Peterson also said these actions helped Newell maintain a leverage ratio “at about five times” and that distribution momentum improved as the year progressed, contributing to fourth-quarter sales coming in modestly better than expected.Pricing: The company executed three rounds of pricing in impacted categories to protect structural economics, which management said helped expand normalized operating margin for the year while also increasing advertising and promotional support by 50 basis points.Domestic man ...

Ah, the financial markets. A bastion of logic, predictability, and calm, right? Not when former President Donald J. Trump is in the news cycle. The past few days have been a masterclass in market gymnastics, with investors attempting to decipher pronouncements ranging from high-stakes monetary policy to, well, high-speed automotive entertainment. As always, the market’s reaction has been as nuanced and consistent as a politician’s campaign promises. Let’s dive into the glorious chaos.The Fed Chair Shuffle: ...

Trade Relations with China and Canada - China plans to export approximately 50,000 cheap cars to Canada, which could potentially enter the US market under the USMCA agreement [2] - The US trade policy will impose hefty tariffs on these vehicles if they are of Chinese origin, with the president considering a 100% tariff [3][4] - The US has provisions in the USMCA that could allow for Canada to be excluded from the deal if it engages in a comprehensive trade agreement with China [5] Trade Deal between India and the European Union - The EU is seeking to establish a trade deal with India as a response to US trade policies that prioritize domestic production [7] - India is expected to benefit significantly from this deal, gaining more market access to Europe and potentially additional immigration rights for Indian workers [8] - The EU's need for alternative markets is highlighted by their dependency on trade, especially as they face challenges in exporting to the US [8] US-EU Trade Deal Update - A framework for a US-EU trade deal was agreed upon, which includes $600 billion in investment and a commitment to reduce tariffs on industrial goods to zero [12][13] - The European Parliament has paused the bill to lower tariffs, but discussions are ongoing, and there is optimism about passing the bill soon [14][15] - Despite some unresolved issues, the US has modified its tariffs for Europe, and there is a positive outlook for the trade deal's implementation [16] South Korea Trade Relations - South Korea has not fulfilled its commitments under a trade deal, leading to the imposition of additional tariffs by the US [17][18] - The US has reduced tariffs for South Korea from 25% to 15% as a gesture of goodwill, but South Korea has not executed its part of the agreement [18][19] - The trade deficit with South Korea has increased significantly, from $25 billion in 2020 to $65 billion, indicating an unsustainable economic imbalance [22] Currency Practices and Trade Competitiveness - There is skepticism regarding the currency practices of countries like China and India, with concerns that they may deliberately weaken their currencies to enhance export competitiveness [24][25] - The Chinese central bank's control over currency valuation is acknowledged, and it is suggested that some countries may be engaging in practices to weaken their currencies against the US dollar [25]

Core Viewpoint - Canada has no intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China, as stated by Prime Minister Mark Carney, following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding punitive tariffs on Canadian exports [1][2]. Group 1: Trade Relations - Carney emphasized that Canada respects its obligations under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA) and will not negotiate a free trade agreement without notifying the U.S. and Mexico [1]. - Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian exports if Canada engages in a trade deal with China, indicating a strong stance against Canada acting as a conduit for Chinese goods into the U.S. market [2][3]. - The U.S. Treasury Secretary echoed Trump's concerns, stating that Canada should not become a gateway for Chinese products entering the U.S. [3]. Group 2: Recent Agreements - Canada and China recently concluded a preliminary agreement that allows 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada annually at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1%, with plans to raise tariffs to 100% by October 2024 [4]. - In return, China will lower tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports, such as canola seed oil, from 85% to 15% starting March 1 [4]. - Other Canadian exports, including canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas, will not face Chinese anti-discrimination tariffs until at least the end of 2026 [5].

Group 1 - Investors are optimistic about avoiding military action in Greenland but do not expect a quick diplomatic resolution, with Trump threatening a 25% tariff on opposing European countries [1] - The market is experiencing volatility due to uncertainty, leading to liquidation selling and a "sell America" trade by Europeans protesting against Trump by divesting American assets [2] - The best-case scenario for the market is a rangebound trade, while the worst-case scenario could mirror the significant sell-off seen in April 2025, where the S&P 500 dropped about 10% in two days following tariff announcements [3] Group 2 - Investors are focused on remarks from business leaders at Davos, the Supreme Court's deliberations regarding Trump's actions against Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and the latest earnings reports [4] - Of the 33 S&P 500 companies that reported earnings, 84.8% exceeded analysts' profit estimates, significantly higher than the long-term average of 67.3% [4]

Ampco-Pittsburgh Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company Name**: Ampco-Pittsburgh - **Ticker**: AP - **Founded**: 1929 - **Segments**: - Forged and cast engineered products - Air and liquid processing - **2024 Revenue**: Approximately $400 million - **Employees**: About 1,500 [1][2] Core Business Insights Forged and Cast Engineered Products - **Market Position**: Global leader in forged and cast rolls for steel and aluminum rolling mills, primarily in North America and Europe [2][4] - **Revenue Contribution**: Revenue from rolling mill rolls is estimated at $250-$300 million, with the global market for rolling mill rolls around $2 billion annually [8][9] - **Customer Base**: Major customers include U.S. Steel, Steel Dynamics, and Cleveland-Cliffs [5][11] - **Production Facilities**: Operations in the U.S., Sweden, and Slovenia, with a joint venture in China [6][10] - **Market Dynamics**: The company expects $7-$8 million annual EBITDA improvement from the business reset, focusing on operational efficiencies and growth [3][16] Air and Liquid Processing - **Business Segments**: - Aerofin: Heat exchange products for nuclear power and industrial processes - Buffalo Air Handling: Custom air handling units for specialized environments - Buffalo Pumps: Centrifugal pumps primarily for the U.S. Navy and power generation [17][18] - **Growth**: 55% revenue growth over the last three years, with continued expansion expected [18][19] - **Strategic Importance**: Long-term supplier to the U.S. Navy, with significant investments to modernize facilities [20][21] Financial Performance - **EBITDA Improvement**: Anticipated annualized improvement of $7-$8 million from exiting underperforming assets [23][24] - **Debt Leverage**: Expected to improve as the company modernizes plants and exits unprofitable operations [23][24] - **Pension Plan**: Moving towards a fully funded status, which will positively impact financial health [24] Market Trends and Opportunities - **End Market Growth**: Major end markets projected to grow 3-5% over the next five years, contrasting with previous years of flat or declining growth [15][24] - **Tariff Impact**: Anticipated increase in demand due to tariff changes in Europe, potentially increasing demand by 10%-15% [14][28] - **Nuclear and Navy Markets**: Significant growth opportunities in the nuclear sector and U.S. Navy contracts, with barriers to entry providing competitive advantages [19][21] Risks and Challenges - **Market Demand Fluctuations**: Previous delays in roll purchases due to tariffs and market conditions, but signs of improvement are noted [28][29] - **Competitive Landscape**: Limited competition in the U.S. for rolling mill rolls, but ongoing monitoring of competitors like Villares is necessary [9][34] Conclusion - **Future Outlook**: Positive growth trajectory anticipated, with a focus on improving performance, reducing debt, and capitalizing on market opportunities in both segments [36]

Core Viewpoint - The Trade Desk Inc (NASDAQ:TTD) shares have reached a new 52-week low as investors react to President Trump's proposed tariffs on goods from several European countries, raising concerns about the impact on the company's advertising revenue [1][4]. Company Performance - The Trade Desk reported quarterly results in November with revenue of approximately $739 million, reflecting an 18% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share (EPS) of 45 cents, surpassing consensus expectations. The company guided for fourth-quarter revenue exceeding $840 million [5]. - Despite the positive earnings report, BofA Securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich maintained an Underperform rating and reduced the price target from $49 to $40, citing concerns over macroeconomic headwinds from tariffs [6]. Market Conditions - The proposed 10% tariffs on goods from key European countries could negatively affect the margins of consumer and luxury brands that heavily invest in digital advertising, which is crucial for The Trade Desk's business model [3]. - The stock is currently trading 8.5% below its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 10.2% below its 100-day SMA, indicating bearish momentum. Over the past 12 months, shares have decreased by 72.56% [7]. Analyst Insights - The average price target for The Trade Desk is $65.32, with a consensus rating of Buy, despite a projected 15% decline in earnings [10]. - The stock is trading at a premium P/E multiple of 40.3x, indicating a steep valuation compared to peers, while the growth potential remains strong with a score of 90.67/100 [12]. ETF Exposure - The Trade Desk has significant weight in the SmartETFs Advertising and Marketing Technology ETF (NYSE:MRAD), which could lead to automatic buying or selling of the stock based on ETF inflows or outflows [13].

Core Viewpoint - President Donald Trump announced a plan to impose a 10% tariff on eight NATO countries starting February 1 [1] Group 1 - The tariff is aimed at eight specific NATO countries, indicating a targeted approach to trade policy [1] - The implementation date for the tariff is set for February 1, suggesting a timeline for affected countries to prepare [1]

Market Overview - Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market experienced a decline, influenced by the European Union's plans for €93 billion ($110 billion) in tariffs in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threats regarding Greenland [1] - The tariff concerns negatively impacted equities in Europe and U.S. futures, while safe-haven assets like gold and silver reached record highs [1] Bitcoin Performance - Bitcoin is currently trading at $93,000, reflecting a 2.5% decrease since Sunday [2] - The cryptocurrency fell below the $94,500 support level, indicating a potential return to a trading range between $85,000 and $94,500, which has been in place since mid-November [3] Derivatives Market - The crypto market pullback resulted in nearly $800 million in leveraged long bets being liquidated within 24 hours due to margin shortages [6] - Total notional open interest (OI) in crypto futures decreased by over 2% to $138.14 billion, with Bitcoin's OI increasing by 0.65% while OI for other major tokens dropped by 8%-13% [6] - The 30-day implied volatility for BTC and ETH has not significantly increased, indicating traders do not expect major price movements in the near term [6] Altcoin Market - The altcoin market showed mixed performance, with the CoinDesk 80 Index (CD80) down 4.64% over the past 24 hours, while the CoinDesk 20 (CD20) fell by 2.5% [2] - Monero (XMR) diverged positively from Bitcoin, rising over 13%, while DeFi tokens faced double-digit losses [6] - Medium market cap tokens underperformed compared to major cryptocurrencies, highlighting a liquidity issue following October's liquidation events [6] Liquidations and Market Impact - The tariff-induced selloff led to $815 million in liquidations, with $231 million attributed to Bitcoin and the remainder affecting the altcoin market [6]

Core Viewpoint - Gold and silver prices increased, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment towards safe-haven assets amid mixed performance in Asian stock markets and declining U.S. stock futures [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Asian stock benchmarks showed mixed results, reflecting varied investor confidence across different markets [1] - U.S. stock futures experienced a decline, suggesting potential bearish sentiment ahead of market openings [1] Group 2: Commodity Trends - The rise in gold and silver prices may signal increased demand for safe-haven investments as market volatility persists [1]