• English
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Tiếng Việt
  • ไทย
  • Indonesia
Subscribe
Real-time News
On September 3rd, Meta released the Muse Spark 1.3 model update, claiming significant performance improvements in coding and intelligent agent tasks. Alexandr Wang, head of Meta AI, stated that the new model is "competitive with state-of-the-art models" and will pave the way for future personal AI agent products, helping users create AI assistants that can work on their behalf around the clock. The price of Muse Spark 1.3 remains consistent with the previous version, a pricing strategy Wang described as "aggressive." Meta also stated that its "contributor tier" option has been well-received by developers. This program significantly reduces the cost of coding products by allowing Meta to use developers work to improve the model, and a "meaning double-digit percentage" of developers have already chosen this option. Wang stated that as model capabilities improve, security has become a crucial issue within Meta, and the company is increasing its investment in security and alignment. Muse Spark 1.3 will be available on Muse Code and the Meta API on the same day, with the highest inference version to be released after additional security testing.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has met with business representatives to discuss wartime economic support measures.The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that Boeing (BA.N) paid a $3.1 million fine earlier this year for safety violations, some of which were related to the Alaska Airlines cabin door jamming incident.According to Israels i24News, Israel has warned Britain that it will take "major action" if Britain imposes sanctions on West Bank settlements.According to the Wall Street Journal: The U.S. government supports OpenAIs copyright dispute with publishers.

Phillips 66 Trademarks Mark Lashier will Succeed Greg Garland as CEO

Haiden Holmes

Apr 13, 2022 09:44

P2.png


Lashier, a chemical engineer who joined the firm three decades ago in the chemicals division, was named president and chief operating officer a year ago after leading Chevron Phillips Chemical Co, the company's joint venture with Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX), since 2017.


Garland has considered refining as a mature company and has concentrated its efforts on expanding its energy infrastructure, chemicals, and establishing a presence in electric vehicle battery components. It spent around $150 million last year for a 16.5% share in Novonix Ltd, an Australian provider of lithium-ion battery materials.


Garland "built a market-leading diversified energy manufacturing and logistics organization while investing for the future and producing solid financial returns," according to Glen Tilton, lead independent director of Philips 66.


Although the Houston company's non-refining initiatives have generated great shareholder returns, its shares have lately underperformed bigger competitors that benefitted from increasing gasoline margins during pandemic lockdowns.


Lashier is expected to pursue Garland's diversification approach, which includes biofuels, hydrogen, and battery components. However, he must demonstrate that he can match competitors Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE:MPC) and Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO), which increased shareholder returns by selling off retail operations and diversifying into renewable diesel, analysts said.


Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) traded at $81.97 on Tuesday, up 13% year to date, compared to 34% year-to-year gains at Marathon and Valero and around 96% year-to-date gains at PBF Energy (NYSE:PBF).


"Lashier's task is to increase the company's value," Matthew Blair, an analyst at Tudor Pickering Holt & Co., said. "He will face inquiries regarding the company's non-refining businesses' value and what he can do to boost stock price performance and capitalize on the potential valuation."