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North America
CNBC Finance

Versant agrees to buy golf simulator company Full Swing for $530 million

Versant Media Group, the owner of cable networks including CNBC, MS NOW and the Golf Channel, has agreed to acquire golf simulation company Full Swing from private equity firm Bruin Capital for about $530 million in cash. The deal follows a template CEO Mark Lazarus has outlined to investors since Versant began trading as a public company in January following its spinout from Comcast. Versant has been investing in nontraditional media businesses that broaden the scope of the brands it already owns. Earlier this year, the company acquired StockStory, an AI-powered tech platform that provides financial analysis, market insights, and stock recommendations, for CNBC. The company's golf business already owns digital media platform GolfPass and tee-time reservation company GolfNow. In May, Versant reported that revenue for its platforms business, which includes GolfNow, Fandango and some recently launched direct-to-consumer units, was up 9.5% to $192 million. The company has called out its growth in its news and sports units. Executives have said they aim to rebalance Versant's revenue mix so that eventually 50% of it is derived from digital, platform, subscription, ad-supported and transactional businesses. "Full Swing is exactly the kind of strategic platform that reflects how we are building Versant: investing in our core markets, extending the reach of our iconic brands and creating new ways to serve passionate audiences," Lazarus said in a statement. Full Swing develops and sells golf and baseball simulators for consumers, sporting goods stores and athletic training facilities. Both recreational and professional athletes use the technology. Bruin Capital purchased Full Swing in 2021 for $160 million, Sportico reported at the time. "Joining Versant gives us the scale and distribution to bring our technology to even more golfers, athletes and fans," Full Swing CEO Ryan Dotters said in the statement. Dotters will stay at Versant and will report to Will McIntosh, president of digital platforms and ventures. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

Versant agrees to buy golf simulator company Full Swing for $530 million
Europe
BBC Business

Robots available for rent: But what can they do?

In hospitals across the US, patients and staff have become accustomed to seeing a one-armed, four-foot high, friendly-looking white robot going about its business. Nurses have been known to greet Moxi, as the robot is called by its maker Diligent Robotics, with a "good morning", a high five or even a hug. Moxi – which shuttles medical supplies around hospitals – might respond by displaying its heart-shaped LED eyes and a beep beep greeting of its own. "We get a lot of feedback that Moxi feels like a part of the team," says Todd Brugger, chief operating officer at the Texas-based robotics company, which has around 100 of the wheeled robots in operation. But bringing Moxi into a hospital doesn't mean buying one of the machines outright. Instead, it is among robots available to rent or on a subscription basis. Robotics companies use the term robotics-as-a-service. As well as the robot itself, service, maintenance and upgrades are bundled into the deal. A human engineer sitting in a remote control room may be on hand to take control of the robot if needed. In Moxi's case, Brugger says: "It lowers the expense and the outlay for the hospital because you're not paying for the full purchase up front. Secondly, and I think more importantly, this tech is evolving very quickly… we're routinely evolving the software and capabilities of the robot." Robot rentals are becoming available for anything from a day to years for a variety of purposes, from Moxi's hospital deliveries to robot bartenders or autonomous weeders for farms. Increasingly this includes early humanoid models, designed to behave and look like humans, and operate in environments designed for people. Given humanoids are still a work-in-progress, they are currently rented out for clearly defined tasks. That often means entertainment. Depending on the model, a machine might dance, sing or serve guests at a wedding or corporate event. Ethan Qi, a Beijing-based associate director at Counterpoint Research, says an act like a humanoid dance routine is relatively simple to pull off. "You hire a real dancer to perform and video it. The video is then used to train the robot. Then the robot will know how to dance. But the engineer will still often go with the robot in case the environment or the platform isn't simple," he says.

Robots available for rent: But what can they do?
Europe
BBC Business

Amazon bars breastfeeding boss from business course

Image source, Getty ImagesByMitchell LabiakBusiness reporterPublished4 hours agoA breastfeeding boss has been barred from a business course run by online retailer Amazon because it would not let her child on to the site. Rachel Bews said she had let Amazon know a week ahead of the in-person event at an Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland, that she would need to take her 20-week-old baby with her as she was breastfeeding. However, she said she was told over the phone on the train to the event that children under six were not allowed on site. Amazon said: "We sincerely apologise to Ms Bews that our site access policy was not communicated clearly before she travelled." "That should not have happened, and we understand her frustration. Amazon does not permit children under the age of six on any of our fulfilment centre sites," the retailer added. "This is a long-standing health and safety policy that applies to all visitors and employees... We are reviewing our communications process to prevent this from happening again." Bews told the BBC's The World Tonight that there was a lactation room at the event on Friday, which would have allowed her to express milk for her child. But she said she had not planned for this, so did not have any sterilised bottles or equipment for expressing. She added that not every breastfed baby would feed from a bottle. "All events should really have good consideration to accessibility and inclusivity for all sorts of considerations," she said. "It's a challenging thing becoming a new mum, and being in business is a big part of my identity, so having access to these same opportunities is really important for me and a lot of other working and professional mums out there." She said she had been told she could continue with the online part of the six-week course, but she said she had missed out on "the most important things". "The in-person, face-to-face connections you make over coffee, the people you meet over lunch – there's connections I could have made to maybe help my business," she added.

Amazon bars breastfeeding boss from business course
Europe
BBC Business

'I wear it on my middle finger': The rise of the defiant divorce ring

Shimmering on Deb Marino's finger are diamonds set in an eye-catching gold ring. "Of course it's a middle finger ring, because, why not?" the Florida-based blogger says on her Tiktok feed. Getting rid of her engagement ring would have suggested a regret the 34-year-old doesn't feel - after all, her marriage brought her daughter. Even just not wearing it would have felt like a waste. Plus she does sometimes feel like sticking one finger up after the break-up of her marriage. Deb is part of a rising trend promoted by jewellers around the world of women marking a new chapter in their life with a new statement piece: the divorce ring. Deb had the diamond from her engagement ring set at one end of an open circle and added a new sapphire to represent her daughter to the other end. It cost $3,000 (£2,245). Ring resale values tend to be only around 30% of the original price so for many the trend of giving their old jewellery a new life feels a better investment. And Deb's middle finger statement fits right in with what the fashion pages are calling this year's "hot divorcee summer" - a celebration of liberated glamour and a "don't care energy". Divorce rings can also be a way of marking a kind of financial liberation, says Kate Daly, co-founder of Amicable, a UK company offering mediated divorce services. "Your whole life gets thrown up in the air," she says. "Your finances are under extreme pressure." If at that point a woman decides to buy a new ring it's a sign that she is making her own financial decisions and "not needing to ask permission from anyone," says Daly. "It's very easy to trivialise, but maybe that's the first big spending decision you've made in a very long time, and certainly perhaps the biggest one you've made solo for a long time."

'I wear it on my middle finger': The rise of the defiant divorce ring
Europe
BBC Business

Banks accused of failing most vulnerable customers

Image source, Getty ImagesByKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentPublished4 hours agoSome of the UK's biggest banks have been failing their most vulnerable customers, according to the financial regulator. Banks have been pushing homeless people or those in financial hardship towards unsuitable online applications and away from basic bank accounts. These accounts are free, do not include an overdraft facility, and provide essential banking for those unable to open a mainstream account. Now, the nine UK banks and building societies which operate basic bank accounts have agreed to demands from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to make access more straightforward. Basic bank accounts have many of the same functions as a regular current account, but are designed for those who might otherwise be excluded from the banking system. More than four million people in the UK have these accounts. But a mystery shopping exercise by the FCA rated a third of experiences with basic bank accounts as poor or very poor. The exercise covered 298 interactions across branches and by telephone, and rated 28% of cases as good or very good, 38% as fair, 20% as poor and 14% as very poor. Problems included failing to offer these accounts to people who needed them, particularly those with no fixed address. Some pushed customers in vulnerable circumstances towards online applications to open an account unsuitable for their needs. Emad Aladhal, director of retail banking at the FCA, said: "Bank accounts are important for financial inclusion, and this is about making sure the very people who could benefit from basic bank accounts are not missing out." Banks have agreed to provide the right account for customers first time, make it straightforward for customers without standard ID or a fixed address to open an account, and offer alternatives to online applications to those who are vulnerable. Peter Tyler, director of personal banking at trade body UK Finance, said: "We recognise that more can be done to ensure consistently good outcomes for everyone."

Banks accused of failing most vulnerable customers
Asia
The Economic Times

MF Picks: 13 stocks surge up to 230% in just 3 months; 3 turn multibaggers

Mutual fund moves often attract attention because they are usually backed by detailed research, expert analysis, and a long-term investment approach. In March 2026, fund managers raised their exposure to nearly 322 stocks from the BSE 500 universe compared with the previous quarter—a sign that several companies were finding favour among institutional investors.What followed was a remarkable rally. Since early April 2026, a number of these stocks have delivered exceptional gains within a little over three months. Among them, 13 stocks stood out by climbing between 60% and 230%, including three multibagger performers that more than doubled investors’ wealth in a short period. Their strong performance highlights how rising mutual fund participation can sometimes signal emerging opportunities and changing market sentiment. (Data Source: ACE Equity) Over the last three months (from early April till date), the stock has surged 232%, rising from Rs 68 to Rs 225. Mutual fund (MF) holding increased from 6.68% to 6.92% during the March 2026 quarter. Over the past three months, the stock has delivered a 198% rally, moving up from Rs 511 to Rs 1,521. MF holding rose from 1.02% to 1.41% in the March 2026 quarter. In the last three months, the stock has gained 101%, climbing from Rs 1,798 to Rs 3,611. MF holding increased from 9.37% to 13.08% during the March 2026 quarter. Over the last three months, the stock has rallied 92%, advancing from Rs 807 to Rs 1,549. MF holding rose from 2.97% to 3.22% in the March 2026 quarter. During the past three months, the stock has appreciated 90%, moving from Rs 814 to Rs 1,547. MF holding increased from 9.24% to 9.86% during the March 2026 quarter. Over the last three months, the stock has gained 78%, rising from Rs 844 to Rs 1,502. MF holding increased from 2.58% to 3.28% in the March 2026 quarter. In the past three months, the stock has surged 74%, moving from Rs 1,505 to Rs 2,625. MF holding rose marginally from 1.97% to 2.02% during the March 2026 quarter. Over the last three months, the stock has rallied 74%, increasing from Rs 934 to Rs 1,622. MF holding improved from 6.44% to 6.59% in the March 2026 quarter. During the last three months, the stock has gained 65%, rising from Rs 9 to Rs 14. MF holding increased from 5.34% to 5.93% during the March 2026 quarter. Over the past three months, the stock has advanced 63%, moving from Rs 1,177 to Rs 1,916. MF holding increased from 7.76% to 8.12% in the March 2026 quarter. In the last three months, the stock has rallied 62%, climbing from Rs 677 to Rs 1,096. MF holding increased from 1.98% to 3.37% during the March 2026 quarter.

MF Picks: 13 stocks surge up to 230% in just 3 months; 3 turn multibaggers
North America
CNBC Finance

Trump’s Freedom 250 draws corporate sponsors with business before his administration

WASHINGTON — On the National Mall this week, Freedom 250 signs pointed visitors toward temporary state pavilions, a Ferris wheel and mobile, transitory history exhibits. Sponsor names appeared beside Trump-aligned programming. Some states were represented by official delegations. Others had opted out, leaving replacement displays or stripped-down booths in their place. As the country prepares to mark its semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday, the splashiest celebrations in Washington are being shaped by corporate money. A CNBC analysis found 14 companies backing both America250, the nonprofit supporting the congressionally created U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, and Freedom 250, the Trump-backed public-private partnership behind some of the administration's most visible anniversary events. Of those companies, only John Deere responded to a CNBC request for comment, but it did not address specific questions about its sponsorship of both organizations. John Deere said it was eager to celebrate the people whose work helped "build power, feed and sustain" the U.S. Several of those companies have major business before the federal government, including defense contracts, technology contracts, regulatory interests, merger considerations, tax issues and other policy matters shaped by the Trump administration. CNBC did not find any evidence of a connection between the Freedom 250 sponsorships and the companies' dealings with the administration. But it's another example of the complex intersection of corporate America and politics under a president who's been increasingly close with companies. Watchdogs and ethics experts have said the structure gives companies with business before the administration a new way to seek access to President Donald Trump, with much of the money hidden from public view. "The concern is not that companies are sponsoring a national celebration. The concern is that this celebration appears to offer access to the president while some of those companies have business before his administration," said Bruce Freed, the president and co-founder of the Center for Political Accountability that advises companies on political spending. Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a report this week criticizing the president and Freedom 250, accusing it of diverting funds and misleading sponsors. Freedom 250 fundraising materials, first reported by The New York Times, described tiered sponsorship: Donors giving at least $500,000 were offered VIP access, invitations and preferred seating at events, according to the New York Times. A $1 million contribution came with an invitation to a private "thank you" reception hosted by Trump and a photo opportunity, the Times reported, and donors giving $2.5 million or more were offered speaking roles at a July 4 event in Washington. For $10 million or more, companies got VIP access to all Freedom 250 events, logo rights, a tailored press release, a July 4 speaking role and a private Trump-hosted reception with a photo opportunity, according to the Times report.

Trump’s Freedom 250 draws corporate sponsors with business before his administration
North America
CNBC Economy

Christine Lagarde leaves door open to early ECB exit, as she mulls French politics

The European Central Bank's Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out an early end to her term as president, as she mulls a foray into French politics. Lagarde, whose term as ECB President ends in October 2027, told French newspaper Les Echos an early departure is "possible" ahead of the country's presidential elections that year. "I think a European voice must be heard in the French presidential debate," Lagarde said. "If this debate were to present a perspective that diminishes France's place within Europe, I think it would be necessary to explain why this would be a painful path for our country and our citizens." Asked whether she would consider personal involvement in the French Presidential campaign, to support a candidate or run herself, Lagarde said: "I'm going to ask myself some questions." Leader of the far-right National Rally party Jordan Bardella is currently the frontrunner in polls to replace President Emmanuel Macron, who entered office in 2017 and is not running for re-election. The first round of voting will take place in April, with a runoff to follow between the top two candidates if none wins 50%. Macron faced the National Rally, then called Front National, at the runoff stages in both 2017 and 2022. Bardella has pledged a realignment of France's place in the European Union, promising to put the European Commission and the EU "back at the service of nations and no longer the other way around". The euro sold off in February in the wake of a Financial Times report that Lagarde was considering making an early exit from the ECB. The ECB said at the time that no such decision had been made. The ECB declined to comment on Lagarde's latest remarks when approached by CNBC. Lagarde told Les Echos that she is committed to her role at the bank in the short term: "My term ends in October 2027. And I believe my mission is to maintain price stability. As we are once again in a period of turbulence, I believe the captain of the ECB ship must remain on board." Even if she remained at the ECB until the end of her term, Lagarde could still involve herself in the Presidential debate.

Christine Lagarde leaves door open to early ECB exit, as she mulls French politics
Europe
The Guardian

Conservative fight against license renewals for ABC stations heats up

The groups have complained about TV host Jimmy Kimmel, seen here at the Oscars in Los Angeles, California, on 15 March. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersView image in fullscreenThe groups have complained about TV host Jimmy Kimmel, seen here at the Oscars in Los Angeles, California, on 15 March. Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersABCConservative fight against license renewals for ABC stations heats upProminent organizations accuse network of political, racial and sexual bias and supporting Chinese communist party A group of prominent conservative organizations has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny license renewal requests from the eight local television stations owned and operated by ABC, accusing the network of political, racial and sexual bias and supporting the Chinese communist party. The petitions come after the commission, led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, took the nearly unprecedented step of requiring the network, a frequent recipient of attacks from Donald Trump, to apply several years early to maintain its ability to broadcast in markets around the country. While Carr has said the early license renewal process stems from an FCC investigation into ABC’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, petitioners are free to include a variety of grievances against the network and concerns about whether ABC is operating in the public interest. The petitions – part of an open process that allows anyone to argue that ABC is not fit to hold publicly owned television licenses – came from groups like the Center for American Rights, which has played a significant role during Carr’s tenure atop the FCC agency as an initiator of complaints against major broadcast television networks. In a petition to deny filed last Monday, the group said the stations were not being operated “in the public interest” in part because ABC’s programs “show a consistent and overt partisan bias”, citing the group’s past complaints about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the network’s moderation of a 2024 presidential debate, among other concerns. “ABC ignores long-standing Commission precedents and principles protecting the integrity of the news,” the group wrote. “ABC engages in explicit racial and gender discrimination. ABC cozies up to the Communist Chinese Party and airbrushes over religious and ethnic cleansing. ABC fails to respect this Commission’s rules.” The organization lobbied the FCC to deny ABC’s renewal requests and to call the matter for a hearing, “because the Petition and accompanying materials raise sufficient questions [about] whether ABC is operating in the public interest or remains worthy of the public trust”. The Media Research Center, a non-profit conservative media watchdog group, filed a petition to deny the network’s license renewal requests “because of ABC’s continued and sustained abuse of the licenses subject to the current review, its notorious efforts to improperly influence national elections, and its willful engagement in misinformation and the promotion of violence”. The group claimed that ABC-owned and -operated television stations, in markets such as New York City and Los Angeles, “have used public spectrum to suppress news coverage of the most critical stories of our day; to engage in electioneering and relentless political bias; to excuse, minimize, and even justify the epidemic of political violence; and to peddle misinformation and defamation”. The Article III Project, a legal group started by the conservative, Trump-aligned activist Mike Davis, focused its petition to deny on ABC parent company Disney’s employment practices and efforts to hire a more diverse workforce. “The Commission should deny renewal of ABC’s television licenses,” wrote William Chamberlain, senior counsel for the organization. “The record demonstrates consistent and serious violations of federal [Equal Employment Opportunity] law. In the alternative, any renewal must include sweeping terms and conditions sufficient to eliminate all discriminatory practices and ensure future compliance.”

Conservative fight against license renewals for ABC stations heats up