Stevens towed the luxury tax line to a tee down the stretch and still gave Joe Mazzulla a competitive roster this season. On Saturday, the Celtics made one final roster move for the regular season, signing Dalano Banton to a two-year contract to complete their playoff roster. The move is minuscule; Banton will be near the end of the bench for Boston’s playoff run. But his signing has been calculated for some time, and its completion highlights the performance Brad Stevens has put on since the summer of 2025. It was one of the worst-kept secrets in the NBA that the Celtics were going to shed salary cap ahead of this season. They were over the second apron of the luxury tax for consecutive seasons, and the punishments for being over it a third time are severe. But Stevens didn’t stop when he got below the second apron. He took Boston out of the luxury tax altogether, while keeping a competitive enough lineup for Joe Mazzulla to flex his own muscles as a great young coach. Then he added depth at the trade deadline and still maintained his space under the luxury tax. And now, after juggling 10-day contracts for over a month, he officially solidified the Celtics’ playoff caliber roster in a remarkable balancing act that didn’t hurt Boston’s future, but didn’t punt away 2025-26 either. Here’s a recap of arguably Stevens’s best performance as a GM: Determining his new core The Celtics entered last offseason with five large contracts, needing to get rid of at least one, but more likely two of those deals. Between Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday, sacrifices needed to be made early in the summer. Tatum and Brown, of course, weren’t going anywhere, and Stevens decided early that the core he wanted was the Jays and White. So, he shipped away Porzingis and Holiday, which turned out to be the right move. But with Tatum expected to miss most or all of the regular season, Stevens was essentially losing three of his five best players from the NBA Championship team in 2024. Stripping Boston’s lineup down to the studs allowed a clear picture for how Stevens planned to rebuild it. Betting on current role players A lot of Boston’s success early this season hinged on players rising to the challenge and outperforming their individual projections. The two best examples of that were Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta. Stevens gave Pritchard a deal three years ago that turned into one of the best value contracts in the NBA. He signed Pritchard to a 4-year, $30 million deal when he wasn’t getting many minutes, was the sixth man of the year last season, and has started 50 games this season averaging 17 points per game. Queta was brought in to be a depth big with defensive upside, and he’s transformed into a bonafide starting caliber NBA center. Which is a good thing, since Stevens constructed the roster so that he needed to be the center. It was sink or swim, and Queta certainly swam. He’s done so much for the Celtics this season that his teammates are pulling for him to be considered for Most Improved Player. There are other examples, too. Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh have stepped up in their own right to help Boston stay competitive. Hugo Gonzalez was a diamond in the rough The 2025 NBA Draft was very top-heavy. The first five players off the board were considered slam dunks. After that, the waters got murky. Yet, at No. 28 overall, Stevens found a European named Hugo Gonzalez and gave him a shot. On the surface, he filled a big need. On Boston’s championship roster, it had two guards who played smothering defense. Losing Holiday in the summer lost some of that defensive edge. Pritchard might be an upgrade offensively in the starting lineup, but he isn’t the touted defender Holiday is. But Gonzalez’s length as a guard and experience playing overseas made him a valuable defensive asset, and he’s fit right in with the Celtics this year, particularly as a complement to Pritchard. In-season transactions Stevens didn’t do a whole lot to rework the lineup in-season, but the small moves he did make were solid. He ditched Anfernee Simons, who was a good idea in principle but didn’t quite fit with Boston, and added Nikola Vucevic at the deadline. Neither move disrupted the flow the Celtics were creating, but the Vucevic addition gave Boston a center depth with veteran NBA experience behind Queta. And even though Stevens cycled through a few different placeholders for the last roster spot, he did so in a very calculated way, knowing the road ended with Banton. Boston signed Banton to his initial 10-day contract in February, and then stashed him away in Maine until it could sign him again for the playoff run. Banton was on the Celtics already, he knows Mazzulla’s coaching style, and is yet another undisruptive signing that could get minutes in a pinch without being a liability on the floor. Stevens, like a great chess player, has been thinking five moves ahead for nearly a year now. If he would’ve closed his eyes 10 months ago and pictured April 2026, this probably would’ve been the best-case scenario. Tatum is back and finding his groove right before the playoffs. Brown had a whole season to prove he’s a bigger star in the NBA than people gave him credit for. And the Celtics are positioned as the No. 2 seed in the East with a lineup that has legitimate NBA title aspirations. Stevens was a good coach in the NBA. But he’s been an extremely good executive, and this season is the best proof of that.
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2026/04/11/nba-celtics-brad-stevens-gm-masterclass/
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Gold’s Meteoric Rise In 2025: A Safe Haven Amid Global Uncertainty
FTSE Russell 1. 03K Follower s Comments Summary Gold has surged 50% in 2025 as investors seek safety amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Central bank buying and Fed easing have propelled gold to its strongest rally in decades. With currencies under pressure and markets volatile, gold shines as the ultimate safe haven in 2025. By Erwan Jacob, Macro Analyst, LSEG Gold has taken centre stage in 2025, soaring 50% and outperforming major asset classes. This insight explores why gold has become the ultimate safe haven amid global economic uncertainty, central bank buying, and geopolitical This article was written by 1. 03K Follower s A leading global provider of benchmarks, analytics, and data solutions with multi-asset capabilities FTSE Russell’s solutions offer a true representation of global markets across asset classes, styles, and strategies. Our global perspective is underpinned by specialist knowledge gained from developing local solutions and understanding client needs around the world. FTSE Russell is a wholly owned subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), and is a unit of the Information Services Division. FTSE Russell’s expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. For over 30 years, leading asset owners, asset managers. ETF providers, and investment banks have chosen FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create investment funds, ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives. FTSE Russell indexes also provide clients with tools for asset allocation, investment strategy analysis and risk management. The Yield Book analytical insights With the recent addition of The Yield Book business, FTSE Russell extends its expertise in analytics to a highly respected analytics platform that serves approximately 350 institutions globally including investment management firms, banks, central banks, insurance companies, pension funds, broker-dealers, hedge funds and investment management firms. The Yield Book offers analytical insights into a broad array of fixed income instruments with specific focus on mortgage, government, corporate and derivative securities. Comments Recommended For You.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4845983-golds-meteoric-rise-2025-safe-haven-amid-global-uncertainty?source=feed_all_articles
Why XRP Price is Up Today?
XRP Price Surges 2.94% to $2.48, Outperforming Broader Crypto Market
XRP’s price today surged by 2.94% to reach $2.48 over the past 24 hours, outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market, which recorded a modest 0.9% gain. This rally is fueled by growing institutional interest, driven by Ripple’s recent strategic moves and positive market developments.
**Ripple Prime Launch Boosts Institutional Adoption**
On October 24, Ripple finalized its acquisition of prime brokerage Hidden Road, rebranding it as Ripple Prime. This milestone positions Ripple as the first crypto firm to operate a global multi-asset prime brokerage, providing institutions with direct access to XRP, Ripple USD, and RLUSD for cross-border settlements and collateral management.
Integration with Ripple’s custody and payment infrastructure is expected to accelerate XRP adoption across more than 300,000 FX derivatives markets. This launch follows Ripple’s aggressive expansion strategy, having completed five major acquisitions since 2023, underscoring the company’s push into institutional finance.
Key indicators to watch include the adoption rate of the RLUSD stablecoin on Ripple Prime, which could further strengthen XRP’s utility in traditional financial markets.
**XRP Derivatives and ETF Growth Signal Strong Institutional Demand**
Institutional demand for XRP is also evident in derivatives activity. Since May 2025, XRP options have reached $26.9 billion in notional volume, averaging $213 million in daily trading. Approximately 567,000 options contracts have been traded, compared to a daily spot volume of 600 million XRP.
Meanwhile, the first U.S.-based XRP ETF, ECARP, has surpassed $100 million in assets under management (AUM). Offering regulated exposure to XRP, this ETF has attracted interest from hedge funds and wealth managers. Additionally, CME-listed XRP derivatives have seen open interest rise to 10,100 contracts, signaling increasing institutional participation.
Analysts suggest that growing ETF inflows could reduce sell pressure on XRP, providing further support to its price.
**XRP Price Analysis**
From a technical perspective, XRP recently reclaimed the $2.30 support level, where 70% of recent trading volume occurred. The Relative Strength Index (RSI-14) stands at 39.69, indicating neutral momentum, while the MACD indicator is approaching a bullish crossover.
Fibonacci retracement levels show the 38.2% retracement at $2.50, aligning closely with the 30-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2.61. A successful break above $2.61 could target a price of $2.73.
However, traders should remain cautious, as approximately 6 million XRP were moved to exchanges in the past week, potentially signaling selling pressure from whale investors.
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Overall, ongoing institutional developments and technical indicators suggest a positive outlook for XRP, but market participants should monitor key resistance levels and whale activity closely.
https://coinpedia.org/news/why-xrp-price-is-up-today-institutions-are-making-a-big-move/
$140,000,000 in Stellar Open Interest Hint at What’s Next for XLM Price
Stellar (XLM) has recorded a 1.16% increase in its four-hour open interest despite the asset’s continued price decline on the market. According to data from CoinGlass, while the 24-hour open interest declined by 11.27%, recent activity within the past four hours shows that traders are betting on a possible rebound.
### Stellar Four-Hour Futures Signal Bullish Sentiment
Open interest reflects the total value of futures contracts that investors have open on XLM. A high percentage generally indicates bullish confidence among investors. The negative 11.27% change about 24 hours ago revealed uncertainty regarding the price direction. However, the four-hour figure of 1.16% as of press time suggests that bullish sentiment is gradually gaining traction.
These traders have committed $140 million, or 465.24 million XLM, to the asset’s futures market. Among exchanges, Binance traders showed the most bullish stance, committing $37.62 million, which represents 27.21% of the total open interest. Bitget, Bybit, and OKX followed with commitments of $24.96 million, $21.95 million, and $14.21 million, respectively.
### Price Performance and Market Activity
Although traders are anticipating a price rebound, Stellar has yet to show positive momentum. At press time, XLM was trading at $0.3011, marking a 7.65% decline over the past 24 hours. The token slipped from an intraday high of $0.3284 amid ongoing market volatility.
However, trading volume has increased by 49.48%, reaching $419.94 million. This uplift in engagement could serve as a catalyst for a price reversal in the near term.
### Could Stellar’s 2025 Rally and DeFi Growth Spark a Price Recovery?
The bullish sentiment among traders may be rooted in Stellar’s strong year-to-date performance. As of September 2025, XLM had surged 288%, significantly outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum, which recorded gains of 88% and 73%, respectively.
Earlier in the year, Stellar briefly surpassed the $0.40 resistance level, reaching $0.4036 during the “Uptober” rally before broader market fluctuations triggered a sharp pullback.
Many investors and analysts had anticipated a major breakout, driven largely by Stellar’s milestones in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The platform has seen increased adoption, with nearly 400 million XLM locked as it attracted more users, including institutional investors.
Although this growing adoption has not yet translated into a sustained price rally, the current uptick in open interest might provide the spark needed for a recovery back towards the $0.40 level.
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Stay tuned for updates on Stellar’s price action and market developments as traders closely watch for signs of a potential turnaround.
https://u.today/140000000-in-stellar-open-interest-hint-at-whats-next-for-xlm-price
Maruti Suzuki hits decade high, delivers 1.65L vehicles this Navratri
**Maruti Suzuki Hits Decade High, Delivers 1.65 Lakh Vehicles This Navratri**
*By Akash Pandey | Oct 03, 2025, 04:35 PM*
Maruti Suzuki has achieved a remarkable milestone by delivering a staggering 1.65 lakh vehicles in the first eight days of Navratri. This marks the first time in a decade that the company’s deliveries during the festive period have crossed the one-lakh mark, underscoring strong demand momentum. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer for Marketing and Sales, shared these insights during an interview with CNBC TV18.
**Sales Strategy and Backlog Management**
At the start of October, Maruti Suzuki was managing a backlog of nearly 2.5 lakh vehicles. To address this high demand, the company has ramped up operations significantly. Supply chain and production teams have been working on Sundays and holidays throughout the month to ensure timely deliveries. Banerjee cautioned customers that those delaying their bookings might have to wait until after the festive season for their vehicle delivery.
**Export Growth and Electric Vehicle Expansion**
Maruti Suzuki’s export numbers have also seen impressive growth, with shipments rising nearly 50% last month. Particularly notable is the export of electric vehicles (EVs), with around 3,000 units shipped to international markets including Japan, the Middle East, and European countries such as Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Switzerland. Banerjee mentioned that the company will reassess its export target of four lakh units for the year, carefully balancing overseas shipments alongside robust domestic demand.
**Shifts in Consumer Behavior and Market Dynamics**
The company has observed a shift in consumer preferences, with many two-wheeler owners upgrading to entry-level cars. Additionally, existing customers are moving from models like Alto and WagonR to higher-end options such as Baleno, Fronx, and Brezza. Rural markets played a key role in this growth, accounting for 51% of sales in September—slightly surpassing urban market sales at 49%.
Market expert Mayuresh Joshi remains optimistic about Maruti Suzuki’s future prospects, citing these trends and the company’s strategic initiatives.
**Stock Performance**
Maruti Suzuki’s stock has reflected its strong performance, trading at ₹15,808 at the time of writing—a slight dip of 0.98% from the previous close. The stock has gained 6.1% over the past month and an impressive 41.3% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Nifty 50 index, which rose by 4.5% over the same period. Over the last year, the stock has traded between ₹10,725 and ₹16,435.
With strong delivery numbers, expanded export capabilities, and changing consumer preferences, Maruti Suzuki’s outlook remains positive as it continues to capitalize on growing demand both domestically and internationally.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/auto/maruti-suzuki-delivered-whopping-1-65l-vehicles-during-navratri/story