzmán. The main research expert on social determinants of health was Justin Rivas, Community Network Specialist and Expert on the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Report, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

Representatives of Hispanic-serving organizations focused on social determinants of health — including civic participation via the 2020 Census and elections — were League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) CEO, Sindy Benavides, UnidosUS Deputy Vice President of Health, Rita Carreón, Mi Familia Vota Executive Director, Héctor Sánchez, and Mary’s Center Founder and CEO, María Gómez, winner of the 2019 Health Equity Award by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Among Spanish-language media executives, representatives from iHeartmedia, Univision, Actualidad Media, Aerostar Media, Norsan Media, Lazer Broadcasting, Spanish Broadcasting Systems (SBS), Liberman Broadcasting and Entravisión, participated on behalf of the most prominent networks and radio stations reaching Spanish-speaking communities throughout the US.

Media Retreat participants had the opportunity to visit the Mexican consulate in Washington DC, where they learned first-hand about the successful Ventanillas de Salud program that serves millions of Mexicans in the United States, as well as direct service providers Mary’s Center and the Latin American Youth Center in Washington, DC.

About Hispanic Communications Network -La Red Hispana-

Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) is the leading communication service in the U.S. dedicated to the production and distribution of educational and informative content for the Hispanic community in the United States. HCN is positioned to provide its government and non-profit clients and partners with effective solutions when producing and distributing media campaigns focused on the service and generation of well-being within U.S. Hispanic communities. To learn more visit: hcnmedia.com or laredhispana.com.

Contact: Mercy Padilla
(202) 360-4112
[email protected]

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1032318/HCN_Building_a_Culture_of_Health.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1032317/HCN_LaRedHispana_USCapitol_11_19.jpg

SOURCE Hispanic Communications Network

Umbilical cord milking may be linked to higher risk of brain bleeding in preterm infants

November 19, 2019

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BETHESDA, Maryland, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Milking the umbilical cord—gently squeezing the cord and pushing the contents into the newborn’s abdomen before clamping the cord—could increase the risk for severe intraventricular hemorrhage, or bleeding into the brain’s fluid-filled cavities, in extremely preterm infants, according to results of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health that was halted for safety concerns.

The study, led by Anup Katheria, M.D., of the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns in San Diego and colleagues at institutions in the United States and Europe, had sought to determine if cord milking was an alternative to delayed cord clamping. Unlike cord milking, a delay in clamping allows time for the blood to flow naturally from the cord into the abdomen before clamping and cutting the cord.

After extremely preterm infants (23 to 27 weeks gestation) in the cord milking group were found to have more hemorrhages inside the ventricles, compared to the earliest preterm infants in the delayed clamping group, the study was stopped before enough infants could be enrolled to allow for a statistically valid analysis.

Some studies of term infants have found that delayed cord clamping reduces the chances of anemia and appears to benefit cognitive development in early childhood. In preterm infants, however, the extra time needed for delayed cord clamping also may delay the start of the respiratory support often needed for the infants’ underdeveloped lungs.

“Although it’s not possible to draw definitive conclusions, the results suggest extreme caution in performing cord milking in this vulnerable group of infants,” said Caroline Signore, M.D., of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, who oversaw the study.

An earlier study comparing umbilical cord milking to delayed cord clamping in preterm infants delivered by cesarean suggested that cord milking resulted in higher blood flow and benefits in cognitive development by 2 years of age. A meta-analysis of studies dating back to the 1940s found that preterm infants who underwent cord milking had evidence of higher blood volume, lower risk of bleeding into the ventricles, and a lower likelihood of requiring oxygen therapy. The authors were unaware of any previous studies demonstrating harm from umbilical cord milking.

In the current study, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers enrolled women at less than 32 weeks of pregnancy at risk for preterm birth. When the women went into early labor, their infants were assigned at random to umbilical cord milking or delayed cord clamping for 60 seconds. For safety reasons, obstetricians could opt out of either procedure and immediately clamp the cord.

Researchers planned to enroll 1,500 infants, with 750 assigned at random to each group. Before the study was halted, 474 infants were randomized, with 236 assigned to cord milking and 238 assigned to delayed clamping.

The study authors classified the results into a single combined outcome: death or severe intraventricular hemorrhage. Among the cord milking group, 29 infants (12%) died or developed severe intraventricular hemorrhaging, compared to 20 infants (8%) in the delayed clamping group, a difference that was not statistically significant.

When the authors considered only the death rate, it also did not differ significantly between the two groups: 7% in the cord milking group vs. 8% in the delayed clamping group.

However, the rate of severe intraventricular hemorrhage was significantly higher in the cord milking group: 8% (20 infants), compared to 3% (8 infants) in the delayed clamping group. Among those in the cord milking group, all 20 with intraventricular hemorrhage were the youngest preterm infants, born in weeks 23 to 27 of pregnancy, compared to 5 of the 8 infants in the delayed clamping group. Among infants born at 28 to 32 weeks, no intraventricular hemorrhage occurred in the cord milking group, and three cases occurred in the delayed clamping group, a rate that did not differ significantly.

Compared to more mature preterm infants, extremely preterm infants’ circulatory systems have difficulty regulating blood flow in the brain. The authors theorize that the increase in blood flow resulting from cord milking could have stressed the blood vessels in their brains, making them more likely to rupture. The authors noted that previous studies have shown a higher rate of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants delivered vaginally, compared to those delivered by cesarean.

Because the higher risk of intraventricular hemorrhage was found only in extremely preterm infants, the authors are continuing to compare cord milking to delayed clamping in preterm infants born at 30 to 32 weeks and will evaluate development of the two groups at 2 years of age.

Reference

Katheria, A, et al Association of umbilical cord milking vs delayed umbilical cord clamping with death or severe intraventricular hemorrhage among preterm infants. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2019.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

SOURCE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Save the Bays: Fashion Designer Peter Nygard Sentenced to Prison in The Bahamas

November 19, 2019

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NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Bahamas Supreme Court sentenced Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard to 90 days in prison and fined him US$150,000 for contempt of court in a long-running legal dispute centered around an environmental group’s stolen emails.

The pilfered emails belonged to Save the Bays (STB), a non-profit environmental group that has fought Nygard over illegal dredging and development activities at his waterfront home in the Bahamas since 2013. Those activities have destroyed marine life and habitat in Clifton Bay, an area whose natural beauty was made famous in the James Bond movie “Thunderball.”

In 2016, STB’s emails were stolen and read aloud in Parliament. In a landmark decision, a Bahamian judge ruled that two members of parliament had violated the constitutional rights of STB and its members and order that the emails remain private.

In October, Nygard was found to have breached the injunction. Nygard has not appeared for numerous hearings in the court case, and he did not show up at Friday’s hearing, where he was ordered by Justice Ruth M.L. Bowe-Darville to make a full written apology, explain his absence, and promise in writing within seven days to stop using the e-mails.

“For decades, Peter Nygard has behaved as if he was above the law in The Bahamas,” said attorney Fred Smith, a STB director whose emails were among those read in Parliament. “He has been convicted of contempt of court on four separate occasions by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. His repeated disrespect for the administration of justice has finally caught up with him. I hope he is man enough to come back to The Bahamas he says he loves so much to serve his time and pay the $150,000 fine.”

Under Friday’s ruling, Nygard will have to pay a $5,000 fine for every day that he does not comply with the court’s orders. The $150,000 fine must be paid by November 22 or he will be sentenced to an additional 30 days in prison and an additional $5,000 for every day the fine remains unpaid.

For additional information please contact Save the Bays spokesman Paco Nunez at [email protected]

SOURCE Save the Bays

Get Lost in Paradise With Sofia Vergara’s New Fragrance

November 19, 2019

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NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Entrepreneur, actress and beauty icon, Sofia Vergara, announces the launch of her newest fragrance, Lost in Paradise by Sofia Vergara. A captivating scent that transports the wearer to a tropical utopia, filled with luscious fruits and sun kissed flowers.

Inspired by Sofia’s love of all things exotic, Lost in Paradise is a delicious floriental fruity blend. “I wanted to create a scent that instantly lifts women’s spirits and allows them to escape to their own paradise, a world of fragrant luxury. Lost in Paradise does just that,” says Vergara who partnered with perfumer Laurent de Guernec, IFF to develop the scent. Guernec states, “To evoke the feeling of true bliss, I wanted to incorporate nostalgic elements to this fragrance. The Crema de Guanabana, opulent white florals and sensual musk, are an ode to Sofia’s Columbian heritage and create an addictive escape for every woman to embrace.”

A delicate mix of crisp red apple and green nashi pear create a bright fruity top. The heart of the scent gracefully emerges with opulent white florals, delicate gardenia, muguet and sensual orange flower. Irresistible warm vanilla and earthy patchouli, add contrast and richness to this sparkling island fragrance.

THE PACKAGING
Designed to reflect the distinct female form, the bottle, inspired by the cut of Colombian emeralds, is tinted rose gold illuminating the juice from within. The packaging features a vibrant tropical print – highlighting one of Vergara’s favorite florals, Bird of Paradise.

THE FRAGRANCE: FLORIENTAL FRUITY
Top: Crisp Red Apple, Crema de Guanabana, Nashi Pear
Heart: Tropical Gardenia, Orange Flower, Petally Muguet
Base: Warm Vanilla, Sensual Musk, Patchouli, Golden Teak

FRAGRANCE HOUSE: IFF

THE COLLECTION:

3.4 OZ. / 100mL. Eau De Parfum – $60.00
1.0 OZ. / 30mL. Eau De Parfum – $36.00

AVAILABLE at Walmart, Perfumania, and other retailers nationwide

ABOUT PARLUX FRAGRANCES, LTD.
Parlux LTD, a leading global beauty company, designs, manufactures, markets and distributes prestige fragrances and related products since 1987. It is ranked among the Top 100 Cosmetic and Fragrance companies globally and holds the licenses for notable fragrance brands including: Tommy Bahama, Vince Camuto, Pierre Cardin, Kenneth Cole, Paris Hilton, Sofia Vergara and Jason Wu, among others.

ABOUT SOFIA VERGARA

Sofia Vergara is an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG nominated actress who can currently be seen as ‘Gloria Pritchett-Delgado’ in America’s #1 comedy, “Modern Family.” Along with the recognition she has earned for her acting career, Vergara is also a successful entrepreneur who has cultivated a strong lifestyle brand. Her worldwide appeal has allowed her to successfully grow her consumer base across all demographics, with a diverse portfolio of product tie-ins ranging from fragrance to furniture to hair care and a denim collection, Sofia Jeans, at Walmart.com. She is the global ambassador for Head & Shoulders, the number one shampoo brand in the world, and is currently entering her fifth year with Rooms To Go, designing her own contemporary furniture collection. Her fragrances, “Sofia by Sofia Vergara,” “Love”, “Tempting” and “Tempting Paradise” are available globally. Her latest fragrance, “Lost in Paradise” is launching Fall 2019. In 2017, Vergara co-founded EBY, a subscription-based underwear company aimed at empowering women around the world, with 10% of sales going to the Seven Bar Foundation, a 501 (c)3 designed to lift women out of poverty and into business via microfinance.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1031441/Sofia_Vergara_Lost_in_Paradise.jpg

SOURCE Parlux Fragrances Ltd.

Poll of Florida Professionals: Public Unaware of Early Warning Signs of Communication Disorders

November 19, 2019

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ORLANDO, Florida, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Public awareness of the early warning signs of communication disorders—which encompass difficulties with a person’s speech, language, or hearing and which have the capacity to profoundly impact children’s and adult’s lives—is low, according to a new poll of Florida-based professionals who treat these disorders.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8460153-asha-early-warning-signs-of-communication-disorders/

Results of the polling, conducted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), are being released today as ASHA’s 2019 Annual Convention convenes later this week at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Conducted last month, the poll had 700 respondents—ASHA Members who are audiologists and speech-language pathologists and who are practicing in Florida—and covered several topics related to communication disorders. These disorders are among the most common health conditions that children and adults alike face. Left untreated, they can lead to problems with academic, social, and vocational success.

Poll respondents reported that parents are waiting too long—years, in some cases—before acting on early warning signs that their children may have communication disorders. By a wide margin, lack of awareness of the warning signs was cited as the leading barrier to overcome. Such delays can result in treatment that is more involved, more expensive, and less effective than if it began when signs first became apparent.

Among the key results:

75% of respondents reported that parents of young children are not aware of the early warning signs of communication disorders.
75% said that parents are not aware of the benefits of early intervention.
52% reported that parents wait, on average, 6 months to more than 2 years before taking action after they first observe symptoms of hearing loss in their children.
Nearly 81% said that parents wait the same amount of time (i.e., 6 months to more than 2 years) before taking action after they first observe symptoms of speech/language delays or disorders in their children.

“Communication disorders are largely treatable,” said Shannon Hall-Mills, PhD, CCC-SLP, president of the Florida Speech-Language-Hearing Association (FLASHA). “While the poll respondents do indicate parent awareness of the early warning signs of communication disorders has improved in recent years, clearly more public education and awareness about the warning signs and the importance of early action is needed to reduce the communication health risk of Floridians. Associations like FLASHA are committed to helping bridge the gaps in awareness that exist.”

Children and Popular Technology Usage

The picture isn’t much brighter in other areas. Ninety-five percent of respondents are concerned that popular technology usage (e.g., smartphones and tablets) may be harming children’s communication health and development. Also, excessive technology use by parents and caregivers of children is replacing conversation in households, according to 96% of poll respondents. Meanwhile, research shows that engaging children in conversation is critical to their communication development.

Older Adults and Hearing Loss

At the other end of the age spectrum, 76% of poll respondents think that there is a significant amount of untreated hearing loss among older adults. When asked why hearing disorders among older adults go untreated, respondents cited the belief that “the problems are an inevitable part of aging” as the leading reason—a notion that does not account for the fact that hearing loss can be treatable at any age.

In the wake of the poll findings, the public is encouraged to contact FLASHA (www.flasha.org) for leads to certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and to visit www.identifythesigns.org for information about the warning signs of communication disorders and the range of services available.

Francine Pierson
301-296-8715
[email protected]

SOURCE American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Kia Named 2020 Best SUV Brand By U.S. News & World Report

November 19, 2019

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IRVINE, California, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) has been honored as the 2020 Best SUV Brand in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Vehicle Brand awards, knocking Honda from the #1 position it has held since 2016. The awards evaluate 35 automakers and recognize industry-wide excellence for cars, SUVs, trucks and luxury vehicles.

“Kia offers a vehicle for every lifestyle, with a lineup of SUVs and crossovers offering superior quality, design, performance and practicality,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America. “Earning a Best Vehicle Brand award in the highly competitive SUV segment is an honor and a testament to Kia’s commitment to delivering exceptional vehicles that appeal to today’s buyer.”

Whether consumers are looking for eye-catching style and utility in the Niro hybrid, crossover capability and advanced technology in the Sportage, a refined ride in the Sorento SUV or rugged luxury in the Telluride, those that discover Kia will be impressed by the brand’s world-class lineup.

“Kia’s investment in all of their SUVs has paid off with a full lineup of top-notch models,” said Jamie Page Deaton, executive editor, U.S. News Best Cars. “No matter what size SUV you’re looking for, Kia has one that will work perfectly.”

To find the winners of the 2020 Best Vehicle Brand awards, U.S. News & World Report averaged the overall score of a brand’s eligible products. The overall scores are sourced directly from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, which are based on safety scores, reliability data and the opinions of automotive press.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power¹ and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹ Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

The Home Depot Announces Third Quarter Results; Updates Fiscal Year 2019 Guidance

November 19, 2019

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ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported third quarter fiscal 2019 sales of $27.2 billion, an increase of 3.5 percent, or $921 million, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Comparable sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were positive 3.6 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 3.8 percent.

Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $2.8 billion, or $2.53 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.9 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2018. For the third quarter of fiscal 2019, diluted earnings per share increased 0.8 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“Our third quarter results reflected broad-based growth across our business, yet sales were below our expectations driven by the timing of certain benefits associated with our One Home Depot strategic investments,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “We are largely on track with these investments and have seen positive results, but some of the benefits anticipated for fiscal 2019 will take longer to realize than our initial assumptions. As a result, today we are updating our fiscal 2019 sales guidance, and we are reaffirming our fiscal 2019 earnings-per-share guidance. We are encouraged by the momentum in our business as we invest to extend our competitive advantages. I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and continued dedication to our customers.”

Fiscal 2019 Guidance

The Company updated its guidance for fiscal 2019, a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2018, a 53-week year. The Company expects its fiscal 2019 sales to grow by approximately 1.8 percent and comp sales for the comparable 52-week period to increase approximately 3.5 percent. This compares to the Company’s prior fiscal 2019 sales growth guidance of 2.3 percent and comp sales growth of 4.0 percent. The Company reaffirmed its diluted earnings-per-share guidance for the year and expects diluted earnings-per-share growth of approximately 3.1 percent from fiscal 2018 to $10.03.

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

At the end of the third quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,290 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and other regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2019 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 3, 2019 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
*in millions, except per share data*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change		November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change
Net sales	$	27,223	$	26,302	3.5	%	$	84,443	$	81,712	3.3	%
Cost of sales	17,836		17,151		4.0		55,607		53,579		3.8
Gross profit	9,387		9,151		2.6		28,836		28,133		2.5
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	4,942		4,808		2.8		14,926		14,591		2.3
Depreciation and amortization	498		473		5.3		1,470		1,390		5.8
Total operating expenses	5,440		5,281		3.0		16,396		15,981		2.6
Operating income	3,947		3,870		2.0		12,440		12,152		2.4
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest and investment income	(22)		(25)		(12.0)		(56)		(73)		(23.3)
Interest expense	302		249		21.3		892		782		14.1
Interest and other, net	280		224		25.0		836		709		17.9
Earnings before provision for income taxes	3,667		3,646		0.6		11,604		11,443		1.4
Provision for income taxes	898		779		15.3		2,843		2,666		6.6
Net earnings	$	2,769	$	2,867	(3.4)	%	$	8,761	$	8,777	(0.2)	%

Basic weighted average common shares	1,089		1,135		(4.1)	%	1,096		1,144		(4.2)	%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.54	$	2.53	0.4		$	7.99	$	7.67	4.2

Diluted weighted average common shares	1,094		1,141		(4.1)	%	1,100		1,150		(4.3)	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.53	$	2.51	0.8		$	7.96	$	7.63	4.3

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
Selected Sales Data ⁽¹⁾	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change		November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change
Customer transactions (in millions)	400.9		394.8		1.5	%	1,246.4		1,226.0		1.7	%
Average ticket	$	66.36	$	65.11	1.9		$	67.00	$	65.79	1.8
Sales per square foot	$	449.17	$	433.99	3.5		$	464.68	$	449.94	3.3

—————

(1)

Selected Sales Data does not include results for the legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro.

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

*in millions*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		February 3, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,193	$	1,764	$	1,778
Receivables, net	2,231		2,171		1,936
Merchandise inventories	15,711		14,754		13,925
Other current assets	1,039		1,120		890
Total current assets	21,174		19,809		18,529
Net property and equipment	22,472		22,054		22,375
Operating lease right-of-use assets	5,638		—		—
Goodwill	2,253		2,258		2,252
Other assets	772		1,079		847
Total assets	$	52,309	$	45,200	$	44,003

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Short-term debt	$	695	$	1,398	$	1,339
Accounts payable	9,240		9,054		7,755
Accrued salaries and related expenses	1,467		1,495		1,506
Current installments of long-term debt	1,818		1,054		1,056
Current operating lease liabilities	828		—		—
Other current liabilities	5,517		5,195		5,060
Total current liabilities	19,565		18,196		16,716
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	26,597		23,332		26,807
Long-term operating lease liabilities	5,113		—		—
Other liabilities	2,116		2,352		2,358
Total liabilities	53,391		43,880		45,881
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(1,082)		1,320		(1,878)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	52,309	$	45,200	$	44,003

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

	Nine Months Ended
*in millions*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	8,761	$	8,777
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,701		1,603
Stock-based compensation expense	197		204
Changes in working capital	(166)		(366)
Changes in deferred income taxes	107		(64)
Other operating activities	64		(118)
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,664		10,036

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of non-cash capital expenditures	(1,891)		(1,711)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	21		21
Other investing activities	(10)		(3)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,880)		(1,693)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt, net	(644)		(161)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums	1,404		—
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,046)		(1,192)
Repurchases of common stock	(3,909)		(5,518)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	185		140
Cash dividends	(4,477)		(3,548)
Other financing activities	9		99
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,478)		(10,180)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	306		(1,837)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	109		6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,778		3,595
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,193	$	1,764

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SOURCE The Home Depot

2020 Kia Telluride named Motortrend’s SUV of the Year

November 19, 2019

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IRVINE, California, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America’s (KMA) largest vehicle ever – the Telluride – has been awarded 2020 SUV of the Year by MotorTrend. With its comfortable and functional interior, the Telluride stood out as a well-rounded product that meets the needs of today’s modern family, while its terrific value solidified it as a winner in the SUV segment.

“The Telluride has been an undeniable success since its launch earlier this year, with an impressive number of consumers rediscovering Kia in the highly competitive SUV segment and more than 45,000 units sold to-date,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America. “Earning MotorTrend’s coveted SUV of the Year award is an honor and a historic moment for the brand, serving to further reinforce Kia’s transformation to a world-class automaker.”

Designed in California and assembled in Georgia, the 2020 Telluride’s bold and boxy shape and sophisticated exterior accents convey a spirit of adventure and possibility. That sentiment is strengthened by its engineering, delivering an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The mid-size SUV offers impressive interior luxury and an upscale cabin, complemented by an array of advanced technology and safety systems¹ featuring standard Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Lane Following Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Forward Collision Assist and available Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, multi-Bluetooth Connectivity and more.

“This year’s MotorTrend SUV of the Year competition was one of the most competitive we’ve ever had, which makes Kia Telluride’s win all the more significant,” said MotorTrend Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh. “Telluride absolutely nails our awards criteria – it’s gorgeous, spacious, technology-laden, and offers a great ride for an astonishingly fair price. Congratulations to Kia and the Telluride team.”

With a more than 20-year history, the MotorTrend SUV of the Year award is one of the most sought-after honors by global automotive manufacturers. SUV of the Year judges are comprised of MotorTrend staff as well as two guest judges, Johan de Nysschen, former head of Audi of America, Infiniti Motor Co., and Cadillac division and Tom Gale, former head of Chrysler design. Vehicles are evaluated against six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function to determine the finalists and ultimately, the winners.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power² and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

²Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Exposure to HIV drug in the womb may increase risk of microcephaly, developmental delays in children

November 18, 2019

0

BETHESDA, Maryland, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Children born to women on HIV therapy containing the drug efavirenz were 2 to 2.5 times more likely to have microcephaly, or small head size, compared to children born to women on regimens of other antiretroviral drugs, according to an analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health. The children with microcephaly also had a higher risk for developmental delays, compared to children with normal head size.

The study was conducted by Paige L. Williams, Ph.D., of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and colleagues. It appears in The Lancet.

“Our findings underlie the importance of having alternatives to combination therapy with efavirenz for pregnant women with HIV,” said study author Rohan Hazra, M.D., chief of the Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which provided funding for the study.

Researchers analyzed data from a follow-up study of more than 3,000 infants born to women on HIV therapy during pregnancy. In this earlier study, the children’s head circumferences were measured periodically from 6 months of age through 5 to 7 years of age.

For the current study, investigators used two classification systems to rank the children’s head growth. The first classification system combined standards developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children under 3 years of age with Nellhaus Charts, an older set of standards for children over 3 years of age. For the second classification system, the researchers consulted Nellhaus Charts from birth to age 18.

Based on Nellhaus standards, children whose mothers were on regimens containing the drug efavirenz were more than twice as likely to have microcephaly, compared to children whose mothers were on other regimens. According to the combined Nellhaus-CDC standards, children exposed to efavirenz in the womb were around 2.5 times as likely to have microcephaly. Children with microcephaly according to Nellhaus standards also scored lower on standardized tests of child development at ages 1 and 5 years.

Of the 141 children exposed to efavirenz in the womb, 14 (9.9%) had microcephaly, compared to 142 of 2,842 who were not exposed to efavirenz (5%).

The researchers noted that exposure to all other types of HIV therapies was not associated with a higher risk of microcephaly.

Additional funding for the study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH Office of AIDS Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Reference
Williams, PL, et al. Association of maternal antiretroviral use with microcephaly in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (SMARTT): a prospective cohort study. The Lancet HIV. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30340-6.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov

SOURCE National Institutes of Health (NIH)