Welcome back. With a rising cost of groceries top of mind for many Americans, President Trump is insisting today that China will make good on its vow to buy millions of tons of US farm products, including soybeans. >> Our relationship with China has been very good.And as far as buying our farm products, uh, they're pretty much on schedule. Scott, I'd like you to call them, say if they could speed it up, it would be good, sir. >> Okay.But they're pretty much on schedule. His comments coming as data from the ...

Drugmakers are making notable deals, biotech is coming back, and much of the worry about tariffs and interest rates has faded away. ...

AI Impact on Business - AI is accelerating change faster than previously experienced [1] - Only 5% of companies are seeing AI's impact on their Profit and Loss (PNL), while over 65% are reporting AI initiatives [3] - 2026 is expected to be a year where AI's impact materializes in companies, both on the cost and efficiency side, as well as on revenue growth [3] - Companies are focusing on upskilling and retraining their workforce for AI utilization [4] - Companies are shifting from having an AI strategy to defining their strategy in an AI-driven world, impacting every function and workflow [5] - AI presents opportunities for both efficiency gains (with fewer people or increased production) and generating new revenue streams [7] Marketing & Consumer Engagement - Companies like Coca-Cola are reimagining their marketing workflows with AI for more targeted messaging [8] - Human involvement remains critical in AI-driven campaigns to ensure brand resonance [9][10][11] - 20% of purchase decisions are being driven by "limbs" (unclear what this refers to, needs clarification), emphasizing the importance of brand discovery and emotional resonance [13] Workforce & Talent - Companies are aiming to use AI to automate monotonous tasks, freeing up talent for more value-added and creative work [15] - There is a talent war for individuals with AI-native skills [15] - The next generation is growing up with AI skills, suggesting a future easing of talent shortages [16][17] Supply Chains & Tariffs - Supply chains were significantly impacted during COVID-19, prompting companies to rethink their dependence on China and consider diversification or onshoring [20] - Companies are conducting scenario planning to understand the potential impact of tariffs [20] - There is hope that the White House will consider the impact of tariffs on both companies and consumers [20][21] CEO Succession Planning - CEO succession is considered one of the most important responsibilities of a board of directors [22] - A thorough process involving a broad range of internal and external candidates is crucial [23][25] - Boards should look at succession planning not just at the CEO level, but also at the executive leadership team and one or two levels below [27]

So you have such a unique perspective, of course, on how AI is shaping companies. And there's a great piece in the Wall Street Journal coming out of their leadership institute. I understand that you attended as well, but it seems like the consensus is that AI is fueling change faster than anything we've experienced before.But how exactly companies handle that is not as clear. So I wonder, you know, in the chairs that you occupy, what are those conversations sound like. Well, you can count on the fact that A ...

Over the past 20 years, Walmart has faced stiff challenges from e-commerce (Amazon) and big-box brick-and-mortar retailers (Target). At times, its retail dominance has been questioned, leading to investors selling shares. Recently, however, doubts have quieted, and Walmart's stock price has soared. One reason is the company's reputation as the low-priced leader at a time when consumers are increasingly cash-strapped. Another is Walmart's decision to take a page out of Amazon's book, investing heavily in e ...

Core Insights - Sypris Solutions, Inc. reported a net income of 2 cents per share for Q3 2025, unchanged from the previous year, while revenue decreased by 19.6% to $28.7 million [1][2] Revenue Performance - Revenue of $28.7 million represented a 19.6% decrease from $35.7 million in the same period last year [2] - The transportation and energy-related segment, Sypris Technologies, saw revenues decline by 41% year over year to $11.5 million due to a cyclical downturn in the commercial vehicle market and inventory adjustments [3] - In contrast, Sypris Electronics experienced a 6% increase in revenues to $17.1 million, supported by customer program ramp-ups [5] Profitability Metrics - Despite the revenue decline, net income slightly increased to $0.5 million from $0.4 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to a $2.5 million gain from a sale-leaseback transaction [2][12] - Total gross profit for the quarter was $2.1 million, down 65.7% from $6 million in the year-ago quarter, with an operating loss of $1.7 million compared to an operating income of $1.7 million in the same period last year [6] Segment Analysis - Gross profit for Sypris Technologies fell to $0.9 million from $3.7 million, with margins shrinking to 7.5% from 18.8% [4] - Sypris Electronics' gross profit decreased to $1.2 million from $2.3 million, with margins contracting to 6.9% from 14.3% due to supply chain constraints [5] Management Commentary - The CEO acknowledged the challenging environment, citing tariff impacts and regulatory uncertainty as key demand suppressors, particularly in the transportation sector [7] - There is optimism for a replenishment cycle in 2026 as the inventory drawdown cycle among transportation customers appears to be nearing its end [7] Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued operational challenges into early 2026 due to persistent tariff pressures and macroeconomic uncertainties, expecting a near-term revenue decline [11] - Robust order activity and a strong electronics backlog are expected to partially offset these headwinds, with a 65% increase in order intake year to date [10]

Are the bulk of President Trump’s tariffs unlawful? That question, now before the US Supreme Court, has spawned a hot trade on Wall Street. Here's what to know https://t.co/GNSkK3pCC2 ...

Summary of Ford Motor Company Conference Call (November 18, 2025) Company Overview - **Company**: Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) - **Speaker**: Andrew Frick, President of Ford Blue and Model E Key Points Financial Performance and Guidance - Ford reported a strong underlying business with an EBIT guidance of **$8 billion to $8.5 billion** for the year before the Novelis fire incident, which is a **$1.5 billion to $2 billion** negative impact for Q4 [10][11] - The company managed to offset **$1 billion** of a **$2 billion** tariff headwind through market factors and pricing strategies [10][14] - The revised guidance for Q4 is **$6 billion to $6.5 billion** net of the Novelis impact [12] Tariffs and Regulatory Environment - Tariffs initially posed a significant challenge but were reduced to a **$2 billion** headwind for the year, with Ford well-positioned due to its U.S.-based manufacturing [14][18] - The company plans to incorporate tariff costs into its business model moving forward, treating them as a standard cost of doing business [19][23] - Regulatory changes are expected to provide more flexibility in production, allowing Ford to cater to natural consumer demand across various powertrains [26][29] Emissions and Electrification Strategy - Ford is adapting to changing emissions regulations, with expectations of less stringent caps under the current administration, which will allow for a broader range of vehicle offerings [29][30] - The company has invested in hybrid technology and is seeing a significant increase in hybrid vehicle sales, particularly with the F-150 [45] Ford Pro Business Segment - Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle segment, is a strategic advantage with a diverse customer base across large corporations, small businesses, and government sectors [32][33] - The company has invested over **$2 billion** in dealer infrastructure to support commercial customers, enhancing service capabilities and customer uptime [34][35] - Ford Pro Intelligence, a software offering, has led to higher customer loyalty and increased service revenue [37][38] New Product Developments - Ford is launching a **Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV)** platform aimed at producing affordable electric vehicles, with the first model expected to be a small electric pickup starting around **$30,000** [47][48] - The new manufacturing process will reduce parts and increase assembly line speed by **15%**, enhancing efficiency [49] Competitive Landscape and Market Position - Ford maintains a leading market share in the commercial vehicle sector, outselling competitors significantly [33] - The company is focused on maintaining its leadership in hybrid and electric vehicle segments while also expanding its service and software capabilities [39][40] Return to Formula 1 - Ford is excited about its return to Formula 1, which is expected to enhance brand visibility and attract top engineering talent [55][56] - The partnership with Red Bull Racing aims to leverage F1 technology for consumer vehicles, enhancing Ford's electrification efforts [56][57] Additional Insights - The company emphasizes a balanced approach to electrification, investing across multiple powertrains to meet diverse customer needs [45][51] - Ford's strategic partnerships, such as with ServiceTitan, aim to enhance fleet management solutions for commercial customers [40] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Ford Motor Company conference call, highlighting the company's financial outlook, strategic initiatives, and market positioning.

Investment Plans - Toyota Motor announced plans to invest $912 million in U.S. manufacturing plants across five southern states as part of a broader strategy to invest up to $10 billion domestically by 2030 [3] - The investments are expected to create 252 new jobs [3] - Specific investments include $204.4 million for a plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, for four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, and $125 million to expand Corolla production in Blue Springs, Mississippi, to include hybrid models [1] Market Position - Toyota leads the hybrid vehicle market with over 51% market share through the third quarter of this year, according to Motor Intelligence data [2] - The investments are aimed at increasing production of hybrid vehicles to meet growing customer demand [2][4] Corporate Philosophy - Toyota emphasizes its philosophy of "build where we sell," which is reflected in its investment strategy to create more American jobs and expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint [4] - The announcement of investments follows a commitment made by President Donald Trump for Toyota to invest up to $10 billion more than previously expected over the next five years in the U.S. [4] Industry Context - The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about tariffs and regulatory changes affecting the automotive industry, particularly regarding all-electric vehicles [6] - Toyota's Chairman Akio Toyoda has expressed a willingness to explore ways to make tariffs beneficial for customers while navigating the complexities of the current automotive landscape [5][6]

Core Insights - Artisan Partners' "Artisan Small Cap Fund" reported strong performance in Q3 2025, with major US indices reaching record highs and the fund's Investor Class returning 8.69% [1] - SharkNinja, Inc. (NYSE:SN) was highlighted as a notable stock, experiencing a one-month return of -9.43% and a 52-week decline of 14.40% [2] - The fund adjusted its position in SharkNinja, trimming holdings due to elevated expectations and tariff concerns, but later added back to the position before harvesting capital in Q3 2025 [3] Fund Performance - The Artisan Small Cap Fund's Investor Class returned 8.69%, Advisor Class 8.75%, and Institutional Class 8.73%, while the Russell 2000 Growth Index returned 12.19% [1] - The fund's top holdings can be reviewed for insights into its best picks for 2025 [1] SharkNinja, Inc. Overview - SharkNinja, Inc. is a product design and technology company with a market capitalization of $11.947 billion, closing at $84.64 per share on November 17, 2025 [2] - The company reported a 14.3% year-over-year increase in net sales, reaching $1.63 billion in Q3 2025 [4] - SharkNinja's presence among hedge funds decreased, with 65 portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q2 2025, down from 69 in the previous quarter [4] Investment Sentiment - While SharkNinja is recognized for its potential, the company is viewed as having less upside compared to certain AI stocks, which are considered to carry less downside risk [4]