sells

Starbucks has announced it will sell the majority stake in its Chinese business for $4bn to a Hong Kong-based private equity firm after years of losing market share to local competitors in China.

Starbucks announced the sale on Monday, which will see the firm Boyu Capital take a 60 percent stake in its Chinese retail operations through a joint venture.

Boyu Capital has offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore, and its cofounders include Alvin Jiang, the grandson of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, according to the Reuters news agency.

The US coffee giant will retain a 40 percent interest in its China operations while maintaining its ownership of the company’s brand and intellectual property, the company said.

The deal marks a “new chapter” in Starbucks’s 26-year-long history in China, the company said in a statement.

It will also give Starbucks a much-needed injection of funding and logistical support as it tries to expand its business deeper into China, according to Jason Yu, the Shanghai-based managing director of CTR Market Research.

Starbucks has 8,000 locations across China, but it aspires to open as many as 20,000 through its joint venture, the company said in a statement.

“Starbucks used to be a pioneer in coffee in China, where it was probably the first coffee chain in many cities, but this is no longer the case as the local competition already outpaced Starbucks in their expansion,” Yu told Al Jazeera.

Top competitors include homegrown Luckin Coffee, which has more than 26,000 locations worldwide, mostly in China.

Starbucks has historically been concentrated in first- and second-tier cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen while Luckin has expanded into much smaller cities.

Luckin has also built a reputation around offering customers much cheaper drinks than Starbucks through its loyalty programme and in-app discounts.

A small Americano coffee at Starbucks costs 30 yuan ($4.21), but at Luckin, the same drink retails on average for about 10 yuan ($1.40), according to Yu.

Olivia Plotnick, founder of the Shanghai-based social marketing company Wai Social, told Al Jazeera that Starbucks has been unable to keep up with competitive pricing and consumer preferences.

“Between domestic players such as Luckin and later Cotti Coffee undercutting Starbucks on price, footprint and flavour fuelled by tech, wider beverage competition from the rise of milk tea brands and delivery platform wars, Starbucks have lost their once very competitive edge,” Plotnick said. By “delivery platform wars”, Plotnick referred to the cutthroat competition between apps for delivery services that drives down prices of goods like coffee.

Starbucks’s joint venture with Boyu Capital will offer the company more capital for investment but also help with logistics, infrastructure and managing commercial property as it opens more storefronts in regional cities, Yu said.

The company is following a familiar playbook used by other international brands in China, he said.

In 2016, after a major food safety scandal, KFC and Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands sold a stake in their China business to the China-based Primavera Capital and an affiliate of the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, according to Reuters. The China business was later spun off into an independent entity.

In 2017, McDonald’s sold off a majority stake in its China, Hong Kong and Macau businesses to the Chinese state-backed conglomerate CITIC and the private equity group Carlyle Capital although it later bought back some of its business, according to CNBC.

After the deal with CITIC, McDonald’s doubled its outlets in China to 5,500 as of late 2023, CNBC said, and aims to open 10,000 restaurants by 2028.

What happened

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated October 15, 2025, Harbor Capital Advisors reduced its position in F5, Inc. (FFIV -0.88%) by 51,177 shares in Q3 2025. The estimated trade value was $16.02 million in Q3 2025. After the sale, Harbor Capital Advisors reported holding 17,112 shares, valued at $5.53 million as of September 30, 2025.

What else to know

This was a sell; the post-trade stake is 0.43% of Harbor Capital Advisors’ 13F reportable AUM in Q3 2025

Top five holdings after the filing:

IVV: $49,147,000 (3.8% of AUM on September 30, 2025)

EEM: $38,429,000 (3.0% of AUM on September 30, 2025)

EFA: $28.28 million (2.2% of AUM on September 30, 2025)

NVDA: $27,224,000 (2.1% of AUM on September 30, 2025)

GOOGL: $26,539,000 (2.1% of AUM on September 30, 2025)

On October 14, 2025, F5 shares were priced at $343.17, up 56.39% year-over-year on October 14, 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 by 39.89 percentage points over the one-year period ending October 14, 2025.

The fund reported 1,339 total positions and $1.29 billion in U.S. equity AUM in Q3 2025.

Company overview

Company snapshot

Provides multi-cloud application security and delivery products, including BIG-IP appliances, NGINX software, DDoS protection, and fraud prevention solutions.

Generates revenue from sales of software, hardware, and related services.

Serves large enterprises, public sector institutions, governments, and service providers globally through direct sales and channel partners.

F5 is a leading provider of application security and delivery solutions, enabling organizations to secure, optimize, and manage applications across on-premises and cloud environments. The company leverages a diverse portfolio of hardware and software offerings to address complex security and performance requirements for mission-critical applications. With a global customer base and partnerships with major cloud providers, F5 delivers application security and delivery solutions.

Foolish take

Before Harbor Capital Advisors sold most of its F5 stake during the third quarter, it was the firm’s ninth largest holding and worth about 0.8% of the total portfolio. From the end of the second quarter through the end of the third quarter this year, Harbor Capital’s portfolio shrank from $2.4 billion down to $1.3 billion.

Harbor Capital Advisors’ sale of F5 stock in the third quarter seems prescient. Shares of the cybersecurity business that aims to secure every application and its corresponding application programming interface (API) recently tanked.

On Oct. 15, F5, Inc. admitted in an SEC filing that unidentified threat actors broke into its systems and stole some important files. According to the company, the attackers are believed to have been in its network for at least 12 months. The stock is down by about 13% since Oct. 14.

F5 expects to report its fiscal fourth quarter results on Oct. 27, 2025, after the market closes.

Glossary

13F reportable AUM: Assets under management that must be reported quarterly to the SEC by institutional investment managers on Form 13F.
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of investments managed on behalf of clients by a fund or institution.
Post-trade position: The number of shares or value of a holding remaining after a trade has been executed.
Stake: The proportion or amount of ownership an investor or fund holds in a particular company.
Top five holdings: The five largest investments in a fund’s portfolio, ranked by market value.
Outperforming: Achieving a higher return or growth rate compared to a benchmark or index over a specific period.
Channel partners: Third-party companies or organizations that help a business sell its products or services.
Multi-cloud: Using multiple cloud computing services from different providers within a single architecture or organization.
Direct sales: Sales made directly from the company to the customer, without intermediaries.
Mission-critical applications: Software or systems essential to the core function and operation of an organization.
DDoS protection: Security solutions designed to prevent or mitigate distributed denial-of-service attacks that disrupt online services.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

As many stock market observers know, Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway has been a net seller of stocks. The most notable sale has been Apple. That position made up over 40% of the portfolio at one time, but the share has since fallen to around 22%.

What investors need to understand is that the selling does not mean Buffett’s team isn’t buying stocks at all. One notable recent purchase has been Domino’s Pizza (DPZ -0.03%). The stock’s past gains and its value proposition have likely inspired this investment, and such optimism warrants a closer look at the business and the stock to see if it is a suitable choice for average investors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Berkshire Hathaway and Domino’s

Domino’s has returned more than 6,500% in stock gains and dividend payments since it went public in 2004. Most investors, including Berkshire Hathaway, have missed out on most of those gains, but Berkshire’s bets could indicate that significant upside remains.

DPZ Total Return Level data by YCharts

Buffett’s company began buying Domino’s shares in the third quarter of 2024 and has increased its position size in every quarter since that time. Today, it holds just over 2.6 million shares, or about 7.75% of the outstanding shares.

Another possible factor in Berkshire’s investment in Domino’s is that it is the world’s largest pizza chain, boasting 21,750 locations globally as of the end of fiscal Q3. Despite that success, investors may question why an investor would want to get into a business like pizza, which at least in theory, has low barriers to entry.

However, no other pizza business has grown to the same size, and one can find the kinds of competitive advantages that attract investors like Buffett when looking at Domino’s more closely.

One key part of Domino’s is its franchise model. This enables the chain to open a large number of locations with a relatively small amount of capital, leveraging high brand recognition to drive business.

Moreover, it offers a digital-first approach, which makes ordering easier and capitalizes on route planning for faster deliveries. Additionally, an efficient supply chain helps standardize food quality and costs, increasing consistency across locations.

Furthermore, despite a global footprint, Domino’s adapts its menu to suit local tastes, and new offerings such as parmesan-stuffed crust or added customization options keep its customers coming back to Domino’s.

The financial case for Domino’s

Buffett’s team was likely also drawn by its financial metrics. Indeed, with its global footprint, the maturity of the business appears to make it more of a value stock.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2025 (ended Sept. 8), revenue of $3.4 billion rose by 4%. Nonetheless, during that time, its free cash flow of $496 million surged 32% higher over the same timeframe. Gains on assets and lower capital expenditures bolstered that cash position.

Additionally, that free cash flow easily covered the company’s $119 million in dividend costs in the first nine months of the fiscal year. At $6.96 per share, its 1.6% dividend yield is well above the 1.2% average for the S&P 500. Buffett’s team also probably liked its 13-year history of payout hikes, a trend that makes further annual payout hikes likely to continue.

Investors should also take note of the pizza chain’s valuation. Its P/E ratio of 25 is below the company’s five-year average earnings multiple of 30. Also, since its P/E ratio has not fallen significantly below 25 since the early 2010s, one can assume that Domino’s stock sells at a reasonable price.

Should you follow Berkshire Hathaway into Domino’s stock?

Given the state of the company, investors can likely make a prudent move by following Berkshire Hathaway into Domino’s stock.

Indeed, a 6,500% total return over the stock’s history may cause some prospective buyers to shy away, particularly because of the competitive nature of the pizza industry.

However, Domino’s brand recognition and its focus on franchising, operational efficiency, and a robust supply chain give the company a competitive advantage. Moreover, investors can buy the stock at a relatively reasonable price and collect an above-average dividend yield.

In the end, even if Domino’s does not generate excitement, the stock is likely to cook up rising dividends and market-beating returns over time.

On Thursday, Bartlett & Co. Wealth Management LLC disclosed that it reduced its position in TJX Companies (TJX 0.67%), selling shares for an estimated $2.5 million based on the average price for the quarter ended September 30.

What Happened

Bartlett & Co. Wealth Management reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing released on Thursday, that it reduced its holdings in TJX Companies (TJX 0.67%) by 19,095 shares. The estimated value of the shares sold was approximately $2.5 million based on the average price for the quarter ended September 30.

What Else to Know

This was a sell, leaving Bartlett’s TJX stake at 2% of the fund’s 13F reportable assets under management.

Top holdings after the filing:

• NASDAQ:MSFT: $508.1 million (6.4% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:GOOGL: $442.8 million (5.6% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:AAPL: $434.3 million (5.5% of AUM)
• NYSE:BRK-B: $399.9 million (5.1% of AUM)
• NYSE:PG: $332.4 million (4.2% of AUM)

As of Monday afternoon, shares were priced at $141.77, up 23% over the past year and well outperforming the S&P 500’s nearly 14% gain.

Company Overview

Company Snapshot

• TJX Companies offers off-price apparel, footwear, accessories, and home fashions through brands including T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense.
• It operates a high-volume, value-driven retail model focused on sourcing branded merchandise at significant discounts and selling through a broad store network and e-commerce platforms.
• The company serves value-conscious consumers in North America, Europe, and Australia, with a diversified portfolio and substantial e-commerce presence.

TJX Companies is a leading global off-price retailer with a broad geographic reach and a focus on delivering branded merchandise at value prices, supporting consistent revenue growth and profitability.

Foolish Take

Bartlett & Co. Wealth Management’s $2.5 million trim of its TJX Companies position might reflect a modest rebalancing rather than a loss of conviction in one of retail’s most resilient players. Even after the sale, TJX remains one of Bartlett’s top consumer holdings, backed by a track record of consistent growth and a loyal value-oriented customer base.

TJX has outperformed much of the retail sector this year, with shares up more than 20% year-over-year following strong fiscal second-quarter results. The off-price retailer reported 7% revenue growth to $14.4 billion and earnings per share up 15% to $1.10. Comparable store sales rose 4%, led by strength at HomeGoods and international banners. The company also raised full-year guidance for profit margin and EPS, projecting continued growth through the holiday season.

With a global footprint exceeding 5,100 stores, TJX’s mix of flexibility, scale, and customer loyalty continues to drive performance. For Bartlett, the reduction likely reflects profit-taking after a sustained run rather than a bearish view on the retailer’s fundamentals.

Glossary

13F reportable assets under management (AUM): The total value of securities a fund must report quarterly to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 13F.

Position: The amount of a particular security or asset held by an investor or fund.

Top holdings: The largest investments in a fund’s portfolio, usually by market value or percentage of assets.

Outperformed: Delivered a higher return compared to a specific benchmark or index over a given period.

Off-price retailer: A retailer selling branded goods at prices lower than traditional retail stores, often through discount sourcing.

Stake: The ownership interest or investment a person or entity holds in a company.

Value-driven retail model: A business approach focused on offering products at lower prices to attract cost-conscious consumers.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

Fund: A pooled investment vehicle managed by professionals, investing in various assets on behalf of clients.

Trade: The act of buying or selling a security or asset in the financial markets.

Franklin Street Advisors disclosed an exit from Intuitive Surgical (ISRG -0.92%) in its latest SEC filing for the quarter ended September 30, selling 42,601 shares for an estimated $23.2 million.

What Happened

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission released on Thursday, Franklin Street Advisors sold its entire holding in Intuitive Surgical, divesting 42,601 shares. The estimated value of the transaction, calculated using the average market price during the quarter, was approximately $23.2 million.

What Else to Know

Franklin Street Advisors’ Intuitive Surgical position previously comprised 1.4% of the fund’s 13F assets.

Top holdings after the filing:

• NVDA: $132.2 million (7.6% of AUM)
• MSFT: $115.2 million (6.6% of AUM)
• AAPL: $110.4 million (6.4% of AUM)
• GOOGL: $91.2 million (5.3% of AUM)
• AMZN: $72.5 million (4.2% of AUM)

As of Thursday afternoon, shares of Intuitive Surgical were priced at $443.87, down 9.5% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500’s 16% gain.

Company Overview

Company Snapshot

• Intuitive Surgical offers the da Vinci Surgical System for minimally invasive surgery and the Ion endoluminal system for diagnostic lung procedures, along with surgical instruments, digital solutions, and support services.
• The company generates revenue primarily through the sale of surgical systems, recurring instrument and accessory sales, and service contracts for its installed base.
• It serves hospitals, surgical centers, and healthcare providers globally, targeting institutions seeking advanced minimally invasive surgical capabilities.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of, and access to, minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. Its strategic focus on innovation and expanding procedure adoption underpins its long-term growth trajectory.

Foolish take

Franklin Street Advisors’ $23.2 million sale of its entire Intuitive Surgical position marks a clear step back from the medical robotics firm after a volatile year for the stock. Shares have fallen more than 25% from their all-time high in January, as investors weigh valuation concerns and new tariff-related risks that management warned could trim 2025 margins by about 1 percentage point.

In its second-quarter 2025 earnings, Intuitive posted revenue of $2.4 billion, up 21% year-over-year, with worldwide da Vinci procedure volume climbing 17%. Meanwhile, GAAP net income rose 25% to $658 million ($1.81 per share). Yet even with expanding adoption, tightening gross margins—driven by higher input costs and tariffs on components from Mexico, Germany, and China—tempered enthusiasm.

CEO Dave Rosa said Intuitive remains “committed to advancing care” and expanding access to minimally invasive surgery worldwide. But after a multi-year run-up, Franklin’s decision to take profits may signal growing caution among institutional investors who see near-term headwinds outpacing the company’s impressive long-term growth story.

Glossary

13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC, showing their holdings in U.S. publicly traded securities.
Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments that a fund or firm manages on behalf of clients.
Full exit: When an investor sells all shares of a particular holding, eliminating exposure to that asset.
Stake: The amount of ownership or investment a fund or individual holds in a company or asset.
Filing: An official document submitted to a regulatory authority, such as the SEC, to disclose financial or operational information.
Divesting: Selling off an asset or investment, often to reduce risk or change portfolio strategy.
Minimally invasive surgery: Surgical procedures performed through small incisions, often using specialized instruments or robotic systems.
Installed base: The total number of a company’s products currently in use by customers.
Service contracts: Agreements for ongoing maintenance, support, or services related to products sold.
Procedure adoption: The rate at which new medical procedures or technologies are implemented by healthcare providers.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

On October 6, 2025, TruWealth Advisors, LLC disclosed in an SEC filing that it sold all 450,162 shares of Synovus Financial (SNV 0.77%), an estimated $23.30 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.

What happened

TruWealth Advisors, LLC reported a complete sale of its Synovus Financial holdings in its quarterly Form 13F, published October 6, 2025 (SEC filing). The fund sold 450,162 shares, with the transaction value estimated at $23.30 million. The position, previously 1.3% of fund AUM, was fully liquidated, and no shares remain as of the filing.

What else to know

The fund sold out of Synovus Financial.

Top holdings after the filing:

• NYSEMKT:FBND: $124.17 million (6.3% of AUM)
• NYSEMKT:VTI: $110.40 million (5.6% of AUM)
• NYSEMKT:PYLD: $103.49 million (5.2% of AUM)
• NYSEMKT:JAAA: $103.49 million (5.2% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:BSCS: $90.20 million (4.6% of AUM)

As of Oct. 3, 2025, Synovus Financial shares were priced at $47.83, marking a 10.7% one-year gain and underperforming the S&P 500 by 7.8 percentage points.

Company overview

Company snapshot

Synovous Financial:

• Offers commercial and retail banking products, including treasury management, asset management, loans, deposit accounts, and investment services.
• Operates as a regional bank holding company based in Columbus, Georgia.
• Served individuals, small businesses, and corporate clients across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Leverages a diversified portfolio of banking and financial management services to address the needs of both retail and commercial clients in the southeastern United States.

Foolish take

While it may seem alarming to Synovus Financial shareholders to see TruWealth liquidating its position in the stock, the sale may not be an indictment of the bank’s operations.

Rather, Synovus plans to merge with Pinnacle Financial Partners (NASDAQ: PNFP) in a deal that should close in the first quarter of 2026.

The all-stock deal will have an exchange rate of .5237, implying a transaction value of $48.44 per Synovus share, based on Pinnacle’s current share price of around $92.

With Synovus already trading very close to this figure, TruWealth may not have seen enough upside in holding until next year. Or it simply may not have liked the look of the combined company.

For the bank itself, the new-look Pinnacle Financial Partners will not only become the fourth-largest regional bank in the Southeast, but also offer the best ten-year earnings growth rates among its peers in the area.

With the combined company set to have the best employee satisfaction, the highest customer net promoter score, and top-tier efficiency ratios compared to its peers, the new stock should be on banking-savvy investors’ radars.

Glossary

13F reportable assets: Securities holdings that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 13F.

AUM (Assets under management): The total market value of assets a fund or investment manager oversees on behalf of clients.

Fund liquidation: The process of selling all holdings in a particular investment, resulting in a zero balance for that position.

Dividend yield: Annual dividend income expressed as a percentage of the investment’s current price.

Regional bank holding company: A company that owns and controls banks operating primarily within a specific geographic region.

Treasury management: Banking services that help businesses manage cash flow, payments, and financial risk.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

Form 13F: A quarterly report filed by institutional investment managers to disclose their equity holdings to the SEC.

Stake: The amount or percentage of ownership an investor or fund holds in a particular company.

Asset management: Professional management of investments such as stocks, bonds, and other assets for clients.

On Tuesday, Eastover Investment Advisors disclosed that it sold 6,691 shares of RTX Corporation (RTX 0.41%) in the third quarter.

What happened

Eastover Investment Advisors sold 6,691 shares of RTX Corporation(RTX 0.41%) worth an estimated $1 million in the third quarter, according to a Form 13-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. The fund reported holding 54,659 shares worth $9.1 million as of September 30.

What else to know

Eastover’s RTX position represents about 4% of the firm’s total assets.

Top holdings after the filing:

• NASDAQ:AVGO: $15.2 million (6.6% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:AAPL: $12.9 million (5.6% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:NVDA: $12.9 million (5.6% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:GOOGL: $11.4 million (5.0% of AUM)
• NASDAQ:MSFT: $11.4 million (4.96% of AUM)

As of Monday, shares of RTX were priced at $169.27, up 35% over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by about 17 percentage points.

Company Overview

Company Snapshot

• RTX provides aerospace and defense systems, including aircraft engines, avionics, cabin interiors, threat detection, and aftermarket services through its Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon segments.
• Generates revenue primarily from the sale of products and long-term service agreements to commercial airlines, military, and government customers, leveraging a mix of original equipment manufacturing and aftermarket support.
• Serves commercial airlines, defense departments, and government agencies globally, with a significant presence in both U.S. and international markets.

RTX Corporation is a leading global aerospace and defense company with a diversified portfolio spanning commercial aviation, military systems, and advanced defense technologies.

Foolish take

Charlotte-based Eastover Investment Advisors’ sale of 6,691 shares of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies)—worth about $1 million—could reflect profit-taking after a year of extraordinary gains. The aerospace and defense contractor’s stock has soared 46% year-to-date, handily outperforming the S&P 500’s 14% rise, as demand for both commercial aviation and defense systems surged.

RTX reported 9% year-over-year sales growth in the second quarter, with strength across all three business segments—Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon—and particularly notable 16% commercial aftermarket growth. Adjusted earnings per share rose 11% to $1.56, and CEO Chris Calio highlighted a record backlog of $236 billion, calling the results proof that “we’re well positioned to drive long-term profitable growth.”

Investors will get a closer look at how RTX is executing when it reports third-quarter earnings on October 21. And with the recovery in commercial air travel and robust global defense spending, RTX offers dual exposure to cyclical and structural growth trends. For long-term investors, occasional pullbacks—like Eastover’s sale—may still represent opportunities, not exits.

Glossary

13F reportable assets: Assets that institutional investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC, showing their holdings.
Assets Under Management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or firm on behalf of clients.
Fully liquidated: Sold all shares or holdings in a particular investment, resulting in a zero position.
Form 13-F: A quarterly SEC filing by institutional investment managers to disclose their equity holdings.
Aftermarket services: Support, maintenance, and parts provided after the initial sale of a product, often generating recurring revenue.
Original equipment manufacturing: Producing components or products that are sold to other companies for use in their end products.
Dividend yield: A financial ratio showing how much a company pays in dividends each year relative to its share price.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

Destiny Wealth Partners reported in an SEC filing on Monday that it sold 59,354 shares of the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) in the third quarter—an estimated $8.1 million transaction based on average pricing for the quarter.

What happened

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, Destiny Wealth Partners reduced its holding in the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) by 59,354 shares during the quarter. The estimated value of the shares sold was $8.1 million. The fund now holds 16,430 IBB shares valued at $2.4 million as of September 30.

What else to know

This sale left IBB representing 0.3% of Destiny Wealth Partners’ 13F reportable assets.

Top holdings after the filing:

• JAAA: $46.41 million (5.7% of AUM)
• VUG: $40.11 million (4.9% of AUM)
• DFLV: $32.03 million (3.9% of AUM)
• JCPB: $28.13 million (3.45% of AUM)
• AMZN: $27.70 million (3.4% of AUM)

As of Tuesday afternoon, IBB shares were priced at $149.73. The fund is up about 5% over the year.

Company overview

Company snapshot

• IBB seeks to track the investment results of a biotechnology-focused equity index, investing at least 80% of assets in component securities and economically similar investments.
• It operates as a non-diversified ETF, with periodic rebalancing to maintain index alignment.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) offers investors access to the U.S. biotechnology sector through a passively managed fund. With over $6 billion in market capitalization, the ETF provides exposure to biotechnology companies.

Foolish take

Destiny Wealth Partners’ decision to unload roughly $8.1 million in iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) shares adds to a broader theme in markets this year: Institutional investors have been cooling on biotech. The sector has struggled to regain its pandemic-era momentum as investors favor AI, energy, and industrial plays. IBB is up about 5% over the past year, trailing the S&P 500’s 18% gain.

IBB’s two largest holdings—Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Amgen—have each slumped, down about 8% and 7%, respectively, over the past year. That drag has offset strength from smaller, high-growth biotech names focused on oncology and gene therapy. Meanwhile, the fund’s expense ratio of 0.44% sits slightly above broad-market ETF averages, reflecting the niche exposure investors are paying for.

For long-term investors, IBB still offers diversified exposure to the innovation pipeline driving future drug breakthroughs—but near-term returns will depend on FDA approvals, pricing clarity, and investor appetite for higher-risk growth sectors.

Glossary

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund): An investment fund traded on stock exchanges, holding a basket of assets like stocks or bonds.

Biotechnology ETF: An ETF focused on companies in the biotechnology industry, such as drug development and medical research.

AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of assets that an investment manager or fund controls on behalf of clients.

13F reportable AUM: The portion of a fund’s assets that must be disclosed in quarterly SEC Form 13F filings, typically U.S. equity holdings.

Non-diversified ETF: A fund that invests in fewer securities or sectors, increasing exposure to specific industries or companies.

Index-based selection: An investment strategy where holdings are chosen to match a specific market index, rather than by active management.

Component securities: The individual stocks or assets that make up an index or ETF portfolio.

Dividend yield: The annual dividend income expressed as a percentage of the investment’s current price.

Total return: The investment’s price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.

Rebalancing: Adjusting a fund’s holdings periodically to maintain alignment with its target index or asset allocation.

DARTH Vader’s lightsaber has been sold for £2.7million — making it the most expensive Star Wars prop in history.

The fake weapon, made from an old flash camera attachment, beat pre-sale expectations by £100,000.

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It was famously used in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back in the battle where baddie Vader chops off Luke Skywalker’s hand — then reveals that he is, in fact, his opponent’s father.

Brandon Alinger, of auction house Propstore in Los Angeles, said: “The result marks a landmark moment for the entire world of film collecting.”

“To see a Star Wars lightsaber – the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas – become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special.”

He added: “It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”

The 1ft (32cm) green lightsaber was used in scenes by Darth Vader actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson.

In the pre-auction process it was described as “one of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.”

Other items sold on Thursday night included the Spider-Man suit worn by Tobey Maguire in the 2002 superhero film, which went for $289,800 (£214,000).

Harrison Ford‘s eight-foot bullwhip, belt and whip holster from Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) beat its pre-sale estimate to sell for $485,100 (£360,000).

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Greg Louganis is starting a new chapter in his life.

The U.S. diving legend has auctioned off three of the five Olympic medals he won between 1976-1988, sold his home and is parting with most of his other possessions as part of a journey of self-discovery that is taking him, at least for now, to Panama.

“So, as life moves forward, what are you prepared to leave behind?” Louganis wrote Friday in a Facebook post. “I am 65 years old, and I am asking just that. I am no longer who I used to think I was. Not even close to ‘What’ other people or ‘Who’ other people think I am.”

Louganis shared some details of his plan in that post and expanded on them on two Instagram Live posts, one recorded from Los Angeles in his final night in the United States and the other recorded the following day from Panama City, the first stop in a journey that will eventually take him and his dog Gerald to Boquette.

That’s where they’re going to settle down — “for now,” Louganis said on Instagram.

“I don’t know how permanent, or, you know, I don’t know how long it’s gonna be,” he said. “I’m just embracing the ‘I don’t know,’ and also staying open for discovery. I think that’s what this part of my life is about, being open to discover what’s next and really, really, really do my best at being present in every place I go with every person I meet.”

About a year ago, Louganis said, he was in a bad place mentally, feeling “really, really alone and isolated.”

“It was really, really severe, real bad depression,” Louganis said. “And now I’m realizing, I have things to offer. So what that is and what that looks like, I haven’t figured it out. And I think that that’s what this is kind of about, is recalibration and figuring out what is next. … and just discover who I am too. I mean, that’s a big question.”

U.S. diver Greg Louganis spreads his arms and bends at the waist while in mid-dive during a springboard diving competition.

(Sadayuki Mikami / Associated Press)

Louganis says part of the process has been letting go of many of the items he didn’t realize were weighing him down. Last month, he received more than $430,000 at auction for three of his Olympic medals ($201,314 for his 1988 gold medal in 10-meter platform, $199,301 for his 1984 gold medal in 3-meter sprinboard and $30,250 for his 1976 silver medal in 10-meter platform).

“I needed the money,” Louganis wrote on Facebook. “While many people may have built businesses and sold them for a profit, I had my medals, which I am grateful for. If I had proper management, I might not have been in that position, but what is done is done; live and learn.”

Louganis has not mentioned what, if anything, happened with his other two gold medals, won in 1984 for 3-meter springboard and in 1988 for 10-meter platform.

Also on his posts, Louganis mentions that he sold his home last week. Public records list Louganis as the owner of a residence in Topanga. According to Zillow, a house at that address sold on Aug. 28 for $750,000.

As for most of his other belongings, Louganis wrote, “I decided to donate, sell what can be sold, give gifts, and give where things might be needed or appreciated. … A thought occurred to me, I had many friends, people I was close to, lost everything in the Woolsey Fire, and then the Palisades Fire just this year.

“I know I am choosing to do this, but their resilience is an inspiration for me to start anew, with an open heart and an open door. Opening up to possibilities.”

On Instagram, Louganis described the experience as “freeing.”

“The memories will always be in here,” Louganis said, placing his hand over his heart. “And so the other things are just stuff, you know? We don’t realize how much we hang on to, and what I’m also learning now in this process is how oftentimes we don’t realize they weigh us down. You know, like the shipping, the storage, all of that stuff.

“Actually, I was kind of discussing that with Michael Phelps, because he heard that I auctioned my medals. He said, ‘How was that?’ I said, ‘You know what it was? It was a relief, you know, because then it was like it was a weight off my shoulders.’”

Wright’s Food Emporium, is a cafe, deli, and wine store that’s rarely not busy – and it’s easy to see why

The UK is packed full of towns and villages with hidden gems, whether that’s cafes, restaurants, or bars. One such spot is Wright’s Food Emporium in Llanarthne.

Writing for WalesOnline, reporter Kathryn Williams has recalled a recent visit to this food outlet, sharing how it’s quickly become a must-visit destination. She wrote: “Wright’s Food Emporium is a cafe, deli, and wine store in the heart of the village and is rarely not busy, but even I’ll navigate their tight car park for one of their Cubano sandwiches.”

Wright’s opened at the start of 2014 by food industry experts Simon and Maryann Wright inside a former Brains pub – which was a prominent feature in the small village but had been yet another rural local to shut its doors.

Kathryn writes: “When you walk in you’re confronted with a dining space to the left but turn right and it’s business time. A bustling, well-stocked deli with fresh, local fruit and veg, wine, Welsh cheeses, meats and the best shelves of condiments west of Wally’s in Cardiff.

“But, you want to know about the sandwich. The Cubano is so good I don’t think I’ve seen it off the menu – which rotates weekly thanks to what’s fresh or fancied that week – in a good few years.”

So, what’s in a Cubano? At Wright’s, their ciabatta is generously filled with pork belly, Hafod cheese (from Lampeter), Myrddin Heritage ham (sourced just eight miles away in Tanerdy), pickles, Sriracha and mayo.

Kathryn continues: “The pleasing chew of the bread and pork belly is offset by the fresh pickles and sharp, creamy dart of the mix of mayo and Sriracha runs through each bite. And as you [me] try, but ultimately fail, to keep the whole shebang together, the bonus of the hidden ham comes through at the end a winner as you switch the sticky, dense and lovely pork belly to a side portion.

“It’s a bloody triumph of a sandwich – all in one go, and if or when it falls apart. The individual components work hard to stand out but also marry as harmoniously as they should.

“Wright’s Cubano is not the only winner on the ever-changing menu; you’ll do well do try their amazing salads that feature items from Blaencamel Farm, a past favourite of mine featuring charred nectarines, walnuts and Brefu Bach cheese all delicately decorated with edible flowers.

“Veggie sides come in shapes like aubergine fritters, patatas bravas, Welsh asparagus. If I really want to ensure a taste of Wright’s in the moment I usually insist my other half – or anyone else I can coerce – into sharing half a Cubano and half the salad. It’s a bloody win-win.

“And if you’ve already had lunch, don’t like sandwiches (not sure who those type of people are) and fancy coffee and cake, there’s still a reason to stop off at Wright’s. Earlier this year I bought one of their apple and cinnamon pastries and, not to be over the top, it was so heavenly up my street I’ve been waiting for it to be back on their Instagram ever since. The fact there is no photographic evidence of this proves how irresistible it was.”

Published on 26/08/2025 – 12:50 GMT+2
•Updated
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Struggling Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. saw its shares sink by more than 6% in Tokyo on Tuesday after the company’s second-biggest shareholder, Mercedes-Benz, announced that its pension fund was selling its entire 3.8% stake.

Mercedes’ withdrawal comes as Nissan is implementing a restructuring plan, designed to reduce costs and improve profitability. The Japanese car producer reported a net loss of ¥670.9bn (€3.91bn) for the year that ended in March, and it was followed by a quarterly net loss of ¥115.8bn (€674mn) for the April-June quarter. 

Nissan suspended its financial guidance for the year and announced a restructuring plan, which includes cutting 20,000 jobs and closing factories.

Shareholders haven’t shown much confidence so far in the plans. Nissan stock has lost more than 28% of its value in the year to date, sending the company’s market capitalisation below €7.4bn.

The stocks briefly rose after US President Donald Trump said in July that he would lower tariffs on Japanese car imports to 15%, but the momentum was short-lived.

A spokesperson from Mercedes-Benz said in an email that Nissan shares, that have been held in pension assets since 2016, were “not of strategic importance”.

Nissan’s long-term allies include the French carmaker Renault, which bailed out the Japanese company in 1999 and gained 37% ownership. This was later increased to around 43%, although Nissan has gradually been reducing its holding.

Media mogul Byron Allen has reached a deal to sell 10 television stations for $171 million to Atlanta-based Gray Media.

Gray and Allen Media Group announced the agreement Friday.

Allen’s stations in Huntsville, Ala.; Montgomery, Ala.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Lafayette, La.; and Paducah, Ky.; were part of the transaction. Each station has affiliations with one of the Big Four broadcast networks: ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS.

The move furthers Allen’s retrenchment after a $1-billion buying spree in recent years. Allen had a goal of becoming the largest independent television operator in the U.S. But the build-up — which came during an increasingly challenging period for broadcast TV — left the Los Angeles-based company burdened with debt.

This spring, Allen Media Group hired investment banking firm Moelis & Co. to sell his network-affiliate television stations.

Allen Media Group, which was founded by Allen in 1993, continues to own television stations and channels, including Pets.TV, Comedy.TV and Cars.TV, entertainment studios and the Weather Channel.

The Los Angeles entrepreneur and former stand-up comedian had been steadily expanding his empire for more than a decade.

With the purchase of Allen’s stations, Gray moves into three new television markets: Tupelo, Miss.; Terre Haute, Ind.; and West Lafayette, Ind.

Gray owns a second station in several of the other locations. The company said in a statement that the combination, known in the industry as a “duopoly,” will allow it to provide “expanded local news, local weather, and local sports programming.”

The deal, which requires the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, should be complete by year’s end, the companies said.

A CUSTOM number plate that was only expected to sell at auction for just a few hundred pounds ended up going for an eye-watering sum.

The ordinary-looking plate fetched the hefty price after it caught an attendee’s eye for a very specific reason.

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At the DVLA auction, the FER 12C registered number plate started out at £300.

But when the hammer fell, it would go for a staggering £35,000. 

It turned out that specific registration was wanted for a rare Ferrari 12Cillindri Spider.

This £336,000 supercar came out last year to mark a 70 year anniversary.

A spokesman said: “FER 12C started at just £300 but ended with a final hammer price of £35,000.

“It’s thought it was most likely purchased to use on a Ferrari 12Cillindri Spider.”

The car is a two-seater front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer.

It was revealed at Miami Beach to mark 70 years of Ferrari on the American market.

The stunning supercar was also given the Compasso d’Oro industrial design award this year.

Other big buys at the DVLA auction included 296 VS – which soared from £2,200 to a staggering £25,010.

Another was 121 O, which began at £2,500 and went for £23,360.

The plate 2 GUD also saw a big jump from £1,200 to £17,830.

Plate dealer Carl Hanley said: “The results from this auction prove that what once felt like a luxury item is now a smart and increasingly popular way for motorists to stand out.

“What’s exciting is the creativity.

“It’s not just about having your name on a plate anymore – it’s about personality, exclusivity, and even legacy.”

NOW is a perfect time to check whether you’re the owner of a 50p coin that could be worth 240 times its value.

The rare coin sold for £120 after an intense bidding war on eBay.

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Fifty pence pieces can often be worth much more than their face value.

This particular valuable rarity is a 2009 Kew Gardens 50p.

Earlier this week one of these coins sold for £120 on eBay after a bidding war, with 13 offers placed.

Other postings for the same coin are currently listed at £177.52, and £161.92.

The coin was designed by Christopher Le Brun in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens’ foundation.

It had a very low mintage of just 210,000 copies, which means that it has since rocketed in value as it is the rarest of all 50p pieces.

One side of the coin features Kew’s iconic Great Pagoda.

Its base is encircled with a vine while the word ‘Kew’ decorates the bottom.

The dates 1759 and 2009 are inscribed, honouring the coin’s 250th anniversary celebration.

On the reverse, the fourth portrait of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II adorns the coin.

Alongside the portrait the initials identify the engraver as Ian Rank-Broadley.

To spot the coin among your collection, look out for the leafy design.

Another limited edition 50p recently sold for £262.

Dated to 2009, the design was the first of 29 officially licenced London 2012 Olympic coins to be released by The Royal Mint.

The coin is the same size and weight as a 50p coin found in your change and measures 8g by 27g in diameter.

The starting price was just £5 but six bidders fought it out, with one eventually submitting the winning bid on June 30.

The coin’s design was created by eight-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol.

How to sell a rare coin

If you are lucky to find a rare coin among your spare change or have one at home, you can sell it through online marketplaces such as eBay.

Simply take pictures of the coin, any certificates of authenticity you have and any packaging.

You can also sell coins via auction, through the Royal Mint’s Collector’s Service.

If you choose this option a team of experts will authenticate and value your coin.

You will also receive advice on how to sell it.

Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott was left consoling a guest on her Discovery+ show The Derbyshire Auction House

Bargain Hunt star Irita Marriott left a guest in tears as their item sold for more than “100 times its value”.

The BBC antiques expert was presenting her Discovery+ series, The Derbyshire Auction House, when she stumbled upon a heartfelt story with guest Helen and her son Ben.

While searching their home for hidden gems, Helen brought forward a set of family photos which held original signed shots from acclaimed photographers that dated back to 1975.

They included works from Graham Smith and Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, whose works are now displayed in the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, reports the Express.

In a heartbreaking twist, it was revealed that the photographs were being auctioned to fund the care of Helen’s husband, Alan.

Alan was suffering from dementia at the time and needed full-time care, though he sadly died before the episode went to air, with the money being used to pay for his funeral.

The cherished pictures once adorned the hallway of their home, thanks to Alan’s former role in promoting cinema and photography.

The photographs were sold individually, with one estimated at £80 to £120. This quickly sparked a fierce bidding war, with the picture ultimately fetching a staggering £12,000.

After learning the price that the photograph had sold for, Helen was moved to tears.

Following the auction, Irita reflected on the difficult situation, noting: “It can’t be easy for them. These items are things that they’ve lived with all their lives.

“Now that Alan’s gone into care, it’s probably going to be really sad to see them go.”

Helen’s son, Ben, also expressed his shock at the auction outcome, remarking, “I was absolutely gobsmacked at the values people were willing to bid for what we thought were just nice pictures… that we saw on the wall every day. Absolutely brilliant.”

The Derbyshire Auction House is streaming on Discovery+

The Villa Vie Odyssey will spend that time going round and round the world, stopping off at glamorous ports across the globe. Among those onboard in Californian resident Sharon Lane

A woman plans to spend the rest of her life on a cruise ship.

The moment that Sharon Lane stepped onto the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship in mid-June, she felt full of joy and relieved. The 77-year-old had been plotting to exchange her life on land for life at sea for a long time, and has now signed up to spend at least the next 15 years on the ship.

The Villa Vie Odyssey will spend that time going round and round the world, stopping off at glamorous ports across the globe. The ship is not like a typical cruise liner in that most passengers are long-term residents. Very few hop on for a quick jaunt around the Mediterranean, instead signing up for good, or at least the estimated 15-year lifetime of the vessel.

“I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that’s it. And then there’s no end,” Sharon told CNN. She used her life savings to buy the cabin last year and, after a delay of several months, set sail on her new life at the end of September 2024 when the Odyssey cruised through her hometown of San Diego.

Do you have a cruise story to share? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Terrifying Turkey wildfires rage through holiday district as 50,000 evacuated

For Sharon, she was tempted by the chance to see the world, but also to meet intriguing people. Villa Vie Residences’ CEO Mikael Petterson explained: “We have a very diverse community including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a White House chief of staff, an astronaut, and many scientists and doctors onboard who share their knowledge and experiences.”

If you’re interested in joining them, then the good news is that there are still cabins available. The bad news is that they don’t come cheap.

The lowest cost accommodation is an ‘inside’ cabin that is going for $129,000 (£93,000) for 15 years, with an extra $2,000 (£1,495) per person monthly fee for double occupancy, and $3,000 (£2,180) for single occupancy. If those prices stay the same, a single occupancy cruiser would fork out £392,400 in cabin fees alone across 15 years.

The figure is low in comparison to the World, however, which is the only other cruise ship currently at sea. Prices for that begin at $2.5 million.

Included in the deal are food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi, medical visits, 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service.

“I don’t have to do my laundry anymore. I don’t have to do grocery shopping. Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California,” Sharon said.

Villa Vie owners can rent their cabin out to others, which means short-term passengers can still come and go from the Odyssey.

The Odyssey usually stops in each port for a couple of days, where optional shore excursions are organized for an additional fee. The eight-deck Odyssey can accommodate 924 people, but it has been reconfigured and streamlined to a roomier 450.

The voyage did not get off to a smooth start, as the ship became stranded in Belfast for four and a half months last year. The Odyssey arrived in the Northern Ireland capital back in May 2024 to be outfitted before it was scheduled to sail off on the 30th of that month.

READ MORE: Mum fighting for life on holiday from hell after mosquito attack and tragic accidentREAD MORE: European heatwave leaves one dead as British holidaymakers warned to ‘stay inside’

Unfortunately, due to issues with the rudders and gearbox, the vessel ended up staying put for four and a half long months. On September 30, by which point spring and summer had given way to early autumn, the Odyssey and its 125 passengers set sail. However, it didn’t get very far, docking just a few miles outside of Belfast while a few final pieces of paperwork were completed.

Finally, on October 3, the ship set sail, to the great relief and joy of passengers who will likely never forget the bumpy beginning of their once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Unfortunately, this was far from the end of their troubles…

Bobby Knutt’s jumper went under the hammer for a good cause years after the the actor died in 2017

A colourful jumper worn by late Benidorm star Bobby Knutt has sold for nearly £500 at auction eight years after the actor’s sudden death. The pullover, which featured in the hit ITV sitcom, fetched £487 as part of a special costume auction organised by Benidorm creator Derren Litten.

The sale saw several fan-favourite pieces from the show go under the hammer, with proceeds going towards medical treatment for a close friend of Litten’s. Bobby Knutt starred as cheeky pensioner Eddie Dawson between series eight and ten of the popular comedy, which aired from 2007 to 2018. Benidorm became a cult favourite with British audiences thanks to its outrageous humour and funny depictions of holiday chaos at the fictional Solana resort.

Fans also snapped up other memorabilia from the show, including the Solana hotel-branded staff tabard, which sold for £422. A darts shirt worn by Johnny Vegas as Geoff ‘The Oracle’ Maltby sparked a bidding frenzy, reaching over £1,000 before being withdrawn.

Darren explained: “Sadly it was withdrawn as someone was bidding and retracting bids 30 or 40 times a day which, although I don’t understand eBay, is a method of bumping other bidders off the auction item. I will have to find another method of auctioning it. The vast majority sold to very happy buyers.”

The auction, which ran from May 25 to June 2, was set up to raise funds for Litten’s friend Leonard, who is battling Facial Fibrous Dysplasia. This is a rare and serious condition that can lead to blindness and severe disfigurement if left untreated.

Fans and castmates were shocked when they received the news that Bobby Knutt had died suddenly from heart failure in 2017 at the age of 71 while on holiday in France. At the time, Benidorm creator Derren Litten tweeted: “Very sad Benidorm news guys. The wonderful Bobby Knutt has passed away suddenly aged 71. Sending our Beni love to his family.”

Co-star Tony Maudsley, who played Kenneth in the series, added: “Take a bow Grandad Dawson. Your Benidorm family will miss you. RIP Bobby Knutt x.”

Knutt’s had a long and successful career, as he found fame early in life on The Comedians and went on to bag roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and Last of the Summer Wine. In Emmerdale he played Albert Dingle for a decade, and later appeared in Corrie as garage boss Ron Sykes.

Off-screen he was also known for stage work, a stint doing comedy shows on cruise ships, and his role as the voice of Gaffer in the Tetley Tea adverts.

After his death, it was revealed that Knutt left much of his £350,000 estate to friends and his sister, while his four children received little or no inheritance. He asked to be buried with his third wife Donna Hartley-Wass, a former Olympian and champion bodybuilder who passed away in 2013.

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LEGENDARY racing driver Michael Schumacher’s Monaco-winning Ferrari has sold for a staggering £13.4million.

Schumi raced the F2001 to victory twice in 2001 – including the famous Monaco Grand Prix.

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Chassis number 211 made its final appearance at the 2001 Hungarian Grand Prix where the racing legend qualified on pole position and took top step on the podium.

The icon went on to win the title that year – his fourth of seven – with a records points haul ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

The F2001’s dominance also saw Ferrari take its 11th contructors’ title.

The historic motor was sold by RM Sotheby’s for an eye-watering £13.43million.

It marks the most expensive of Schumacher’s Formula One cars to be sold at auction.

The Ferrari F2001 was a cornerstone of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s record-setting, multiple Formula 1 World Championship-winning pomp at the turn of the 21st Century,” the car’s listing reads.

“Chassis 211 holds the remarkable distinction of being the only Ferrari aboard which the German won both the Monaco Grand Prix and Drivers’ title in the same season, as the Scuderia clinched the 2001 Constructors’ crown.

“A two-time Grand Prix winner with a brace of World Championships to its name, chassis 211 is among the most significant of modern-day race cars.”

Schumacher’s life changed entirely after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.

The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.

Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.

Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.

He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.

At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.

At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.

But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.

After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.

Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.

Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.

In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.

Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.

Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.

AN ICONIC 1980s Porsche left abandoned in a barn for 14 years has sold for over £76,000, which was over triple its estimate.

The dust-covered 911 3.2 Carrera Sport coupé was put into storage by its owner in 2011 after being bought in 2002.

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Its three litre engine produced 231bhp with a top speed of over 150mph.

And it was capable of doing 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.

According to records, the car only covered 476 miles in the five years before it went into the barn.

It was owned by a busy solicitor near Northampton who barely drove it for years, as reported by Luxury Auto News.

Ahead of its auction its listing said: “The car presented here is a C16 1989-model example from the final year of 3.2 production before the introduction of the 964.

“It is a Carrera 3.2 Sport which was a UK-only model and came factory-fitted with a black lip front spoiler, a rear whale tail rear spoiler, sports seats and Bilstein Sport shock absorbers.

“It was optioned with a sunroof and the sought-after paint colour of silver metallic.”

The iconic 911 was first registered in May 1989 and had five previous owners before being snapped up in October 2002, the listing read.

It added: “This 911 was first registered in May 1989 and passed through five keepers before being purchased by our vendor in October 2002.

The listing added: “We believe he bought it from Autofarm of Bicester, Oxfordshire.

“MOT records indicate minimal usage – just 476 miles covered in five years.

“This is wholly in keeping with what we know about our vendor, who was a very much a car enthusiast, having owned all sorts of interesting cars from Jaguars to 2CVs, but who was also a very busy solicitor with little time to enjoy his Porsche.

“At some point in 2011, he drove the car into his barn adjoining his stone Northamptonshire house and there it has sat ever since.”

Despite being abandoned, the barn’s warm, dry air helped preserve the rare car remarkably well.

“Its condition when it was put away must have been exceptional and very much in-keeping with a minimally used 40,000-mile 911, with original features and components still in place.

“Bodywork panels, paintwork, carpets, headlining and factory-finishes all appear to be original – and a jack and toolkit complete the picture.

It tripled its estimate amid a bidding frenzy

A spokesperson

“The car is a feast of detail for any Porsche enthusiast, preserved in a manner that they will really appreciate.

“Sadly the owner passed away in early 2025 and it falls to the family, particularly his son, to find it a new home.

“This fantastic car is sensibly guided and will obviously require close inspection and a thorough recommissioning before starting/driving but it offers huge potential.

“Cars built from September 1986 onwards were fitted with the more user-friendly G50 Getrag gearbox.

“But all 3.2 Carreras feature galvanised bodies, which together with Porsche’s legendary build quality, ensure that these classics are long lasting.”

It was expected to fetch around £25,000 when sold on Saturday by Iconic Auctioneers in Northampton.

A spokesperson said: “It was driven into a barn for storage in 2011 and offered exactly as found, dust and all.

“It tripled its estimate amid a bidding frenzy.

“With 33 registered telephone bidders as well as numerous bidders in the room and online, bidding raced to £76,500.

“This wonderfully preserved G50‑gearbox example that remains largely original, obviously captured bidders’ imaginations with its untouched state and clear potential.”

It comes after astonishing images showed an abandoned graveyard of vintage cars and fire engines left to rot.

And a classic car dealership worth a whopping £200,000 has been discovered – after sitting in the dark for 20 years.

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