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Is Your Corporate Video Lonely?

VideoXRM

Lonely corporate videos REJOICE! VideoXRM, a B2B content distribution and discovery platform, was developed to bring your audience to you! The problem with video is that its structure is not well suited for search engines – making it hard to find. VideoXRM merges the superior communications power of rich media with precise subject indexing and granular search capabilities to bring precise exposure to your video and rich media assets. VideoXRM Platform Benefits Global visibility by publishing your videos to our unique video/audio database. Precise content indexing allows searchers to find the content they want, easily. Diversified products and services are not a problem as each video is uniquely indexed. Syndication partners and tools provide even more exposure. Enhance your video ROI by reaching customers, partners, suppliers, investors, media, researchers, and other stakeholders. Leverage on-platform messaging to communicate with interested parties. Conduct video sales and marketing campaigns to interested prospects via VideoXRM. VideoXRM is a scalable media discovery platform leveraging proprietary indexing structures, industry taxonomies and search engine technology that lets content providers upload and individually index their rich media assets to be easily found. There is no cost to upload or search for content on VideoXRM, and early-adopter content providers benefit from a range of promotional efforts that will drive visitors to the VideoXRM beta program over the next three months. VideoXRM takes Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to the next level, with “RM” standing for Relationship Management, while the variable “X” can represent a partner, constituent, employee, supplier, customer researcher, recruiter, reporter, investor, citizen, etc. Given the growing user preference for video and rich media, VideoXRM provides a powerful new medium for exposure and precise searches. About VideoXRM ( VideoXRM.com ) VideoXRM is a global, searchable video and audio sharing and networking platform connecting corporate rich media content with all potential stakeholders. The platform and smart search technology creates value and knowledge from mountains of unstructured digital media, delivering greater ROI from content investments. VideoXRM's mission is harnessing the enhanced communicative power of rich media through a new distribution and discovery paradigm. VideoXRM was co-founded by David N. Baker, who formed Revere Data LLC (Sectorbase) which was acquired by FactSet Data Systems, Inc. His Co-founders are Vadim A. Tarasov, Byron Kwok, and David Guzy. Contact Details Media & Investor Contact: Catalyst IR David Collins +1 212-924-9800 VideoXRM@catalyst-ir.com Company Website https://videoxrm.com

January 13, 2023 10:47 AM Eastern Standard Time

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BIO-Key: This Innovative Security Company Is Leading The Charge For Identity Based Biometrics (IBB)

BIO-key International, Inc.

By Johnny Rice, Benzinga James Sullivan, VP of Strategy & Compliance and CLO of BIO-Key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), was recently interviewed by Benzinga. The company is a trusted provider of Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Identity-Bound Biometric (IBB) solutions that offer an easy and secure way to authenticate the identity of employees, customers and suppliers while managing their access across devices and applications. Learn more here: This article was originally published on Benzinga here. BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software managing millions of users. Its cloud-based PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy to deploy, convenient and secure access to devices, information, applications, and high-value transactions. BIO-key's patented software and hardware solutions, with industry-leading Identity-Bound Biometric (IBB) capabilities, enable large-scale Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) solutions, as well as customized on premises solutions. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Catalyst IR- William Jones, David Collins +1 212-924-9800 BKYI@catalyst-ir.com Company Website https://www.bio-key.com/

January 13, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Mobile Phone Data Costs 7x More In The US Than The UK

Finance News

The cost of cell phone data rose by 68 percent year-over-year in the United States in 2022, as the cost of 1GB of data jumped to an average of $5.62. According to a study done by Fair Betting Sites, the cost of 1GB of mobile data is 7x higher in the US than the UK ($1.72). The data sourced from cable.co.uk compared the average cost of over 5,000 mobile data plans in 233 countries to calculate the cost of 1GB of data around the world. Israel had the cheapest cost for 1GB of mobile phone data at just $0.04 USD while remote islands in South America and Africa offered the most expensive data plans. In South America, 1GB of data in the Falkland Islands cost an average of $38.45 USD while Saint Helena topped the list with an average cost of $41.06 per 1GB of mobile phone data. Overall, North America had the highest average cost for 1GB of data of any region in the world. Cost Of 1GB Of Data Jumps 68% YoY In The US In 2021, the cost of 1GB of mobile phone data in the US cost an average of just $3.33. However, that number has jumped by 69% to $5.62 in 2022. By comparison, the cost of 1GB of data in the UK dropped from $1.42 in 2021 to $0.79 in 2022, a decrease of 44 percent. Meanwhile, the price of 1GB of data in Canada increased by an average of 3.85 percent, going from $5.72 in 2021 to $5.94 in 2022. 1GB Of Data Is 7x More Expensive In The US Than The UK The changes in data prices have widened the gap between North America and the rest of the world. While many developed countries have managed to improve their infrastructure and offer cheaper prices for mobile phone data, that hasn’t been the case in the United States. In the US, the cost of 1GB of cell phone data is 7x more expensive than in the UK, where you can get 1GB of data for just $0.79 USD. In fact, Canada ($5.94) and the US ($5.62) are among the developed nations that charge the most for mobile internet. North America Has Most Expensive Mobile Internet Of Any Region In The World According to the report, the average cost of 1GB of data in North America was $4.98 USD, by far the most expensive of any region in the world. In fact, 1GB of data costs nearly 60 percent more than the global average ($3.12). At $5.94, Canada had the highest average cost of data of any country in Northern America while the US ($5.62), Bermuda ($5.00), and Greenland ($3.36) came in close behind. Check out how the average price of 1 GB of data differs in all 13 of the global regions examined in the study. Northern America — $4.98 Sub-Saharan Africa — $4.47 South America — $4.09 Oceania — $3.88 Near East — $3.65 Caribbean — $3.45 Western Europe — $2.72 CIS (Former USSR) — $2.05 Central America — $1.88 Baltics — $1.79 Eastern Europe — $1.67 Asia (Excl. Near East) — $1.47 Northern Africa — $1.05 Remote Island Nations Have Most Expensive Mobile Internet Plans Getting cell phone data in remote places can be expensive, according to the study. Mobile phone data was most expensive in remote islands in South America and Africa. Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory, had the highest cost for 1GB of cell phone data at $41.06 USD while Falkland Islands finished second on the list with an average cost of $38.45 USD for 1GB of data. Below, you’ll find the places with the highest average price for 1GB of mobile phone data. Saint Helena — $41.06 Falkland Islands — $38.45 São Tomé and Príncipe — $29.49 Tokelau — $17.88 Yemen — $16.58 Israel Offers Cheapest Mobile Internet In The World Some countries, like Israel, have been able to offer mobile internet at a much cheaper rate. In Israel, 1GB of data costs an average of $0.04, by far the lowest rate in the world. In fact, mobile phone data costs 3x less in Israel than the next-lowest country. Countries with the lowest cost of mobile phone data have excellent mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure, which allows providers to offer large amounts of data for cheaper prices. For example, in Italy, where the cost of 1GB averages around just $0.12 USD, 5G is now available to nearly 95 percent of residents. Increased smartphone penetration is another reason why mobile phone data is cheaper in some countries than others. For example, approximately 75 percent of Israelis own a smartphone, which is even higher than in the United States. In other countries, economic conditions play a factor in the price, which has to remain low so people can afford it. Check out the countries with the cheapest cost for 1GB of mobile phone data below. Israel — $0.04 Italy — $0.12 San Marino — $0.14 Fiji — $0.15 India — $0.17 For full story, visit: https://fairbettingsites.co.uk/blog/2023/01/11/mobile-phone-data-costs-7x-more-in-the-us-than-the-uk-study-finds/ Contact Details Finance News Alex Brown alexbrown@financenews.com

January 12, 2023 12:08 PM Eastern Standard Time

Part 3 of Legal & General’s new study on U.S. Gig Economy Workers takes a deep dive into what drives worker choices

Legal & General

63% of respondents say flexibility is the key reason they made this choice 35% of gig workers realize they can make more money working independently—54% of those earning over $100K 46% value the ability to take on more work and make more money 40% of respondents are reluctant to work in a traditional corporate setting for a variety of reasons A third segment of a broad new study sponsored by Legal & General Group ( LGEN, LGNNY ), U.S. Gig Economy, Part 3: Why Gig Work Is Becoming a Choice for So Many, was released today, continuing to explore the changing nature of work in the U.S., people’s relationship to it, and what employers should be thinking about in order to attract back talent. Part 3 of the study explores the why of gig work: why people choose or find their way to the U.S. Gig Economy, and how they describe their own agency within this framework. This third segment of the data-rich study, Why Gig Work Is Becoming a Choice for So Many, finds that the proportion of gig workers who have undertaken working in this model by choice (82 percent) far outstrips those for whom gig work was the next best option when they couldn’t secure a traditional job (13 percent). The study also looks into the top ‘best and worst’ factors of gig work, and how these inform lifestyle choices, sense of security, and financial stability. While flexibility is a top driver, ethical concerns with corporations figure in gig workers’ choices The study found that many workers who consider themselves part of the gig economy have ethical concerns with corporate America, with more than one in ten people surveyed expressing this as contributing to their decision to be self-employed. The study also found that while 16 percent of gig workers feel better able to adapt to a changing culture as a result of working independently, 20 percent reported feeling out of the loop in a fast-changing work culture. At the same time, 61 percent said that being able to work when they want is the best thing about gig work, and 46 percent said that gig work provides the ability to take on more work and thus make more money. On the negative side, 67 percent said that not having access to retirement plans and other benefits is a key drawback, and 62 percent didn’t like having to pay for their own health insurance. “The nature of work and the workplace changed radically due to the pandemic, and it’s inevitable that some of these changes will stick. The clear preferences expressed by American gig workers reflect the way people want to work now—and this research gives broad hints as to what we should be offering as employers. While few of our survey subjects would consider working in a corporate setting, employers can take heed to better design their workplaces around the flexibility that gig workers currently seek. If they want to open the door to attract the types of workers who would otherwise have wanted to stay in the gig economy, employers will need to continue to evolve their offerings to maximize job satisfaction.” Sir Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive, Legal & General Group Multiple factors Legal & General’s study looks at the complex and multifaceted societal and financial factors behind independent work. “While this wave of gig workers expressed certain insecurities and anxieties, they are clearly propelled by positive incentives, whether it’s multiplying their opportunities to make money or take on multiple different forms of work. But above all, they are seeking freedom and flexibility. The gig economy has its drawbacks, notably around financial security and often lack of access to basic health and social needs, but it serves a function for a broad swath of workers.” John Godfrey, Director of Levelling Up, Legal & General Group Future segments of this research will look in depth at the extent to which gig workers meet their health and life insurance needs; the fierce independent mindedness of gig workers; their outlook on retirement planning; what it would take to get gig workers to go back to the traditional workplace; and the pandemic fallout for gig workers. Notes to editors The information contained in this press release is intended solely for journalists and should not be relied upon by private investors or any other persons to make financial decisions. About the Study Legal & General undertook proprietary research into the attitudes and changes U.S. gig workers are experiencing in relation to their work situations and financial outlook. The U.S. Gig Economy research was compiled using original survey data from 1044 U.S.-based workers age 18 to 60 who are neither students nor retired, and who earn at least 60% of their income from gig work. The data was collected via online survey fielded to individuals sample sourced from YouGov’s US panel. The Legal & General-designed survey was scripted and hosted on Gryphon, YouGov’s proprietary survey scripting platform, and the field work took place between August 19 and 31, 2022. Key demographics such as age, gender and region were allowed to fall out naturally. 20 questions were designed to understand facts about earnings, drivers of and barriers to gig working, financial product ownership & financial capacity when coming across adverse situations, and future expectations of being involved in the gig economy. Verbatim comments were captured by Legal & General in research carried out in June 2022. About Legal & General Group Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK's leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with over £1.4 trillion ($1.7 trillion) in total assets under management* of which a third is international. We also provide powerful asset origination capabilities. Together, these underpin our leading retirement and protection solutions: we are a leading international player in pension risk transfer, in UK and US life insurance, and in UK workplace pensions and retirement income. Through inclusive capitalism, we aim to build a better society by investing in long-term assets that benefit everyone. Contact Details Meir Kahtan Public Relations, LLC Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/

January 12, 2023 11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Power Digital Brings on Michael Murray as Chief Product Officer to Lead Innovation for Technology Platform, nova

Power Digital

Power Digital, the leading tech-enabled growth marketing firm that ignites revenue and brand recognition for companies around the world, today announced that Michael Murray has joined the team as Chief Product Officer. In his role, Murray will spearhead the innovation and productization of nova, Power Digital’s proprietary technology that analyzes a company’s digital ecosystem using multiple first-party data sources to build informed and custom marketing plans. nova’s business forecasting feature and corresponding roadmap highlight what’s working, what isn’t, and define where marketing dollars will be most effective in driving growth. With over 85 million data points analyzed from executing successful marketing and growth initiatives for over 10 years, nova is the convergence of a seasoned C-suite, providing brands with scalable and responsive marketing strategies. The nova team boasts 30 full-time product engineers and data scientists. “Many martech companies excel with incredible technology, while service providers are successful because of their talent,” said Murray. “It’s rare to see both intersect the way it does at Power Digital. That’s why I joined the team.” Murray is an established leader in data-powered business solutions with over 30 years of product management, data strategy, innovation and leadership experience. Most recently, Murray served as President of Data Products and Chief Product Officer at Wunderman Thompson Data after working as Chief Executive Officer at ItemMaster (now Syndigo). Before this, Murray’s previous roles included Chief Product Officer at Catalina USA, Chief Marketing Officer at Sears Stores, Chief Marketing Officer at Fishbowl Inc., various leadership roles at AOL and founding General Manager of Targetbase. Murray has worked with an impressive roster of global brands, including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Instacart, Amazon, Walmart, Uber, Burger King, Walgreens and many more. “More than ever, brands want to maximize the profit from their marketing investments, yet measurement is getting more complex by the day, ” said Jeff Mason, President at Power Digital. “With Michael at the helm, our team and clients will be able to run and measure data-informed marketing strategies that grow businesses sustainably.” About Power Digital Power Digital is a tech-enabled growth firm––at the intersection of marketing, consulting & data intelligence––igniting revenue and brand recognition for leading and emerging companies around the world. At the heart is proprietary technology, nova, which analyzes businesses through first-party data, simplifying investment planning for marketing and diligence in M&A––putting marketers in a strategic seat at the table––and providing value in unparalleled ways. Managing billions in media, Power Digital’s dynamic team––of consultative marketers, creatives, analysts and technologists––challenges traditional ways of planning and measurement through meticulous testing and data science across each milestone of the customer journey. Discover more at PowerDigital.com. Contact Details Power Digital Christine Göös, Director of Brand & Communications +1 347-781-3074 christine.goos@powerdigital.com Company Website https://powerdigitalmarketing.com/

January 12, 2023 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

Tuscaloosa, AL Modernizes Courts with Move to Catalis Court Case Management Platform

Catalis

The City of Tuscaloosa, AL, has implemented Benchmark Court Case Management Software to modernize its court operations. The Benchmark software platform, Catalis’ enterprise court case management system, powers local government's day-to-day and end-to-end administrative, accounting, and transparency needs. Tuscaloosa’s previous case management system was antiquated, with siloed data and manual processes creating barriers to staff in meeting citizen expectations. City officials turned to Catalis to deliver an integrated all-inclusive technology to break down data barriers, modernize internal and public-facing operations, and streamline services. “We are pleased to utilize Benchmark for both our staff and the citizens of Tuscaloosa. Of all the products we evaluated, Benchmark stands out because of the robust workflows, meaningful insights, and new opportunities to engage with the public,” said Tuscaloosa Municipal Court Administrator Marion Williams. “We feel we’ve found the best solution in Benchmark and are lookingforward to increased efficienciesacross all ofour workflows.” Benchmark will transform the Tuscaloosa Municipal Court’s daily operations to better meet the needs and expectations of constituents and staff. Additionally, Benchmark’s partner integrations and strong reporting capabilities will greatly improve collaboration and transparency. Catalis’ Pioneer division, a national leader in Courts technology, worked closely with the Municipal Court to ensure a successful implementation and a seamless rollout. “We are delighted to have partnered with Tuscaloosa Municipal Court on this important project,” said Catalis CEO Scott Roza. “We believe that our software will make a real difference in the way the court does business and look forward to supporting them in the future.” Tuscaloosa, the state’s fifth-largest city with a population of 102,000, is located just over 57 miles from Birmingham and 100 miles to the state capital in Montgomery. The successful implementation of Benchmark for Tuscaloosa continues Catalis’ long-standing partnership with Alabama Court systems. About Catalis Catalis is the transformational SaaS andintegrated payments partner powering alllevelsand sizes of government – municipal, county, state, and federal. With deep expertise, a proven track record, and innovative digital solutions, Catalis has empowered public servants across the U.S. and Canada to modernize government and engage citizens. For more information, visit www.catalisgov.com. Contact Details Eric Johnson, EVP Government & Legal Affairs +1 612-309-7111 ericjohnson@catalisgov.com Company Website https://catalisgov.com/

January 12, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Athenai Praises Establishment Of House Select Committee On Competition With The Chinese Communist Party

Athenai Institute

The Athenai Institute, a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to removing the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from colleges and universities throughout the country, praised the bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives to establish the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. By a vote of 365-65, the House voted in favor of the resolution establishing the Select Committee. With strong support on both sides of the aisle, today's vote demonstrates that Americans' elected Representatives are following the lead of the American people and standing up to the corrosive influence of the CCP, domestically and around the world. A Pew poll last spring found that 83% of Americans said they had little or no confidence in Xi Jinping to “do the right thing in world affairs.” "The American people overwhelmingly oppose the CCP's efforts to establish influence over our vital governing and cultural institutions," said John Metz, Athenai's President. "On campuses around the country, young people from all corners of the political compass are leading the movement against the CCP by calling on their universities to financially disentangle themselves from its abuses and protect academic freedom. It is encouraging that members of Congress are joining us in this fight. When the American people and our elected Representatives stand together, we can and will beat the CCP." "Today's bipartisan vote shows how committed the 118th Congress is to standing firm against the CCP," said Congressman Neal Dunn, Honorary Congressional Co-Chair of the Athenai Institute. "I look forward to working with the student leaders at Athenai to ensure that this committee prioritizes steps to fight the CCP's financial influence in our academic institutions." ### Athenai is a non-partisan, student-founded 501(c)(3) formed in May 2020 to remove the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from American college campuses. Athenai advocates for student governments and university administrations to close Confucius Institutes, divest investments and other financial entanglements with the Chinese government, and establish policies and mechanisms to prevent the CCP from encroaching on academic discourse and the independence of academic institutions. Please visit - https://athenai.org/. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 info@athenai.org Company Website https://athenai.org/

January 11, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Tech Layoffs & The Twitter Takeover – How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Can Keep You Up To Date On The Latest Developments In Tech

Benzinga

By Jad Malaeb, Benzinga The tech industry, considered a beacon of bullish sentiment by some in 2021, has turned sour in 2022. Laden with rising interest rates and slowing consumer spending, the sector has experienced a slew of layoffs coming from the industry’s most prominent members. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: FB), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) and Upstart Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UPST) – all super performers in 2021 – have announced plans for a workforce culling. For Meta, as many as 11,000 jobs are on the line. Twitter, meanwhile, has witnessed quite the tug-of-war in the fight over its ownership. Elon Musk, its proposed buyer, had filed to purchase the company for $44 billion but later attempted to back out of the deal. The billionaire’s turnaround incited a lawsuit from Twitter’s executive team. In a series of events that triggered a media frenzy, debate over the number of spam bots on Twitter and the uncovering of Musk’s private messages, Twitter was finally placed in the hands of Musk at the original $44 billion valuation. Each of these developments has had a tremendous impact on the world. For investors, the layoffs raised concerns over the sustainability of what many perceive to be “immortal” companies. Meta’s stock, for one, has fallen by 70% in 2022. In the case of Twitter, its importance to the public arises not just from its stock price but from its significant implications on society and politics. For example, Musk has reinstated several previously-banned accounts on the platform in an apparent effort to promote free speech, inciting debate, outrage and questions from many about the foundations of free speech on the internet and in America. With such a significant impact on society, politics and finance, developments in the technology sector deserve special attention. All stakeholders would do well to monitor them carefully – Luckily, that’s just what FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) lets you do. FiscalNote’s Software & Technology Solution As an agency specializing in collecting data on the regulatory processes in the U.S. and abroad, FiscalNote plays a role in granting stakeholders direct access to vital information. To tackle the overflow of data in regulation tracking, FiscalNote developed its own ingestion engine, which sifts through the labyrinth of available regulatory data and transforms these into actionable insights. FiscalNote’s engine harnesses data across more than 12,000 local government entities, all 50 states, D.C. and Congress and reportedly holds the largest set of regulatory data from more than 20 countries around the world. Aside from converting complex regulatory data into actionable insights, FiscalNote also offers custom feeds on the business implications of policy shifts and a social platform to directly reach out to legislation makers. Armed with this technology, users can see major risks and opportunities before they become obvious to the public, potentially granting them an edge over their competitors. They also have a direct gateway to speak to those in charge, an invaluable tool if used to its full potential. In the case of the technology industry, the company has its Software and Technology product, a one-stop shop for managing policy data. FiscalNote’s product helps you monitor global legislation and regulations, manage key stakeholder relationships and understand the latest news impacting the software and technology industries – all in one place. Specifically, the platform allows you to: Monitor rapidly evolving software & technology policy trends across the U.S. Stay ahead of software and tech policy worldwide Access expert analysis from their in-house advisory teams FiscalNote’s technology is trusted by some of the biggest brands in the business, including Uber Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: UBER), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), Lenovo (OTCMKTS: LNVGY), fiverr and Zillow (NASDAQ: ZG). Did you miss the Twitter takeover debacle? Wish you could’ve caught a hint of the tech layover sooner? With FiscalNote’s Software and Technology product, you may never miss any significant industry event ever again. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

January 11, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Spotlight Growth Shares 3 Stocks for an Uncertain and Likely-Volatile 2023

Benzinga

By Spotlight Growth With 2022 now in the rearview, investors shift their focus to 2023 and the year ahead. The economic outlook for the new year remains muddied, as Wall Street looks for clues on inflation, the Federal Reserve's rate hikes, unemployment, GDP, and more. The good news? Major U.S. banks largely are forecasting a very mild recession or no slowdown at all in 2023. Growth is estimated to slow across the board, but managing to divert a major economic downturn is ultimately the preferred outcome. Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) has a slightly more optimistic outlook than the rest of the Street. U.S. GDP for 2023 is estimated to come in at 1%, which is better than the average Wall Street consensus of only a 0.4% gain for the year. Goldman sees GDP picking back up in 2024 with a growth of 1.6%, compared to average estimates of 1.4% growth in 2024. JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) maintains a similar stance that estimates a chance for a mild U.S. recession. However, the major investment bank has stated that “both stocks and bonds have pre-empted the macro troubles set to unfold in 2023 and look increasingly attractive,” and the fact that the “broad-based sell-off in equity markets has left some stocks with strong earnings potential trading at very low valuations.” However, BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), the world’s largest asset management firm, does not see much good news in 2023. The firm has stated its belief that “taming inflation would take a deep recession.” Furthermore, the markets are entering new territory, where the options are either getting inflation back down to 2% by crushing demand to meet what the economy can comfortably produce right now. The alternative is learning to live with inflation, says BlackRock. Despite the different outlooks from Wall Street's elite, investors should look for beaten-down opportunities or companies that are set up to continue thriving in the current uncertain economic environment. With that said, here are three stocks to keep an eye on for 2023: 1. Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) Asure Software is a provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions in the United States. Asure’s target customers are small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), which utilize the HCM service provider's suite of services and products to help build more productive teams by staying compliant with employment laws and freeing up resources to help grow their business. The HCM provider's products and services cover everything from payroll & tax automation to integrations with Equifax (NYSE: EFX), expansive retirement benefits, and more. Furthermore, Asure has worked diligently to develop new services to assist in emerging areas that concern SMBs. One example is the company's work with its CPA partners to help streamline the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) filings. This has helped Asure provide solutions to SMB CPA partners and back office workers to streamline to ERTC filing process and focus on more important tasks instead. Asure Software had a big 2022, as the labor markets saw the increased competition and the continued adoption of hybrid work. Based on the current economic outlooks provided by major U.S. banks and economic experts, SMBs will largely be facing a very similar environment in 2023 as they did last year. This means cost-cutting, streamlining efforts, and attracting top-tier workers will again be the main focus for the year ahead for these SMBs. All of which can be achieved through Asure’s suite of products and services. Analysts covering Asure continue to hold bullish outlooks for the company. Six analysts are covering the stock as of January 2023. All six rate the company a "buy" and maintain a price target of $11.20. In fact, analyst Jeff Van Rhee of Craig-Hallum just reiterated his “buy” rating and $14.00 price target on January 3, 2023. Eric Martinuzzi of Lake Street also recently reiterated his “buy” rating for Asure with a $12.00 price target. Analysts have been increasingly bullish on Asure as the economic environment continues to support the company’s strong growth. This can be determined by reviewing Asure’s recent financial results and its consecutive streak of beating estimates. Over the past nine quarterly periods dating back to Q3 2020, Asure has successfully met or exceeded revenue and EBITDA guidance. Only in Q1 2021 did EBITDA come in slightly lower for Asure than expected. This shows that Asure is a strong performer in the context of financial results. Despite its strong earnings track record during a time of great economic uncertainty and volatility, Asure remains largely under the radar. However, after a very strong finish to 2022 and expanding analyst coverage for the HCM services provider, Asure’s days of flying under the radar may be coming to an end. 2. PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) 2022 was a brutal year for larger-cap technology stocks, including PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL), which has returned over -60% in the past twelve months. However, analysts and market participants are beginning to warm back up to PayPal and other fintech names that largely were thrown out with the bath water. Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev recently reiterated his “buy” rating on PayPal with a $105.00 price target. Mr. Dolev acknowledges Apple, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Apple Pay is a top competitor to PayPal. In 2022, PayPal lost meaningful market share to Apple Pay, as it struggles to compete in mobile and desktop checkouts. However, Dolev remains bullish on PayPal after analyzing web traffic from some of its largest e-commerce checkout partners, such as Etsy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ETSY), Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) and Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD). The analysis showed that after a decline in 2021 that lasted through the first half of 2022, PayPal's outgoing traffic from this group of partnered merchants has been stable in recent months. Aside from stabilizing traffic from its major e-commerce partners, PayPal looks increasingly enticing especially when reviewing free cash flow. PayPal may still be overvalued if you are using metrics such as price to book or price to sales, and price-earnings growth (PEG). However, the company has a price-to-free-cash-flow reading of 14.89 and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.64. The forward P/E estimates earnings will rebound in 2023 and give PayPal a more attractive valuation when looking at forward P/E than the overall markets. 3. Destination XL Group Destination XL Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXLG) is a specialty retailer that focuses on big and tall men's clothing and shoes across North America. As of January 2022, Destination XL had an operational footprint spanning 220 DXL stores, 16 DXL outlet stores, 35 Casual Male XL stores, and 19 Casual Male XL outlet locations. The company's e-commerce business is also an area of significance for the retailer. Within the context of this article, Destination XL is a more defensive play if economic activity continues to get worse than expected. Seen as largely recession-resistant, Destination XL sets itself apart from Big Box and department retailers through its exclusive focus on clothing and accessories for big and tall men. Despite growing competition from the likes of Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Destination XL offers a larger selection of higher-quality clothing and accessories than can be found at a typical department store. According to Allied Market Research, the plus-size clothing market was valued at $480 billion in 2019 and is estimated to reach a value of $696.7 billion by 2027. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% between 2021 and 2027. Putting the statistics further into context, a "tall" customer would be an individual that has a height of around 6 feet tall and a weight around 200 pounds. For "big" customers, this is defined as an individual that is 6'2" or shorter and has a waist size that is the same or larger than your chest. According to Squarespace and Healthline, men over six feet tall makeup roughly 14.5% of the total male population in the United States. The average weight for American males between the ages of 40 and 59 is just over 200 pounds. This shows that a sizable portion of U.S. men fit the requirements of "big and tall" clothing. The Post “ 3 Stocks for an Uncertain & Likely-Volatile 2023 ” First Appeared on Spotlight Growth. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. 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Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

January 10, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time