fundamentalsxcel

Climate change: China’s green power surge offers hope on warming

Solar ower and wind are booming in China and may help limit global carbon emissions far faster than expected, according to a new study.

Solar panel installations alone are growing at a pace that would increase global capacity by 86% by 2025.

It was reported that the country’s green energy targets for 2030 look set to be exceeded five years ahead of schedule.

But coal plants are also increasing, partly as backup for all the new wind and solar farms, the authors say.

  • Deforestation surges in 2022 despite pledge
  • UK no longer a world leader on climate at the moment – watchdog
  • Unlawful to let coal mine keep digging – lawyers

Assistant / Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour / Human Resource Management

The Melbourne Business School seeks to fill an Assistant/Associate Professor position in the Organizational of Human Resource Management area. Applicants must have a PhD in Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management or a related field, and must demonstrate the potential to publish in top academic journals and achieve excellence in teaching. Applications are open to all areas of Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management.

Information Technology

“The Fast-Forward Tech Stack for 2024” Unveiled in the Latest Edition of “The Hotel Yearbook TECHNOLOGY”

At HITEC Toronto, the 2024 edition of The Hotel Yearbook (HYB) Technology has been released, showcasing an in-depth exploration of the transformative technology trends and breakthrough innovations set to shape the global hotel industry. Curated by Ian Millar, an esteemed technology expert from EHL Hospitality Business School, this edition provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of technology in the hospitality sector.

“THYB TECHNOLOGY 2024” serves as an indispensable resource for industry professionals, decision-makers, and technology enthusiasts seeking to gain insight into the latest advancements that will redefine the technology landscape of the hotel industry. Through the amalgamation of insights from recognized thought leaders, the publication spotlights key foresight in several tech-oriented fields, empowering readers to embrace innovation and adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

Tech Stack

One of the primary focuses of the 2024 edition is the anticipated evolution of the future tech stack. With a thorough analysis of emerging technologies, readers will gain a deep understanding of how these advancements will drive operational efficiencies and enhance guest experiences. From artificial intelligence and robotics to data analytics and blockchain, the future tech stack is poised to revolutionize every aspect of hotel operations, from guest services to back-of-house operations.

Human Stack

Furthermore, “The Hotel Yearbook TECHNOLOGY” explores the intersection of human resources and technology, shedding light on the ‘human stack.’ By examining the symbiotic relationship between human talent and technology, this edition highlights the transformative potential of leveraging technology to augment employee performance, enhance guest interactions, and streamline workforce management.

Generative AI

Another compelling area covered in this edition is the application of Generative AI in creating novel customer experiences. With advancements in artificial intelligence, the hotel industry is on the brink of a paradigm shift in guest personalization and customization. Readers will discover how Generative AI can harness data to anticipate guest preferences and offer tailored experiences that surpass expectations.

HYB curator Ian Millar expressed his excitement about this year’s edition. “The 2024 edition of ‘The Hotel Yearbook TECHNOLOGY’ aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the technological advancements and innovations that will shape the future of the hotel industry. By offering HYB’s insights from industry thought leaders, we hope to equip hoteliers with the knowledge needed to navigate the dynamic tech landscape and leverage technology to enhance guest experiences and drive operational excellence.

“The Fast-Forward Tech Stack for 2024” promises to be an essential guide for industry professionals, hoteliers, technology providers, and investors seeking to stay ahead in an ever-changing industry.

The Real Estate Stock Selloff Is a ‘Gift’ for Investors, Says This Pro

With mortgage rates high and offices empty, investors have soured on real estate stocks. But not Jeffrey Kolitch, a portfolio manager at Baron Funds.

The market’s aversion to all things real estate–related is “providing a gift for us—an opportunity to buy high-quality companies at attractive prices,” says Kolitch, who oversees the $1.4 billion Baron Real EstateBREFX +0.57%  fund (ticker: BREFX) and the $80 million Baron Real Estate IncomeBRIFX +0.60%  fund (BRIFX). With a gain of 13.2% this year through June 27, Baron Real Estate is No. 1 in its category, according to Morningstar, which rates the fund five stars. Its three-, five- and 10-year performance ranking is similarly impressive.

Kolitch has managed the fund since its 2009 inception, but his interest in real estate stretches back decades. “My father, who is my closest mentor and adviser, has been a private real estate developer and landlord for most of his professional career,” says Kolitch.

The fund manager recalls being a teenager visiting a shopping center his father had developed, when he asked his father to explain what he did for a living. The answer—which touched upon the concepts of anchor stores, rent payments, and land appreciation—“sparked a curiosity” that led to a college major and, ultimately, a career.

Kolitch spoke with Barron’s on June 20 about how investor jitters are creating attractive opportunities for real estate investors. An edited version of the conversation follows.

Barron’s: In your latest quarterly letter, you highlighted a number of real estate-related companies that you consider attractively valued. Why now, when so many investors are down on the sector?

Jeffrey Kolitch: There is a fair amount of caution and concern regarding real estate investments because of the narrative out there: We could be on the cusp of a commercial real estate crisis, there are challenges in the housing market, and so forth. We disagree emphatically. The setup for real estate in the public markets is attractive.

There is an assumption that the challenges facing lower-quality buildings are representative of all of commercial real estate. We couldn’t disagree more.

— Jeffrey Kolitch

For the past three and a half years, real estate–related stocks have faced a trifecta of headwinds. It started with the Covid pandemic, during which many real estate businesses were effectively shut down, which hurt the stocks. Then, real estate has been in the crosshairs of the most aggressive interest-rate tightening cycle in decades. Third, there are sensationalized—in our view—reports of a commercial real estate crisis on the horizon. As a result, many real estate stocks have lagged behind the broader market.

As we evaluate a larger swath of public real estate companies, two- to three-year return prospects look quite compelling.

Let’s take a closer look at the case for office real estate, which has been plagued by vacancy concerns as more people work from home.

There is an assumption that the challenges facing lower-quality buildings are representative of all of commercial real estate. We couldn’t disagree more. Most commercial real estate, and certain individual office buildings, are performing quite well. Yes, old and poorly located B and C office buildings are in both secular decline and perhaps what will be cyclical decline over the next couple of years. The new world, in which many employers are adopting more flexible work arrangements, will create demand pressures for occupancy and rent [issues] for lower-quality office buildings in the next few years.