President Donald Trump hailed a historic Wall Street milestone Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time, a surge he attributed to his administration's aggressive trade policies.Presidential Victory LapWriting on Truth Social, the President linked the market’s record performance to his protectionist agenda and national security strategy. "Record Stock Market, and National Security, driven by our Great TARIFFS," Trump posted, following the index’s climb to 50,115.67.Tr ...

Ah, the financial markets. A delicate ecosystem of algorithms, analyst predictions, and the occasional geopolitical tremor. And then there’s Donald J. Trump, whose pronouncements often hit the trading floors like a rogue wave, leaving investors either scrambling for lifeboats or surfing a sudden, inexplicable surge. The past few days have been no exception, a veritable masterclass in market-moving declarations, often delivered with the subtlety of a bullhorn at a meditation retreat. From grand trade deals t ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company achieved a 6% increase in sales volume year-over-year, despite a challenging market environment marked by global overcapacity and subdued steel production trends [4][5] - The average selling price for the fourth quarter was approximately $4,000 per metric ton, reflecting a 9% decline year-over-year and a 5% sequential decline from the third quarter [17] - The company reported a net loss of $65 million or $2.50 per share for the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $49 million or $1.92 per share in the prior year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. sales volume grew by 48% for the full year and by 83% in the fourth quarter, indicating a successful shift towards regions with stronger pricing fundamentals [5][17] - The company's production volume for the fourth quarter was approximately 28,000 metric tons, resulting in a capacity utilization rate of 60% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global steel production outside of China was 843 million tons in 2025, up less than 1% compared to the prior year, with a global utilization rate of approximately 67% [8][9] - In North America, steel production increased by 1% in 2025, driven by a 3% year-over-year growth in the United States [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow sales volume by 5%-10% year-over-year in 2026, with a continued focus on shifting geographic mix towards the U.S. [26][27] - Management is evaluating opportunities for trade or policymaking support and potential strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency and long-term value creation [15] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management highlighted the need for structural changes in the supply chain to address the overcapacity issue in the graphite electrode industry, which threatens long-term viability [14][36] - There are indicators of a rebound in the steel market, with projected global steel demand growth of 3.5% year-over-year for 2026 [10][11] Other Important Information - The company ended 2025 with a liquidity position of $340 million, which includes $138 million in cash, enabling it to maintain stability amid industry challenges [7][24] - The total recordable incident rate improved to 0.41 in 2025, representing the best safety performance on record for the company [7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Has aggressive competitor pricing worsened, particularly in the U.S.? - Management noted that pricing pressure is observed globally, driven by imports and aggressive pricing behaviors from competitors, particularly from China and India [42][45] Question: Is it reasonable to assume that realized pricing will be lower in 2026? - Management refrained from providing specific price guidance but indicated that pricing levels heading into 2026 are not better than those observed in 2025 [46] Question: How does the company plan to win back market share amid aggressive pricing? - The company will focus on enhancing its value proposition through R&D and customer partnerships, while being selective in regions where price competition is fierce [56] Question: What is the company's liquidity position to navigate the downturn? - The company has $340 million in liquidity and has taken decisive actions to preserve and enhance this liquidity amid ongoing market challenges [65] Question: What is the impact of Indian tariffs on the U.S. market? - Management expressed confidence in their position heading into 2026, despite the reduction of tariffs on Indian imports, anticipating overall volume growth [71] Question: What is the current supply picture of graphite electrodes coming out of China? - Management indicated that Chinese exports continue to pressure the global market, with significant overcapacity affecting pricing dynamics [78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, GrafTech International reported a full-year sales volume increase of 6% despite a challenging graphite electrode industry environment marked by global overcapacity and subdued steel production trends [4][5] - The company achieved an 11% reduction in cash cost of goods sold per metric ton for the full year, resulting in a cumulative reduction of 31% since the end of 2023 [6][20] - The liquidity position at year-end 2025 was $340 million, including $138 million in cash, which exceeded expectations [8][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., sales volume grew by 48% for the full year and by 83% in the fourth quarter year-over-year, reflecting a successful shift towards regions with stronger pricing fundamentals [5][18] - The average selling price for the fourth quarter was approximately $4,000 per metric ton, representing a 9% decline year-over-year due to competitive pricing dynamics [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global steel production outside of China was 843 million tons in 2025, with a utilization rate of approximately 67% [9][10] - In North America, steel production increased by 1% in 2025, driven by a 3% growth in the U.S. [10] - The EU experienced a 3% decrease in steel output compared to 2024, with utilization rates averaging just over 60% [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - GrafTech's strategy includes focusing on value-focused growth rather than volume, walking away from low-margin opportunities [5][16] - The company aims to grow sales volume by 5%-10% year-over-year in 2026, with a continued shift towards the U.S. market [27] - Management is evaluating opportunities for optimizing manufacturing and potential strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency and long-term value creation [16][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management highlighted ongoing challenges in the graphite electrode industry due to overcapacity and aggressive competitor pricing, which threaten long-term viability [13][14] - There are signs of potential rebound in steel demand, with projections of 3.5% growth globally outside of China in 2026 [11][12] - The company remains committed to maintaining product quality and safety while navigating market challenges [26][36] Other Important Information - GrafTech's total recordable incident rate improved to 0.41 in 2025, marking the best safety performance on record [8] - The company is actively assessing trade policies and their impact on the graphite electrode market, particularly in relation to U.S. tariffs [32][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Has aggressive competitor pricing worsened, particularly in the U.S.? - Management noted that pricing pressure is global, driven by imports and aggressive pricing behavior from competitors, particularly from China and India [41][42] Question: Is it reasonable to assume that realized pricing will be lower in 2026? - Management refrained from providing specific price guidance but indicated that pricing levels heading into 2026 are not better than those observed in 2025 [45] Question: How does GrafTech plan to win back market share amidst competitive pricing? - The company will focus on its value proposition, emphasizing quality and service, while being selective in regions where price competition is fierce [53][54] Question: What is GrafTech's ability to pivot its needle coke capacity towards EV battery production? - Management expressed a heightened focus on both graphite electrode production and potential involvement in the supply chain for anode materials for EVs, indicating readiness to partner with others in this space [56][58] Question: What is GrafTech's liquidity position and plans for navigating downturns? - The company has $340 million in liquidity and plans to continue taking decisive actions to preserve and enhance liquidity during downturns [62][63]

Consolidated Sales of $149.5 million compared to $143.6 million the prior year quarterNet Income of $4.8 million and EPS of $0.13 EBITDA of $17.4 million compared to $16.7 million the prior year quarterQuarterly dividend of $0.105 per common share to be paid March 31, 2025 TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exco Technologies Limited (TSX-XTC) today announced results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2025. In addition, Exco announced a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per common share which will b ...

Economic Policy and Market Impact - President Trump's upcoming speech is expected to outline economic priorities and policy initiatives, with a focus on tax policy changes, infrastructure spending, regulatory approaches, and trade policy, particularly regarding China [1][2] - The speech's timing amid earnings season and critical economic data releases creates a complex backdrop for market reactions, as political rhetoric and corporate results will compete for investor attention [1][2] Economic Data Releases - Thursday will see a significant convergence of economic data, including the Q3 GDP revision and the November Core PCE Price Index, both released at 8:30am, which could lead to market volatility as investors assess growth and inflation data simultaneously [4] - The GDP revision will provide insights into consumer spending, business investment, and net exports, while the Core PCE Price Index will be crucial for understanding inflation trends [4] Company Earnings Insights - Netflix's earnings report will be critical for understanding the streaming industry's economics, including subscriber growth sustainability and content investment returns, especially in light of competition from platforms like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video [5] - Intel's earnings will be a key indicator of its manufacturing transformation and competitive positioning in the semiconductor market, while GE Aerospace's results will provide insights into commercial aviation demand and defense spending trends [7] - Johnson & Johnson's earnings will offer perspectives on pharmaceutical demand and healthcare spending trends, while Procter & Gamble's results will assess consumer resilience in personal care and household products [8]

Economic Indicators - The December labor market report indicated nonfarm payrolls rose by 50,000, below the forecast of 73,000 by economists [2] - The unemployment rate decreased to 4.4%, compared to the forecast of 4.5% and down from 4.6% in November, suggesting an improving economy [3] Market Performance - The S&P 500 Index is up about 1% this week, while the Dow and Nasdaq have outperformed with increases of 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively [1] - Nine out of 11 sectors are moving higher, with Utilities leading at a 1.88% increase, followed by Materials at 0.86% and Industrials at 0.84% [5] - Energy sector is up 0.55%, while Technology sector is struggling with a slight drop of 0.05% in early trading [5] Legal and Trade Developments - The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed a ruling on the legality of President Trump's tariffs, which could have significant implications for trade policy and the U.S. fiscal situation [4]

Group 1 - Luxury retailer RH saw a nearly 5% increase in stock price, while Williams-Sonoma and Wayfair experienced gains of more than 2% and 4% respectively [1] - Trump announced a year-long pause on increased tariffs for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, maintaining the current 25% duty set in September [1][2] - Prior to this decision, tariffs on upholstered furniture were expected to rise by 30% starting in 2026, with Trump citing ongoing trade discussions as the reason for the delay [2] Group 2 - Furniture suppliers have faced scrutiny from Wall Street due to concerns over rising costs linked to Trump's trade policies, but stock performance varied significantly across the sector [2] - Wayfair's stock surged over 125% in 2025, benefiting from a shift towards value-focused retailers, while Williams-Sonoma's stock fell more than 3% [3] - RH's stock declined over 50% in the previous year, with CEO Gary Friedman acknowledging the negative impact of tariffs on the company's performance [3][4]

Labor Market Overview - The labor market is deteriorating for both employers and job seekers, with job seekers facing fewer openings and longer unemployment durations, as evidenced by the long-term unemployment rate reaching its highest since November 2021 in September [1] - Employers are struggling to find qualified candidates, particularly in industries like homebuilding, leading to a significant slowdown in job creation, with job losses occurring in two months of 2025, a first since the pandemic [2] Job Creation Trends - Economists predict that the U.S. economy will add an average of only 57,000 jobs per month in the first quarter of 2026, a stark decline from the pre-tariff average of 147,000 jobs per month [3] - Job creation has slowed to an average of 38,600 jobs per month since the announcement of tariffs, which is less than a quarter of the previous rate [3] Economic Implications - The slowdown in hiring and the rise in long-term unemployment indicate that both employers and workers are struggling to adapt to a new economic environment characterized by uncertain trade policies, higher borrowing costs, and persistent skills mismatches [4] - The uncertainty surrounding trade policies, particularly tariffs, is a significant factor in the slowdown, as businesses are hesitant to expand or hire without clarity on future costs [5] Technological Impact - The increasing adoption of AI in businesses may further impact the workforce, with estimates suggesting that AI could replace 6% to 7% of existing jobs, although new job opportunities may arise as a result [6] Immigration and Workforce Supply - The reduction in immigration due to policy changes has significantly decreased the number of available workers, complicating the hiring process for employers [7] - The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco projects that only 500,000 immigrants will arrive in the U.S. in 2025, a drop from 2.2 million in 2024, which will further limit workforce growth [8] Labor Market Dynamics - There is uncertainty regarding whether the job market's issues stem from a lack of jobs, a lack of workers, or both, complicating the economic outlook [10] - The Federal Reserve's perspective on labor demand versus supply could influence borrowing costs and interest rate decisions, potentially impacting hiring in the coming year [11]

Core Viewpoint - MillerKnoll is cautiously navigating the impact of U.S. trade policies while providing guidance for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a conservative approach in its financial outlook [1]. Financial Performance - In the fiscal second quarter ending November 29, MillerKnoll reported a revenue decline of 1.6% to $955.2 million [2]. - Earnings per share decreased by 28.6% to 35 cents, with North American contract sales down 3.1% and international contract sales down 6.3% year-on-year, despite a 4.8% increase in North American orders [3]. Market Dynamics - The company noted that momentum is building in both North America and internationally as organizations focus on employee collaboration and workspace refreshment, with international orders particularly strong from Europe, the U.K., China, and India [3]. Operational Costs and Expansion - MillerKnoll faced challenges from costs associated with new store openings, net tariff expenses, and foreign currency fluctuations. The company expanded its retail presence with new stores in Salt Lake City and three locations in California [4]. Future Guidance - For the third quarter of 2026, MillerKnoll anticipates sales to range between $923 million and $963 million, indicating a potential improvement from the second quarter's $955.2 million. Adjusted EPS is projected to fluctuate between 42 cents and 48 cents, while gross margin is expected to decrease to between 37.9% and 38.9% [5]. - The company's outlook for the third quarter incorporates considerations of tariffs, new store investments, and seasonal softness in contract businesses due to year-end and the timing of the Chinese New Year [6].