MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to India to capture the emerging demand for connections to South Asia.
PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng told reporters the airline is considering to mount Manila flights to India as soon as it gets out of the supply crunch that it is dealing with.
The carrier aims to snare the Philippine demand for South Asian flights in its plan to reach India, especially as it is bringing in new aircraft in the latter half of the decade, allowing it to look into opportunities for network expansion.
However, the airline has to overcome the supply crunch the aviation industry is facing right now. Ng said PAL can only launch direct flights to India once it recovers its grounded jets.
At present, airlines are receiving their jet orders behind schedule, as manufacturers are struggling to deliver their backlog of commitments to operators from around the globe. The situation is also worsened by the long queue of carriers waiting to get their jet engines fixed.
Aviation supplier Pratt & Whitney is recalling the engines it made for Airbus A320neos to repair a manufacturing defect, forcing airlines to ground their aircraft of the same model.
The supply crunch may also postpone its initial plan of resuming Manila trips to Sapporo, with Ng saying he is doubtful if PAL can get enough aircraft to offer new routes.
PAL is eyeing to resume Manila flights to Sapporo and Cebu trips to Osaka within the year, but this plan will depend on when the airline can retrieve parked aircraft and take in new units.
“We have to get the engines first for Sapporo and, hopefully, for India. [We want to get to] India because there is a market and it is growing,” Ng said.
Last week, PAL announced that it has entered into a wet lease agreement with European carrier Wamos Air for the rental of two Airbus A330-200s. The airline will deploy the Wamos Air jets to operate the Manila flights to Melbourne and Sydney for five months starting June 1.
The carrier owned by taipan Lucio Tan is strengthening its fleet to ensure that it can keep up with the demand for air travel in the pandemic aftermath.
For 2024, PAL is spending $450 million for capital expenditures to bring in new aircraft and renovate existing jets, particularly 18 A321ceos, placing them with new seats and upgrading their in-flight entertainment.

Afternoon all,
I thought it might be fun to try and take the last three weeks and have a recap of the data and news surrounding RILY. I just searched this sub and news outlets and such for the last 3 weeks and took notes then fed them into an AI software asking it to summarize everything. In no way is this Financial Advice just a fun task.
"The financial landscape for B. Riley Financial, Inc. showcases a dynamic narrative of operational resilience and strategic positioning. The company's recent activities reflect a strategic focus on managing debt obligations effectively while optimizing business segments for sustainable growth. The strategic review process for Great American Group retail liquidation and appraisal businesses is progressing, indicating a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and value creation.
In the earnings summary, a net loss of $51 million was reported, primarily driven by investment-related losses and professional services expenses. Despite these challenges, the company's strategic initiatives and operational performance remain robust, as highlighted in the earnings call. Executives Bryant Riley and Tom Kelleher emphasized the company's operational excellence and strategic direction, underscoring a commitment to shareholder value and sustainable growth. The company's strategic reviews and commitment to shareholder value remain steadfast amidst market volatility caused by short manipulation.
Furthermore, the full redemption of $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2024 signifies a proactive approach to managing debt and strengthening the company's financial position. This strategic move aligns with the company's focus on optimizing its capital structure and enhancing financial flexibility.
Overall, B. Riley Financial's narrative is one of resilience, strategic foresight, and operational excellence in navigating market dynamics and challenges. The company's commitment to financial prudence, strategic reviews, and operational performance positions it well for sustained growth and value creation in the evolving financial landscape."
Below is the data the AI used to create the summary. Just copy and pasted from a very quick and crude gathering of information into a word doc. I also enjoyed the earnings summary the AI did. The last line made me feel happy thoughts. - In summary, B. Riley Financial's first-quarter 2024 results underscore its strong operational foundation and strategic foresight, positioning it well for future growth and shareholder value creation.
1. Cohodes being loud and classless examples
https://preview.redd.it/xymj94vp5f1d1.png?width=637&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d9f18f4f877f7fb518039bc78198e77e3fcd190
https://preview.redd.it/bxacg0bp5f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a4eba6a4a39457cc47661be5836008976b37fc6
https://preview.redd.it/q5kdr5qo5f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=14dcb5473ed7dcac4646eaba2b983806f32bd875
https://preview.redd.it/ky1hlc1o5f1d1.png?width=789&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c603719820d06ea91d9181ad3c41734a603b795
https://preview.redd.it/soco7bjn5f1d1.png?width=969&format=png&auto=webp&s=dfbcf20f984e391c51afcc89e46597d1d9dff6ad
https://preview.redd.it/pwbnnwwr5f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=fe06146b727540c291825eda8db5f33b11e9e992
2. Discussion about FUD and shorts deception
I see the shorts (Marc Cohoded and Co.) are still at it, trying to l use a fake psychological twist to cause doubt. Let's stick to the facts and let the price go where it will in the long term. Short thesis was and is there was fraud, both proven wrong by independent investigation and a clean independent audit if the 10-K and now 10-Q. You can slap that one around anyway you want, but both came up clean. First, they have stated their intentions of a sale of a carried undervalued asset (Great American) by a third party for a massive realized gain. Good for the investors and bond holders as they said they would use funds to deleveverage the balance sheet and buy back stock which already has very little float. Second, I have never seen a company that is paying dividends go under whith out, completely eliminating the dividends first (RILY still pays a dividend and baby bonds are all current--none are in any default). Third, business has been good with lots of new hires, new capital makets raises and fees and their business seems to be thriving. Shorts will try to mislead all of us with their lies and deciept but if we hold strong I believe that the stock will go to at least 50 ish in the short term where they did their secondary. I believe at that point, RILY may run into a bit of resistance. However, a squeeze could easily send us through that to new highs. Patience is the key as they have stated all this in their press releases in the recent past. If we al on this sitel just buy 100 to 1000 shares on Monday and hld through the 29th to get the dividends. this will rocket to new heights. This is not a recommendation, simply my thoughts. Do your own due diligence.
3.Stop lending shares=pain for shorts = short squeeze
If all longs can stop lending shares at least I believe we can cause shorts to cover. There is no valid short narrative, both longs and shorts know this. Now it’s purely who can hold out longer. Shorts have been very active as of late trying to push share price lower and with many of us loaning shares out we are actually helping the shorts hurt us. I believe if we stopped lending out shares borrow rate skyrockets and that added cost combined with dividend and gradual upward movement will force shorts to cover. Granted news release can help but we don’t need news we just need to stop lending and wait and see.
4. Link to short sale volume post https://www.reddit.com/RILYStock/comments/1ctwe9q/smoking_gun_thursday_dropped_because_shorts/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
https://preview.redd.it/hopdxkbt5f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=3945adf69a00addb0c2da4ea0c26b2a4de2749b3
5. Article showing RILY coming back https://www.investmentnews.com/broker-dealers/news/b-riley-bouncing-back-after-tough-winter-253448
6. Rily - Day 3 of short attacks - There's a positive
Our favorite shorts cohodes&co is on overdrive releasing as much fake accusations as possible, they now have been adding a lot to their position at a higher price point with shares in the 30s, now the shorts cost basis has gotten worse for them. With more shares at a worst cost with dividends coming due as well as borrow fees , shorts have less wiggle room especially if stock goes to 40 again. Now at 40 I believe they will be losing money. With insiders hopefully buying soon and the company continuing their share buy back program , that can lead to upward movement in share price leading to the “squeeze “.
7. $RILY Earnings Summary
Not financial advice.
It was an interesting investor call, an almost boring call which was refreshing. The company had a net loss of $51m driven by non-cash items including $29m unrealized loss on investments and a $30m fair value adjustment on their loans.
Cash flows were pretty good, with operating cash flows of $135m and adjusted operating EBITDA of $66m.
Targus and American Freight contributed nothing this quarter, both companies are historically strong businesses but have been working through a business cycle post-COVID after many Americans bought the things they needed. Those companies should improve in the next year.
The company previously announced a potential sale of Great American Group. Q-1 earnings for that segment increased to $35m of EBITDA, so at 10-12x a potential sale is looking like $350-$420m. On the call they said that is expected by early Q3. They also mentioned possibly looking at a sale in their Brands division later this year with the goal of retiring their discounted debt, citing it as an opportunity.
The short thesis crumbled last month with a clean 10-K and two internal investigations which added an additional $7m in expense but presumably were quite thorough and completely debunked claims by bears.
There are no shares available to borrow per Fintel:
https://preview.redd.it/ukhk0tou5f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=0622973216e0293d7f2699c1b6eee3216824305e
And short interest remains at approximately 65% with 9 million shares short, though the retail float is thought to be much smaller, maybe 2m shares.
The company has $34m available at quarter end for buybacks from a previously approved program.
I see value here, and I liked what I heard on the call.
8. Misconceptions - Rily Share Structure
[THIS POST IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY] mumen_rida
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the company’s share structure and I would like to use this post to help not only my own understanding but also help others. It’s a bit confusing but let’s tackle it together.
I got this information from marketwatch: Total Float = 30 million shares Public float = 16 million shares Shares sold short = 9 million shares % of public float sold short = 56.38%
According to fintel: Institutional ownership = 14.18 million shares
So let me get this straight, there is 16 million shares in the public float and institutions own 89% of that (14.18 million shares). So that would mean retail investors collectively only have about 1.82 million shares to trade around amongst ourselves. Let’s call that retail float.
So, retail float = 1.82 million shares.
Let’s wrap up all the most important information (imo) regarding the current share structure and please correct me if any of the information I presented here today is false:
Total float = 30m
Public float = 16m
Shares short = 9m
Retail float = 1.82m
Where I think it gets the most interesting is when you divide shares short by retail float. 9/1.82= 4.95 or 495% of retail float.
Hope this helps clear up any confusion regarding the share structure.
REPSONSE TO THIS BELOW
EnvironmentalBreak48
•3d ago
THIS RESPONSE IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NFA. Do your own DD, make your own decisions.
Based on OP calculation.
1. Total Float: About 30 million shares.
2. Public Float: 16 million shares.
3. Shares Sold Short: 9 million shares.
4. % of Public Float Sold Short: 56.38%.
5. Institutional Ownership: 14.18 million shares.
6. Retail Float: 1.82 million shares (calculated as Public Float - Institutional Ownership).
Given this information:

Understanding Short Interest

· Shares Sold Short: About 9 million shares.
· Retail Float: 1.82 million shares.
· Short Interest as a Percentage of Retail Float: 9 million shares/1.82 million shares≈495%
This high percentage indicates that the short interest is nearly five times the available retail float, which could lead to a short squeeze if investors hold onto their shares and/or demand increases.

Days to Cover (Short Interest Ratio)

The Days to Cover metric gives an estimate of how many days it would take for short sellers to cover their positions based on the average daily trading volume. Here’s how to calculate it:
1. Determine the average daily trading volume (ADTV): This information is usually available on financial websites like MarketWatch or Yahoo Finance. Let’s assume the ADTV is 1,000,000 shares (this is an example, you should use the actual ADTV for a more precise calculation).
2. Days to Cover: Shares Sold Short/ADTV
Using our example ADTV: Days to Cover=9,000,000 (short shares)/1,000,000(Avg. Daily Volume)=9 days Days to Cover

Potential Implications

· High Short Interest Ratio: A high Days to Cover ratio suggests it would take a significant amount of time for shorts to cover their positions, which can lead to increased volatility.
· Potential for a Short Squeeze: With a high percentage of the retail float sold short, if retail investors decided to hold their shares and the stock price rises, short sellers may be forced to buy back shares at higher prices, leading to a potential short squeeze.
· Limited Retail Float: With only 1.82 million shares available for retail trading, any significant buying pressure from institutional investors and/or retail investors it could quickly drive up the stock price.
9. Why Even the Joker Thinks You’d Be a _____ For Not Taking A Look at RILY Stock
Batman here. You might know me as the Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader, or the guy who really, really, really wants to own a spaceship. Today, straight from the Batcave, lets talk about something as exciting as racing the Batmobile or the return of Roaring Kitty—RILY stock.
First off, let’s talk numbers, because even a superhero knows the importance of a strong financial foundation. RILY has been buying back shares like Alfred buys Bat-gadgets—strategically and frequently. This move isn’t just a nifty trick; IMO it’s a signal that RILY is confident in its value. When a company buys back its own shares, it’s like Batman investing in more Batarangs—it’s a smart play that shows belief in future performance.
But that’s not all, folks. The recent buzz around RILY isn’t just cat signals in the sky—it’s grounded in solid developments. RILY had to work hard to file their 10K after all the mudslinging from the shorts, but got it done. The first big catalyst domino to fall.
Now, let’s get to the juicy part—earnings and dividends. RILY’s about to drop their Q1 earnings tomorrow, and you know what that means? Dividends! That’s right, folks. RILY is likely to declare a dividend, that our short friends will be paying. Dividends are like the Batmobile’s turbo boost—an extra kick that gets you excited and propels you forward. Plus, once they file their Q, a few days later insiders should be able to start buying again. Form 4s anyone?
Here’s where it gets really interesting: meme stocks are back with a vengeance, wow talk about a left jab, and shorts are on their heels. The RILY squeeze might start very soon or it might not, but with shorts potentially facing margin calls due to price movements in various holdings, and especially if they’ve been shorting RILY all the way down it has not been a good week for the shorts so far. Just look how RILY stock popped this morning on about 200k in volume.
To add insult to injury, to date, NONE of the short thesis has come to fruition or has been confirmed by independent information. They’re in quicksand, and it’s time to gas up the rocket. There are still several catalysts that may come into play here:
Q1 Earnings Release: Scheduled to be filed tomorrow, providing insights into the company's recent performance. The deal flow on their website was up YoY.
Dividend Announcements: Anticipated dividends right around the corner.
Insider Buying: Once the Q1 earnings are filed, insiders should be able to buy stock again, expect to see some Form 4s in very short order.
Sale of Great America Division: If RILY sales Great American, they have said the proceeds from this sale are expected to be used to reduce debt and fund further stock buybacks, potentially enhancing shareholder value.
Low Float: With a limited number of shares available for trading, increased demand can lead to significant price movements.
Buybacks: Ongoing buybacks can continue to support the stock price.
Meme Stock Momentum: With meme stocks making a comeback, there's increased interest and activity in stocks that are short and that could drive up RILY’s stock price.
Short Squeeze Potential: Low public float, company buybacks, insider buying…mix that up and you have the recipe for a potential squeeze.
Roaring Kitty's Return: The return of Roaring Kitty, a key figure in the meme stock movement, brings renewed attention and excitement to the stock market in general.
And, guess who just chimed in on RILY earlier today? That's right—JeffAmazon from the GameStop meme trade and Netflix documentary! He made a little tweet tweet on $RILY
Additional Catalysts: What do you all think…..
Stay vigilant, stay smart, and just my thoughts—do your own due diligence and make your own decisions. NFA.
10. FAKE ARTICLE BULLSHIT FUD…………
Well, IMO even Stevie Wonder can see that the latest article on FRG is just another hatchet job. IMO the problem with creating a narrative is that the facts can’t keep up, and boy, did they fall behind here.
RILY conducted not one, but two independent investigations and found zilch issues with its FRG investment or loans made to Kahn. And guess what? No connection with Prophecy either. FRG did their own investigation and also found no connection with Prophecy. So, to call the relationship between RILY and FRG controversial is like calling a puppy dangerous—laughable.
In RILY's 10k, they marked up their FRG investment FMV $281 million to $286 million…
FRG's FY23 financials are public, and the attached table shows the maturities of their debt. In 2024, about $10.5 million in debt is maturing. Big deal. Looming debt? Hardly. The real kicker is in 2026 when about $1.5 billion of debt matures—not this year, not next. LOL.
The FRG financials clearly state they were in full compliance with their debt covenants in FY23 and fully expect to be in compliance in FY24. Yet, "the people" say FRG is down double digits in Q1. Funny timing with RILY's Q1 financials coming out on Wednesday, huh? And by the way, FRG's adjusted EBITDA for Q1 FY23 was $66 million, not the $62 million the article claims. Why not use the actual FRG public company number? Maybe because when you're rushing to write a hit piece, you just pick random numbers.
https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/05/10/2665414/0/en/Franchise-Group-Inc-Announces-First-Quarter-Fiscal-Year-2023-Financial-Results.html
So, according to the article, FRG is down 63% in revenue ($66 million vs. the alleged $25 million).
Sure, FRG sold Badcock and Sylvan Learning, so they might be down YoY, but down 63%?
FRG sold in FY24 Q1 Sylvan for $185 Million cash….and they’re worried about paying $10.5 million in long term debt due this year. Got it.
https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_mergers_and_acquisitions/unleashed-brands-buys-sylvan-learning/article_a568813e-d4c7-11ee-bb32-1f85230cfdda.html
https://preview.redd.it/lry689p16f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=0714b3b378abb528f0abb470ade0deb3d34c2d39
11. Post talking about NT-10Q•
https://www.reddit.com/RILYStock/comments/1crb1gp/new_filings_nt10q_13fh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
12. Friendly PSA: Manage your emotions
Great Post Below talking about managing emotions during this trade.
https://www.reddit.com/RILYStock/comments/1cqzskg/friendly_psa_manage_your_emotions/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
13. RILY RS Article 76 to 83
https://www.investors.com/ibd-data-stories/b-riley-financial-shows-rising-price-performance-with-jump-to-83-rs-rating/
B. Riley Financial (RILY) saw a welcome improvement to its Relative Strength (RS) Rating on Thursday, with an increase from 76 to 83.
IBD's proprietary rating tracks share price performance with a 1 (worst) to 99 (best) score. The score shows how a stock's price performance over the trailing 52 weeks stacks up against all the other stocks in our database.
Over 100 years of market history reveals that the stocks that go on to make the biggest gains typically have an 80 or higher RS Rating as they begin their biggest climbs.
Now is not an ideal time to jump in since it isn't near a proper buy zone, but see if the stock manages to form a base and break out.
The company showed 0% EPS growth last quarter. Revenue rose -9%. The company is expected to report its latest earnings and sales numbers on or around May 15.
The company earns the No. 24 rank among its peers in the Finance-Investment Banking/Brokers industry group. Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Piper Sandler (PIPR) and Ameriprise Financial (AMP) are among the top 5 highly rated stocks within the group.

14. Announcement of 2024 Annual Meeting June 21st
https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgadata/0001464790/000121390024041725/ea0205510-01.htm
15. Repost: $RILY DD: The real price potential...when the stock is a solid/growing company (not just a squeeze).
https://www.reddit.com/RILYStock/comments/1cnzff7/repost_rily_dd_the_real_price_potentialwhen_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
16. $RILY- “They can win by doing nothing
12 days ago
Outrageous_Appeal_89 “
Whitebrook capital assessment addressing cohodes&co BS at the peak of their false accusations and in a polite way stating short funds were making things up (misinformation & manipulation ). It seems $RILY is executing on some of the recommendations Whitebrook capital had - share buy back and bond buy back has been executed and continues to be executed on. Whether you invest in $RILY for the long term prospects or the short squeeze that can be triggered any day as lie after lie is exposed. Bottom line is the fair value of $RILY is a lot higher then where it currently trades. We will get a better idea whether share prices deserves to be in the 50s or 60s as we get an update on GAG valuation. Seems many here forget that $RILY creates value by turning companies around and then monetize, this process takes time , they have been able to do this successfully, repeatedly over the years.
https://preview.redd.it/uiisruq36f1d1.png?width=792&format=png&auto=webp&s=e6c32c04877ae21b51cb8a99cee0aef17cdb32c4
17. 3 Videos from Value Don’t Lie on Youtube talking about Financials of RILY and overall company valuation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRenvff8duE&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoaCZw7AmpA&t
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Ayoox3fvM
18. Getting around the NBBO and Longing the Box
So let this sink in… the market opens and in 5 minutes we rally to $34.42, then over the next 15 minutes we drop to $28.80 at which point SSR was triggered and sell volume slows WAY the hell down. That drop was ALL short sellers and NO longs selling shares (otherwise the sell-off wouldnt have stopped literally minutes after SSR triggered). NOW, what the scumbag shorts are doing is going Long Against The Box.
19. Steve Cohen and Point 72 buy 24,917 shares long on May 15th
https://preview.redd.it/fhdhyco46f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=6600f6a9a3f0bc5bc8823cddb5f52defdf282063
20. Summarize this earnings call and keep pertinent quotes and data in the summary.
https://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ir_briley2/925/RILY_1Q24_Earnings_Release_vFINAL.pdf
Chat GPT Summary of the full report below
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results, showcasing resilience and operational strength despite facing challenging market conditions and unique internal events. Here's a summary with a positive outlook:

First Quarter

2024 Highlights:

1. Quarterly Dividend Declaration:

• B. Riley declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders. The dividend will be paid on or about June 11, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 27, 2024.

2. Operational Performance:

• Despite reporting a net loss of $51 million, the company's core operating businesses demonstrated solid performance. This loss was primarily due to non-cash, unrealized investment losses.
• Total revenues for the quarter were $343 million. Operating revenues, excluding investment-related impacts, were $379 million, showcasing the underlying strength of the company's operations.

3. Strategic Debt Management:

• B. Riley successfully retired $115 million of its 6.75% 2024 Senior Notes and repaid $57 million of bank debt facilities and notes payable. This strategic move highlights the company's focus on strengthening its balance sheet and reducing interest expenses.

4. Cash and Investments:

• As of March 31, 2024, the company had total cash and cash equivalents of $191 million and total cash and investments of $1.61 billion, providing a robust liquidity position to support ongoing operations and future investments.

5. Segment Performance:

• B. Riley Advisory Services: Delivered its strongest first-quarter results in the firm's history, driven by increased demand for appraisals, bankruptcy restructuring, litigation consulting, and real estate services.
• B. Riley Securities: Benefited from a steady dealmaking environment, generating higher fee income despite a decrease in overall capital markets segment revenues.
• Wealth Management: Continued to improve operating margins and managed $25.8 billion in assets by quarter-end.
• Communications: Provided steady cash flow, contributing to the platform's stability.
• Consumer Products (Targus): While facing macro headwinds in the PC market, Targus remains a leader in its sector, poised for growth as the market stabilizes.

Leadership Insights:

• Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-CEO, emphasized the company's operational stability and strategic focus amidst challenging conditions. The firm's resilience is attributed to the dedication of its employees and robust core business performance.
• Tom Kelleher, Co-CEO, highlighted the impressive performance of B. Riley Advisory Services and the steady contributions from B. Riley Securities and Wealth Management. He expressed optimism about Targus's potential recovery and the company's strategic investments.

Looking Ahead:

B. Riley's strategic initiatives, such as debt reduction and selective investments, position the company for continued success. The ongoing strategic review of its Great American Group retail liquidation and appraisal businesses indicates a proactive approach to optimizing its portfolio. The firm remains committed to delivering value to its shareholders through dividends and operational excellence.
In summary, B. Riley Financial's first-quarter 2024 results underscore its strong operational foundation and strategic foresight, positioning it well for future growth and shareholder value creation.
20. State of the Stock
15 days ago
UF_Secret_Account
Not financial advice, do your own research. Don't take advice from the internet, consult a professional financial advisor.
On April 19th, the stock closed at $19.99. Today, it is over 50% higher after a positive 10-K clearing the company of fraud allegations.
The stock touched $40 on April 26 and 29, a 100% gain from a week prior.
The short interest has remained relatively consistent during the move, with 10-11 million shares still short. However, given the time lapsed, I think it's safe to assume that most of those shares were covered and re-shorted in the last two weeks. For future research, we should assume they have an average $35 entry on their short positions.
1st quarter earnings are coming soon. Like many of you, I am a little curious that it hasn't been announced yet, but I have no concerns with everything the company has on its plate. 10-Q's are unaudited and it's very unlikely there is anything to be concerned about, in my opinion.
The company could be coming to the end of their strategic review for GAG. That will eventually result in some additional financial statement adjustments for presentation.
I would expect 1st quarter earnings to be good based on their deal flow and reported transactions.
In November 2023, the board approved $50m for stock buybacks. The company repurchased 728,330 shares at an average price of $21.85, but mainly bought shares in November. That's $16 million spent, and means the company had $34 million approved to buy back stock at year end. The program continues through October 2024. At our current price, that would be 1.1 million shares (3.3% of the outstanding stock).
That is significant for a stock with this many outstanding shares, but more significant for the number of freely traded shares which is far less. How many times have we seen huge price moves on small blocks of shares? If the company adds $10-15 million to that program, that's another 300,000-500,000 shares. Again, it doesn't sound like a huge number but it would add pressure to what will become a dire situation for the shorts.
The shorts may decide not to cover, or to continue the strategy of taking their losses and re-shorting, but their ability to influence the stock back to a level where they truly profit is nonexistent in my opinion, particularly when volume dies between market-moving events.
I am eyeing the $50-$55 range as my price target in the next move up.
21. NOTE on FRG Independent Auditor’s Report
One of the positive things I see IMO was for the billion dollar loan that matures in 2026. “On July 2, 2021, the Company repaid $182.1 million of principal of the First Lien Term Loan using cash proceeds from the sale of the Liberty Tax business. The prepayment also satisfied the requirements for the quarterly principal payments so no additional principal payments with respect to the First Lien Term Loans (excluding the Incremental First Lien Term Loan) are due until the First Lien Term Loan maturity date.” To me this gives them some flexibility for their cash as there isn’t much long term debt due in 2024 or 2025.
https://preview.redd.it/ib92t7e66f1d1.png?width=975&format=png&auto=webp&s=df286021b0653db92122e33df0ed37f1068a0c6c
22. on May 3rd Cohodes or someone else got media to report 4th quarter from last year as q1 earnings this year. Which was a lie and FUD
https://preview.redd.it/nlau48276f1d1.png?width=623&format=png&auto=webp&s=832695b6c331c3df6dbcb861dc90551ee42a036a
23. B. Riley Financial Announces Full Redemption of 6.75% SR Notes Due 2024
17 days ago Wolfiger
LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) ("B. Riley" or the "Company") today announced that it has called for the full redemption equal to $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.75% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "Notes") on May 31, 2024 (the "Redemption Date").
The redemption price is equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, as set forth in each notice of redemption delivered to noteholders on May 1, 2024.
https://ir.brileyfin.com/2024-05-01-B-Riley-Financial-Announces-Full-Redemption-of-6-75-Senior-Notes-due-2024
24. 8k filed May 1st for Nasdaq Compliance
25. Found management bonus if above 136 by October. Did anybody else know that a part of managements comp was in the form of Performance-based Restricted Stocks Units with a vesting date of 10/27/24 AND A HURDLE PRICE OF $135?!?
https://preview.redd.it/wo2uh54k5f1d1.png?width=547&format=png&auto=webp&s=8b6dedf28ec845b2170647674f5b39b6eaac96a1

The Ultimate Halo Infinite Multiplayer Review - Review Graphic

GAME INFORMATION:

• Developer: 343 Industries
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Headquarters Location: Redmond, Washington, United States
• Setting/World-Type: Sci-Fi
• Genre/Sub-Genre: First-person shooter
• Perspective: First-person
• Development Engine: Slipspace Engine
• Platforms: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, PC, Cloud Gaming (Beta)

The Ultimate Halo Infinite Review - Halo Infinite Key Art

PUBLISHER & DEVELOPER INFORMATION:

• Developer: 343 Industries
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Headquarters Location: Redmond, Washington, United States
• Art Director: Nicolas Bouvier
• Multiplayer Art Lead: Donnie Taylor
• Senior Animator: Nick Avallone
• Lead Narrative Animator: Greg Towner
• Director of Art Management: Niell Harrison

The Ultimate Halo Infinite Review - Spartan With Skull Armor Promotional Teaser

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE:

Xbox Series X
Performance Mode (120 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz (on HDMI 2.1 Capable Displays)
• Resolution: Up to 1440p (up to 4K using Temporal Reconstruction)
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Balanced Mode (60 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Resolution: 1440p & 2160p Options (4K)
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Quality Mode (30 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Resolution: 2160p (4K)
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Xbox Series S
Performance Mode (120 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz (on HDMI 2.1 Capable Displays)
• Resolution: 1080p (using Temporal Reconstruction)
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Balanced Mode (60 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Resolution: Up to 1080p
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): HDR10: Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Quality Mode (30 FPS Mode)

• Refresh Rate: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Resolution: 1080p
• Raytracing: Supported (Multiplayer Only)
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported
• HDR10: Supported

Miscellaneous: Overall, the game does not maintain its target Frames-Per-Second (FPS) throughout the entire experience on *all* graphics modes, especially on larger maps and more GPU intensive scenarios, but it is in better shape than it’s ever been.
The Ultimate Halo Infinite Review - Spartan Holding Sidekick Sprinting

GAMEPLAY - 97/100

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer scene started off very rough and lacked a lot of mode choices at launch. When it was released, only four playlists were available. Ranked Arena, Big Team Battle, Quick Play, and Bot Bootcamp. Since the backlash, the game has been updated with a wide variety of modes to choose from, many of which are classic game modes like Fiesta, Swat, and Team Snipers. All of the modes are fun and provide different ways to utilize many of the new abilities and weapons in many ways. Each of the playlists has straightforward and concise objectives, like Oddball, where you simply gain control of the Oddball and defend the carrier while scoring points by holding the ball and preventing enemies from taking it from you. The maps have amazing layouts and make for a level playing field for each team.
The tide of the match can be turned by controlling and effectively using Power Weapons like the immensely powerful M41 SPNKR Rocket Launcher or the ever-deadly and accurate S7 Sniper. New weapons like the Cindershot or Stalker Rifle provide different advantages depending on your positioning, effectiveness, and understanding of the gun and its strengths. The maps have their own set of weapon pickups like the S7 Sniper. Each weapon available in the matches is well-balanced and can play to their strengths well enough to make them serve their purpose. The loadout guns in multiplayer have evolved from originally being the Battle Rifle and the Assault Rifle to eventually including the Bandit and Bandit EVO. Each fight comes down to who can land their shots better while maneuvering and which team can work together the best to control key areas for an advantage. Tactical abilities, such as the Repulsor, Threat Sensor, Grappleshot, Shroud Screen, and more, make a comeback. Power Equipment, such as the Overshield and Active Camo, also returns to Infinite. Each of these abilities and pieces of equipment makes fights more than just getting a powerful gun. It requires more coordination with your team to effectively use the equipment to its full potential, especially in ranked playlists.
Ranked play in Halo Infinite is as cutthroat as ever and remains highly competitive and team-focused. The ranks you gain while playing are fun to grind for with a team, but playing solo can be rough, especially if there’s no communication between players. Climbing the ranks is good fun and offers a great opportunity to see what the competitive side of Halo is like, considering how accessible the modes are.
Armor Cores appeared for the first time in the series as cosmetic sets of armor from both previous Halo games and the lore. The cores are unlocked through a battle pass with a variety of challenges available that can help you progress quickly. Customization options that fall in line with the season's theme are also available on these battle passes. The classic Mk IV armor core made a return in January 2024 and was the subject of much excitement since it’s a fan favorite look. Another widespread request from the fanbase was to be able to interchange helmets and coatings across armor cores. It eventually came to fruition and made for a resounding wave of approval from the community.
Event passes also make a debut in the game with a limited-time battle pass that often has its own cosmetics. For example, the ‘Fracture: Tenrai’ event had a Samurai-themed armor core that was no longer available after the event was over. It adds a sense of diversity to these limited-time cosmetics and rewards the more consistent players with cosmetics deserving of their time.
New modes are often on the horizon for Infinite thanks to 343’s desire to keep the game alive and well, and Season Five was no different. A mode initially introduced in Halo 4 known as Extraction was added with the release of Season Five: Reckoning. This mode revolves around a data extractor that is planted in a designated area on the map. Your team must then defend or convert the extractor until enough time has passed to earn a point toward the team's score limit of four. New modes often appear alongside the limited-time events that come with the seasons. For example, in Season Two: Lone Wolves, there was a battle-royale style mode called Last Spartan Standing that would pit you against 23 other players on Big Team Battle maps with five respawns and a pistol as you fight to be triumphant against your enemies. Some of the seasonal modes become permanent, like the long-awaited Infection mode that was released during Season Four.
FORGE CUSTOM
The classic Forge map editor was highly requested upon Halo Infinite’s launch, and it’s safe to say that 343 delivered. The mode has everything that previous forge modes included, like pre-built structures, components to make battlegrounds, and the ability to build to your heart's content. Infinite Forge introduced AI to the mode, meaning that it’s now possible to create battles and scenarios for use in Custom Games. Since custom maps come from the Forge mode, the two often go hand in hand with each other. There are many maps that take advantage of this and have their own unique modes, including Firefight. From a frozen Banished supercarrier to the last level of Halo: Reach, there is tons of variety for map choices. The Custom Games browser from Halo 5 and Master Chief Collection makes a return and makes a ton of fun modes available to be played on these community-made maps.

FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER - 85/100

Halo Infinite doesn’t deviate from the standard First Person Shooter formula in any way that is noteworthy. However, while lacking innovation, Infinite excels at sticking to what the series is known for and does the genre justice by retaining responsive and fun gameplay mechanics. At its core, Halo Infinite’s gunplay has some of the best-feeling weapons and satisfying kills in recent times. The gameplay is much faster-paced than the classic titles, but it manages to stay true to its original identity. The gameplay sets the marker high for the next installment and reminds fps developers that it’s okay to stick with what works as long as it's done well and is still fun to play.

GRAPHICS ART DIRECTION - 95/100

Graphics in gaming never seem to stop improving, and Halo Infinite is determined to make sure it’s not left behind. In the multiplayer scene, we get a good look at our Spartans via the Armor Hall, which showcases the various cosmetic pieces that can be equipped. The gear we don is sleek, with high-resolution textures over the Spartan armor. It’s easy to see the smaller details of the armor when zooming in, down to the smallest of buckles and straps. When in the multiplayer maps, the amount of time is put into the pieces that make up the battlegrounds. The new Slipspace engine also allows for an enhanced atmosphere that makes it easy to become lost in the map's details. This atmosphere is further strengthened by a more than impressive lighting system that includes ray-tracing. Despite lacking the feature at launch, the addition of ray-tracing gave Halo Infinite’s maps even further depth and detail, as well as a feeling of realism. These are just a few of the ways Infinite outpaces the prior installments graphically.
The art direction of Halo Infinite heads in a more detailed and futuristic design that further expands on what previous games set out to accomplish. Sprawling forerunner complexes that dominate parts of multiplayer maps lend to the futuristic aesthetic the series is well known for. The forerunner buildings that makeup part of multiple maps are both mysterious and beautiful in design. Maps like Catalyst see us inside one of the Forerunner facilities. It retains the beauty of many other Forerunner facilities while providing a unique perspective on what these mysterious buildings may contain. The primary attraction of Catalyst is the large midsection of the map, which contains a large bridge of Hardlight above a chasm and a narrow walkway going in the opposite direction. Around the sides are the spawn areas and small corridors to fight through. Upon exiting the corridors into the midsection, you’ll see the center of the map surrounded by two large platformed areas built into the mountain housing the map. The futuristic design and features of maps like this keep it interesting and always a fun time to fight on. This map is one of the best highlights of Halo Infinite’s beautiful architecture and level design.

MUSIC AUDIO - 90/100

Having good sound design for firearms is an integral part of a First-Person Shooter. After all, the most common sound you’ll be hearing is gunfire from enemies as well as your own weapons. The guns in the game all have a unique sound that makes them each feel at home in the universe. Whether it’s the boom from the M41 Spnkr, the rapid fire of an Assault Rifle, or a single shot from the all-powerful S7 Sniper, each of these weapons and more have their own unique sound signature. With these sound cues, it’s easy to differentiate the guns and gauge how much of a threat they pose to you. Aside from gunfire, melee combat is a very common occurrence in Halo multiplayer. The sounds of hitting another player and promptly causing them to crumple into a ball of broken bones are very satisfying in regards to audio.
The vehicles of Big Team Battle carry unique sounds and have their own identities, just like the weapons. Hearing the powerful engine of a Warthog approaching has become synonymous with either getting run over or backup finally arriving during a long fight. Sounds like that have become so iconic within the series and have made Halo easily recognizable in the audio aspect.
Gareth Coker is the mastermind behind the awesome music that can be heard during matches and in the menus. The soundtracks offer a sense of nostalgia while getting your adrenaline pumping and hyping you up for a fight. The songs intensify the battles you’ll find yourself in with their exhilarating melodies while managing to both reimagine and pay homage to the original games. Familiar themes and strings can be heard in the music but are excellently redone with a new flare that keeps them refreshing.

REPLAYABILITY - 100/100

Halo Infinite was once far from replayable due to the lack of modes available at launch. Since then, modes like Infection, BTB Heavies, and Swat (now called Tactical Slayer) have made their debuts in the game. The new modes have made the multiplayer scene reminiscent of older Halo titles in the best way possible. You’ll find plenty of fun playing solo, but when queued up with friends, it becomes a new level of enjoyment that is comparable to the golden days of Halo 3. Each mode brings its own set of fun experiences and possibilities that leave you coming back for more. It’s very apparent that 343 Industries has taken the feedback to heart and has implemented a slew of updates addressing the backlash.

FUN FACTOR - 95/100

Halo Infinite is one of the most fun Halo games to date, taking into consideration its excellent gameplay and game modes. During your time in battle, you’re bound to make some great memories whether you play alongside friends or solo queue. The community is engaging and has a very welcoming atmosphere despite the competitive nature of the games, which sometimes get rowdy but just add to the experience. The game succeeds at taking all of its gameplay elements and bringing them together for a fulfilling and cohesive experience. From the weapons to the abilities and maps, Halo Infinite, in its current state, manages to deliver everything we expect out of a modern Halo title. The game has amazing potential going forward, especially since the universe is so expansive and has so much to offer.

CREATIVE REVIEW

Since the beta of Halo Infinite way back in 2021, I have been smitten. The game just felt right to me, and I wasn’t the only one looking forward to playing the full thing upon launch. Every day, my friends and I would get on and grind until our play time was up. We usually didn’t know what to play afterward. It filled the void left by Halo 5 multiplayer that we desperately wished for more of. Upon release day, I was as disappointed as ever. It was half-baked and debatably just as disappointing as Cyberpunk 2077 at launch. The game had a long road ahead of it, but I was there for the whole ride out of nothing but faith and a little bit of bias.
To kick things off, Halo Infinite is great in its current state; let me get that established off the bat. When it dropped, it was pretty bad in terms of the lack of content. However, it has come a long way since then. The game has received a new coat of paint and some excellent polish on top to give it the extra shine it deserves. It has a great selection of modes, each of which is its own barrel of fun, both solo or with friends. For example, Team Slayer is the classic we all know and love. Spawn in, kill the enemy team until your team hits 50 kills, leave the match, and get ready for the next one. It's so simple yet so fun to do, especially when it’s not one of the only four game modes available. Variety is the spice of life, after all. Now, let’s look at a fan favorite: Infection. I can’t tell you in words how much fun I had back on Halo: Reach infection as a wee lad. You just had to be there. Halo Infinite is a lot like Reach in the sense that Infection is one of the most fun modes in a game since Black Ops 2 Zombies. It’s a blast running for your life and hoping to run into a teammate who can save you while eight infected players chase you down. It’s seriously a great time, as with many of the other modes we see in Infinite, like my personal favorite, Big Team Battle.
Big Team Battle is the definitive Halo multiplayer experience, in my opinion, since it lets you experience everything the game has to offer while not getting stale with its formula. So definitive that it deserves its own section. BTB sees teams of eight players duke it out on a large map while completing objectives and fighting for power weapons. The objectives can be things like Slayer, where, like Team Slayer, you spawn in and fight to reach the score limit. The main difference is that BTB has vehicles and more powerful weapons to grab since the teams are larger. It’s a great way to practice if you’re new to Halo since your deaths aren’t as impactful to the team. There are also more targets to practice on. Total Control is the best of the BTB modes since it’s objective-based. In Total Control, matches go on for much longer since scoring is more difficult than in other modes. To score, your team must control all three of the marked areas to score while defending from the other team who’s attempting to do the same. The first to three points wins. I can’t help but come back for more Big Team Battle when I get on Infinite. It doesn’t quite have the variety of modes that Halo 5 had, but it still provides a fantastic experience that is extremely fun to play.
Now that I’m done fangirling over Big Team Battle, let’s talk gunplay, which is the biggest thing in Halo. Human-made weapons like the Assault Rifle and Battle Rifle feel the best out of the entire series. As an Assault Rifle enthusiast, I remember trying to use the AR in Halo 5, only to get outdone by a Magnum Pistol. Halo 5 had a clearly defined meta, while Infinite attempted to do away with the whole meta thing. It feels like every gun is on an even playing field in terms of practicality when it comes to the base loadouts. Power weapons reign supreme, as usual. The S7 Sniper, M41 Spnkr, and Cindershot are all powerful enough to make them worth fighting for. All of the guns feel amazing, and none are inherently bad except for the Plasma Pistol, but is that really a surprise? It’s been like that since Combat Evolved, to no one’s surprise. The guns also have some great sounds and recoil patterns, which makes them enjoyable to use. The devs even added the DMR, which is now known as the Bandit. I’ve gotta say, it’s incredibly fun to use and extremely satisfying when you manage to land some headshots.
The map selection went from ok to great in a matter of months. Maps like Streets, Catalyst, and Aquarius are personal favorites from the 4v4 map pool, while Deadlock, Breaker, and Highpower are the best of the BTB maps. Each of these maps has an identity that sets it apart from the rest of the picks. Streets are reminiscent of New Mombasa from Halo 3: ODST, while Highpower gives off the feeling of playing on Forge World from Halo: Reach. Despite being similar to past maps, these new additions set themselves apart from the originals by utilizing atmospheric lighting and high-resolution textures to make an immersive experience you can get lost in when you’re not fighting for your life. The developers likely knew that the map's details would be lost among the gameplay and fighting, but when you take a moment to appreciate it, you can see that a lot of love was put into the designs. That’s what helps make Halo Infinite so enjoyable despite its past.
A humble comeback story mixed with community feedback and the unending dedication of the devs of 343 shaped Halo Infinite into a beast of its own. Seriously, this game is one of if not my favorite Halo games since it’s redeemed itself, and I cannot recommend it enough. The game’s beginning was very rough, and many laughed at its lack of enjoyable experiences, but 343 kept pushing. 343 saw the negativity and venomous response their creation had incurred, and yet they kept developing the game. In a way, this is my thank you to 343 for not giving up on a game we’d been waiting years for and for doing great work on a series that many of us grew up with. It’s plain to see that the team built Halo Infinite with love and sought to create something we’d remember as fondly as the Bungie era. There are bound to be those of us who refuse to revisit Infinite because of its botched origins, but I encourage you to give it another shot if you haven’t recently. It’s not perfect, but it’s a ton of fun when you approach with an open mind. It’s not the same as Bungie’s era of Halo by any means. However, its differences signify its new identity as one that is true to its beginnings but also changing to bring in new fans. For that, I think 343 Industries did a fantastic job with Halo Infinite’s redemption. Being that it’s one of the most played games on Xbox at the moment, I’d say I’m not the only one who thinks that.

SCORE SUMMARY - 94/100

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is done correctly by the book. Since its rough launch, it has been very clear that 343 took the feedback, gripes, and technical issues and turned it 180 degrees. The gameplay is fun, engaging, and bound to keep your head on a swivel. The graphics and optimization for the game are top notch and add so much to the enjoyability of the game. It’s one thing to have something beautiful to look at, but when it’s also running and looking great on older hardware, that’s when you know you have something great. In terms of replayability, it's just as easy to revisit as any of the old Halo titles. Everything comes together seamlessly, and that’s why it’s a great entry into the series. It stands up to the standards of the original trilogy.
The Ultimate Halo Infinite Review - Score Graphic
Author: Roland Martinez
Title: Journalist / Reviewer
Favorite Game: Gears of War
What Their Playing Right Now: Nobody Saves The World

The German Heron TP, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed in collaboration by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Airbus, conducted its first flight in German airspace.
The maiden flight of Germany's Heron TP, an unmanned aerial system created through a partnership between Israel Aerospace Industries and Airbus, took place in German airspace (Picture source: Airbus)
Read full news here
https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2024/germany-collabrates-with-israel-to-develops-heron-reco-uav

Primo volo nello spazio aereo tedesco del German Heron TP - Airbus Defence and Space ed Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) hanno annunciato congiuntamente che il German Heron TP (GHTP), prodotto dall'UAV PEO presso la Direzione della Difesa, Ricerca e Sviluppo dell'IMoD (Ministero della Difesa di Israele) e di IAI, ha volato oggi (15.05.2024) per la prima volta nello spazio aereo tedesco.
Il sistema aereo a pilotaggio remoto (RPAS) è stato personal...

https://preview.redd.it/qyqda90d2h0d1.jpg?width=1100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3f48440877eff74e0e0dad1f805fcd8b7ea5d39

Game Information

• Game Name: Halo Infinite
• Release Date: December 8, 2021
• Story Length: 9 Hours
• Completionist Length: 25 Hours
• Setting/World-Type: Sci-Fi Open World
• Genre/Sub-Genre: First-person shooter
• Perspective: First-person
• Development Engine: Slipspace Engine

https://preview.redd.it/457v3qza2h0d1.jpg?width=1140&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=66d203fd719bea8c6b3a18b956d07d1053d912b3

Game Publisher and Developer Information

• Developer: 343 Industries
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
• Headquarters Location: Redmond, Washington, United States
• Director: Pierre Hintze
• Lead Producers: Chris Hager, Brian Lemon, and Casey Marissa Wu
• Writers: Dan Chosich, Paul Crocker, Jeff Easterling, Aaron Linde
• Technical Director: David Berger
• Design Director: Max Szlagor

https://preview.redd.it/0qa55nag2h0d1.jpg?width=3840&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37c4ddbd760fd4e3ecd1e3b8903ea84dbad6ff16

STORY ATMOSPHERE LORE - 100/100

During the boarding of the UNSC Infinity supercarrier, Master Chief is thrown into space by Atriox, leader of the Banished. The Banished are a mercenary group that was previously part of the Covenant but broke away due to disagreements with the Covenant leadership. You’re eventually rescued by the Pilot, a survivor of the attack, who reluctantly assists the Master Chief in his mission to take down Atriox and the Banished. After destroying the warship, Chief is picked up by the Pilot, and they head down to Zeta Halo to search for a “weapon” in the mysteriously damaged portion of the ring. With these two introductory missions out of the way, you’re introduced to Halo Infinite’s vibrant yet dangerous open world. Across the 16-story missions, you will find yourself going across Zeta Halo and into the depths of the Forerunner installation.
The campaign features wide and sprawling open fields, claustrophobic underground facilities, and everything in between. The pacing of missions in Infinite is well done and isn’t too fast or slow. Missions are not too long, and you can expect to spend about 11 and a half hours on Zeta Halo when focusing on the main objectives, making it the longest campaign to date, according to HowLongToBeat. When looking to see everything the game has to offer, it’s estimated to take around 27 and a half hours to finish.
Knowing the lore behind the factions only adds to how enjoyable it is to fight against each enemy. For example, Brutes are always looking to fight opponents of noteworthy strength, so they approach battles with the Master Chief with bravado and are often happy to battle with the Spartans. Jackals, on the other hand, are typically pirates and mercenaries and will remark about claiming the bounty on Master Chief during combat. They go as far as commenting on canon events during combat, which is a first for the series. For example, Grunts will sometimes taunt you with a remark about the events of Halo: Reach by saying, “Hey Spartan, Reach called! Just kidding - ha!” Sometimes, Grunts dab after killing you, making them even more hilarious to fight. The colorful personalities that make up the Banished mercenaries make them feel more alive and like real characters you’re battling against. Previous Halo games had less personality-oriented enemies whose combat chatter became repetitive and didn’t make for a marginally more interesting battle.

GAMEPLAY - 95/100

WEAPONS

Since Halo: Combat Evolved, a damage system consisting of Kinetic and Plasma has been in place. Hardlight didn’t make a place for itself until Halo 4 and Shock Damage had its inception in Halo Infinite. Most human-made weapons deal Kinetic damage, which is effective at taking down unshielded enemies like Grunts, while Plasma works best against shields. Hardlight is good against any enemy regardless of their shield status, but the weapons and ammo are few and far between. Shock damage arcs between targets and is great for groups of Banished and their vehicles. As the newest addition to the weapon ecosystem, it makes a powerful statement when used in the midst of battle. Much like previous Halo installments, having only two weapon slots forces you into giving encounters some forethought since you’ll want to be properly prepared for the skirmish. It also makes you have to sacrifice certain weapons and pick up others to gain the upper hand in a fight, especially when facing a boss. Ammo resupplies aren’t new to Halo, but the ability to refill certain ammo like rockets without picking up a duplicate of the weapon is new to the series.
As a first for the series, the open-world design makes the open-battlefield style fights from previous games even more exciting by allowing different approaches to fights to be more viable. Previous installments of the series pitted Master Chief against enemies in arena-style fights, which had a repeating cycle of short battles and then exposition. Infinite has a different sense of balance between combat and exposition. One minute, you’re riding along through the ring, and suddenly you stumble upon a battle between Banished forces and surviving Marines. All hell breaks loose. In prior installments, you knew when combat would start due to the layout of an area, but in Halo Infinite, it’s less predictable but in the best way possible. It brings the ringworld to life and has a sense of curiosity as to what you’ll find yourself in next, similar to random encounters in other RPGs.

ENEMIES

In a first for the series, boss fights also make an appearance in the campaign. The boss fights in the story force you to take the damage system seriously because, without them, you’re bound to have a hard time. The bosses come with their own special fighting style. For example, the Spartan Killers, Hyperius and Tovarus, are both battled at the same time in the mission ‘Pelican Down.’ Hyperius wields a unique Ravager, S7 sniper, and rides a Chopper, while his brother Tovarus has a Scrap Cannon and spike grenades. Fighting both at the same time proves to be a mighty challenge since you’re in an open area with limited weaponry. Each boss has an arena that puts you at a disadvantage, like when you fight the invisible, energy sword-wielding Elite, Chak ’Lok, in a small room full of smoke. Another example would be fighting against the lightning-fast Harbinger in the final mission, along with her incredibly difficult waves of enemies. The bosses come in all forms of Banished and remain a constant threat in both main missions and side objectives.
Although the bosses are difficult, Halo Infinite’s standard enemies pose their own threats and must be handled differently. For example, Jackals have to be dealt with quickly since they often show up with marksman rifles that deal heavy damage. Elites are easily recognized by their tall stature and signature mandibles. They’re honor-bound Captains of the Banished whose inspiring presence makes their soldiers more emboldened and less fearful. Taking them out makes the rest of the battle much more manageable. Grunts are the small and frightened cannon fodder of the Banished who often run in fear when their higher-ups are defeated.

UPGRADES

One of the other new additions to the campaign is an upgrade system. Master Chief can now upgrade parts of his kit to make his gadgets much more powerful by finding and acquiring Spartan Cores. Become a walking tank by upgrading your shield to absorb more damage before breaking or greatly improve the agility of Chief by reducing the cooldown between uses of the Grappleshot. Reduced cooldown is an absolute must if you plan on playing around with the grappling hook during combat since waiting for it to recharge can mean life or death. All of the upgrades play their parts and can be integral to having a battle go your way. The Threat sensor can be upgraded to have a permanent mark on the enemy along with a visible health bar. The Drop Wall can have its strength increased and add shock damage to projectiles you fire through it. Finally, the thruster can increase its dodge distance and give you a cloak effect after use. Each ability upgrade plays into how well you’ll perform during a fight since not using them can cause you to take a lot more damage.

OUTPOSTS

Those aren’t the only new changes Infinite brings to the table. Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) are another new addition to the map. They appear as outposts you can claim during your fight against the Banished and serve as fast travel points. Alongside these FOBs comes a currency known as Valor. Valor is earned through completing the various side missions available across Zeta Halo. The currency allows you to unlock supplies and weapons to aid you in dominating the Banished and the battlefield. Your hard-earned Valor needs only to be spent once for unlimited access to the requisitions. From the simple yet reliable Sidekick sidearm all the way to the big bad behemoth of ground warfare, the Scorpion, Valor enables you to bring out any sort of weapon or vehicle for any scenario.

SIDE OBJECTIVE

The open world of Zeta Halo also has many side missions available, such as hunting down high-value targets (HVTs), rescuing UNSC Marines, and capturing abandoned outposts. These missions can be a great break from the story or provide much-needed Valor to help during the story. Undertaking a High-Value Target mission is as simple as going to the marked location and killing the target. The bosses appear as various types of Banished, and each has its own dossier with backstory and potentially useful information, such as strengths, weaknesses, and potential combat strategies. The HVTs also carry a unique weapon that drops when their wielder is defeated and can be purchased with valor for use during missions. When you’re not taking Banished lives, you can instead save those of the survivors of the UNSC Infinity’s crash. The Marine survivors will usually be engaging Banished troops, and it’s your job to make sure they survive. Upon saving the Marines, you’ll be rewarded with Valor as well as some new comrades who are willing to ride in vehicles and fight with you. Aside from the HVT hunting and marine distress signals, outposts are also available. Each Outpost offers several different objectives that need to be completed in order to shut down the facility. The objectives vary depending on the function of the Outpost, and completing a task can cause enemy reinforcement. Similarly to FOBs, the Outposts act as fast travel points after they’re finished and can be used to call in supplies unlocked through Valor.

FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER - 80/100

As a first-person shooter, Halo Infinite’s campaign excels at the traditional formula while adding new gameplay elements like boss fights. In these additions, Infinite delivers a fun and memorable combination of well-paced storytelling and solid gameplay. The RPG elements, like armor upgrades, make for a more engaging experience by giving an enticing reason to explore the levels and open world of Zeta Halo. All of these elements come together and deliver an amazing FPS game that doesn’t disappoint.

GRAPHICS ART DIRECTION - 95/100

Halo Infinite is the most graphically advanced Halo to date thanks to the new Slipspace engine, which allows it to outshine the previous installments by providing new and updated visuals. The engine enables excellent use of volumetric lighting, giving the interiors beautiful rays of light that shine through cracks and around objects. Each of these components lends itself to the world of Zeta Halo and makes it a true marvel to look at. Indoor sections feel realistic through their use of volumetric lighting and high-resolution textures. These elements make the walk through Forerunner facilities feel strange and alien as the lights twist and turn while you maneuver through the halls. Master Chief's damaged armor looks amazing in the cutscenes, where it looks battered and beat from the various battles the suit has seen. Compared to Halo 5, it’s far more appealing in the lighting and detail while remaining much more realistic with its high-resolution textures. It’s small things like this that make all the difference in how you perceive the game and the time put into it.
The art design of the levels works great in conjunction with the Forerunner plot elements introduced in Halo 4 as the beginning of the Reclaimer Saga. We see a lot of the Forerunner technology at work through things like bridges appearing as you approach and the Forerunner Sentinels flying overhead and working on repairs within facilities. These seemingly small details play a big role in making the factions more believable while also allowing the world to feel unique. While some levels in other Halo games felt a little too similar to one another in some cases, each level in Infinite feels completely different while retaining the identity of Halo Infinite. Compared to the first mission, where the halls of the Banished ship are claustrophobic and limit movement while eliciting the feeling of having a daunting task ahead, ‘Silent Auditorium’ brings you within a massive Forerunner facility that feels larger than life and has a feeling of finality to it.
The larger-than-life buildings of the Forerunners combined with the shiny silver exterior that makes up their facilities make for very regal settings. When paired with the grand and open interiors, the areas provide a majestic feeling and truly make the sci-fi notion come to life. The Banished forces come with their own unique looks as well, with their scarlet armor providing a contrast to the environment that allows for them to be easily distinguished from the background. The scarlet of their armor compliments their ferocity in battle since the Banished aren’t ones to run away from conflict, even with Master Chief.

REPLAYABILITY - 85/100

One of the best parts of Halo campaigns is how replayable they are. Whether you’re playing alone or with a friend at your side, the story of Halo Infinite is captivating and gripping enough to make it worth a few extra playthroughs. The side missions and the optional bosses are plentiful enough that you may not be able to complete the extra objectives in a single run. Aside from a completionist run, you can also try your hand at the infamous LASO challenge. LASO, standing for Legendary All Skulls On, is the ultimate test of your Halo skills and can be as infuriating as it is gratifying once you make it through a section. LASO is just one of many challenging ways the community has made Halo replayable and always a fresh experience. Master Chief’s journey on Zeta Halo is easy to jump back into even after beating it and is great if you’re looking to experience a quality storyline in a fan-favorite universe.

FUN FACTOR - 95/100

The Halo Infinite campaign is incredibly fun and makes for a memorable experience with all of its new additions. Between the classic and new formula for Halo, it finds itself in the middle, where new gameplay elements mesh together with the traditional style seamlessly. The game succeeds at giving you fun new things to play around with while remaining true to the original Halo style. You’ll find the most fun moments when the gameplay finally ‘clicks’ and you manage to pull off that awesome sniper shot or kill that boss that’s been giving you trouble. It’s such a satisfying feeling when you manage to latch onto a Brute chopper with the Grappleshot and yank the Banished out of their vehicles. It feels straight out of a movie and makes you truly immerse yourself in the incredible feats Master Chief is known to pull off. These moments of triumph are what add up to making the campaign so fun and can keep you coming back for more.

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE - 97/100

Through the time played on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X, the game was incredibly well optimized. The graphics were noticeably different between the two generations, but it’s to be expected with the hardware differences. The game ran as smoothly as ever from the beginning to the end of the campaign. The Xbox One had some intermittent lag and stutter, but it wasn’t enough to impact gameplay significantly. The game ran very consistently throughout the campaign experience and made for a very enjoyable experience since it suffered no crashes.

CREATIVE REVIEW

Halo Infinite, released on December 8, 2021, is an ambitious follow-up to 2015’s Halo 5: Guardians. The game began development by 343 Industries just three years later. This sci-fi first-person shooter is the third installment in the Reclaimer Saga that began with Halo 4 and was published by Xbox Game Studios. Infinite was intended to be a launch release for the Xbox Series XS but was delayed due to internal conflict on development decisions. This installment utilizes the new Slipspace engine in conjunction with Faber, a set of developer tools with some of its components dating back to the early 2000s. Since its release, the campaign has been the subject of critical acclaim, with many praising the innovations the new story brought with it. An open world, new armor abilities, and a new faction all come with the installment’s 28-hour story mode. On the other hand, the free-to-play multiplayer was heavily criticized for its lack of content at launch. Since then, Infinite’s multiplayer has gone through several seasons, each of them introducing new content and different cosmetics to obtain through battle pass progression.
When I booted up the campaign for the first time, I couldn’t help but reminisce on all the good times I had both solo and with friends in previous installments. Memories like Grifball on Halo: Reach, dying four thousand times to Jackal Snipers on Halo 2, and Arbiter saving Chief with a flamethrower in Halo 3. I went in expecting something at least a little better than the catastrophe of Halo 5, but instead, I was met with something very different and unique for the series. Let’s start from the beginning: the opening cutscene and mission one. While Chief is known to be one of gaming’s coolest characters, he got humbled extremely quickly. The scene opens with pure chaos ensuing. There’s fire, plasma, and bullets flying everywhere, and Chief is at the center of it all. I felt like a kid in a candy shop, watching him skillfully maneuver and take down several opponents. That is until the big baddie of the Banished came along. The following encounter between Atriox and Master Chief was absolute humiliation for the mean green killing machine. Atriox grabs him, beats him with his admittedly cool hammer, drags Master Chief through the hangar, and then throws him into space. I was in pure shock as to how Chief just got beaten like nothing. Isn’t he a ‘hyper-lethal’ class Spartan? Maybe it was because he got caught off guard. Regardless, I just watched my childhood get thrown to his presumable death, and I wanted revenge.
Mission one sees us go in a Banished Warship to free the Pelican that Echo-216 saved us with from certain doom. It was straightforward, and I got a good glimpse of that classic Halo gameplay loop so many of us loved: Exploration, combat, and then some exposition. It’s a simple yet effective formula that kept me engaged the whole game. In this opening mission, we get introduced to the newest piece of equipment: the Grappleshot. While simple, it plays a huge role in every aspect of this game. As I got the hang of using it, I found that I could use it for more effective maneuverability in combat, something I did the entire game, which saved me many times. I got to the control room and promptly blew the ship to Smithereens, which left me feeling a lot of satisfaction as I mentally recovered from seeing Chief beaten up by Atriox. After the Banished Warship and one other mission, we get to explore the open world of Zeta Halo.
The world is exciting and fun to explore while supporting characters and cutscenes only add to the already gripping story. I quickly fell in love with the campaign and its characters in a way I hadn’t felt since Halo 4. When I wasn’t doing one of the story missions, I was out, causing a ruckus with the side missions. The High-Value Target missions were personal favorites that you’ll love if you’re a fan of boss fights, something Infinite doesn’t shy away from and has plenty of. Each fight feels like a real challenge since they all put you at a distinct disadvantage, like the Pelican Down mission, where you fight Hyperius and Tovarus at the same time with limited space and weaponry. This challenge translated well into a stark contrast between regular enemies and bosses. It made the bosses really feel threatening, a feeling I felt most games lacked since the fight with General Raam way back in the first Gears of War. There were countless battles, a lot of dying, and tons of fun to be had.
By the time I reached the Silent Auditorium, I had amassed an arsenal of weapons that I thought would make it a piece of cake. Spoiler alert: it was far from easy. I struggled on this mission quite a bit and had to take a break and tackle it again the next day. There were tons of enemies of varying calibers and carrying a lot of guns, but that was nothing new for a final Halo mission. It feels like enemy AI was much better this time around due to technological improvements and level designs largely being in favor of the Banished. The Silent Auditorium is a beautiful but deadly level that kept me on my toes and gave me a real sense of finality and importance as I made my way through the Banished army, protecting the final boss. It really makes you utilize every bit of tech and upgrade you’ve gotten up to this point. I had to throw down many Drop Walls, use a lot of Grappleshots to run away and heal, and use more Threat Sensors than I could count. Eventually, I got to the final boss with little ammo and very small amounts of optimism about the upcoming fight. The reasoning is spoiler-heavy, so I won’t say much, but when you get ready for this mission, come prepared to die a lot.
Halo Infinite had a rocky beginning but has a bright future ahead of it so long as 343 Industries keeps up the amazing work they’ve been doing during the past and current seasons. The campaign is on par with the original trilogy, which many consider to be the pinnacle of the series. It manages to define itself as a fantastic third entry to the Reclaimer Saga that had a rough start with the release of Halo 4 and the negatively received Halo 5: Guardians. While the campaign introduces some things that may initially turn away long-time fans, the gameplay and new additions make the story able to be experienced in a new and unique way. This is only furthered by a fantastic upgrade system that keeps you in the fight against an enemy that hits hard and can take a punch. The level design choices utilize the new gameplay additions like the Grappling Hook to their full extent and encourage you to play around with your new toys, see what strikes your fancy, and master their uses. Likewise, the multiplayer has a lot of charm. The addition of new weapons, new maps, and new modes add up and make for an awesome bout of fun with friends or even by yourself. The seasonal releases and cosmetics for the multiplayer only add to the fun with what many consider to be the best customization received since Halo: Reach. It may have been roughly criticized in the beginning, but it’s clear that 343 Industries took the criticism and set out to give Infinite the makeover of a lifetime. Halo Infinite surpasses expectations while remaining humble in its delivery of an unforgettable campaign and an equally addicting multiplayer that keeps many of us coming back for more. It’s amazing to see how far the game has come since its beta, and it’s hard to contain the excitement that comes with pondering what comes next.

SCORE SUMMARY - 92/100

Halo Infinite is a fantastic entry into one of the most well-known gaming series, and it delivers on nearly every front in its campaign. The cutscenes are beautiful, the RPG elements are prevalent but not overpowering, and the core gameplay is reminiscent of classic Halo. The campaign is easily one of the best entries in the series and delivers a stellar game in all aspects.
https://preview.redd.it/7efzm81s2h0d1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=74b6dc6501766d0d0b7dba6dd892f4b232353ee1
Roland Martinez
Reviewer
Favorite Game: Gears of War

Company: Airbus
Location: Bengaluru, India 📍
Date Posted: May 14, 2024 📅
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