Whirlpool is investing $300 million to expand US production of washers and dryers, upping its domestic manufacturing as tariffs loom over foreign competitors https://t.co/DUBjvqgq8Q ...

Core Viewpoint - Q.E.P. Co., Inc. reported a decline in net sales and gross profit for the first six months and second quarter of fiscal year 2026, primarily due to elevated interest rates and consumer caution affecting home improvement spending [2][3]. Financial Performance - Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2026 were $119.2 million, a decrease of $6.9 million or 5.5% from $126.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2025 [2]. - Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 were $57.7 million, down $4.9 million or 7.8% from $62.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [2]. - Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2026 was $43.3 million, down $1.5 million or 3.4% from $44.8 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2025 [3]. - Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $20.6 million, a decrease of $1.7 million or 7.6% from $22.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [3]. - The gross margin for the first six months and second quarter of fiscal 2026 was 36.3% and 35.7%, respectively, showing an increase from 35.5% and 35.6% in the same periods of the prior fiscal year [3]. Operating Expenses and Income - Operating expenses totaled $32.9 million for the first six months of fiscal 2026, representing 27.6% of net sales, compared to $34.5 million or 27.3% of net sales in the comparable fiscal 2025 period [4]. - Operating expenses for the second quarter were $16.0 million, or 27.8% of net sales, compared to $17.2 million or 27.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [4]. - Net income from continuing operations for the first six months of fiscal 2026 was $8.0 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, compared to $7.7 million or $2.34 per diluted share in the same period of fiscal 2025 [6]. - Net income for the second quarter was $3.5 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $3.8 million or $1.17 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [6]. Cash Flow and Dividends - Cash provided by operations during the first six months of fiscal 2026 was $8.8 million, down from $11.2 million in the first six months of fiscal 2025 [9]. - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on November 26, 2025, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to stockholders [11]. Balance Sheet - As of August 31, 2025, working capital totaled $72.3 million, an increase from $67.4 million at the end of fiscal 2025 [10]. - Aggregate available cash, net of outstanding debt, was $34.3 million, up from $28.4 million at the end of fiscal 2025 [10].

Group 1: U.S.-China Trade Relations - The U.S.-China relationship is experiencing increased tension, with President Trump considering a cooking oil embargo against China due to its refusal to purchase U.S. soybeans, which has led to volatile stock market trading [1][5] - China was the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans last year but has not made any purchases since May, amid ongoing trade disputes [5] - The White House has threatened a new 100% tariff on China following its export restrictions on rare earth materials, with future actions from China determining the implementation of these tariffs [5] Group 2: Boeing's Performance - Boeing is on track for its highest annual plane delivery count since 2018, having delivered 55 aircraft in September, totaling 440 for the first nine months of 2025 [6] - The company has stabilized its production following previous safety and production crises, with plans to increase production of the 737 Max planes [6] - Boeing received approval from EU antitrust regulators for its $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, agreeing to sell some of Spirit's businesses to address competition concerns [7] Group 3: Cryptocurrency Seizure - The Justice Department seized approximately $15 billion worth of bitcoin from Chen Zhi's cryptocurrency wallets, who is accused of running a large-scale fraud operation in Cambodia [9] - This seizure represents the largest forfeiture action sought by the DOJ [9]

futures in positive territory this morning. Join us now now for a look at the markets. Lori uh Kalvasina, she is RBC's capital markets head of US equity research.Good morning. >> Good morning. >> And the question that I would ask you is what do we do in this sort of topyturvy world of both.We're getting all these earnings reports, but I can't tell whether I'm supposed to focus on that or focus on what Trump is saying about tariffs in China. >> So, I I think unfortunately we have to deal with both right now. ...

Trump's bailout could have the added effect of hurting American farmers, who we should note are already suffering immensely under the effects of Trump's chaotic whipssawing global trade war. For the second time in a decade, Trump has picked a fight with China at the expense of American farmers who make up obviously a pretty sizable portion of his political base. You see, American farmers grow a lot of soybeans and China buys them.Last year, China brought over half, 52% of our total soybean exports. They are ...

REMINDER:Polymarket traders see only a 16% chance that Trump will follow through with 130% tariffs on China! https://t.co/MRotM33fnF ...

Apple CEO Tim Cook pledged to boost investment in China during a visit to the country, despite threats from Donald Trump to slap tariffs on its foreign-made products https://t.co/ZclTNc4Gt2 ...

Trade Performance - China's exports experienced the fastest growth rate in six months [1] - Strong trade momentum is evident despite ongoing U.S tariffs [1]

India and Brazil, two of the emerging-market giants are deepening their ties betting that a united front will help them endure the US broadsides and find new markets to skirt tariffs https://t.co/4npVljLyAu ...

Healthcare Policy Impact - Analysis indicates that nearly 25% of individuals under 65 in Florida could experience increased healthcare premiums if healthcare credits expire [1] - States such as Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Utah, South Carolina, and Alabama, which are states that Donald Trump won in the last election, would be significantly affected by potential healthcare premium hikes [2] Trade and Economic Policy - Goldman Sachs reports that US consumers are bearing up to 55% of the costs associated with Trump's tariffs [4] - The potential imposition of a 100% tariff on all goods from China led to immediate retaliatory actions from China [5] - China's reduced soybean purchases from the US are characterized as an "economically hostile act" [6] Misinformation and Awareness - Allegations that the Biden FBI secretly placed over 200 FBI agents into the crowd on January 6th have been refuted by Trump's own FBI director, Cash Patel [7][8] - Trump cited news footage of supposed chaos in Portland as justification for deploying troops into that city, but the news outlet cites sources close to Trump who say the videos he's citing are from 5 years ago [9]