First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II Declares its Monthly Common Share Distribution of $0.097 Per Share for May
Fund Distribution Announcement: First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II has declared a monthly distribution of $0.097 per share, payable on May 15, 2025, with an ex-dividend date of May 1, 2025. The distribution consists of net investment income and return of capital.
Investment Strategy and Risks: The Fund primarily invests in senior secured floating-rate corporate loans, focusing on high current income while preserving capital. However, it carries significant risks including market fluctuations, credit risk from below investment grade securities, and potential declines in asset value due to economic downturns.
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Navy Abandons Plans for Controversial Warship Design
Navy's Warship Orders Cancelled: The U.S. Navy is canceling orders for four new warships due to extensive design modifications that delayed construction by years.
End of Constellation-class Program: This cancellation marks the end of the planned Constellation-class frigate program, which was initially ordered from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in 2020.
Ongoing Construction: The contractor will continue work on two ships that are already under construction despite the cancellation of the additional four.
Focus on Faster Designs: The Navy aims to free up resources to focus on vessels that can be designed and assembled more quickly.
Fincantieri Sees Revenue Growth Fueled by 85% Increase in Submarine Sector
Revenue Growth: Fincantieri reported a 20.5% increase in revenue for the first nine months of the year, reaching 6.72 billion euros ($7.78 billion).
Underwater Business Surge: The significant revenue growth was largely driven by an 85% increase in its underwater business segment.
Military Contracts: The company is currently engaged in building the fifth and sixth Constellation-class frigates for the U.S. Navy.
Comparison to Previous Year: The revenue figures reflect a comparison to the same period in 2024, indicating strong performance year-over-year.
Rheinmetall Stock Soars Following $4 Billion Order for Combat Vehicles, Signaling Increased Defense Spending
Rheinmetall's Stock Surge: Shares in German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall rose significantly following a major order for defense products, indicating increased demand in Europe.
Joint Venture Success: The order, valued at 3.41 billion euros ($3.97 billion), was awarded to Artec, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Germany, with Rheinmetall receiving nearly 3 billion euros of the total.
Europe Is Racing to Build Its Own Version of the U.S. Military-Industrial Complex
Germany's Defense Investment Proposal: Germany has requested the European Union to activate an emergency clause that would allow defense investments to be exempt from spending rules as part of a five-year rearmament plan.
Rising Military Expenditure in Europe: Global defense spending saw its largest increase since the Cold War, with Europe being the primary contributor, and NATO members are projected to potentially add between €700 billion to €2 trillion in military spending by 2030.
Meloni, Europe’s Trump Whisperer, Tries Her Hand on Tariffs
Italian Prime Minister's Meeting with Trump: Giorgia Meloni is preparing to negotiate with President Trump, who has paused tariffs above 10%, marking her as the first European leader to meet him since "Liberation Day."
Light-hearted Approach: Meloni is attempting to approach her diplomatic mission with a sense of humor despite the significant implications of the negotiations.
The Warship That Shows Why the U.S. Navy Is Falling Behind China
Navy Frigate Contract: A Wisconsin shipyard was awarded a contract in 2020 to build a new class of Navy frigate, the USS Constellation, aimed at improving the U.S. shipbuilding capabilities which have lagged globally.
Design and Timeline: The USS Constellation is set to be equipped with advanced weaponry and is expected to be operational by 2026, utilizing a proven design from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to expedite the construction process.
Navy Abandons Plans for Controversial Warship Design
Navy's Warship Orders Cancelled: The U.S. Navy is canceling orders for four new warships due to extensive design modifications that delayed construction by years.
End of Constellation-class Program: This cancellation marks the end of the planned Constellation-class frigate program, which was initially ordered from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in 2020.
Ongoing Construction: The contractor will continue work on two ships that are already under construction despite the cancellation of the additional four.
Focus on Faster Designs: The Navy aims to free up resources to focus on vessels that can be designed and assembled more quickly.
Fincantieri Sees Revenue Growth Fueled by 85% Increase in Submarine Sector
Revenue Growth: Fincantieri reported a 20.5% increase in revenue for the first nine months of the year, reaching 6.72 billion euros ($7.78 billion).
Underwater Business Surge: The significant revenue growth was largely driven by an 85% increase in its underwater business segment.
Military Contracts: The company is currently engaged in building the fifth and sixth Constellation-class frigates for the U.S. Navy.
Comparison to Previous Year: The revenue figures reflect a comparison to the same period in 2024, indicating strong performance year-over-year.
Rheinmetall Stock Soars Following $4 Billion Order for Combat Vehicles, Signaling Increased Defense Spending
Rheinmetall's Stock Surge: Shares in German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall rose significantly following a major order for defense products, indicating increased demand in Europe.
Joint Venture Success: The order, valued at 3.41 billion euros ($3.97 billion), was awarded to Artec, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Germany, with Rheinmetall receiving nearly 3 billion euros of the total.
Europe Is Racing to Build Its Own Version of the U.S. Military-Industrial Complex
Germany's Defense Investment Proposal: Germany has requested the European Union to activate an emergency clause that would allow defense investments to be exempt from spending rules as part of a five-year rearmament plan.
Rising Military Expenditure in Europe: Global defense spending saw its largest increase since the Cold War, with Europe being the primary contributor, and NATO members are projected to potentially add between €700 billion to €2 trillion in military spending by 2030.
Meloni, Europe’s Trump Whisperer, Tries Her Hand on Tariffs
Italian Prime Minister's Meeting with Trump: Giorgia Meloni is preparing to negotiate with President Trump, who has paused tariffs above 10%, marking her as the first European leader to meet him since "Liberation Day."
Light-hearted Approach: Meloni is attempting to approach her diplomatic mission with a sense of humor despite the significant implications of the negotiations.
The Warship That Shows Why the U.S. Navy Is Falling Behind China
Navy Frigate Contract: A Wisconsin shipyard was awarded a contract in 2020 to build a new class of Navy frigate, the USS Constellation, aimed at improving the U.S. shipbuilding capabilities which have lagged globally.
Design and Timeline: The USS Constellation is set to be equipped with advanced weaponry and is expected to be operational by 2026, utilizing a proven design from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to expedite the construction process.
