Agriculture
Tractor Sales in November 2024 Drop by 14.5% - AEM Report
2024-12-11
According to the latest numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), there has been a significant drop in U.S. sales of tractors across all classes in November 2024. This decline follows a pattern of softness in the market that has been observed in the last few months. High interest rates and uncertainty in the overall ag economy are believed to be the main factors behind this slowdown.

Uncover the Reasons Behind the Plunge in Agricultural Equipment Sales

Tractor Sales

In November 2024, total farm tractor sales reached 11,003, a decrease of 14.5% compared to 12,876 sold in November 2023. Year-to-date, the figure stands at 200,138, down 13.4% from 231,089 last year. The inventory of total farm tractors began at 118,873 in November.

Breaking down tractor sales by horsepower range reveals interesting trends. For 2WD sub-40-hp tractors, sales in November 2024 were down 10.4%, with 7,040 sold this year compared to 7,860 last year. Year-to-date, 125,567 tractors have been sold in this category, a 14.5% decrease from 146,816 at the same time last year. The inventory of 2WD sub-40-hp tractors began at 74,106 in November.

Sales for 2WD 40- to 100-hp tractors in November were down 13.6%, with 3,009 sales this year and 3,484 last year. Year-to-date, 49,796 tractors have been sold in this category, a 10% decrease from 55,346 last year. The inventory of 2WD 40- to 100-hp tractors began at 33,659 in November.

For 2WD 100-plus-hp tractors, sales in November were down 37%, with 787 sales this year compared to 1,250 last year. Year-to-date, 20,774 tractors have been sold in this category, a 16.4% decrease from 24,859 last year. The inventory of 2WD 100-plus-hp tractors began at 10,377 in November.

Sales for 4WD tractors were down 40.8% in November, with 167 sales this year and 282 last year. Year to date, 4,001 tractors have been sold in this category, a 1.6% decrease from 4,068 last year. The inventory of 4WD tractors began at 731 in November.

Combine Sales

In November, sales for self-propelled combines were down 46.7%, with 145 sales this year compared to 272 last year. Year-to-date, 5,120 combines have been sold as of November, a 24.1% decrease from 6,746 at the same time last year. The inventory of self-propelled combines began at 1,070 in November.

Bitcoin Surges Above $100,000 Post-Inflation Report
2024-12-11
Bitcoin, the digital currency that has been making waves in the financial world, reached a significant milestone on Wednesday. The price of bitcoin rallied above $100,000, returning the cryptocurrency over the six-figure threshold and extending a post-election surge. This comes after the latest U.S. inflation report fell in line with analyst expectations.

Unlock the Potential of Bitcoin's Post-Election Rally

Bitcoin's Rapid Ascent

Bitcoin increased by nearly 6% to over $101,300 as of around 3:15 p.m. EST on Wednesday. This follows a two-day selloff that dropped the crypto as low as $94,304. The cryptocurrency had previously eclipsed the $100,000 milestone for the first time late on Dec. 4 and briefly hit an intraday record of $103,844.05. This rapid movement showcases the volatility and potential of bitcoin in the market.Bitcoin's journey to reach $100,000 was not an easy one. It took several weeks and significant price movements. Between Nov. 4, the day before the election, and Dec. 4, the price of bitcoin increased by 52.8%. During this period, bitcoin crossed the $90,000 threshold just three days after surpassing $80,000 for the first time. This shows the consistent upward trend and the ability of bitcoin to break through significant price levels.

The Impact of Inflation Report

The return to six figures in bitcoin's price follows the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report indicated that inflation rose 2.7% in November, while core inflation—a measurement excluding the cost of food and energy—remained unchanged from October’s annual rate increase of 3.3%, aligning with estimates from analysts. This news had a significant impact on the market, as it led to increased optimism and a surge in bitcoin's price.Lower inflation rates often lead to lower interest rates, which can improve liquidity for assets like cryptocurrency. This is one of the reasons why bitcoin's price tends to surge when there is optimism surrounding lowered rates. The approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in January also contributed to the initial surge in bitcoin's price before the presidential election. President-elect Donald Trump, an earlier critic of cryptocurrencies, has since campaigned on making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.” He has announced support for bitcoin mining and previously sold a line of Trump-branded NFTs. As of Sept. 30, about $3 million of his $6 billion fortune has been invested in cryptocurrency. In the weeks since winning the election, Trump tapped Paul Atkins to lead the SEC, citing Atkins’ pro-crypto views. Gary Gensler, the current SEC lead who had undertaken enforcement actions against several crypto firms, announced he would step down from the role in January.

The Future of Bitcoin

The rally of bitcoin above $100,000 raises questions about the future of the cryptocurrency. Will it continue to rise? What impact will it have on the global financial system? These are questions that investors and analysts are closely watching. Bitcoin's volatility and potential for significant price movements make it a fascinating asset to follow. It will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve in the coming months and years.In conclusion, the rally of bitcoin above $100,000 is a significant event in the world of cryptocurrency. It shows the power and potential of this digital asset and the impact that external factors like inflation reports and political decisions can have on its price. As bitcoin continues to gain popularity and acceptance, it will be important to closely monitor its movements and understand the factors that drive its price.
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Television Publicity Executive Committee Launches 3rd Annual Awards in 2024
2024-12-11
Erik Anderson, the founder/owner and Editor-in-Chief of AwardsWatch, has always been passionate about the Oscars. Since his early years, he has been captivated by the Academy Awards, creating lists, rankings, and predictions during the show. This led him to develop a deep interest in awards. Later, he pursued film school and became involved in film forums like GoldDerby. Eventually, he moved to the former Oscarwatch (now AwardsDaily) before establishing AwardsWatch in 2013.

About TPEC and Its Impact

TPEC (The Television Publicity Executives Committee), founded in 1992, is a non-profit organization that promotes collaboration among senior communications professionals in programming across all platforms and studios. It champions industry evolution, supports relationships between publicists and media, and nurtures the next generation of PR talent. The organization also publishes the annual TPEC Guide, which serves as a crucial resource for TV publicists.

Details of the Third Annual TPEC Awards

Today, the Television Publicity Executive Committee announced the launch of its Third Annual TPEC Awards. This competition aims to celebrate excellence in television publicity campaigns. Submissions will open on December 16, 2024. This year, the awards have expanded to include five new categories. These include Outstanding Campaigns for New and Returning Genre Series, Documentary Movie or Limited Series, and Live or Taped Variety Shows. Additionally, the Press Impact Award will make its debut, recognizing a journalist whose work has had a significant influence on the television industry narrative. Returning favorites such as Campaign of the Year, PR Rising Star, and The Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award for Program Publicity are also part of the awards. Participants must be current members to submit a campaign.TPEC Chair Wendy Zocks stated, "TPEC Awards continue to honor the creativity and expertise driving exceptional programming publicity. The addition of new categories reflects the industry's evolving storytelling formats and our members' extraordinary talent. We look forward to celebrating the campaigns and professionals that set the gold standard in entertainment PR."

Submission and Voting Details

Submissions will close on March 31, 2025, followed by the voting period in April 2025. Winners will be revealed in June 2025, and the awards presentation will be a highlight of the summer. A committee representing networks, studios, streamers, and agencies will oversee the awards to ensure a fair and transparent process. Campaign eligibility spans from January 2024 to December 2024, and detailed submission guidelines are available on the TPEC website.

New Categories and Their Significance

The addition of new categories such as Documentary Movie/Limited Series and Live or Taped Variety Show/Special reflects the dynamic nature of the television industry. These categories recognize the diverse forms of storytelling and the efforts of professionals in these areas. For example, in the Documentary Movie/Limited Series category, it showcases the importance of non-fiction programming and the publicity efforts behind it. In the Live or Taped Variety Show/Special category, it highlights the unique challenges and achievements of these types of shows. These new categories add depth and diversity to the TPEC Awards, making them more representative of the industry.

Impact on the Television Industry

The TPEC Awards play a crucial role in the television industry. They not only recognize the outstanding work of publicity campaigns but also inspire others to strive for excellence. By honoring creativity and expertise, these awards encourage publicists to push the boundaries and come up with innovative ideas. Moreover, the addition of new categories shows the industry's willingness to adapt and embrace new forms of storytelling. This helps to drive the evolution of the television industry and keep it fresh and exciting. It also provides a platform for professionals to showcase their talent and gain recognition within the industry.
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