FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (ARCA: FEDM)

Latest News for FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund (ARCA:FEDM)

FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund

Cannabis users might be inhaling harmful metals from their rolling papers, a new study published in ACS Omega reveals. Researchers found concerning levels of heavy metals such as copper, chromium and vanadium in cannabis rolling papers, posing potential health risks.
The study examined the metal content in 53 different rolling papers and cones popular in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis industry</a>, with findings that could alarm both casual and heavy cannabis users.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Significant Findings And Health Risks&nbsp;</h3>
The research team at Michigan&#8217;s Lake Superior State University discovered that about one-quarter of the tested products exceeded safe inhalation limits for metals, primarily copper. These elevated levels were found in papers with colored designs or metallic tips, commonly used for aesthetic appeal. According to the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c09580">study</a>, the presence of these metals, particularly in colored papers, is alarming given their potential neurotoxic effects, including a possible link to neurodegenerative diseases.
"Most consumers appear to think that someone in the government must regulate this," Derek Wright, the study&#8217;s co-author, <a href="https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Cannabis-rolling-papers-loaded-unsafe-metals/102/web/2024/04" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> C&amp;EN. However, while some states regulate the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37336011/why-cannabis-decontamination-is-an-instrumental-part-of-the-post-harvest-process" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metal content in cannabis flowers</a>, they do not extend these regulations to rolling papers. This oversight could lead to significant health risks, particularly for those who use <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/medical-cannabis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis therapeutically</a> and may already be vulnerable due to existing health conditions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Call For Industry Response</h3>
In response to these findings, experts are calling for more stringent regulations and a shift towards safer production practices. "If we can identify where potentially toxic chemicals are coming from, we can eventually use that information to make a safer product," Wright noted.
Daniel Curtis, an analytical and atmospheric chemist consulted by C&amp;EN, suggests future studies should focus on how metals transfer from paper through combustion. Moreover, with cannabis use on the rise, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/09/34770031/columbia-university-study-reveals-heavy-metal-risks-in-cannabis-urges-standardized-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identifying and mitigating sources of toxic chemicals </a>is crucial for ensuring consumer safety and enhancing the overall quality of cannabis products.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Innovations Towards Safer Smoking</h3>
Amidst these concerns, companies like RAW are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/37265879/exclusive-raws-new-line-of-ultra-thin-rolling-papers-ethereal-transforms-smoking-experience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leading the way in developing safer alternatives</a>. RAW recently launched a new rolling paper designed to minimize the paper&#8217;s presence and enhance the natural flavors of cannabis. These papers are significantly thinner than traditional options, reducing potential contaminants.
As cannabis use <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/12/36397899/explosive-growth-in-global-cannabis-market-doubling-to-50b-in-sales-by-2027-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continues to grow</a>, ensuring the safety of products to reduce their associated risks and harms becomes increasingly crucial for the industry to grow responsibly.
Photo: Elsa Olofsson On Unsplash.

Cannabis

News

Regulations

Health Care

Study Finds Unsafe Levels Of Toxic Metals In Commercially Available Cannabis Rolling Papers

&quot;Despite macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical conflicts, the sector landscape remains favorable for&nbsp;further growth. International and offshore activity continue to exhibit strength, offering resilient spending that provides buoyant demand and offsets the softness in the North American market. This market backdrop and our strong&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;performance set a robust foundation for our annual&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;that enables us to improve upon our previously issued margin&nbsp;guidance,&quot; the company said.

Guidance

WFRD

Weatherford Says Full Year Adjusted EBITDA Margin Is Now Expected To Hit 25% In 2024 Versus 2025, While Reaffirming Previous Revenue Guidance

Mattel Exec Says Co Believes Retail Inventory Levels Are Now At Appropriate Levels To Support Business Going Forward

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNI#NYSE">CNI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.28 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.25 by 2.4 percent. This is a 5.19 percent decrease over earnings of $1.35 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $3.15 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $3.10 billion by 1.68 percent. This is a 1.19 percent decrease over sales of $3.19 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Canadian National Railway Q1 EPS $1.28 Beats $1.25 Estimate, Sales $3.15B Beat $3.10B Estimate

Highwood Properties Sees FY24 FFO $3.46-$3.61 Vs $3.57 Est.

ROIC

Retail Opportunity Investments Says On Track Thus Far To Achieve Its Previously Stated Objectives For 2024

MANH

Manhattan Associates Sees FY24 Adj. EPS $3.86-$3.94 Vs $3.77 Est.; Revenue $1.026B-$1.034B Vs $1.022B Est.

GNLN

Greenlane Gets Nasdaq Notification Of Non-Compliance With Listing Rule 5250(c)(1)

AWIN

AERWINS Technologies Reveals Additional Staff Determination; Co. Expects To File Form 10-K In The Coming Days

AEYE

AudioEye Sees FY24 Adj. EPS $0.38-$0.46 Vs $(0.19) Est.

AudioEye Sees Q2 2024 Adj. EPS $0.12-$0.13 Vs $(0.06) Est.

The Federal Trade Commission faced legal threats when it first considered banning employers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/what-is-a-non-compete">from using non-compete contracts</a>.
The agency went ahead Tuesday and made the rule official.
What Happened: The FTC <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-announces-rule-banning-noncompetes">approved</a> a final rule that bans non-compete agreements nationwide in a 3-2 vote. Democratic commissioners — Chair Lina Khan, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya — voted in favor of the new rule; Republican commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson voted against it.
Discussions on the matter have been underway for well over a year. 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce <a href="https://www.uschamber.com/finance/antitrust/the-ftcs-noncompete-rulemaking-is-blatantly-unlawful">said</a> in January 2023 it was prepared to challenge the FTC in court over whether the ban is legal. According <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/ftc-to-issue-non-compete-ban-as-chamber-lawsuit-looms">to</a> Bloomberg News, a court challenge is in the works.
Non-competes, the Chamber <a href="https://www.uschamber.com/assets/documents/FTC-Noncompete-Comment-Letter_FINAL_04.17.23.pdf">argues</a>, benefit both employers and employees. With a non-compete clause, companies are more inclined to invest in training and holding onto employees to avoid losing trade secrets to rival firms. 
Recall the 2023 sale of Barstool Sports to Dave Portnoy, which included <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/01/36764763/dave-portnoy-barstool-sports-could-return-to-sports-betting-with-draftkings-deal-report">several non-compete clauses</a>.
The FTC insists that noncompete clauses stifle wage growth, impede entrepreneurial spirit and inhibit labor market efficiency.
The decision follows a 90-day public comment period that garnered over 26,000 responses that were overwhelmingly in support of the proposed ban on non-competes. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38389508/did-the-feds-strategy-pay-off-goldman-sachs-projects-steady-inflation-decline-in-20">Did The Fed&#8217;s Strategy Pay Off? Goldman Sachs Projects Steady Inflation Decline In 2024</a>
Why It Matters: Under the new rule, roughly 30 million American workers will no longer be subject to non-compete agreements. 
They&#8217;re essentially allowed to pursue new employment opportunities or embark on entrepreneurial ventures without fear of legal repercussions.
The decision is also the first time in decades that the FTC officials issued an economy-wide change regarding competition. 
FTC projects economic benefits stemming from the ban on non-competes. The rule is expected to spur the creation of over 8,500 new startups annually, while also leading to higher earnings for workers, with an average increase of $524 per year. 
The rule could potentially lower health care costs by up to $194 billion over the next decade as well, the FTC said.
Existing non-competes can remain in place for certain policymaking individuals making over a certain amount each year (constituting less than 0.75% of the workforce). 
What&#8217;s Next: The ruling is poised to have far-reaching effects on job mobility, innovation and business formation across the U.S.
Employers are prohibited from entering into new non-competes with senior executives. Additionally, employers must provide notice to workers bound by existing non-competes, informing them the agreements will no longer be enforced.
The ban on non-competes is set to take effect 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38381361/us-private-sector-growth-unexpectedly-slows-in-april-marks-lowest-increase-in-4-mon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Private Sector Growth Unexpectedly Slows In April, Marks Lowest Increase In 4 Months: ‘Drivers Of Inflation Have Changed'</a>
Image: Shutterstock.

Government

Non-Compete Clauses Are A Thing Of The Past, At Least For Now: FTC Issues Landmark Ban, Chamber Of Commerce Plans To Sue

Featuring leading sports champions including&nbsp;Sarah Spain, Sheryl Swoopes and more,&nbsp;the Women&#39;s Sports Audio Network will highlight and scale women&#39;s sports coverage across broadcast radio, podcasts, streaming and events

IHRT

iHeartMedia, Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment Announce New Partnership To Launch The Women's Sports Audio Network

WIIM

Weatherford International shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 financial results.

Several solar stocks including Sunrun Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>), SolarEdge Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>) and Sunnova Energy International Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOVA#NYSE">NOVA</a>) are trading lower in Tuesday&#8217;s after-hours session in sympathy with shares of Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>), which fell after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38391465/enphase-energy-q1-earnings-revenue-eps-come-in-below-estimates-amid-softening-us-demand">worse-than-expected quarterly results</a>.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">What Happened With Enphase?</h1>
<ul>
<li>Q1 Revenue: $263.3 million, versus&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimates</a>&nbsp;of $281.95 million</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Q1 EPS: 35 cents, versus estimates of 40 cents</li>
</ul>
Enphase Energy&#8217;s U.S. revenue was down approximately 34% on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter, while revenues in Europe increased by approximately 70%. 
&#8220;The decline in revenue for the&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;of 2024 compared to the&nbsp;fourth quarter&nbsp;of 2023 was the result of seasonality and a further softening in U.S. demand, while we continued to reduce shipments to manage channel inventory,&#8221; the company said. 
Enphase also issued weak guidance, which appears to be adding to the selling pressure after hours. The company guided for second-quarter revenue of $290 million to $330 million versus estimates of $350.706 million. Enphase shares were down approximately 8% at last check.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38390883/tesla-q1-earnings-highlights-ev-giant-misses-wall-street-estimates-makes-cost-cuts-invests-in-ai-sp">Tesla Q1 Earnings Highlights: EV Giant Misses Wall Street Estimates, Makes Cost Cuts, Invests In AI, Speeds Launch Of New Models</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">What To Expect From RUN, SEDG and NOVA</h1>
Sunrun, SolarEdge Technologies and Sunnova Energy are all scheduled to report quarterly results in early May. 
Sunnova will report after the market close on May 1. Analysts are anticipating a loss of 73 cents per share on revenue of $194.778 million, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro.</a>
Sunrun is due to report earnings after the market close on May 8. The company is expected to report a loss of 46 cents per share and revenue of $470.894 million. 
SolarEdge is also scheduled to report earnings after the market close on May 8. Analysts are looking for a loss of $1.57 per share on revenue of $194.061 million.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38376714/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-views-on-3-energy-stocks-with-over-3-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts&#8217; Views On 3 Energy Stocks With Over 3% Dividend Yields</a>
RUN, SEDG, NOVA Price Action:&nbsp;At publication time, Sunrun shares were down 1.07% at $10.17 after hours, SolarEdge shares were down 2.22% at $55.39 and Sunnova shares were down 1.02% at $3.88, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/gxjhpowx7zks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Andreas from Pixabay.

After-Hours Center

Movers

ENPH

NOVA

SEDG

Why Sunrun, SolarEdge, Sunnova Energy Shares Are Moving Lower After Hours

Prior to this authorization, 224,852&nbsp;shares remained available to repurchase under the existing program.&nbsp; Combined with the shares authorized today, the total 2.22 million 2&nbsp;shares available for repurchase represent approximately&nbsp;11.2%&nbsp;of the Company&#39;s issued and outstanding shares of common stock as of April 23, 2024.&nbsp;

Buybacks

WSBF

Waterstone Financial Board Authorizes Repurchase Of Up To An Additional 2M Shares Of Common Stock

West Fraser Timber (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFG#NYSE">WFG</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.42 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.46 by 8.7 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.627 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.465 billion by 11.03 percent. This is the same as the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

West Fraser Timber Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $0.42 Misses $0.46 Estimate, Sales $1.627B Beat $1.465B Estimate

EastGroup Properties Sees Q2 2024 FFO $1.99-$2.07 Vs $2.06 Est.

EastGroup Properties Sees FY24 FFO $8.17-$8.37 Vs $8.32 Est.

Baker Hughes Says 2024 Has Gotten Off To A Good Start For Company; Says Solid Q1 Results Put It On A Path Toward Achieving Full-year Guidance

Multi-Asset Income Investing In A 2024 Slowdown

FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund declares quarterly distribution of $0.2524

The Weather Is Changing For Climate-Focused Investors

Basel III Endgame: A Challenge For Climate Transition

Climate-Focused Investing: Two Approaches For Equity Portfolios

Deeper dive into the SEC's new climate disclosure rules

Low-Carbon Transition Themes In 2024

FlexShares ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core Index Fund declares quarterly distribution of $0.1192