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TikTok Parent Company ByteDance Reaches $300 Billion Valuation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 18, 2024

ByteDance, the parent company of popular social media platform TikTok, has recently valued itself at approximately $300 billion. This valuation comes as the company approaches investors with a new share buyback program, according to sources familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Reuters.

Key Details of the Buyback Program

ByteDance is offering investors $180.70 per share,
This represents a 12.9% increase from the previous buyback price of $160 per share,
The program is ByteDance’s third buyback initiative since 2022,
In December 2023, the company offered to repurchase about $5 billion worth of shares at $160 each, valuing the company at $268 billion.

Financial Performance and Strategy

ByteDance’s global revenue grew by 30% last year, reaching $110 billion. The company views the buyback program as a means to provide liquidity, with no immediate plans for an IPO, according to one source.

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Ongoing Legal Challenges in the U.S.

Despite its financial success, ByteDance faces significant legal hurdles in the United States:

A law signed by President Joe Biden on April 24 requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19 or face a ban,
The White House aims to end Chinese-based ownership on national security grounds,
TikTok and ByteDance have filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court to block the law.

Market Implications

The substantial valuation increase and continued buyback programs suggest strong investor confidence in ByteDance, despite regulatory challenges. The company’s ability to grow its revenue significantly while navigating complex legal issues demonstrates its resilience in the global tech market.

As the January 19 deadline approaches, the tech industry will be watching closely to see how ByteDance resolves its U.S. operations issues while maintaining its impressive growth trajectory.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Construction Trends: Permit Count Slips While Value and Scale Surge in 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 11, 2025

The Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) has reported a notable shift in the construction landscape for 2025. The latest figures reveal a modest 1.9% decline in building permits issued in March compared to the same month last year, signaling a nuanced trend in the nation’s developmental activities.

Permit Count Decline in March

In March 2025, authorities authorised 572 building permits—down from 583 in March 2024. The permits, which total a value of €361.5 million and cover 296,900 square metres of construction, underscore a cautious pace in permit approval despite ongoing projects. Notably, these permits are set to facilitate the construction of 1,480 dwelling units, reflecting an underlying demand in the housing sector.

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Q1 2025: Growth in Value, Construction Area, and Dwelling Units

While the number of permits in the first quarter (January to March) decreased by 15.8% from 1,876 to 1,580, more significant, economically relevant metrics saw robust growth. Total permit value surged by 21.7%, and the authorised construction area expanded by 15.6%. Additionally, the number of prospective dwelling units increased by 16.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. This divergence suggests that although fewer permits were issued, the scale and ambition of the approved projects have intensified.

New Regulatory Framework and the Ippodamos System

Since 1 July 2024, a pivotal transition has taken place in permit administration. The responsibility for issuing permits has moved from municipalities and district administration offices to the newly established local government organisations (EOAs). The integrated information system, Ippodamos, now oversees the licensing process, streamlining data collection on both residential and non-residential projects across urban and rural areas.

Comprehensive Data Collection for Enhanced Oversight

The Ippodamos system categorises construction projects using the EU Classification of Types of Construction (CC). This platform gathers extensive data on the number of permits authorised, project area and value, and the expected number of dwelling units. It covers a broad spectrum of construction activities—from new builds and civil engineering projects to plot divisions and road construction—while excluding renewals and building divisions. The thoroughness of this new regulatory structure promises greater operational transparency and more informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders.