Author: News Desk

Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD), along with its subsidiaries, has officially released its 2025 guidance outlining anticipated sales volume, depletion, depreciation, and amortization expenses (DD&A), and the effective tax rate for the calendar year. In a move aimed at enhancing clarity amid fluctuating commodity prices, Royal Gold has adopted a sales volume basis for its 2025 sales guidance. This approach will help to represent the physical metal sold, with royalty revenue transformed into gold equivalent ounces (GEOs) based on average metal prices for the given time frame. Key Sales Guidance for 2025 Royal Gold’s expectations for 2025 sales volume, DD&A,…

In Maryland, a contentious proposal to impose a 2.5% sales tax on specific business services has ignited debates among stakeholders, particularly among technology and consulting firms. This initiative, introduced recently in response to a looming budget deficit, has divided opinions between those fearing financial strain and those advocating for it as a necessary measure to protect vulnerable populations. Kelly Schulz, the CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, emphasizes that this sales tax could compel numerous businesses to close and others to relocate outside of Maryland. Her organization, representing approximately 800 members, is particularly concerned about how this tax will impact…

As lawmakers deliberate over Donald Trump’s tax cuts, the federal deduction on state and local taxes, commonly referred to as SALT, is shaping up to be a crucial point of contention. Enforced through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, the current SALT deduction limit restricts residents who itemize their taxes to a maximum deduction of $10,000 for levies imposed by state and local governments, encompassing both income and property taxes. A Sticking Point for High-Tax States The possibility of altering this limitation has gained traction as negotiations intensify with representatives from high-tax states like California, New Jersey,…

In a strategic move aimed at addressing a contentious budget standoff within South Africa’s governing coalition, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has put forth a proposal to scale back tax increases and curb government spending. This initiative comes amidst increasing tension among coalition partners, as the second-largest party in the alliance has already rejected the proposed plan prior to its formal presentation in Parliament. The proposed changes include a 1% increase in value-added tax (VAT), raising it to 16% by mid-2026. The National Treasury originally intended to hike VAT by 2% this year, but those plans were shelved following significant disagreements…

In a significant move to foster sustainability, South Africa’s National Treasury has announced a bold investment of 1 billion rand ($54.27 million) aimed at enhancing the local production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and batteries, alongside related manufacturing initiatives. As the leading automotive manufacturing hub in sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is home to renowned brands such as Toyota, Ford, Isuzu, Volkswagen, and Mercedes. This latest funding is poised to strengthen the country’s position in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. Industry leaders emphasize that government incentives and strategic policy changes are crucial in persuading original equipment manufacturers to channel more investments…

As we navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, notable fluctuations in consumer prices have emerged. Used car prices have increased, while gasoline costs have seen a decline. In grocery stores, prices have stabilized after a series of recent hikes, and rent increases are now at their lowest rate in three years. Recent reports indicate that consumer prices rose by 2.8% in February compared to the same period last year, a slight decrease from January’s 3% increase. This data, drawn from the Labor Department’s consumer price index (CPI), represents a shift and breaks a string of four consecutive months…

Tehran, Iran – To address severe economic challenges and expanding budget deficits due to international sanctions, Iranian authorities are implementing an electronic coupon system while increasing taxes on various sectors. This dual strategy is set against escalating inflation burdening the average Iranian citizen. As the festive period of Nowruz, marking the Persian New Year, approaches, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration is reviving a system of electronic coupons, initially used during tough economic times in the past, including World War II and the aftermath of the 1979 revolution. This revival, however, comes hand-in-hand with substantial tax increases aimed at enhancing state revenue.…

In a pivotal decision on Tuesday, Alabama’s Mobile City Council voted to implement a 2% increase in the city’s lodging tax, raising it from 8% to 10%. This marks the first adjustment in two decades, emphasizing a renewed approach to generating revenue for essential city projects. Councilman Joel Daves highlighted the nature of the tax, stating, “It’s important to remember this is a lodging tax. This means that the majority of this tax will be paid by individuals who do not live in Mobile. The only way to incur this tax is by checking into one of the hotels in…

Brazil is set to advocate for an increase in tax-exempt sugar exports to the United States during upcoming discussions in Washington. This initiative is part of the South American country’s strategy to safeguard its sugar sector in light of impending U.S. tariff increases on ethanol, a significant renewable fuel produced primarily from Brazilian sugarcane. Historically, Brazil’s sugar industry has sought to expand its quota for tax-free sugar exports to the U.S. but has encountered limited success in these efforts. Furthermore, the renewal of existing tax-exempt quotas is far from guaranteed. The urgency of the matter has intensified as Brazil faces…

As financial distress spikes among low-income Americans, recent tariff policies threaten to exacerbate their challenges by inflating everyday costs to new heights. With consumer sentiment already shaky and nearing a 14-year low, the introduction of new tariffs stands to exert additional financial pressure, particularly on essential goods. Tariffs and Their Financial Burden Low-income households, which allocate a larger percentage of their budgets to purchased goods—often opting for affordable imports—are particularly vulnerable to the economic fallout. Economists from prestigious firms like Bank of America and BNP Paribas project that the upcoming February consumer price index may reveal early signs of inflationary…