Businesses
Here's a look at documents from U.S. and international businesses
Featured Stories
Western & Southern's Financial Results and Positive AM Best Outlook Punctuate Outstanding 2025
CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 8 -- The Western and Southern Financial Group, a life insurance company, issued the following news release:
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Western & Southern's Financial Results and Positive AM Best Outlook Punctuate Outstanding 2025
Western & Southern reports record 2025 financial results in nearly every key financial measure, including total revenue, net investment income, operating income, and assets owned, while earning a positive outlook from AM Best, a leading credit rating agency for the insurance industry. These results reflect a consistent, time-tested and performance-proven approach
... Show Full Article
CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 8 -- The Western and Southern Financial Group, a life insurance company, issued the following news release:
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Western & Southern's Financial Results and Positive AM Best Outlook Punctuate Outstanding 2025
Western & Southern reports record 2025 financial results in nearly every key financial measure, including total revenue, net investment income, operating income, and assets owned, while earning a positive outlook from AM Best, a leading credit rating agency for the insurance industry. These results reflect a consistent, time-tested and performance-proven approachto managing the business effectively through every economic cycle.
Key 2025 Financial Records
* Total revenue: $7.7 billion
* Net investment income: $3.8 billion
* Operating income: $800+ million
* Total assets: $132.5 billion
Leveraging organic growth and robust investment performance, the company generated record investment income, demonstrating earnings resilience in a dynamic economic environment.
The company maintained a strong capital position, with total equity of $15.4 billion and a capital-to-asset ratio of 17.5%, significantly higher than the average of the 15 largest publicly traded life insurers doing business in the U.S.
Positive AM Best Outlook
These financial results are further underscored by independent rating agency AM Best, which recently revised its outlook from stable to positive for Western & Southern and its life insurance subsidiaries. In issuing its favorable outlook change, AM Best noted in its commentary that the revised outlook reflects Western & Southern's "balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management."
"The positive outlook from AM Best is significant. After yet another year of exceptional financial performance, we have continued to demonstrate our unwavering ability to sustain favorable operating performance year after year regardless of what's happening in the financial markets or the global economy," said John Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern Financial Group.
"The positive outlook from AM Best could signal a favorable rating increase in the near future. We are optimistic that will happen, but we must continue to collaborate, put the customer first in all we do, manage risk carefully, control our expenses and stay focused on the long term."
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Original text: https://www.westernsouthern.com/about/newsroom/2026-05-record-2025-financial-results-outlook-positive-western-southern
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
VHBers Author Article for Transportation Builder Magazine
WATERTOWN, Massachusetts, May 8 [Category: BizEngineering] -- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a provider of transportation planning, engineering, design, land development and environmental services, posted the following news:
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VHBers Author Article for Transportation Builder Magazine
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For decades, transportation agencies and contractors have relied on 2D plan sheets and standard cross sections during design. In the April/May issue of ARTBA's Transportation Builder magazine, Jeff Bachiochi, PE; Aaron Guyette, PE; and Ryan Noyes, PE, share how VHB partners with clients like the Vermont Agency
... Show Full Article
WATERTOWN, Massachusetts, May 8 [Category: BizEngineering] -- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a provider of transportation planning, engineering, design, land development and environmental services, posted the following news:
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VHBers Author Article for Transportation Builder Magazine
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For decades, transportation agencies and contractors have relied on 2D plan sheets and standard cross sections during design. In the April/May issue of ARTBA's Transportation Builder magazine, Jeff Bachiochi, PE; Aaron Guyette, PE; and Ryan Noyes, PE, share how VHB partners with clients like the Vermont Agencyof Transportation (VTrans) to transform this legacy approach through data-driven, model-based design (MBD) and digital delivery.
Highlighting two recent projects-the I-89 Exit 17 Interchange reconstruction in Colchester and the Chester Town Highway Bridge-the feature explores how an integrated 3D model paired with traditional plans on one project, and a fully model-based legal contract document on the other, improved clarity, collaboration, and constructability.
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Original text here: https://www.vhb.com/news/vhb-in-transportation-builder-mag/
UCLA Health: Study Identifies Gene Linked to Heart Artery Plaques More Often Seen in Women
LOS ANGELES, California, May 8 (TNSjou) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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Study identifies gene linked to heart artery plaques more often seen in women
Findings may help explain sex differences in heart disease and support development of more personalized treatments
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Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a key gene that may help explain why women are more likely than men to develop a certain type of artery plaque linked to heart disease.
In a study published in Circulation Research (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.125.326941), investigators
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, May 8 (TNSjou) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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Study identifies gene linked to heart artery plaques more often seen in women
Findings may help explain sex differences in heart disease and support development of more personalized treatments
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Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a key gene that may help explain why women are more likely than men to develop a certain type of artery plaque linked to heart disease.
In a study published in Circulation Research (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.125.326941), investigatorsfound that a gene known as MYH9 plays an important role in the formation of fibrous plaques. These buildups in the arteries are generally more stable than those more prone to rupture, but they can still lead to heart attacks and other serious cardiac events through plaque erosion.
Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, is the underlying cause of most heart disease. Research has mainly focused on unstable plaques, which can rupture and trigger heart attacks. Fibrous, scar-like plaques tend to have thicker caps and different biological characteristics. Although research has shown that women, particularly those under age 50, are more likely to develop these fibrous plaques, the causative mechanisms have remained unclear.
"Although heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women worldwide, taking more women's lives than all forms of cancer combined, it's often over
looked or misdiagnosed because symptoms and imaging may not 'look like' what we typically see in men's heart disease," said Dr. Mete Civelek, a professor and human genetics expert at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the article's corresponding author. "We've known that women and men can develop different kinds of plaques in their arteries, but the underlying biology has remained a mystery, which is why we wanted to look more closely at the specific cells that help build and stabilize plaques."
The international, UCLA-led research team analyzed gene activity in vascular smooth muscle cells - cells that help form and maintain the structure of blood vessels - from more than 150 human donors, 119 males and 32 females. The study identified female-specific gene networks associated with inflammation, cell structure and vascular remodeling.
Vascular smooth muscle cells play an important role in the health of the arteries, but when plaques start to build up, they can switch to a disease state. To observe underlying changes, Civelek and his team isolated cells from the arteries of hearts that were donated for transplantation.
"Using a variety of advanced analytical and computational methods, we compared cells from women and men and looked at how groups of genes work together," he said. "And we complemented these studies with large human cohort studies that had plaque samples in the Netherlands and Sweden."
The researchers found two female-biased "gene programs" in vascular smooth muscle cells, one of which pointed strongly to MYH9. Higher levels of MYH9 were linked to plaques with more smooth muscle cells and less fat, which are features of more fibrous plaques. Also, MYH9 was more active in areas of plaque that help form the fibrous cap, the layer that covers the plaque.
The findings suggest that MYH9 may influence how vascular cells respond to their environment, including mechanical stress and biological signals such as hormones, helping to shape plaque structure in a sex-specific way.
"What was especially exciting was that the differences were much clearer when we looked at how genes work together in networks, rather than looking at one gene at a time," said Civelek, whose lab has focused for years on how genetics and gene regulation shape cardiovascular disease - including differences between women and men. "It was also encouraging that several different kinds of data all pointed to the same gene, MYH9, which makes us more confident that it is biologically important."
Civelek said the study's results will not change patient care right away, but they provide a better understanding of the biology of heart disease, especially in women. "In the long run," he said, "findings like ours will help to develop more personalized ways to predict risk and design treatments that take sex differences into account."
The investigators said the next step is to understand exactly how MYH9 helps shape plaque biology in women and men differently and to determine if the gene could be useful as a therapeutic target. Additional collaboration is already underway with the lab of Dr. Karen Reue to determine if sex hormones or sex chromosomes are causing sex-specific differences in MYH9 activity. Reue, one of the article's co-authors, is a professor of human genetics and medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Key Takeaways
* Researchers identified MYH9 as a key gene involved in forming more stable artery plaques in women.
* The study provides new insight into biological differences in heart disease between women and men.
* Findings could support more personalized approaches to cardiovascular treatment and prevention.
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Original text here: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/study-identifies-gene-linked-heart-artery-plaques-more-often
[Category: Medical]
Platinum Equity's Credit Team Leads Financing for Soulshine Farms
BEVERLY HILLS, California, May 8 -- Platinum Equity, an investment firm, issued the following news release:
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Platinum Equity's Credit Team Leads Financing for Soulshine Farms
Platinum Equity announced today it provided financing for Soulshine Farms in connection with a recent strategic investment in the company.
Soulshine is a value-add poultry processor specializing in higher-complexity products for the foodservice and retail industries.
"This financing reflects our sector expertise and our depth of experience partnering with management teams and sponsors," said Platinum Equity Co Presidents
... Show Full Article
BEVERLY HILLS, California, May 8 -- Platinum Equity, an investment firm, issued the following news release:
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Platinum Equity's Credit Team Leads Financing for Soulshine Farms
Platinum Equity announced today it provided financing for Soulshine Farms in connection with a recent strategic investment in the company.
Soulshine is a value-add poultry processor specializing in higher-complexity products for the foodservice and retail industries.
"This financing reflects our sector expertise and our depth of experience partnering with management teams and sponsors," said Platinum Equity Co PresidentsJacob Kotzubei and Louis Samson. "Our credit platform is designed to move quickly and provide bespoke solutions that help partners execute with confidence."
Platinum Equity has experience in a range of food-related businesses and with protein products, in particular. The firm previously provided financing solutions to Colorado Premium and Branding Iron.
The Soulshine financing was led by Platinum Equity's dedicated credit team, which seeks opportunities to provide debt capital to companies for a variety of uses, including acquisitions, refinancings and recapitalizations.
"Our team focuses on delivering certainty of capital and solutions that are tailored to each situation," said Platinum Equity Managing Director and Global Head of Credit Michael Fabiano. "We were able to leverage our industry knowledge and structuring capabilities to support this transaction and help position Soulshine for continued success."
Platinum's credit team targets companies that generally have $15 to $75 million of EBITDA and are primarily based in North America.
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About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations - a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O(R) - acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 30 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 550 acquisitions and debt financings.
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Original text: https://www.platinumequity.com/news/platinum-equitys-credit-team-leads-financing-for-soulshine-farms/
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
Mattel Comments on Letter From Southeastern Asset Management
EL SEGUNDO, California, May 8 -- Mattel, a toy manufacturing company, issued the following statement on May 7, 2026:
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Mattel Comments on Letter from Southeastern Asset Management
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) ("Mattel" or the "Company") issued the following statement regarding Southeastern Asset Management, Inc.'s ("Southeastern") letter to the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board").
Mattel maintains ongoing communication with its shareholders and values their perspectives. We appreciate Southeastern's continued engagement with the Company, including our conversations this year.
Our
... Show Full Article
EL SEGUNDO, California, May 8 -- Mattel, a toy manufacturing company, issued the following statement on May 7, 2026:
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Mattel Comments on Letter from Southeastern Asset Management
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) ("Mattel" or the "Company") issued the following statement regarding Southeastern Asset Management, Inc.'s ("Southeastern") letter to the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board").
Mattel maintains ongoing communication with its shareholders and values their perspectives. We appreciate Southeastern's continued engagement with the Company, including our conversations this year.
OurBoard of Directors and management team are committed to acting in the best interests of all Mattel shareholders.
The Board regularly reviews the Company's strategy, performance, and opportunities to enhance long-term value, and will continue to consider the views expressed in Southeastern's letter.
Mattel is focused on executing its strategy to grow the Company's IP-driven play and family entertainment business and create long-term shareholder value.
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About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie(R), Hot Wheels(R), Fisher-Price(R), American Girl(R), Thomas & Friends(TM), UNO(R), Masters of the Universe(R), Matchbox(R), Monster High(R), Polly Pocket(R), as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world's leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts or by their nature are uncertain, and include statements regarding Mattel's guidance and goals for future periods and other future events. The use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "looks forward," "confident that," "believes," and "targeted," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic, and other information and assumptions, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors or combination of factors, many of which are beyond Mattel's control, may cause actual results or outcomes, or the timing of those results or outcomes, to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference are described in Mattel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of Mattel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and subsequent periodic filings, as well as in Mattel's other public statements. Mattel does not update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law.
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Original text here: https://corporate.mattel.com/news/mattel-comments-on-letter-from-southeastern-asset-management
[Category: BizConsumer Products]
Dentons Hong Kong Achieves Six Rankings in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2026
WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons Hong Kong achieves six rankings in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2026
Dentons Hong Kong has been recognised in the 2026 edition of Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, earning rankings across six practice areas and reinforcing its position as a go-to firm for complex disputes work.
The Firm is ranked in:
* Commercial and transactions (International firms)
* Construction
* Insolvency (International firms)
* International arbitration (International firms)
* Labor and employment
* White collar crime (International
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons Hong Kong achieves six rankings in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2026
Dentons Hong Kong has been recognised in the 2026 edition of Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, earning rankings across six practice areas and reinforcing its position as a go-to firm for complex disputes work.
The Firm is ranked in:
* Commercial and transactions (International firms)
* Construction
* Insolvency (International firms)
* International arbitration (International firms)
* Labor and employment
* White collar crime (Internationalfirms)
Four partners--Keith Brandt, Richard Keady, Robert Rhoda, and Alfred Wu--have also been named "Litigation Stars," reflecting their individual market standing and contributions to the Firm's disputes practice.
These results highlight Dentons Hong Kong's strength in handling sophisticated, high stakes disputes, as well as the confidence it continues to earn from clients and peers across the region.
Benchmark Litigation is widely regarded as a leading authority on litigation and dispute resolution. Its rankings are based on in-depth market research, including interviews with practitioners and clients, and analysis of significant casework and industry developments.
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About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
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Original text here: https://hongkong.dentons.com/en/news-and-recognition/2026/may/dentons-hong-kong-achieves-six-rankings-in-benchmark-litigation-asia-pacific-2026
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Bankrate Historical Interest Rate Data Now Available Through Federal Reserve Economic Data
NEW YORK, May 8 -- Bankrate, a provider of financial services, issued the following news release:
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Bankrate Historical Interest Rate Data Now Available Through Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Bankrate's proprietary mortgage and consumer sentiment data joins the FRED database to provide critical context for understanding the home lending market
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Bankrate's 40 years' worth of consumer finance rate data -- the Bankrate Monitor (BRM) National Index as well as select consumer polling data -- is now available through Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED(R)), the online database maintained
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, May 8 -- Bankrate, a provider of financial services, issued the following news release:
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Bankrate Historical Interest Rate Data Now Available Through Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Bankrate's proprietary mortgage and consumer sentiment data joins the FRED database to provide critical context for understanding the home lending market
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Bankrate's 40 years' worth of consumer finance rate data -- the Bankrate Monitor (BRM) National Index as well as select consumer polling data -- is now available through Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED(R)), the online database maintainedby the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
FRED data is drawn from 119 sources across the consumer finance industry. Fewer than 20 of those sources are private sector sources, putting Bankrate alongside a small group of consumer finance providers included in FRED, which had more than 20 million users last year alone.
Through the FRED platform, Bankrate's extensive history of rate tracking is now more publicly accessible to policymakers, economists and investors to analyze mortgage market trends, guide capital allocations, and inform economic forecasting.
"This placement is the next step in Bankrate's four decades of providing financial product rate data," said Bankrate CEO Matt Fellowes. "Joining the ranks of leading U.S. companies whose data has become foundational to how markets and researchers understand the economy -- is a milestone we're incredibly proud of."
FRED now hosts two distinct Bankrate data sets:
* Bankrate Monitor (BRM) National Index (Release 742): A weekly survey of interest rate trends on financial products including various mortgages structures, home equity loans, and deposit accounts.
* Bankrate Consumer Polls (Release 741): A selection of annual consumer polling questions measuring sentiment on key financial issues such as home affordability and the barriers to homeownership.
Users can retrieve, graph, and download these series via the FRED website. For more information on Bankrate's historical data, visit the Bankrate Data Center (https://www.bankrate.com/data-center/).
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About Bankrate
Founded more than 50 years ago, Bankrate is one of America's leading AI-powered financial marketplaces -- trusted by millions to discover and secure the best financial products and rates. Across its platform, Bankrate combines data, technology, and deep market coverage to help consumers compare options and make confident financial decisions. In mortgages, this capability goes further with a proprietary, auction-driven model that transforms how consumers shop for home loans. In real time, lenders compete for each consumer's business, creating a dynamic marketplace that consistently delivers more competitive, personalized offers than traditional rate comparisons. This advantage is measurable: in 2025, Bankrate's mortgage platform outperformed more than 99% of surveyed rates across more than 600 banks and credit unions. For over half a century, Bankrate has remained focused on a single mission: putting consumers first -- using transparency, technology, and competition to help people make smarter financial decisions.
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Original text here: https://www.bankrate.com/f/102997/x/90ed48cf14/bankrate-historical-interest-rate-data-now-available-through-federal-reserve-economic-data-fred.pdf
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
