LEWISVILLE, Ark., April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture ("JV") between Standard Lithium Ltd. ("Standard Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE:A) and Equinor, is pleased to announce that the brine production unit, now formally named the Reynolds Unit, for Phase I of its South West Arkansas ("SWA") Project has been unanimously approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission ("AOGC") with no objections or opposition in a hearing that was open to all stakeholders from the c ...

LEWISVILLE, Ark., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smackover Lithium, a Joint Venture ("JV") between Standard Lithium Ltd. ("Standard Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE:A) and Equinor, is proud to announce that its South West Arkansas ("SWA") Project has been selected as one of the first critical mineral production projects to be advanced under Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, issued on March 20, 2025, by President Trump. This prestigious designat ...

Core Insights - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has achieved a significant technical milestone in the South West Arkansas project, confirming the engineering design for commercialization [1][3] - The DLE field-pilot plant has successfully surpassed key performance criteria, recovering over 99% of lithium from brine, which is significantly higher than the design target of 95% [4] Project Development - The DLE field-pilot plant operated for three months, processing over 2,385 barrels (100,170 gallons) of brine from the IPC-1 well, completing over 497 DLE cycles [4] - The project has processed a total of 28,367,185 gallons of brine and completed 11,206 cycles of DLE at the Demonstration Plant since 2020 [4] Product Qualification - Large volumes of concentrated and purified DLE product have been sent to third-party vendors for conversion into battery-quality lithium carbonate, which will be used in the qualification process with potential off-take partners [1][4] - Approximately 970 gallons (3,672 liters) of a 6% lithium chloride solution has been produced, with expectations of generating around 27 kg of battery-quality lithium carbonate by May 2025 [4] Technology and Operations - The DLE technology utilized in the field-pilot plant is based on KTS Li-ProTM Lithium Selective Sorption technology, which has been instrumental in optimizing the extraction process [4] - Standard Lithium has been operating a large-scale Demonstration Plant in Arkansas for five years, processing over 28 million gallons of Smackover brine, which has been crucial for developing and streamlining the extraction flowsheet [3]

Core Insights - Standard Lithium Ltd. is a leading near-commercial lithium developer focused on sustainable lithium production [2] - The company will participate in the 37th Annual Roth Conference from March 16 to 18, 2025, in Dana Point, California [1] Company Overview - Standard Lithium is dedicated to the sustainable development of high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States [2] - The company prioritizes projects with high-quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting [2] - Its flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation in Arkansas and Texas, with a focus on commercial-scale lithium production using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) [2] - Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project in partnership with Equinor and the Phase 1A project with LANXESS Corporation [2] - The company also holds interests in mineral leases in the Mojave Desert, California [2] Event Participation - Senior leadership, including the CFO and Director of Finance, will host one-on-one meetings during the Roth Conference [1] - Interested investors can contact Standard Lithium's Investor Relations for more information [1]

Financial Performance - Net revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was $1,681 million, representing a 1% increase compared to the same period last year[131]. - Net income for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was $318 million, down from $348 million in the same period last year[133]. - Cash provided by operations was $431 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, compared to $485 million in the same period last year[133]. - Total net revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was $1,681 million, representing a 1% increase compared to $1,658 million in the same period last year[150]. - Income from operations for the three months ended January 31, 2025, decreased by $8 million or 2% to $376 million, despite a revenue increase of $23 million[158]. - Income from operations for the three months ended January 31, 2025, increased by $3 million or 3% on a corresponding revenue increase of $27 million[177]. Revenue Segmentation - Revenue from the Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets segment increased by 4% year-over-year, while the Applied Markets segment saw a decrease of 4%[131]. - Revenue in the Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets segment increased by 4% to $647 million, while the Agilent CrossLab segment saw a 1% increase to $696 million; however, the Applied Markets segment experienced a 4% decline to $338 million[150][151][152]. - Revenue in the Americas increased by 10%, while Europe saw a 3% increase; however, revenue in Asia Pacific decreased by 5%[169]. - Services and other revenue increased by 7% year-over-year, driven by strong growth in contract repair and preventative maintenance services[149]. Cost and Expenses - The total gross margin for the three months ended January 31, 2025, decreased by 1 percentage point to 53.5% compared to 54.8% in the same period last year[153][154]. - Research and development expenses decreased by 12% to $113 million, while selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 3% to $410 million[153][155][156]. - Research and development expenses decreased by 7% to $26 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, primarily due to lower salary expenses[185]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 3% to $143 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, due to higher corporate infrastructure expenses[186]. - Operating margin for the three months ended January 31, 2025, decreased to 31.8%, down 1 percentage point from 32.4% in the same period last year[184]. Shareholder Returns - The company paid cash dividends of $0.248 per common share, totaling $71 million, during the three months ended January 31, 2025[134]. - The 2023 share repurchase program authorized the purchase of up to $2.0 billion of common stock, with $90 million spent to repurchase 649,857 shares in the three months ended January 31, 2025[136]. - The company repurchased and retired 649,857 shares for $90 million under the 2023 repurchase program during the three months ended January 31, 2025, with remaining authorization to repurchase approximately $284 million[206]. - Cash dividends paid during the three months ended January 31, 2025, were $0.248 per common share, totaling approximately $71 million, compared to $0.236 per share or $69 million in the same period of 2024[208]. Cash Flow and Investments - Net cash provided by operating activities was $431 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, compared to $485 million for the same period in 2024[200]. - Net cash used in investing activities was $94 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, compared to $95 million in the same period of 2024[203]. - Investments in property, plant and equipment were $97 million for the three months ended January 31, 2025, compared to $90 million in the same period of 2024, with total capital expenditures expected to be approximately $450 million for the current year[204]. - Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was $180 million, a decrease from $240 million in the same period of 2024[205]. Market Outlook and Strategy - The company anticipates a steady recovery in customer capital budgets and remains optimistic about the long-term health of key end markets[137]. - The company remains optimistic about long-term growth opportunities, particularly in the life sciences and diagnostics markets, and plans to continue investing in research and development[171]. - Restructuring plans are expected to result in approximately $100 million in annual cost savings across all business segments[141]. - The organizational structure was changed in November 2024 to support a market-focused strategy, resulting in a new segmentation of business units[165]. Foreign Currency Impact - Foreign currency movements negatively impacted revenue growth by 2 percentage points for the three months ended January 31, 2025[146]. - Approximately 47% of revenue was generated in U.S. dollars during the three months ended January 31, 2025, with an unfavorable impact on revenue growth of 2 percentage points due to foreign currency exchange rate changes[220]. - Agilent CrossLab segment revenue increased by 1% year-over-year, with a 2 percentage point unfavorable impact from foreign currency movements[179]. Other Financial Information - Other income for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was $4 million, which included a net gain of $1 million on equity securities[160]. - The effective tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2025, was 13.4%, with an income tax expense of $49 million, compared to 13.6% and $55 million in the same period last year[162]. - As of January 31, 2025, the company had no borrowings outstanding under its $1.5 billion unsecured credit facility and $750 million incremental revolving credit facility[210]. - Under the U.S. commercial paper program, the company borrowed $301 million and repaid $331 million during the three months ended January 31, 2025, with $10 million outstanding as of January 31, 2025[213]. - The company had commitments for indirect material and services increased by $12 million to $148 million, while commitments to contract manufacturers and suppliers decreased by $38 million to $603 million[217]. - There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2025, that materially affected the company's internal control[226].

Core Insights - The performance of Agilent Technologies' international operations is crucial for understanding its financial resilience and growth potential [1][2] - The company's reliance on international markets is a key factor in determining its financial success and growth trajectory [2][3] International Revenue Breakdown - Agilent's total revenue for the quarter was $1.68 billion, reflecting a 1.4% increase [4] - Asia Pacific contributed $549 million, accounting for 32.66% of total revenue, which was a surprise of -5.26% compared to the consensus estimate [5] - Europe generated $463 million, making up 27.54% of total revenue, exceeding projections by +3.47% [6] Future Revenue Projections - For the current fiscal quarter, total revenue is anticipated to be $1.63 billion, a 3.5% increase year-over-year, with expected contributions of 33.9% from Asia Pacific and 26.5% from Europe [7] - For the full year, projected total revenue is $6.75 billion, indicating a 3.7% rise from the previous year, with Asia Pacific expected to contribute 34.8% and Europe 26.1% [8] Market Context - The reliance on global markets presents both opportunities and challenges for Agilent, making the analysis of international revenue trends essential for forecasting future performance [9][10] - Analysts are closely monitoring these trends to refine earnings predictions, considering the impact of domestic positioning as well [10]

Core Insights - Agilent Technologies is a leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, established through a spin-off from Hewlett-Packard just before 2000 [1] Company Overview - Agilent operates globally with a strong presence in various markets, indicating its significant role in the industry [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q1 revenue of $1.681 billion, a 1% increase year-over-year, exceeding expectations [24][36] - Core revenue growth was 1.2%, with an estimated growth of just over 3% when adjusting for Lunar New Year impacts [36] - Gross margin was 54.7%, down from the previous year, primarily due to product mix and currency effects [43][130] - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 were $1.31, up 2% from the previous year [45] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets Group grew 1% to $647 million, driven by high-single-digit growth in LC and LCMS instruments [27][28] - Agilent CrossLab Group reported a 3% increase to $696 million, led by services and positive responses to automation software [29][30] - Applied Markets Group saw a 2% decline to $338 million, attributed to strong China stimulus orders [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in the Food market grew 9%, significantly benefiting from China's national stimulus program [38] - Environmental and Forensics market grew 6%, driven by demand for PFAS testing solutions [39] - China revenue declined 4%, but the company captured over 50% of stimulus-related tenders [42][84] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on its Ignite Transformation, aiming to enhance customer experience, reduce complexity, and deliver shareholder value [10][11] - Agilent is investing in digital ecosystems and automation to improve lab productivity and customer outcomes [12][16] - The company is committed to innovation and expanding its market leadership, particularly in China [25][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about market recovery, particularly in instrumentation, despite some macroeconomic uncertainties [9][24] - The company is maintaining its core growth guidance of 2.5% to 3.5% for the year, reflecting a prudent approach to potential funding risks [47] - Management noted that NIH funding exposure is limited to around 1% of revenue, and they believe the impact is manageable [33][64] Other Important Information - Agilent's factories in Shanghai and Penang were recognized as Global Lighthouse Networks by the World Economic Forum for advancements in AI and robotics [53][54] - The company was ranked No. 10 on Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies, highlighting its commitment to sustainability [56] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you quantify the level of headline risk embedded in the fiscal 2Q guide? - Management acknowledged the prudent guidance due to changes in NIH funding and tariffs but noted increased activity and sentiment from customers, particularly in pharma [62][64] Question: How much of the EPS number in fiscal 2Q is impacted by FX? - The estimated FX impact for the full year is a $0.09 headwind, with a $30 million impact in Q2, translating to a $0.02 to $0.03 impact on EPS [67][68] Question: Can you discuss opportunities within PFAS given the 70% growth? - Demand for PFAS solutions remains strong, with significant growth in environmental, food, and chemical materials markets, driven by new regulations [70][72] Question: What is the impact of the Infinity III launch on growth? - The Infinity III launch has significantly improved win rates and is driving a replacement cycle, particularly among older instruments [76][78] Question: Can you elaborate on the China stimulus impact? - The company won 50% of the stimulus orders, amounting to $35 million, and expects more stimulus in the second half of the year [83][85]

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Agilent Technologies reported quarterly earnings of $1.31 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.27 per share, and showing an increase from $1.29 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 3.15% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.68 billion for the quarter ended January 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.86%, and showing a slight increase from $1.66 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Agilent has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Agilent shares have declined approximately 0.1% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 1.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.33 on revenues of $1.65 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.56 on revenues of $6.83 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Agilent is currently unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Group 3: Industry Context - The Medical - Products industry, to which Agilent belongs, is currently ranked in the top 32% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Agilent Technologies Q1 FY2025 Financial Results Overview Safe Harbor This presentation contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, information, and future guidance on the company's revenue, revenue growth, earnings per share, operating cash flow, capital expenditures, net interest and other/expense, impact of acquisitions and related financing, share repurchases, dividends, diluted share counts, currency exchange rates, and Lunar New Year impact) that involve risks and uncertainties ...