GLENDALE, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / September 9, 2025 / The Alkaline Water Company, Inc. (OTC PINK:WTER -- hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), a leader in premium hydration solutions, today announced that it has officially cancel 94,300,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Settlement Agreement. In February of this year, the Company issued 94,300,000 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to an asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of inventory, as previously disclosed. ...

I've been in the investing world for almost 10 years now, in which time I've garnered a lot of experience around what works and what doesn't. Over this period, one lesson that has impressed itself upon me is that you should really be looking for investment opportunities that "hit you like a 2x4-to-the-head with how obvious they are," to paraphrase Mohnish Pabrai. As a result of this, in my writing on Seeking Alpha, my goal is to be able to communicate ideas simply, as the investing game is already difficult ...

Company Overview - Oregen Energy Corp. is engaged in offshore oil exploration in Namibia's Orange Basin, where over 20 billion barrels of oil have already been discovered [4] - The company holds a 34% stake in Block 2712A through its partnership with WestOil, positioning itself strategically in the region [4] Strategic Plans - Oregen Energy plans to conduct a 3D seismic survey in Q4, which is expected to be critical for identifying optimal drilling targets [4] - In 2026, the company intends to open a data room for super majors, aiming to farm out the costly drilling phase while maintaining a carried interest in potential significant oil discoveries [4] Industry Context - The Orange Basin is recognized for its major oil finds, making it a focal point for exploration and investment in the oil and gas sector [4] - The ongoing developments in the region highlight the growing interest and competition among energy companies in offshore oil exploration [4]

Core Insights - Square has made its product roadmap public to enhance transparency, build trust, and allow customers to plan ahead [2][6] - The company aims to address customer feedback and needs through its evolving product offerings [3][7] Product Roadmap Highlights - Reliability improvements include streamlined printer setup, default offline payments, and expanded offline payment capabilities [3] - Upcoming restaurant-focused features include combo meals, self-serve kiosks, centralized menu management, new back-of-house tools for order accuracy, automatic surcharges for credit card orders, and enhanced reporting [4] - Financial access enhancements will allow sellers to qualify for loans within the first week of processing payments, apply for credit cards without pre-approval, and introduce Bitcoin Payments, including a wallet and conversion options [5] Strategic Direction - Square's owner, Block, indicated plans to expand beyond payments to help sellers operate with the sophistication of larger businesses [7] - The company leverages its hardware and software to provide small businesses with enterprise-level tools [8]

Core Insights - Block Inc. has expanded its strategic partnerships to enhance its ecosystem and market presence, aiming to improve customer experiences and drive growth [1] Group 1: Partnerships and Integrations - Purdys Chocolatier has adopted Square's modern POS and retail solutions across over 80 locations, streamlining operations and providing deeper consumer insights [2] - Block has expanded its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services through Afterpay by partnering with Caleres, offering flexible payment options across brands like Famous Footwear and Sam Edelman [3] - Uncle Sharkii has implemented Square's all-in-one restaurant platform across its 23 locations, supporting scalable operations for franchisees [4] Group 2: Financial Performance - Block's second-quarter gross profit rose 14% to $2.54 billion, with Cash App up 16% and Square up 11% year over year [5][9] - Adjusted operating income surged 38% with a margin of 22%, indicating improved scale and efficiency [5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Affirm Holdings has expanded its partnership with Stripe, becoming the first BNPL provider integrated into Stripe Terminal, enhancing its reach in physical stores [6] - PayPal has launched "PayPal World," a cross-border payments platform, to enhance its global payment infrastructure [7] Group 4: Valuation and Estimates - Block shares have declined 12.8% year to date, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index [8] - Block is trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S) ratio of 1.75X compared to the industry's 5.58X, suggesting overvaluation [11] - Estimates for Block's EPS for 2025 have been revised upward over the past 30 days [13]

Core Insights - Block, Inc. shareholders were focused on the company's expansion into the cryptocurrency sector ahead of the Q2 2025 earnings report, but the results indicated that bitcoin trading remains a negative and volatile factor impacting quarterly financials [1] Financial Performance - The Q2 2025 earnings report is anticipated to reflect the challenges faced by Block, Inc. in the cryptocurrency market, particularly with bitcoin trading being a distraction rather than a benefit [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting personal in-depth research and due diligence before making investment decisions, highlighting the inherent risks involved in trading [3]. Group 1 - The analysis is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as professional investment advice [3]. - There is a clear disclaimer regarding the lack of any stock, option, or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating a neutral stance [2]. - The article expresses that past performance does not guarantee future results, reinforcing the need for careful consideration by investors [4].

Group 1 - Block (NYSE: XYZ) has shown signs of recovery after earlier losing investor confidence due to a guidance cut and tariff uncertainties [1] - Management has taken corrective actions to restore faith in the company's growth narrative [1] - The company is now positioned to deliver significant alpha relative to the S&P 500 through a focus on growth-oriented principles and strict valuation criteria [1] Group 2 - The investment strategy emphasizes identifying undervalued companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors with long-term growth potential [1]

Core Insights - Block Advisors by H&R Block has announced the recipients of its second annual Fund Her Future grant program, providing a total of $100,000 in grants to women-owned small businesses, including one $50,000 grant and five $10,000 grants, along with one year of small business services [1][4] - The program saw a 30% increase in submissions from the previous year, with over 8,000 applicants, highlighting the growing need for funding and support among women entrepreneurs [1][5] - The 2025 grant recipients are focused on community upliftment, with businesses addressing various social issues, from health and education to environmental sustainability [2][6] Company Overview - H&R Block, Inc. provides tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions, blending digital innovation with human expertise [8] - The company aims to inspire confidence in clients and communities through its services, including year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions [8] Grant Program Details - The selection process for the Fund Her Future grant was conducted in partnership with Hello Alice, which empowers small business owners with resources and connections [5][7] - Each recipient will receive tailored Block Advisors services to support their unique business journeys, including business formation, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation [4][7] Recipients and Their Missions - Amy Peterson, founder of Rebel Nell, received the $50,000 grant and focuses on empowering women through workforce development and financial literacy [3][4] - Other recipients include businesses like Mozzie Style, Seen Nutrition, Sipwell Wine Co., That Good Good Shea, and Todo Verde, each addressing specific community needs and promoting social impact [6][7]

Group 1 - Block & Leviton is investigating PetMed Express, Inc. for potential securities law violations following significant delays in financial reporting and executive resignations [1][2][4] - PetMed Express announced a delay in its 2025 fourth quarter and year-end financial results on June 10, 2025, and further delayed the filing due to an internal investigation into revenue recognition [2] - The company's stock price has fallen by almost 30% after the resignation of its CEO and CFO on August 12, 2025 [2] Group 2 - Investors who have lost money in PetMed Express may be eligible to recover losses and are encouraged to contact Block & Leviton for more information [3][5] - Block & Leviton is recognized as a leading securities class action firm, having recovered billions of dollars for defrauded investors [7] - Whistleblowers with non-public information about PetMed Express may assist in the investigation and could receive rewards of up to 30% of any successful recovery [6]