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What’s Better Than Meme Stocks?
The meme stock phenomenon has captivated both Wall Street and Main Street, leading to dramatic price swings and unprecedented market volatility. At its core, this craze is driven by retail investors banding together on social media platforms like Reddit’s WallStreetBets to target heavily shorted stocks. What began as a fringe movement has now turned into a financial spectacle, catching the attention of institutional investors, regulators, and even the general public.
Key question: are they the best form of investment for you?
First, let’s delve into the recent developments in the meme stock saga, analyze the forces at play, and provide insights on what this means for the broader market.
The Role of Social Media
One of the most fascinating aspects of the meme stock craze is the role of social media in driving market behavior. Platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok have become the battlegrounds where retail investors share ideas, strategies, and memes. The power of these communities was evident when a post on WallStreetBets could lead to a coordinated buying effort, sending a stock’s price soaring.
The rise of meme stocks can be seen as a form of digital activism, where retail investors challenge the traditional power dynamics of Wall Street. By targeting heavily shorted stocks, these investors aim to inflict financial pain on hedge funds and other institutional players. It’s a David vs. Goliath story that resonates with many who feel disenfranchised by the financial system.
Keith Gill, known by his online moniker “Roaring Kitty,” has become an emblematic figure in the financial world, particularly during the GameStop (GME) rally. His unique blend of humor, insightful analysis, and unapologetic enthusiasm for GameStop made him a leader in the retail investor movement that shook Wall Street.
Gill’s analysis was thorough and compelling. He identified GameStop as a deeply undervalued company with significant potential for turnaround, driven by its pivot to e-commerce and new leadership. His insights into the company’s fundamentals, coupled with his entertaining delivery, garnered him a dedicated following.
In January 2021, Gill’s investment thesis caught fire. Retail investors on WallStreetBets rallied behind his call, buying up shares and options on GameStop. This massive buying pressure triggered a short squeeze, forcing hedge funds with significant short positions to cover their bets, further driving up the stock price.
Gill’s transparency about his own investments, including sharing screenshots of his trading account, added credibility and inspired confidence among fellow retail investors. As the stock soared, Roaring Kitty’s fame grew, and he became a symbol of the power of collective action against institutional investors.
The Original Meme Stock
GameStop (GME)
Let’s take a quick look at GameStop (GME), the original meme stock that ignited the frenzy. In early 2021, GME saw its stock price skyrocket from under $20 to nearly $500 in a matter of weeks. This surge was fueled by a massive short squeeze, where retail investors bought up shares to force short sellers to cover their positions, thereby driving the price even higher. Since that move, GameStop shares split 4-for-1. Adjusting for this split, we see January 2021 highs over $120.
Recently, GME has experienced another wave of buying interest, pushing its stock back into the spotlight. The return of the famed Roaring Kitty on X, formerly known as Twitter, helped fuel the recent interest.
Continued . . .
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Roaring Kitty’s Twitter Comeback
Last week, Keith Gill tweeted for the first time in months, immediately capturing the attention of his followers and the financial press. His tweet was cryptic yet characteristic, featuring a playful nod to his past videos and investment thesis on GameStop. The tweet quickly garnered thousands of likes and retweets, reflecting the lasting impact Gill has on the retail investor community.
He then followed this up with several video clips. These clips were from dozens of well-known movies like Braveheart and E.T. All of them shared a similar theme, referencing GameStop as well as the return of Roaring Kitty. In the days that followed the tweets, well-known meme stocks all came back to life.
The Impact on Market Dynamics
The meme stock craze has also had a significant impact on market dynamics. For one, it has increased market volatility, as seen in the wild price swings of stocks like AMC Entertainment (AMC), BlackBerry (BB), and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY). This heightened volatility has led to a surge in trading volumes, with retail investors accounting for a larger share of market activity.
Additionally, the meme stock phenomenon has forced institutional investors to adapt their strategies. Hedge funds that were heavily shorting these stocks have faced massive losses, leading some to reevaluate their short-selling practices. On the flip side, some institutional players have started to capitalize on the meme stock movement by taking long positions in these stocks or using options to profit from the volatility.
The Regulatory Response
With the rise of meme stocks, regulators have been closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed concerns about potential market manipulation and the risks posed to retail investors. In response, there have been calls for greater transparency and stricter regulations on short selling and social media-driven trading.
However, regulating the meme stock phenomenon is no easy task. Social media platforms operate globally, making it challenging to enforce rules and monitor activity. Moreover, any attempts to curtail retail trading could be seen as favoring institutional investors, potentially undermining public trust in the financial system.
The Naked Short
At the center of the meme stock controversy has been naked short selling. Naked short selling occurs when an investor sells shares of a stock without first borrowing them or ensuring that they can be borrowed. This contrasts with traditional short selling, where the seller must borrow the shares before selling them, ensuring that the transaction can be settled.
Naked short selling can lead to significant market distortions. Since the seller has not borrowed the shares, there is no limit to the number of shares they can sell short, potentially creating an artificially high supply of the stock. This can drive the stock price down, even if there is no fundamental reason for the decline.
Before the original GME surge, short interest on GME had reached above 100%, a clear indication that hedge funds had been engaging in the practice of naked short selling. The plan investors had was to buy up shares and force the hedge funds to cover their shorts, causing a short-squeeze which would take the stock higher.
Regulation SHO
There are already regulations in place to mitigate naked short selling. The SEC introduced Regulation SHO to address concerns about naked short selling. This regulation includes provisions such as the “locate” requirement, which mandates that brokers must have reasonable grounds to believe that shares can be borrowed before executing a short sale. It also includes “close-out” requirements to address failures to deliver.
If a broker-dealer has a fail to deliver position in a threshold security for 13 consecutive settlement days, they are required to borrow or arrange to borrow the securities before accepting any further short sale orders in that security from any customer or effecting a short sale in that security for their own account.
There is a list published each day of stocks which have experienced failures to deliver. This is known as the Regulation SHO Threshold list. Persistent non-compliance with Rule 204(b) can result in regulatory actions from the SEC or the FINRA. These actions can include fines, censures, and other disciplinary measures. The aim of these rules and penalties is to ensure that broker-dealers settle their trades promptly and reduce the risk of persistent fails to deliver, thereby maintaining market integrity and investor confidence.
The Latest Meme Stock Madness
The knee-jerk reaction to the return of Roaring Kitty sent several meme stocks surging higher. GameStop saw its shares go from under $20 to $64.83 on Tuesday May 14th. AMC went from under $4 to $11.88. Other short-squeezes occurred in stocks like Faraday Future Intelligent Electric where shares went from 4 cents to nearly $4 in just a few days.
These meme stock investors have grown savvy. Their new targets are stocks with low floats where shorts are a large percentage of the float. Armed with Regulation SHO, they are on the hunt for the next big short squeeze to attack hedge funds with. The problem is, short-sale data is always delayed for the retail investor by two weeks making it impossible to know real-time. Also, with such a long window, 13 consecutive settlement days, before clear violations, shorts operated with virtually impunity. I have seen dozens of stocks pop up for a day or two, only for the shorts to stand on the offer and snuff out the rally.
It is important for investors to understand the risks and the odds that are stacked against them when fighting hedge funds. Simply put, institutional money has a different set of rules. Fighting them can lead to heart-breaking losses for investors. This is meant as a word to the wise. While these meme stocks can have incredible short-term payoffs when the timing is right, they are incredibly risky business.
Conclusion
The meme stock craze is far from over, and it continues to captivate the financial world. While the phenomenon has introduced a new level of volatility and unpredictability to the market, it has also democratized investing and empowered a new generation of retail investors.
The key takeaway for investors is to stay informed, remain adaptable, and be prepared for both the opportunities and risks that come with this new era of trading.
But if you’d rather not contend with constant uncertainty, watch for regulatory developments, and closely monitor social media trends and sentiment, there may be a better investment strategy for you.
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Modiv Industrial to release Q2 2024 financial results on August 6
RENO, Nev., August 1, 2024–(BUSINESS THREAD)–Modiv Industrial, Inc. (“Modiv” or the “Company”) (NYSE:MDV), the only public REIT focused exclusively on the acquisition of industrial real estate properties, today announced that it will release second quarter 2024 financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 before the market opens on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Management will host a conference call the same day at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time (10:30 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the results.
Live conference call: 1-877-407-0789 or 1-201-689-8562 at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time Tuesday, August 6.
Internet broadcast: To listen to the webcast, live or archived, use this link https://callme.viavid.com/viavid/?callme=true&passcode=13740174&h=true&info=company&r=true&B=6 or visit the investor relations page of the Modiv website at www.modiv.com.
About Modiv Industrial
Modiv Industrial, Inc. is an internally managed REIT focused on single-tenant net-leased industrial manufacturing real estate. The company actively acquires critical industrial manufacturing properties with long-term leases to tenants that fuel the national economy and strengthen the nation’s supply chains. For more information, visit: www.modiv.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731628803/en/
Contacts
Investor Inquiries:
management@modiv.com
News
Volta Finance Limited – Director/PDMR Shareholding
Volta Finance Limited
Volta Finance Limited (VTA/VTAS)
Notification of transactions by directors, persons exercising managerial functions
responsibilities and people closely associated with them
NOT FOR DISCLOSURE, DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN THE UNITED STATES
*****
Guernsey, 1 August 2024
Pursuant to announcements made on 5 April 2019 and 26 June 2020 relating to changes to the payment of directors’ fees, Volta Finance Limited (the “Company” or “Volta”) purchased 3,380 no par value ordinary shares of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) at an average price of €5.2 per share.
Each director receives 30% of his or her director’s fee for any year in the form of shares, which he or she is required to hold for a period of not less than one year from the respective date of issue.
The shares will be issued to the Directors, who for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on Market Abuse (“March“) are “people who exercise managerial responsibilities” (a “PDMR“).
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Dagmar Kershaw, Chairman and MDMR for purposes of MAR, has acquired an additional 1,040 Common Shares in the Company. Following the settlement of this transaction, Ms. Kershaw will have an interest in 12,838 Common Shares, representing 0.03% of the Company’s issued shares;
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Stephen Le Page, a Director and a PDMR for MAR purposes, has acquired an additional 728 Ordinary Shares in the Company. Following the settlement of this transaction, Mr. Le Page will have an interest in 50,562 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.14% of the issued shares of the Company;
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Yedau Ogoundele, Director and a PDMR for the purposes of MAR has acquired an additional 728 Ordinary Shares in the Company. Following the settlement of this transaction, Ms. Ogoundele will have an interest in 6,862 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.02% of the issued shares of the Company; and
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Joanne Peacegood, Director and PDMR for MAR purposes has acquired an additional 884 Ordinary Shares in the Company. Following the settlement of this transaction, Ms. Peacegood will have an interest in 3,505 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.01% of the issued shares of the Company;
The notifications below, made in accordance with the requirements of the MAR, provide further details in relation to the above transactions:
a) Dagmar Kershaw |
b) Stephen LePage |
c) Yedau Ogoundele |
e) Joanne Pazgood |
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a. Position/status |
Director |
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b. Initial Notification/Amendment |
Initial notification |
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a name |
Volta Finance Limited |
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b. LAW |
2138004N6QDNAZ2V3W80 |
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a. Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument |
Ordinary actions |
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b. Identification code |
GG00B1GHHH78 |
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c. Nature of the transaction |
Acquisition and Allocation of Common Shares in Relation to Partial Payment of Directors’ Fees for the Quarter Ended July 31, 2024 |
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d. Price(s) |
€5.2 per share |
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e. Volume(s) |
Total: 3380 |
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f. Transaction date |
August 1, 2024 |
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g. Location of transaction |
At the Market – London |
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The) |
B) |
w) |
It is) |
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Aggregate Volume: Price: |
Aggregate Volume: Price: |
Aggregate Volume: Price: |
Aggregate Volume: Price: |
CONTACTS
For the investment manager
AXA Investment Managers Paris
Francois Touati
francois.touati@axa-im.com
+33 (0) 1 44 45 80 22
Olivier Pons
Olivier.pons@axa-im.com
+33 (0) 1 44 45 87 30
Company Secretary and Administrator
BNP Paribas SA, Guernsey branch
guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com
+44 (0) 1481 750 853
Corporate Broker
Cavendish Securities plc
Andre Worn Out
Daniel Balabanoff
+44 (0) 20 7397 8900
*****
ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED
Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange for listed securities. Volta’s home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to the regulation and supervision of the AFM, which is the regulator of the financial markets in the Netherlands.
Volta’s investment objectives are to preserve its capital throughout the credit cycle and to provide a stable income stream to its shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute quarterly. The company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by seeking exposure predominantly to CLOs and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy in structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris, an investment management firm with a division specializing in structured credit, to manage the investment portfolio of all of its assets.
*****
ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-specialist asset management firm within the AXA Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with 2,700 professionals and €844 billion in assets under management at the end of December 2023.
*****
This press release is issued by AXA Investment Managers Paris (“AXA IM”) in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the “AIFM Directive”) of Volta Finance Limited (“Volta Finance”), the portfolio of which is managed by AXA IM.
This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to purchase shares of Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in violation of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer to sell the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are “U.S. persons” for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or otherwise in circumstances where such an offering would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any part of the offering of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.
*****
This communication is being distributed to, and is directed only at, (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities referred to herein are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be made only to, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act on or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.
*****
This press release contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “is/are expected”, “may”, “will” or “should”. They include statements about the level of the dividend, the current market environment and its impact on the long-term return on Volta Finance’s investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results, portfolio composition and performance of Volta Finance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.
Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events that may not materialize. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, targets are not intended to be and should not be considered to be profits or earnings or any other type of forecast. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.
Figures provided which relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be considered as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of Volta Finance’s investment methodologies and philosophies as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM’s belief in the future success of any such trade or strategy is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.
The valuation of financial assets may vary significantly from the prices that AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on Volta Finance’s behalf due to market conditions and the general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be relied upon as such.
Publisher: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, with registered office at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide – 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by Autorité des Marchés Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.
*****
News
Apple to report third-quarter earnings as Wall Street eyes China sales
Litter (AAPL) is set to report its fiscal third-quarter earnings after the market closes on Thursday, and unlike the rest of its tech peers, the main story won’t be about the rise of AI.
Instead, analysts and investors will be keeping a close eye on iPhone sales in China and whether Apple has managed to stem the tide of users switching to domestic rivals including Huawei.
For the quarter, analysts expect Apple to report earnings per share (EPS) of $1.35 on revenue of $84.4 billion, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Apple saw EPS of $1.26 on revenue of $81.7 billion in the same period last year.
Apple shares are up about 18.6% year to date despite a rocky start to the year, thanks in part to the impact of the company’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in May, where showed off its Apple Intelligence software.
But the big question on investors’ minds is whether iPhone sales have risen or fallen in China. Apple has struggled with slowing phone sales in the region, with the company noting an 8% decline in sales in the second quarter as local rivals including Huawei and Xiaomi gain market share.
Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks at the start of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)
And while some analysts, such as JPMorgan’s Samik Chatterjee, believe sales in Greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, rose in the third quarter, others, including David Vogt of UBS Global Research, say sales likely fell about 6%.
Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg say Apple will report revenue of $15.2 billion in Greater China, down 3.1% from the same quarter last year, when Apple reported revenue of $15.7 billion in China. Overall iPhone sales are expected to reach $38.9 billion, down 1.8% year over year from the $39.6 billion Apple saw in the third quarter of 2023.
But Apple is expected to make up for those declines in other areas, including Services and iPad sales. Services revenue is expected to reach $23.9 billion in the quarter, up from $21.2 billion in the third quarter of 2023, while iPad sales are expected to reach $6.6 billion, up from the $5.7 billion the segment brought in in the same period last year. Those iPad sales projections come after Apple launched its latest iPad models this year, including a new iPad Pro lineup powered by the company’s M4 chip.
Mac revenue is also expected to grow modestly in the quarter, versus a 7.3% decline last year. Sales of wearables, which include the Apple Watch and AirPods, however, are expected to decline 5.9% year over year.
In addition to Apple’s revenue numbers, analysts and investors will be listening closely for any commentary on the company’s software launches. Apple Intelligence beta for developers earlier this week.
The story continues
The software, which is powered by Apple’s generative AI technology, is expected to arrive on iPhones, iPads and Macs later this fall, though according to Bloomberg’s Marc GurmanIt won’t arrive alongside the new iPhone in September. Instead, it’s expected to arrive on Apple devices sometime in October.
Analysts are divided on the potential impact of Apple Intelligence on iPhone sales next year, with some saying the software will kick off a new iPhone sales supercycle and others offering more pessimistic expectations about the technology’s effect on Apple’s profits.
It’s important to note that Apple Intelligence is only compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and newer phones, ensuring that all users desperate to get their hands on the tech will have to upgrade to a newer, more powerful phone as soon as it is available.
Either way, if Apple wants to make Apple Intelligence a success, it will need to ensure it has the features that will make customers excited to take advantage of the offering.
Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech Newsletter. (Yahoo Finance)
Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
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Number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits hits highest level in a year
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits hit its highest level in a year last week, even as the job market remains surprisingly healthy in an era of high interest rates.
Jobless claims for the week ending July 27 rose 14,000 to 249,000 from 235,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. It’s the highest number since the first week of August last year and the 10th straight week that claims have been above 220,000. Before that period, claims had remained below that level in all but three weeks this year.
Weekly jobless claims are widely considered representative of layoffs, and while they have been slightly higher in recent months, they remain at historically healthy levels.
Strong consumer demand and a resilient labor market helped avert a recession that many economists predicted during the Federal Reserve’s prolonged wave of rate hikes that began in March 2022.
As inflation continues to declinethe Fed’s goal of a soft landing — reducing inflation without causing a recession and mass layoffs — appears to be within reach.
On Wednesday, the Fed left your reference rate aloneBut officials have strongly suggested a cut could come in September if the data stays on its recent trajectory. And recent labor market data suggests some weakening.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.1% in June, despite the fact that American employers added 206,000 jobs. U.S. job openings also fell slightly last month. Add that to the rise in layoffs, and the Fed could be poised to cut interest rates next month, as most analysts expect.
The four-week average of claims, which smooths out some of the weekly ups and downs, rose by 2,500 to 238,000.
The total number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits in the week of July 20 jumped by 33,000 to 1.88 million. The four-week average for continuing claims rose to 1,857,000, the highest since December 2021.
Continuing claims have been rising in recent months, suggesting that some Americans receiving unemployment benefits are finding it harder to get jobs.
There have been job cuts across a range of sectors this year, from agricultural manufacturing Deerefor media such as CNNIt is in another place.
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