BUSINESS AND MONEY
Steve Arnett 13, Dec 5 mins
5 mins
The Ritz Herald
© MegaCapital Hawaii Corp
By Sarah Kingston-Powell

Privacy in high-value real estate transactions has increasingly become a top priority for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI). Harold Clarke, the founder of Private Listings, has built a platform that addresses these concerns through discretion and meticulous attention to detail. Private Listings operates on a principle of confidentiality, offering properties that are unavailable to the public. This model is tailored to an elite audience seeking more than just luxury but demands exclusivity too.

Clarke highlights that privacy is not merely a feature but a necessity in these transactions. “Our clients often have significant public profiles or business interests that make them cautious about their real estate dealings,” he says. Private Listings address a gap in the market by creating a secure environment for these transactions,

The Mechanics of Confidential Real Estate

Private Listings curates opportunities never advertised online or through traditional real estate channels. Instead, properties are available only to pre-vetted clients through a password-protected platform. This ensures that every buyer and seller is screened for capacity and intention, eliminating unnecessary exposure.

The model provides a secure network where clients can discuss deals with complete peace of mind. Clarke explains that this method allows for meaningful negotiations without the noise often associated with public listings. “By removing unnecessary attention, we allow clients to focus solely on the value and potential of their investments,” he notes.

This system has proven effective, particularly in Hawaii, where some exclusive properties have been sold under the radar. Data from Private Listings shows that the platform facilitated three significant off-market transactions in the past year alone, each valued at over $40 million.

Redefining Luxury Beyond the Price Tag

Luxury real estate often carries the perception of high…

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER

TODAY

New-Vehicle Sales Projected to Hold Steady at 16.0 Million SAAR in November Amid Improved Inventory and Consumer Confidence
The Ritz Herald

New-vehicle sales for November are expected to maintain a steady seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.0 million, consistent with the sales pace observed in October, according to the Cox Automotive forecast released today. This represents an increase from last November’s SAAR of 15.5 million.

However, the sales volume is…

Massachusetts Faces Significant Wealth and Resident Exodus as Cost of Living Soars, New Study Reveals
The Ritz Herald

A Pioneer Institute study released on Tuesday shows that Massachusetts lost $10.6 billion in adjusted gross income (AGI) to net out-migration between 2020 and 2022, more in those three years alone than the $10 billion it lost from 2012 to 2019.

In all, the Commonwealth experienced a four-fold increase…

Andrew Sobko, BATCH, Spotlighted on New York Stock Exchange TV
The Ritz Herald

New York Stock Exchange TV recently spotlighted the technology-enabled logistics brokerage firm BATCH Freight as part of its Taking Stock series. BATCH is an online freight marketplace that connects shippers with carriers to move cargo. Its proprietary platform offers shippers the tools to book, manage, and track…

California Home Affordability Gains Ground in Q3 2024 as Prices Stabilize and Interest Rates Shift
The Ritz Herald

Slower home price growth and more favorable interest rates in third-quarter 2024 buoyed California’s housing affordability from both the previous quarter and a year ago, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said last Thursday.

Sixteen percent of the state’s homebuyers could afford to purchase a median-priced, existing single-family home in…

S&P Global Commodity Insights Launches Daily Platts Pork Price Assessments for EU Exports and North Asia Imports
The Ritz Herald

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, will enhance transparency in the global pork market with the launch of daily spot physical price assessments for pork in Europe and North Asia, effective November 1.

According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, global pork consumption has steadily grown to the current rate…

3 mins
© Unsplash
The Ritz Herald
Sequoia Group transforms warehouse efficiency with advanced supply chain solutions amid e-commerce surge

With global e-commerce sales projected to reach $6.09 trillion in 2024, warehouses are under unprecedented pressure to meet consumer expectations for rapid delivery. Sequoia Group addresses these challenges by leveraging advanced technologies to enhance supply chain and distribution efficiency from A to Z.

Employing artificial cloud-based solutions to optimize every stage of the supply chain, Sequoia Group’s solutions have a proven track record of helping businesses achieve their objectives, maximizing productivity and profitability.

One of their key tools, Infor’s Distribution SX.e, is a comprehensive computing solution that manages thousands of transactions, suppliers, and customers while tracking extensive inventory items. This technology enables warehouse distributors to increase productivity and adapt swiftly to changing markets.

Another solution, DigitalShipper, allows businesses to reduce costs by automatically selecting the most cost-effective carriers using their negotiated rates. Additionally, Sequoia Group partner Locus Robotics integrates robotics into human workflows, accelerating order processing—a critical advantage in today’s fast-paced warehouse environment.

“Distributors face a growing number of challenges across various industries,” says Sequoia Group CEO Steven Fitt. “Our solutions not only address every step of the supply chain but are also tailored to meet industry-specific challenges in multiple sectors.”

Based in Sandy, Utah, Sequoia Group consults with a diverse clientele…

3 mins
The Ritz Herald

The future of payments is here, and it’s powered by cryptocurrency and digital gift cards. For investors looking to capitalize on the next big thing, Accredited Solutions, Inc. (OTC:ASII) is emerging as a breakout player in this high-growth market.

GlobeTopper: The New Subsidiary Driving Explosive Growth

Through its new subsidiary, GlobeTopper, ASII is delivering incredible results. In November alone, GlobeTopper generated over $4 million in revenue, which translates to a run rate of $48 million annually—an extraordinary feat for a newly launched business.

One major growth driver? The integration of cryptocurrency. As crypto investors convert gains into real-world value, they’re turning to digital gift cards as a seamless bridge. Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ethereum ($ETH) are among the most popular cryptos being used to purchase gift cards, allowing customers to spend their crypto on brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Target.

But GlobeTopper’s success isn’t just tied to crypto—it’s also landing huge bulk orders, like a recent deal to provide 10,000 gift cards to a single customer for employee rewards.

Why This Matters to Investors

  1. Massive Growth Potential:

GlobeTopper is tapping into two booming trends: crypto adoption and digital gift card demand, creating a scalable, high-demand business model.

  1. Continue reading ...
New Index Reveals Middle-Class Financial Resilience Shows Gradual Improvement Amid Ongoing Economic Challenges
The Ritz Herald

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) released a new index that measures middle-class households’ ability to manage financial challenges and plan for a stable future. ACLI’s Financial Resilience Index analyzes key middle-class economic considerations to assess the direction and degree of change in middle-class financial resilience. By…

CED Releases Solutions Brief on U.S. Infrastructure Investment: Highlights Need for Public-Private Collaboration and Long-Term Strategy
The Ritz Herald

The Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, has issued a new Solutions Brief, Strategic Investment in Infrastructure: Priorities for Implementation. It offers a three-year progress report on the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as the CHIPS and…

New York Employers Have the 4th Smallest Hiring Struggle in the U.S.
The Ritz Herald

With the labor force participation rate at 62.7% and slightly above pre-pandemic levels, WalletHub released its report on 2024’s States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring, as well as expert commentary.

In order to see where employers are having the most trouble hiring new workers, WalletHub compared the…

New York Claims 44% More Unemployment Benefits Than National Average
The Ritz Herald

A new study has revealed the states with the most unemployment benefits claims, with New Jersey taking the top spot.

AI productivity platform Plus, analyzed 2024 data from the United States Department of Labor on unemployment insurance claims in each state between 04/13/2024 and 04/20/2024. The total number of claims…

September’s Booming Job Gains Underscore US Economy’s Resilience
The Ritz Herald

The US labor market proved resilient in September, adding 254,000 to payrolls for the highest gain since March. Leading into today’s release, June–August showed an average of 116,000 monthly payroll gains; revisions to July and August data now bring average gains over that period to 140,000, before September’s…

3 mins
The Ritz Herald
USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong
U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong travels to Türkiye, Egypt and Bulgaria
By / Associate Writer

U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong will travel to Türkiye, Egypt and Bulgaria from December 7-13 to meet local partners and sign new commitments to support infrastructure for civil nuclear energy, digital communications and cybersecurity, emergency preparedness and response, and methane emissions abatement.

“The wide range of infrastructure supported by these grants is a testament to USTDA’s unique ability to prepare projects that offer significant opportunities for the export of innovative U.S. technology,” said Director Ebong. “Our partners understand the catalytic nature of USTDA’s programming, and we are delighted to advance the development of our shared priorities.”

Director Ebong will sign six grant agreements during her travel:

Türkiye: USTDA will accelerate Istanbul’s digital transformation by piloting innovative U.S. “digital twin” technology to improve earthquake disaster response and recovery. The grant will also fund a development plan for scaling the technology across Istanbul and to additional use cases including traffic management, public health and energy efficiency.

Egypt: A USTDA technical assistance grant will identify major sources of methane emissions in Egypt’s oil and gas industry and develop a roadmap for reducing and monetizing these emissions, improving environmental and health conditions.

Bulgaria: USTDA will award project preparation grants to help develop small modular nuclear reactors; safe disposal for spent nuclear fuel; cybersecurity standards for the government; and digital communications infrastructure along Bulgaria’s railways.

During her trip, Director Ebong will conduct site visits and meet with current grantees to discuss progress related to USTDA’s assistance. In Istanbul, she will also deliver remarks and join a roundtable at an event hosted…

MORE ARTICLES

Shrinkflation – Understanding Its Persistence and What It Means for Consumers
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many consumers have complained
Ericsson and INFORM to Strengthen Financial Services Security and Combat Advanced Fraud
The Ritz Herald

Ericsson and INFORM collaborate to integrate RiskShield, an advanced Anti-Money-Laundering and Fraud Management solution, with Ericsson’s Mobile Financial Services Platform. The collaboration strengthens Ericsson’s suite of tools to tackle sophisticated financial threats for banks, fintech, and communication service providers. This collaboration highlights Ericsson’s dedication to expanding its financial services…

The State of the Union in the Direct-to-Consumer Space: Strategic Shifts and Challenges
The Ritz Herald

As we head into budgeting season, retail executives are increasingly scrutinizing their Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) strategies. Rising advertising costs, fierce competition, and a slowing economy are causing many to reevaluate their approach. Fears of waning demand are prompting some to consider pulling back from DTC, but the question remains: is…

Bloomberg Tax Predicts More Moderate Inflation Rates for 2025
The Ritz Herald

Bloomberg Tax & Accounting released its 2025 Projected U.S. Tax Rates, which indicate inflation-adjusted amounts in the tax code will increase 2.8% from 2024. This is about half the increase in 2024, and a significant drop from the 7.1% increase in 2023.

Bloomberg Tax’s annual Projected U.S. Tax Rates Report…

3 mins
Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC signage is displayed outside of the company's building in New York, on April 10, 2012. © Michael Nagle
The Ritz Herald
Latent and persistent conflicts, domestic instability, economic rivalries and trade protectionism will continue to shape markets in 2025

Protectionist measures, the continuation of unresolved conflicts and fragmented domestic coalitions are expected to result in economic uncertainty and the redefinition of international relationships and trade dynamics next year, according to a new S&P Global Market Intelligence report released today. In the report, Power Plays in 2025, S&P Global Market Intelligence’s economic, geopolitical risk and supply chain analysts identify the four interconnected themes that will drive global political and economic relationships in 2025: economic angst, domestic discontent, elusive alliances and trade troubles.

“The interplay of geopolitical rivalries, economic shifts and evolving trade relations will define the conflicted global landscape in 2025,” said Natznet Tesfay, Head of Insights & Analysis, Global Intelligence and Analytics, S&P Global Market Intelligence. “Trends observed in 2024, such as the reconfiguration of logistics and the ongoing ramifications of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, will persist, complicating supply chains and market stability. The election mega-cycle results of 2024 ushered in a new class of legislators and regulators. The fragility of governments and the rise of unstable coalitions in various regions will further contribute to an unpredictable environment.”

S&P Global Market Intelligence identified the defining geopolitical and global macroeconomic themes next year as:

Economic angst: While S&P Global…

EDITOR'S

CHOICE

Shrinkflation – Understanding Its Persistence and What It Means for Consumers

Saunders / RH
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many consumers have complained about another issue: the products they buy, ranging from paper products to drinks, are becoming smaller yet the prices do
U.S. Automobile Dealer Sentiment Stumbles in Q3 as Political Climate Heats Up
The Ritz Herald

The Q3 2024 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) shows automobile dealers in the U.S. continue to view the market as weak. The overall Q3 market sentiment index dropped to a score of 40, down from 42 in Q2 and 45 from a year ago, signaling a weakened market…

Oasis Gold Group’s Strategic Vision for Long-Term Financial Security
The Ritz Herald

Uncertainty looms in today’s financial markets, leading to increased scrutiny of traditional investment vehicles. One company that is challenging how individuals achieve long-term financial security through precious metals is Oasis Gold Group. It offers an opportunity to capitalize on gold and silver through its solutions that center on…

Fisher Capital Giving People an Alternative to the Stock Market
The Ritz Herald

For as reliable as they have been over the course of several decades of American history, stocks and bonds have never been quite as volatile as they are right now. With the elevated risk in today’s financial markets, and the current accelerating inflation devaluing U.S. currency in the global…