This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
Reports of the demise of electric vehicle (EV) sales appear to have been exaggerated. At least that’s the conclusion that investors are drawing after Tesla(NASDAQ: TSLA) reported its second-quarter EV delivery numbers today.
After the EV leader reported stronger-than-anticipated vehicle deliveries, Tesla shares led the S&P 500 gainers for the second straight day. As of 10:55 a.m. ET, the stock was up by 8.6% after jumping by more than 6% yesterday. Tesla stock was a beneficiary yesterday ahead of its report after several Chinese EV makers reported strong sales data. But there was even more to like than most anticipated from Tesla’s update today.
Not just about EV sales
Tesla delivered nearly 444,000 EVs in the second quarter. Investors had been reducing expectations throughout the period resulting in a consensus estimate of 439,000 units, according to FactSet. The reported figure was almost 5% lower than the year-ago period, but there were some positive facets of the report that investors may be focused on.
In addition to beating estimates, the second quarter featured a drawdown in inventories as deliveries outpaced the 410,831 EVs it produced. A buildup of inventories due to lower perceived demand was a fear that helped drive Tesla’s share price down earlier this year. But the stock has now rebounded with a nearly 30% gain over just the last month.
The good news from today’s report didn’t end there, either. The company noted a record 9.4 GWh (gigawatt hours) of energy storage products deployed in the three-month period. That more than doubled the previous record of 4.1 GWh reported in the first quarter.
There’s been a surge in interest in energy storage products to smooth out power supply as renewable energy sources are installed for applications including growing data center construction.
That surge in deployments bodes well for yet another source of revenue for Tesla. Investors will look for even more updates from the company when it reports full second-quarter financials on July 23 and provides an update on its self-driving technology on Aug. 8.
This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Tesla wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended FactSet Research Systems and Tesla. Howard Smith has positions in Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Normally, the phrases ‘40% return’ and ‘bank shares’ aren’t uttered in the same sentence. ASX bank shares like National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) are known for many things.
Fat, fully franked, market-leading dividends would be the obvious choice. Stable, mature business models and multi-decade presences on the ASX could also be thrown around.
But 40% returns in 12-month periods? That’s certainly a new one.
Yet that’s exactly what NAB shares have delivered for their investors over the financial year just gone. Yep, NAB shares rose by a whopping 35.6% over the 2024 financial year.
Want proof? Well, NAB shares started FY24 at $26.37 each. But by the time trading wrapped up last Friday, those same shares closed at $36.23. That’s a capital gain of 37.39% alone.
If you want visual proof, just check out the graph below:
But then we have to factor in NAB’s hefty dividend payments as well. Over the financial year that’s just passed us by, NAB doled out two fully franked dividend payments. As is the bank’s typical habit.
Last July saw an interim dividend worth 83 cents per share paid out. Then we had December’s final dividend, worth 84 cents per share.
Together, this $1.67 in dividends per share would have resulted in investors enjoying an additional yield of 6.33% over FY24, going off the bank’s FY24 starting price. So all up, investors have bagged a massive 43.7% in total gains from NAB shares last financial year.
What about NAB shares in FY25?
So NAB has had a phenomenal FY24. But what about the now-current financial year? Can investors expect another 40%-plus windfall from their NAB shares?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good, at least according to some ASX experts.
Last month, my Fool colleague Tristan covered the views of ASX broker UBS. UBS did note that it expects NAB to grow profits over both FY24 and FY25, which bodes well for NAB’s dividend payments. However, that wasn’t enough for UBS to hold back in issuing a ‘sell’ rating on the NAB share price.
The broker simply sees NAB as “fully valued” at its current pricing, and gives the bank a 12-month share price target of $30. If realised, that would see investors take a 16% haircut from where the shares are today.
Goldman gave NAB shares a neutral rating at the time, with a share price target of $34.04.
So it seems most ASX experts aren’t liking what they see with NAB shares at the current price. That’s certainly something for investors to keep in mind after such a bumper FY24.
Should you invest $1,000 in National Australia Bank Limited right now?
Before you buy National Australia Bank Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and National Australia Bank Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in National Australia Bank. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have taken quite a beating over the past 12 months.
Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stock closed yesterday trading for $2.97 apiece. That sees the stock down more than 41% since this time last year, when shares were swapping hands for $5.06 each.
That’s a far cry from the performance we witnessed in 2021, when the lithium miner’s shares leapt 288% over the calendar year.
But things began heading downhill in late 2023. That’s when lithium prices fell off a cliff as surging supply growth began to outpace global demand growth for the battery-critical metal.
For longer-term investors, however, the big selldown in Pilbara Minerals shares could represent a buying opportunity. One with a potential upside of more than 66%.
That’s according to Richard Coppleson, director of institutional sales and trading at Bell Potter.
According to Coppleson (quoted by The Australian Financial Review), “I own this and like it a lot. I think it’s a super buy at these levels. When lithium does recover, this is back to $5; only question is when will that be?”
When will lithium prices recover?
Like most market analysts, Coppleson is confident lithium prices will recover. Until then, though, it’s unlikely that Pilbara Minerals shares will rocket back to $5.
On Tuesday, lithium carbonate was trading for US$12,800 a tonne.
As for the outlook for global lithium prices, Citi forecasts that fast-building lithium inventories are likely to further pressure prices.
“This high and rising low-shelf-life chemical inventories should see lithium prices fall another 15% to 20% to $US10,000 a tonne,” Citi global head of commodities research Max Layton said.
But Citi expects lithium prices could begin to pick back up in 2025. According to Layton:
A low-price environment over the next three to six months would force supply curtailments, driving physical markets to rebalance… Lithium consumption is expected to accelerate from 2025 onwards once the current negative EV sentiment fades.
Advantage Pilbara Minerals shares?
One advantage Pilbara Minerals shares could have over some of the miner’s rivals is the company’s comparatively low costs.
“Pilbara’s relatively low unit costs have so far seen the company withstand softer pricing, providing a competitive advantage over others in the sector,” CEO Dale Henderson said when Pilbara reported its half-year results in February.
And the company’s balance sheet remains strong, despite revenue dropping 27% year-on-year to $192 million in the March quarter. Management noted that fall reflected “a 28% decline in average realised price partly offset by a 3% increase in sales volume”.
Pilbara Minerals had a cash balance of $1.8 billion as at 31 March.
Should you invest $1,000 in Pilbara Minerals Limited right now?
Before you buy Pilbara Minerals Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pilbara Minerals Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
With the end of a financial year and the beginning of a new one this week, it’s pertinent to look back on some of our share market’s best and worst stocks over the past 12 months and assess whether we should buy these ASX shares.
These shares were dastardly performers over the 12 months to 30 June 2024. Liontown, in particular, lost its investors a painful 68%.
As it happens, Liontown shares rallied more than 10% yesterday before news of a funding deal halted the shares. Still, this move comes too late to save the company from taking out the crown of thorns as the worst ASX 200 stock of FY24.
But the more value-inclined investors out there might be sizing up these FY24 laggards today. After all, it was the legendary Waren Buffett who famously told us to “be greedy when others are fearful”. And investors were clearly mighty fearful of Fletcher Building, Healius, Star Entertainment, IGO and Liontown last financial year.
Well, the good news for these value investors is that most of these shares are currently being eyed off by some ASX experts for their value potential.
ASX experts rate some of the worst ASX shares of FY24 as a buy
As reported in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) this week, Richard Coppleson, director of institutional sale and trading at Bell Potter, reckons the lithium sector is undervalued. Coppleson’s pick in lithium is the poor FY24 performer Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) rather than Liontown:
I own this and like it a lot… I think it’s a super buy at these levels â when lithium does recover, this is back to $5 â only question is when will that be?
Star Entertainment is another beaten-down stock that has an enthusiastic backer. Atlantic Pacific Capital is reportedly a big fan of Star shares at their recent pricing. Fund manager Nicolas Bryon recently stated:
If one were to read popular media, social media or the anonymous on chat forums, you would be convinced that this is potentially the worst decision in the world…
Often those who don’t understand distressed investing will dump positions. This is true of institutional and retail investors alike ⦠ultimately these assets are premium entertainment precincts. If operated well, they can earn above their cost of capital.
Atlantic Pacific Capital joins other fund managers like Cooper Investors and L1 Capital in holding Star shares.
Healius also has some fans amongst the ASX professional investing class. Maple-Brown Abbott, Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) and Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG) all retain significant stakes in Helius within their portfolios.
But before we go, it’s worth keeping in mind another one of Warren Buffett’s best quotes:
Mr. Market [the stock market] is there to serve you, not to guide you. It is his pocketbook, not his wisdom, that you will find useful. If he shows up some day in a particularly foolish mood, you are free to either ignore him or to take advantage of him, but it will be disastrous if you fall under his influence.
Just because a share has had a disastrous year doesn’t mean it will bounce back in value. Sure, some beaten-down shares will end up getting oversold and might represent buying opportunities. But others are sold off for a very good reason and might end up being value traps.
So make sure you follow Buffett’s advice and avoid getting ‘guidance’ from the share market. As he says, letting it guide our investing decisions is a path to disaster.
Should you invest $1,000 in Fletcher Building Limited right now?
Before you buy Fletcher Building Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Fletcher Building Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
If you are trying to decide which ASX dividend stocks to add to your income portfolio, then it could be worth looking at three listed below that analysts are bullish on.
Here’s what you need to know about these income options:
Healthco Healthcare and Wellness REITÂ (ASX: HCW)
Analysts at Bell Potter think that Healthco Healthcare and Wellness REIT could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. It is a property company with a focus on health and wellness assets. This includes hospitals, aged care facilities, and primary care properties.
The broker believes it is well-positioned to provide investors with some big dividend yields in the coming years. It is forecasting dividends per share of 8 cents in FY 2024 and then 8.3 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Healthco Healthcare and Wellness REIT unit price of $1.08, this will mean yields of 7.4% and 7.7%, respectively.
Bell Potter has a buy rating and $1.50 price target on its shares.
Another ASX dividend stock that has been tipped as a buy is Stockland. It is Australia’s largest community creator, delivering a range of masterplanned communities and medium density housing in growth areas across the country.
Citi is positive on the company and sees a lot of positives from its plan to acquire the communities business of Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC). It expects the addition to give Stockland’s earnings a boost in the near term.
For now, though, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 26.2 cents in FY 2024 and 26.6 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Stockland share price of $4.17, this will mean yields of 6.3% and 6.4% yields, respectively.
Citi has a buy rating and $5.10 price target on its shares.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs think that supermarket giant and Big W owner Woolworths could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. In fact, the broker is so positive on the retailer that it has its shares on its coveted conviction list.
Goldman believes Woolworths’ shares are undervalued at current levels. Particularly given its belief that the company is positioned to deliver solid earnings and dividend growth in the coming years.
In respect to the latter, the broker is forecasting fully franked dividends per share of $1.07 in FY 2024 and $1.13 in FY 2025. This equates to dividend yields of 3.2% and 3.4%, respectively.
Goldman has a buy rating and $40.20 price target on its shares.
Should you invest $1,000 in Healthco Healthcare And Wellness Reit right now?
Before you buy Healthco Healthcare And Wellness Reit shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Healthco Healthcare And Wellness Reit wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
It's a routine federal ethics form called an "Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report."
Manhattan prosecutors showed it to jurors back in early May, during the third week of testimony.
They later spun it as solid proof that Trump knew his hush-money reimbursement checks to his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, were just that: reimbursements, not "legal fees," as his falsified business records claimed.
"Mr. Trump fully reimbursed Mr. Cohen in 2017," claimed the form, which attested to his assets and liabilities and bore his signature.
A footnote in a financial disclosure form Donald Trump signed in 2018.
Manhattan district attorney's office/BI
Days before closing arguments, Business Insider highlighted People's 81 as one of ten pieces of incriminating "smoking gun" evidence.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass days later mentioned People's 81 in closing arguments, calling it proof that Trump "knew that the payments were really reimbursements."
Donald Trump's signature on People's Exhibit 81.
Manhattan District Attorney's Office/BI
Then came Monday.
In a sweeping decision that fell just ten days before Trump's original sentencing date, the US Supreme Court declared former presidents presumptively immune from criminal prosecution for "official acts."
Then the court went further, banning the use of official acts as evidence.
An excerpt from the Supreme Court's immunity decision.
People's Exhibit 81 — a financial disclosure form that must be filed by all senior US government officials, and which Trump only filed because he was president — is front and center in that defense effort.
Other "official act" evidence the defense is now challenging includes Trump phone records and tweets, and an Oval Office conversation he had with Hope Hicks, his then-communications director.
"Under Trump," defense lawyer Todd Blanche wrote Monday, referring to the SCOTUS decision, "this official-acts evidence should never have been put before the jury."
Trump "may not be prosecuted for his exercising his core constitutional powers," Blanche wrote, continuing to quote from Monday's decision.
Prosecutors with the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg quickly scoffed in response that Trump's efforts are "without merit."
But they were not entirely meritless — Bragg and New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan both agreed to push back Trump's July 11 sentencing date so the issue can be argued in a planned volley of papers.
Trump will file his arguments by July 10, prosecutors will respond by July 24, and the judge will rule — deciding that the hush-money conviction stands or is overturned — on September 6.
Under New York Criminal Procedure Law, Merchan must decide if the SCOTUS ruling "would require a reversal or modification of the judgment as a matter of law by an appellate court."
"It would come down to two things," said Michel Paradis, an attorney who teaches national security and constitutional law at Columbia Law School.
Was the evidence or testimony "official in some way," and therefore subject to this new immunity rule? And if so, was its use at trial "a harmless error."
Trump's new sentencing date will be September 18, Merchan ruled — if sentencing is "still necessary" by that date.
Why People's 81 may be Trump's best monkey-wrench
In hopes of setting aside Trump's verdict, Trump's lawyers raised other instances where they say "official acts" were improperly used at trial against him.
A big one is testimony by Trump's former communications director, Hope Hicks, who described to jurors Trump's reaction in the Oval Office, when news of Trump's hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels first broke in 2018.
"He wanted to know how it was playing," Hicks told the jury, referring to the news coverage.
"And I think Mr. Trump's opinion was it was better to be dealing with it now, and that it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election," she told jurors.
"That is devastating," Steinglass, the prosecutor, said of Hick's testimony, noting that it firmly linked the hush-money payment to the presidential election, a connection Trump had denied.
Paradis said prosecutors may find themselves battling with the defense over how much of Hicks' Oval Office conversation with Trump was on an official topic, and therefore banned as testimony.
Merchan — or, as is more likely, appeals judges down the line — may bar any prosecutorial use of the Hicks-Trump conversation merely because some of it may have touched on official acts, Paradis said.
The defense is also signaling that it will challenge the use of certain incriminating tweets, including one from May, 2018, in which Trump again referred to his payments to Cohen as "reimbursement" for "a non-disclosure agreement," AKA hush money.
Trump tweeted about a non-disclosure agreement in 2018.
Manhattan District Attorney's Office/BI
But these and other tweets the defense is raising as "official" were sent from Trump's personal Twitter account, and concerns, as Trump himself put it, "a private contract."
Finally, the defense said Tuesday that it will challenge as "official" the prosecution's use of phone records "reflecting calls involving President Trump while he was in office."
Again, as records of both personal and business calls, this evidence contains a mix of official and unofficial acts that must now be argued over before Merchan and any appellate judges that get the case.
Prosecutors' best bet may be to argue that financial disclosure forms like People's 81 are "personnel documents," Paradis said — "which, in the bureaucracy of the federal government would likely be deemed 'personal.'"
But whether that argument sinks or flies is anyone's guess, he told BI.
"That is the thing about this decision," he added. "It does not come right out and say 'the president is immune from all prosecution.' In some ways, it is more pernicious than that," he said.
"It just creates an immunity that is so ill-defined and so unmoored from any agreed-upon constitutional text or history, that there is no way of knowing its outer limits," he said.
"And leaving so much uncertainty about the outer limits means, for all practical purposes, that those outer limits don't exist."
M1A2 Abrams tank seen before a high-intensity training session
Artur Widak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The US Army wants to modernize Abrams tank while cutting at least 20,000 pounds from its weight.
Upgrades to the new M1E3 Abrams could include an autoloader, stealth tech, and a new main gun.
But the Abrams' bulkiest features are the armor and protective systems that make it so formidable.
A new contract decision is moving the US military's world-class Abrams tank in a direction it's never gone before: after decades of getting bulkier amid upgrades to add firepower and cutting-edge protection, it's finally getting a critically needed slim-down.
Defense News was first to report at the end of May that the Army had awarded a contract to Abrams manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) to start developing requirements for what it's calling the M1E3 — a new generation of Abrams tank.
Reached for details on the contract, GDLS referred all questions to the Army's PEO Ground Combat Systems, which did not respond to Sandboxx News' queries. While the Defense Department published award notices for several smaller Abrams contract modifications in May, it appears the details of this design contract have not yet been made public.
This begins a new era of development for the Abrams, and the first of its kind in decades: the last full M1A2 rolled off production lines in 1996. Yet, the task of rolling out a modernized tank — one that needs to cut more than 10 tons from its fighting weight — is formidable.
The M1A2 Abrams is in a weight class of its own among the world's leading tanks: the current variant, the SEPv3, weighs around 70 tons on its own, and up to 78 with a full combat load. As a comparison point, 78 tons is also the maximum takeoff weight for the Airbus A320, a passenger aircraft with a capacity for 180 souls.
Air Force airmen assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron unload an Army M1A2 Abrams main battle tank off a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at an undisclosed location within the US Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 27, 2022.
Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Plew/US Department of Defense
The heft of the Abrams tank has enabled its dominance as one of the most formidable main battle tanks in service; but as its weight has grown with each update, it has also started to limit its mobility.
In 2017, a three-star Army general revealed to Congress that the tank could no longer be towed by the Heavy Equipment Transport vehicle specifically designed to tow it — meaning there was nothing that could haul the Abrams around Europe, where a number had been positioned as part of an initiative to deter Russia.
Bridges are also a problem, particularly in Europe where many crossings are old and not reinforced; there, a single Abrams represents a major structural threat. With a current hot conflict in Europe, these drawbacks were increasingly concerning to planners. In September, the Army announced it was canceling a planned upgrade — the M1A2 Sepv4 — that threatened to fatten the Abrams even more, and instead pursue a more radical modernization.
"The Abrams tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight and we need to reduce its logistical footprint," Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for the Army's Ground Combat Systems, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. "The war in Ukraine has highlighted a critical need for integrated protections for soldiers, built from within instead of adding on."
An M1A2 Abrams at the Army Armor School at Fort Benning in Georgia on April 29, 2022.
US Army/Spc. Joshua Taeckens
To this end, the Army is asking for $246 million for the next fiscal year, with plans to spend another $366 million on tank upgrades in fiscal 2026. A paper developed by the Congressional Research Service lays out the Army's primary objectives for modernization. It cites a 2019 Army Science Board study that reportedly influenced the path the service is currently on.
Some of them would merely adopt technologies already in use by other premier tanks, such as an autoloader, which might allow the Abrams to employ a crew of three instead of four and cut down on manpower. The French Leclerc and South Korean K2 Black Panther already have autoloaders, as do Russian, Japanese, and Chinese tanks. Also proposed is a new main gun in lieu of the Abrams' legacy 120mm L/44 M256 smoothbore armament.
Other proposed features would enhance the Abrams' stealth; these include "masking" tech that reduces thermal and electromagnetic signatures and a hybrid-electric drive, a feature that typically enables silent standby mode.
General Dynamics' AbramsX demonstrator, incorporated many of these features. It built in the autoloader and the hybrid drive and swapped in an XM360 tube on the main gun to cut the weapon's weight in half.
In addition to other wish-list features, like better command-and-control capabilities and the ability to launch drones and network with unmanned and robotic systems, the AbramsX purportedly achieves the all-important slimdown the Army wants, weighing in at a comparatively svelte 60 tons. It achieves much of these savings by relocating the crew inside the hull, allowing for a major armor reduction on the turret.
US M1A2 "Abrams" tank moves to firing positions during US led joint military exercise "Noble Partner 2016" near Vaziani
REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
And herein lies the biggest challenge for the Army in its quest for a lighter tank: the bulkiest features the Abrams sports are the armor and protective systems that make it so formidable. The Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles that cover the tank's surface alone add two more tons of weight — but the tiles effectively blast incoming rockets away from the vehicle's surface, adding a next-level layer of protection.
The reality is that the M1 Abrams has gotten so heavy through its cycle of adding new protections onto its rugged frame as they become state-of-the-art: therefore, it is a cross-section of many of the best systems the world's tanks have to offer. To cut weight, the Army will have to undertake an aggressive redesign to make some of those systems internal to the vehicle; but it may also have to make some tough tradeoff decisions about what the next-generation Abrams truly needs to meet tomorrow's threats.
It is left to be seen which features belong in Abrams' future, and which will be left in the past.
Xavi Lopez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Nike shares slumped after the company said sales would fall. The stock is down 30% this year.
The sportswear brand has started implementing a turnaround plan, but the results are yet to be seen.
Nike's reliance on its lifestyle business seems to be hurting it, one analyst said.
Nike's lost its stride — and is finding it hard to get its pace back up.
In December, the company announced a cost-cutting initiative that included simplifying its assortment of products and cutting jobs.
The aim was to deliver up to $2 billion in savings over the next three years, which "will be invested to fuel future growth, accelerate innovation at speed and scale, and drive greater long-term profitability."
Two quarters on, investors aren't seeing much of that growth.
On Thursday, Nike delivered a lackluster set of Q4 results and said it expects sales for its 2025 fiscal year to fall by mid-single digits, including a 10% drop in the first quarter alone. That shocked investors, especially as analysts had expected a 1% increase this year, according to Reuters.
None of it impressed investors much. Nike's shares closed down 20% on Friday afternoon; the company has dropped 30% since the start of the year.
Some major reasons included a tougher sales environment in China, ongoing challenges with its digital platform, and what Nike CFO Matthew Friend described as "muted" forward wholesale orders with "newness not yet at scale."
It doesn't look like it's going to get better very quickly, either, with Friend saying on the earnings call that the "next few quarters will be challenging."
Meantime, CEO John Donahue said that 2025 "will be a transition year for our business."
So, how can the biggest name in sneakers get its stride back?
One answer rests in what the company calls its "lifestyle" business — basically, shoes and clothing meant for casual wear. Nike's "performance" segment, meanwhile, includes many of its core sports products, such as basketball shoes.
While revenue from performance products grew in Q4, declines in its lifestyle business overshadowed them, contributing to the worse-than-expected results.
In its last fiscal year, lifestyle products have grown to about 60% of Nike's business, UBS analyst Jay Sole estimates.
Dividing sales more evenly between performance and lifestyle products would help Nike "restore its image as a sports brand and make its top-line growth rate more sustainable for the long term," he wrote in a note.
"One of our big takeaways from Nike's 4Q report is its lifestyle business needs a major reset," Sole said.
The company has also lost ground to rivals when it comes to connecting directly with customers.
Members of run clubs in Portland, near Nike's headquarters, say that they have been visited by representatives from smaller brands like Hoka and New Balance — but no one from Nike, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
CEO Donahue noted that road running "remains a competitive battlefield that we are playing to win" on the call.
Another issue is Nike's pipeline of new products.
Nike has been cutting back on some popular shoe lines to get people hyped about new ones. On Thursday's call, Donahue pointed to areas where Nike has introduced new products, from fitness leggings aimed at female consumers to shoes specifically for road runners.
That could help drive performance sales — especially those through Nike's digital business, a major pain point at the moment for the company.
But Donahue also referenced products that were still in development or months away from release. He teased new versions of Nike's Pegasus and Vomero running shoes, for instance, that aren't scheduled to hit shelves until the second half of fiscal 2025 while referencing a "strong wholesale order book" for coming seasons.
"Talking about newness not in stores doesn't work anymore," Jefferies analyst Randal Konik wrote.
While CFO Friend said management is "confident that we are repositioning Nike to be more competitive," investors have yet to be convinced.
"This is still [Nike] and the right strategy could turn the business," BMO analyst Simeon Siegel wrote in a note after Thursday's earnings report. "But we're not convinced that strategy is presently in place."
In the last financial year the ASX 200 index delivered a return of 7.8% before dividends.
While this was a great performance, there were a number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that achieved market-beating returns over the 12 months.
For example, the three ASX ETFs listed below all made their unitholders smile in FY 2024. And the good news is that they could continue this trend long into the future. Here’s why:
This hugely popular ASX ETF continued its winning ways in the last financial year. During the 12 months, the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF delivered a return of approximately 30%.
This was driven by strong performances from many of its 100 holdings during the period. One of those was of course Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which almost tripled in value during the year. This made the graphics processing units company the largest on Wall Street at one stage with a market capitalisation above US$3 billion.
Looking to the future, this ETF looks well-positioned thanks to the positive long-term outlooks of many of the companies held by the fund. These are the tech behemoths that provide the search engines, streaming services, mobile phones, spreadsheets, electric vehicles, and online shopping platforms we use daily.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETFÂ (ASX: QLTY)
Another ASX ETF that beat the market in the last financial year was the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF. Â It achieved a return of 23% over the 12 months.
It seems that the fund’s focus on investing in the highest quality companies in the world is working wonders for investors. Betashares’ chief economist, David Bassanese, will no doubt be pleased with this return. He recommended the ETF last year.
At present, there are approximately 150 companies included in the fund. These companies rank highly on four key metrics: return on equity, debt-to-capital, cash flow generation, and earnings stability. Given its success last year, it wouldn’t be surprising if this ETF continues its strong form
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETFÂ (ASX: VGS)
It isn’t hard to see why this ASX ETF delivered the goods for investors. That’s because it is focused on buying 1,500 of the world’s largest listed companies from major developed countries.
This means that you are buying a slice of high-quality global giants from a range of industries. This includes Apple, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan, Nestle, and Visa.
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The pair have been linked since 2018, but make few public appearances together.
Pattinson and Waterhouse welcomed their first child together, a daughter, in March.
July 28, 2018: Dating rumors begin when Pattinson and Waterhouse are photographed showing affection while walking through London.
Robert Pattinson, left, in January 2018. Suki Waterhouse, right, in April 2018.
Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP; Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
Paparazzi photos obtained by Daily Mail and E! News showed the two British stars with their arms wrapped around each other, laughing together, and kissing while walking through the town that weekend.
Both publications reported that Pattinson and Waterhouse caught a screening of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" at Notting Hill's Electric Cinema, followed by a visit to the celeb-frequented SoHo House for drinks.
Daily Mail reported that the PDA-filled photos were taken as the pair walked to her apartment, before heading inside together.
Shortly after the photos were published, a source told E! News that Pattinson "likes to have fun when he has breaks in-between filming and him and Suki have a great time together," but he wasn't "looking for anything serious right now" following the end of his three-year relationship with the musician FKA Twigs.
August 1, 2018: Us Weekly reports that the pair "have been dating for months."
Robert Pattinson, left, in June 2018. Suki Waterhouse, right, in September 2018.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
An anonymous source told the publication that Pattinson and the singer have "known each other and been around each other for a long time."
They added that the stars "definitely have a love of music in common."
Fall 2018: The "Twilight" star and Waterhouse continue being spotted together, despite reportedly breaking up.
Robert Pattinson, left, in October 2018. Suki Waterhouse, right, in September 2018.
Andy Kropa/Invision/AP; Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP
In late August of that year, Daily Mail reported that the couple split "just weeks after they were seen kissing near her Notting Hill home."
But in September, the site Lainey Gossip reported that Pattinson and Waterhouse were still going strong and were caught at the musician Miguel's show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
Both stars were also in attendance at the Toronto International Film Festival that month, with Pattinson promoting "High Life" and Waterhouse supporting "Assassination Nation."
Any breakup rumors were squashed in October, when they were photographed leaving the London hang-out Chiltern Firehouse together at 2:15 a.m., according to Elle.
Then in early December, Daily Mail published photos of the couple leaving a Christmas party together at London's Regent Street at nearly 5 a.m.
January 11, 2019: Waterhouse celebrates her 27th birthday with a dinner that includes Pattinson and a few other stars.
Suki Waterhouse, left, in February 2019. Robert Pattinson, right, in January 2019.
Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP; Dominique Charriau/WireImage
Waterhouse's dinner at London's Casa Cruz included guests like Liv Tyler, Georgia May Jagger, Cara Delevingne, and Ashley Benson.
Paparazzi photos published by Daily Mail and Just Jared showed Waterhouse and Pattinson exiting Casa Cruz afterward, dressed in casual clothing.
Later that month, the pair were seen holding hands while going for a walk in London.
April 29, 2019: Pattinson is reluctant to discuss his relationship with Waterhouse during an interview with The Sunday Times.
Robert Pattinson, left, in April 2019. Suki Waterhouse, right, in May 2019.
Brian Ach/Invision/AP; Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
When asked to talk about Waterhouse, Pattinson responded: "Do I have to?"
"If you let people in, it devalues what love is," he explained. "If a stranger on the street asked you about your relationship, you'd think it extremely rude. If you put up a wall it ends up better."
The "Harry Potter" alum continued: "I can't understand how someone can walk down the street holding hands, and it's the same as when I do it and a hundred people are taking your photo. The line between when you're performing and when you're not will eventually get washed away and you'll go completely mad."
May 13, 2019: The couple celebrates Pattinson's 33rd birthday.
Robert Pattinson, left, in May 2019. Suki Waterhouse, right, in May 2019.
George Pimentel/WireImage; Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
They marked the occasion with a dinner at Chateau Marmont in LA, People reported.
Weeks later, Us Weekly reported that Pattinson and Waterhouse went on a double date with Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn on May 31 at San Vicente Bungalows in Hollywood, California.
In a feature for Grazia, published on June 18, Waterhouse didn't speak about Pattinson.
However, the reporter, Guy Pewsey, noted that she FaceTimed him while on a break during the photo shoot.
September 4, 2019: Photographer Sofia Malamute posts a photo of the couple, taken in Ibiza that year.
Suki Waterhouse, left, in June 2019. Robert Pattinson, right, in October 2019.
Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Malamute shared two photos on Instagram with the caption "Ibiza, 2019." The first image showed Waterhouse with her arms around Pattinson as they both looked at something off-camera. The second photo featured just Pattinson.
This post came weeks after Pattinson and the "Moves" singer were photographed on another casual stroll.
January 17, 2020: The couple sparks engagement rumors at a Dior perfume dinner in France, where Waterhouse is seen with a gold ring on her fourth finger.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson at the Dior Perfume Dinner during Paris Fashion Week in 2020.
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images
It's worth noting that Waterhouse wore multiple rings during the event, which took place during Paris Fashion Week.
May 12, 2020: They quarantine together during the pandemic.
Robert Pattinson, left, in November 2019. Suki Waterhouse, right, in October 2019.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Pattinson's June 2020 cover story for GQ indicated this, with writer Zach Baron noting that the actor was "in London with his girlfriend, in the apartment the 'Batman' folks rented for him."
Months later, in September, Pattinson and Waterhouse were photographed kissing with their masks down while sitting on a park bench in London.
This marked the first time Pattinson was seen publicly since production on "The Batman" was shut down due to the actor contracting COVID.
October 21, 2020: E! News reports that the couple has "discussed getting engaged but are in no rush."
Robert Pattinson, left, in April 2019. Suki Waterhouse, right, in September 2019.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images; Christopher Smith/Invision/AP
"Rob and Suki have definitely discussed getting engaged but are in no rush," a source told the publication. "Suki is not pressuring him and they are both very committed to each other."
"They are a really good match," the source added. "They have both been spending time in the UK together during this last year and their relationship is stronger than ever."
Pattinson and Waterhouse continued going strong in the months that followed, even being spotted walking through London with the "Twilight" star's parents in November 2020.
April 15, 2021: Waterhouse unintentionally gives fans a glimpse of their relationship in an Instagram post.
Suki Waterhouse in a photo posted on Instagram in April 2021.
https://ift.tt/i5A4vx9
Waterhouse posted a photo on Instagram of herself smiling while wearing an outfit from the brand Alessandra Rich and tagged the company in her caption.
But eagle-eyed fans noticed a framed photo of Pattinson and the "Good Looking" singer on a shelf behind her.
August 1, 2021: Waterhouse calls out a joke made about her on Max's "Gossip Girl" continuation series.
"Gossip Girl" characters Zoya Lott and Luna La on season one of the HBO series.
HBO Max
During season one, episode three, the character Luna La (played by Zión Moreno) spoke to Constance newcomer Zoya Lott (Whitney Peak) about elevating her public image, in light of her dating Obie Bergmann (Eli Brown), who comes from a wealthy family.
"When are you going to get it? As far as the press is concerned, he's R-Patz and you're Suki Nobody," Luna told Zoya of the imbalance in her relationship with Obie.
Waterhouse reacted to the joke on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the episode was released. Both tweets were deleted, but fan accounts and publications like Glamour captured screenshots of the posts before they were erased.
"Another day to be reminded that women can also be the patriarchy," Waterhouse tweeted, tagging a writer on the show, Lila Feinberg, and the official "Gossip Girl" account.
"Seeing critiques of the patriarchy and sexism, then I get name-checked as somebody's nobody girlfriend. Make it make sense," she added.
February 8, 2022: Pattinson speaks about Waterhouse in an interview for the March 2022 issue of GQ.
Robert Pattinson, left, in September 2021. Suki Waterhouse, right, in November 2021.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Pattinson's interviewer, Daniel Riley, said that they were initially supposed to meet at the London Zoo, but the actor changed his mind and opted for Holland Park instead.
"I was talking to my girlfriend last night and she was, like, 'You know, people don't really like zoos.…'" Pattinson explained. "I'd been thinking about a metaphorical thing. But then I was thinking that's very wrong, a sad bear walking in circles."
"I just can't help it," he added. "I'll do it for every single element, every decision, in my life. What is the worst-case scenario for this decision?"
Elsewhere in the interview, Pattinson recalled Waterhouse engaging with a repair man who turned out to be a DC fan.
"The guy came around the other day and he just randomly started talking about what a DC fan he is," said Pattinson, who played Bruce Wayne/Batman in Matt Reeves' "The Batman." "And I'm sitting there facing the other direction, and my girlfriend just keeps continuing the conversation with him. And I'm looking at her like: Shut the fuck up!"
"She was very entertaining," Pattinson said. "Just talking to an obsessive fan."
February 16, 2022: Pattinson says that Waterhouse cried over his performance in "The Batman."
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman in "The Batman."
Warner Bros.
During an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Pattinson said that he was "terrified" about how people would respond to his portrayal of the Caped Crusader in "The Batman."
Pattinson said he watched the movie in advance with Waterhouse and "it was really her reaction that kind of changed the entire thing."
"I'm pretty sure she's not normally into watching kind of superhero movies," he said, adding that he could see the film "capturing her attention the entire time."
"Then, she just held my hand and just touched it right there," Pattinson said, gesturing to his cheek, "and I could feel a little tear, and I was like, 'No way.'"
March to July 2022: The couple continues being spotted together in London, New York, and Los Angeles.
Suki Waterhouse, left, in November 2022. Robert Pattinson, right, in February 2022.
Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP; Randy Holmes via Getty Images
Paparazzi caught them outside the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA, hanging out after Waterhouse's concert at The Echo in LA, and celebrating Georgia May Jagger's hair-dye brand Bleach London at LA hotspot The Viper Room.
Photographer Myles Hendrik also posted a photo of the couple, with Pattinson kissing Waterhouse's cheek, on Instagram in May 2022.
And in July, they were dressed casually while walking hand-in-hand in New York City.
December 4, 2022: Pattinson and Waterhouse finally make their red-carpet debut as a couple at Dior's fashion show in Egypt.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson at the Dior Fall 2023 Menswear Collection show in Cairo, Egypt.
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
They attended the Dior Fall 2023 Menswear Collection show together in Cairo, Egypt.
The show took place at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the couple reportedly wore Dior outfits — Pattinson in a white suit with a brown turtleneck and Waterhouse in a sheer, floor-length mauve dress.
Waterhouse also posted two Polaroids on her Instagram after the event with the caption: "Will never forgot this show, under the stars and in front of the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World."
December 31, 2022: Pattinson and Waterhouse reportedly host a holiday party attended by famous guests.
Robert Pattinson, left, in February 2022. Suki Waterhouse, right, in December 2022.
Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP; Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
According to People, the pair's New Year's Eve party was held at Silver Lining at the Moxy Hotel in New York City.
Emma Stone, "Gossip Girl" star Whitney Peak, "Teen Wolf" actor Ian Bohen, and "The O.C." alum Mischa Barton were reportedly among the attendees.
January 19, 2023: Pattinson subtly references Waterhouse when discussing his favorite scent.
In an interview with ES magazine, Pattinson spoke about his long-standing role as a Dior fragrance ambassador.
When asked about his favorite smell, the actor said: "I mean, it's kind of cheesy — if you're in love with someone, their smell becomes very particular to you… so yeah, something like 'girlfriend in a dressing gown.'"
February 19, 2023: Waterhouse tells The Sunday Times that she still feels a spark between her and Pattinson, even after dating for almost five years.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson at the Dior Fall 2023 Menswear Collection show in Cairo, Egypt in December 2022.
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
The couple lives together in London and Waterhouse said that they make efforts to see each other during their busy schedules, like her recent tour.
Her interviewer, Laura Pullman, noted that the longest they've spent apart is two months.
"I had two days off the other day, and it was like, no question I'm going back to see him," she said. "Then he'll come out for a couple of days."
"I'm shocked that I'm so happy with someone for nearly five years," Waterhouse said of her relationship.
Even though they're both actors, Waterhouse said that "Rob definitely isn't getting advice from me about acting, but of course I'll try and get him to help me with an audition before he falls asleep on the sofa."
Waterhouse also said that she and Pattinson maintain a mutual joy about each other.
"I'm always incredibly excited when I see his name pop up [on my phone] or even a text, and I think he feels the same about me," she said. "We've always got so much to say, and I find him hilarious."
She also spoke about both of them growing up in separate parts of England.
"We always say that I never, ever would have thought I'd go out with a boy from Barnes, and he didn't think he'd go out with a girl from Chiswick," Waterhouse said.
May 1, 2023: The couple attends the Met Gala together.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson at the 2023 Met Gala.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Waterhouse wore a sheer Fendi dress with floral accents while Pattinson opted for a Dior drape coat with his outfit.
They were also spotted at an after-party together, Vogue reported.
September 2023: Waterhouse says that Pattinson is her biggest supporter.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse inside the 2023 Met Gala
Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
"Biggest cheerleader outside of my family would be… probably my boyfriend," Waterhouse told Elle UK. "I pretty much taught him to clap every time I enter a room."
October 2023: Waterhouse opens up about moving in with Pattinson.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson at the 2023 Met Gala.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
On the podcast titled "Driven Minds: A Type 7," presented by Gillian Sagansky, Waterhouse said the actor has been more than accommodating about her moving into his place.
"It doesn't feel like that much of a crazy thing," she said of living with Pattinson. "And I'm very lucky because he is so accepting of the mess and the chaos. He never says anything about it. He kind of thinks it's charming. So I'm very lucky for that."
Waterhouse also said that she was burned by past relationships, and began dating Pattinson following a "bout of celibacy" that lasted about six months.
The singer said that her dynamic with Pattinson differs from past ones because "I actually have something to share now."
"I have a life that I'm proud of that I want to share with someone and I'm stable and I have my shit together," she said.
November 19, 2023: Waterhouse confirms that she's pregnant and expecting her first child with Pattinson.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse in October 2023.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Waterhouse commented on pregnancy rumors while performing at the Corona Capital 2023 Music Festival in Mexico City.
"I thought I'd wear something sparkly today because I thought it might distract you from something else I've got going on," Waterhouse said, referring to her glitzy attire and gesturing to her stomach area. "I'm not sure it's working."
Waterhouse's announcement came weeks after being spotted at the annual GO Gala in LA with Pattinson, an ambassador.
December 21, 2023: People magazine reports that Pattinson and Waterhouse are engaged.
Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson seen on December 6, 2023 in New York City.
DAMEBK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Earlier in the month, the actors were seen attending the NYC premiere and after-party for the film "Poor Things" with Taylor Swift. The couple fueled engagement speculation after TMZ published photos of Waterhouse wearing a gem on her ring finger.
People magazine cited multiple sources, with one telling the publication, "They are engaged. They both want to be married. It's important for them."
March 26, 2024: Daily Mail reports that the couple welcomed their first child together.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse in Los Angeles in October 2023.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
The Daily Mail published photos of Pattinson and Waterhouse walking in Los Angeles, with the "Batman" star pushing a baby stroller.
Representatives for Pattinson and Waterhouse didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
April 12, 2024: At Coachella, Waterhouse reveals that she gave birth to a baby girl.
Suki Waterhouse at the 75th Emmy Awards in January 2024.
Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP
Earlier that month, Waterhouse shared a photo of her and her newborn on Instagram with the caption, "welcome to the world angel."
During the first weekend of Coachella, the singer revealed the sex of the baby.
"I don't know if some of you know, but I had some big life changes happen recently, some pretty big events have been going down," Waterhouse said while performing onstage. "I love amazing ladies and I've been very lucky to have my own little amazing lady and meet the love of my life."
June 21, 2024: Pattinson gushes about their daughter at Paris Fashion Week.
Robert Pattinson at the Dior Homme menswear spring/summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2024.
Francois Durand/Getty Images
In videos that circulated on X of Pattinson at the Dior Homme menswear spring/summer 2025 show in Paris, Pattinson was seen talking to Delphine Arnault, the CEO of Christian Dior. During their conversation, the actor joked that having a baby "makes you feel very old and very young."
"She's so cute," he said. "I'm amazed by how quickly their personality comes. So even at 3 months, I'm like, 'Oh, I can kinda see who she is already.'"
July 2, 2024: Waterhouse opens up about parenthood and her relationship with Pattinson in a cover story for British Vogue's August issue.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse in October 2023 in Los Angeles.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Waterhouse posed on the cover of Briitish Vogue with her and Pattinson's daughter. In her interview, the musician explained that she and Pattinson met six years ago while playing Werewolf at a game night in LA.
Waterhouse said that the "intense" game night featured stars such as Al Pacino, Javier Bardem, and Penélope Cruz. While the other guests were taking the game seriously, Waterhouse said and Pattinson gravitated toward each other.
"I think we both sort of have the same slight uncomfortable-ness," she said, adding that they "started giggling at the absurdity of the whole thing" — to the point that a director split them up because of their distracting laughter.
They bumped into each other six or seven months later, and Waterhouse, who's from the UK, told British Vogue that living in LA "definitely became a lot more fun" when she met Pattinson.
Waterhouse told the publication that she and Pattinson planned the pregnancy during a time when they felt ready for parenthood.
"One day we looked at each other and said, 'Well, this is as ready as we're going to be,'" she said.
Waterhouse said that Pattinson was "really nervous," when the time came for her to give birth.
"But for someone who's quite an anxious person, he's been very calm," she said, adding that he's "the dad I could have hoped for."
Waterhouse's upcoming album, "Memoir of a Sparklemuffin," includes songs inspired by her past heartbreak as well as the joy of her relationship with Pattinson.
"I had a very clear feeling of being like, 'Oh, wow, Rob and I have been together six years and I'm still really into this,'" she said of "To Love," the final track on the album. "That's never happened to me before, that's like a crazy thing."
