Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insightsASX today – We’re heading into Thursday morning on the upswing in Australia, mainly thanks to Wall Street continuing its advance. Next, things turn to the biggest reporting day of the February earnings season Down Under.Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.There’s a chance New York’s tech rally (Nasdaq +1.3%) falters som ...

Washington, DC, Feb. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThinkCareBelieve announces a New Report on 57th week of the Trump Administration's Second Term.  The article can be accessed in full at:  https://thinkcarebelieve.blog/2026/02/21/week-57-of-the-trump-2-0-administration/ President Trump making bold moves in the 57th week of his second term.  Setting a global 10% sweeping tariff following the SCOTUS ruling against his use of IEEPA tariffs, he has set a course to correct and overcome any setback before they ha ...

Core Viewpoint - BlueScope Steel Limited is a significant player in the steel manufacturing industry, known for its flat steel products and operations across North America, Australia, and Asia, competing with major manufacturers like ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel [1] Financial Performance - On February 15, 2026, BlueScope reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.58, exceeding the estimated $0.52, indicating better profit generation than anticipated [2] - The company generated revenue of approximately $5.49 billion, slightly below the estimated $5.61 billion, suggesting challenges in increasing sales despite effective cost management [2] Valuation Metrics - BlueScope's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 151.80, indicating a high valuation relative to its earnings, suggesting investors are willing to pay a premium for its shares [3] - The price-to-sales ratio and enterprise value to sales ratio both stand at 0.78, reflecting that the market values the company's sales at less than one times its current market price [3] Financial Stability - The debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08 indicates a low level of debt relative to equity, suggesting the company is not heavily reliant on borrowed funds, which is advantageous for financial flexibility [4] - The current ratio of 1.96 shows that BlueScope has nearly twice as many current assets as current liabilities, indicating good short-term financial health [4] Cash Flow and Earnings Yield - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is 9.01, indicating how many times the company's operating cash flow is covered by its enterprise value, providing insight into cash generation capabilities [5] - The earnings yield of 0.66% offers a perspective on earnings generated per dollar invested, which is the inverse of the P/E ratio, contributing to a comprehensive view of financial standing [5] Summary - BlueScope Steel Limited reported an EPS of $0.58, surpassing estimates, while revenue fell short of expectations, indicating potential challenges in sales growth [6] - Financial metrics reveal a strong valuation and financial health, with a notable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08 [6]

Core Insights - ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) is expanding its value-added steel portfolio with two new products targeting the consumer appliance sector to reduce imports [1][5] Company Strategy - The company aims to increase its value-added steel portfolio contribution from 60-65% to over 70-75% in the next two to three years through new product launches [3] - AM/NS India's strategy focuses on downstream steel, which includes higher-value products for industries such as automobiles, appliances, and construction [2] Product Launch - The two new products are AM/NS Vibrance, a premium colour-coated steel for appliances, and AM/NS Optima, a non-colour-coated galvanized steel for outdoor units and panels [5] - These products are designed to meet the design-led needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the appliance and industrial manufacturing sectors [7] Market Context - India imports approximately 100,000 tonnes of steel for appliances annually, and AM/NS India plans to substitute these imports at a lower cost [3][5] - The Indian consumer durables market is projected to become the world's fourth largest by FY27, with a demand for coated steel expected to grow at 8-10% annually [6] - Coated steel demand in the appliance segment is growing at roughly 10% per year, driven by consumer aspirations, urbanization, and government initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue decreased by approximately $3 million or 2.7% to approximately $108.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to $111.5 million in the prior year period [4] - Operating income increased by approximately $2.7 million or 352.9% to $3.5 million for the first quarter, compared to approximately $800,000 in the prior year period [9] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was approximately $7.8 million, an increase of approximately $2 million or 35.7% compared to $5.7 million in the prior year period [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail-Flooring segment revenue for the first quarter was approximately $25.3 million, down $6.4 million or 20.2% compared to $31.7 million in the prior year period, primarily due to changes in store footprint and softness in the housing market [5] - Flooring Manufacturing segment revenue for the first quarter was approximately $28.9 million, a decrease of approximately $300,000 or 1.1% compared to approximately $29.2 million in the prior year period [6] - Steel Manufacturing segment revenue for the first quarter was approximately $31.9 million, a decrease of approximately $1.4 million or 4.3% compared to approximately $33.3 million in the prior year period [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The decline in revenue was primarily attributable to a $7.1 million decline in the Retail-Flooring and Steel Manufacturing segments, partially offset by a $4.1 million increase in the Retail-Entertainment and Flooring Manufacturing segments [4] - Retail-Entertainment segment revenue for the first quarter was approximately $23.6 million, an increase of approximately $2.3 million or 11% compared to $21.3 million in the prior year period [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is rolling out a comprehensive strategy to integrate AI across business units to modernize operations and improve efficiency [11] - By applying AI alongside robotics and data analytics, the company aims to reinforce cost discipline that supports its long-term strategy [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the portfolio companies continued to strengthen their operating disciplines and optimize cost structures despite sustained softness in new home construction and home refurbishment markets [3] - The company delivered a solid first quarter marked by meaningful operating improvements across the businesses, despite a challenging housing market backdrop [11] Other Important Information - Gross profit was approximately $35.4 million for the first quarter, essentially unchanged compared to the prior year period, but gross margin increased by 90 basis points to 32.6% [8] - General and administrative expense decreased approximately $2.2 million or 7.4% to approximately $27.8 million, driven by targeted cost reduction initiatives [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are there any questions from the participants? - There were no questions from the participants during the Q&A session [13]

Financial Results - Tata Steel reported a 723% increase in consolidated net profit for the December quarter, reaching Rs 2,689 crore compared to Rs 327 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations was Rs 57,002 crore, up 6% from Rs 53,648 crore year-on-year [6][12] - State Bank of India (SBI) announced a 24% year-on-year growth in standalone net profit at Rs 21,028 crore for the third quarter, with net interest income increasing by 9% to Rs 45,190 crore and operating profit growing 40% to Rs 32,862 crore [12] Corporate Developments - Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers reported a fraud of Rs 13 crore discovered by its Internal Inquiry Committee, involving unknown individuals and employees of Anand Rathi IT Private Limited [4][12] - Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPVL) plans to raise vehicle prices due to ongoing pressure from rising commodity costs [8][12] - Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Australia-based Goodness Group Global, expanding its presence in the Australian market [12] Strategic Investments - Tata Chemicals announced an investment of Rs 515 crore to establish a new greenfield manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu for the production of Iodised Vacuum Salt Dried (IVSD) [10][12] - ACME Solar secured a 301/1,204 megawatt hour firm and dispatchable renewable energy project from SECI, integrating advanced solar, wind, and Battery Energy Storage Systems [9][12] - Larsen & Toubro (L&T) plans to commission 18 MW of data center capacity by March-end, increasing total operational capacity to 32 MW, with a capital expenditure of around Rs 1,000 crore [8][12] Market Expectations - Titan Company anticipates a significant rise in sales of luxury Swiss watches in India following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has reduced import duties [7][12]

Core Insights - The article discusses four stocks that exemplify the GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) investment strategy, highlighting their attractive PEG ratios and strong growth outlooks. Group 1: GARP Investment Strategy - GARP investing combines growth and value investing principles, aiming for stocks that are undervalued yet have solid growth potential [4][6]. - The PEG ratio, which is the price-to-earnings ratio divided by the earnings growth rate, is a key metric for GARP investors, with a lower PEG ratio (preferably less than 1) indicating better investment potential [6][7]. Group 2: Stock Analysis - **Nexa Resources**: A global zinc miner with a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A, it has a long-term expected growth rate of 35.6% and a discounted PEG and P/E ratio [11]. - **Harmony Biosciences**: A U.S.-based pharmaceutical company with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of A, it has a five-year expected growth rate of 27.1% [12]. - **Commercial Metals**: This company, which manufactures and recycles steel and metal products, has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A, with a long-term expected growth rate of 25.5% [14]. - **Suzano**: A manufacturer of pulp and paper products with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of A, it boasts a solid long-term expected growth rate of 44.1% [16].

Core Insights - Central Steel Fabricators is positioning itself as a key infrastructure provider in the growing artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data-center sectors [1] Company Overview - Central Steel Fabricators has a manufacturing history that includes significant technological transitions, providing essential infrastructure for digital telecommunications, the internet, and mobile telecom networks [2] - The company specializes in precision-fabricated steel systems for data centers, including cable management systems, structural frames, and custom components [3] Automation and Production Capacity - The implementation of robotic welding has significantly increased daily production capacity, enabling the company to quickly respond to large-scale AI infrastructure projects and fiber deployments [4] - Central Steel Fabricators is expected to benefit from long-term growth trends due to its automation, capacity expansion, and involvement in AI-driven infrastructure investments [4] Market Position and Future Potential - The CEO of Central Steel Fabricators emphasized the limitless opportunities for companies addressing the unmet needs of data center contractors, particularly in the AI-driven market [5] - The company serves a wide range of Engineer, Furnish, and Install contractors across the U.S., supplying major communications providers and benefiting from the demand for AI-driven data center build-outs [5] Parent Company Overview - Live Ventures Incorporated is a diversified holding company focused on acquiring and operating middle-market companies with strong cash flows, incorporating advanced technologies like AI and robotics to enhance operational efficiency [6]

Group 1: NBCC (India) Ltd - NBCC (India) Ltd secured two significant contracts in Odisha totaling ₹134.05 crore, excluding GST [1] - The first contract is for construction, repair, and renovation under PM-USHA at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, valued at ₹45.87 crore [1] - The second contract involves civil works implementation for the Godabarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalaya Scheme, valued at ₹88.18 crore [1] Group 2: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) - ONGC signed Joint Venture Agreements with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. to subscribe to equity shares in two joint venture entities, Bharat Ethane One IFSC Pvt Ltd and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Pvt Ltd [2] - ONGC will subscribe to 200,000 equity shares at ₹100 per share in each joint venture, resulting in a 50% equity stake in both entities [2] Group 3: Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) - SAIL reported a 37% year-on-year growth in sales, reaching 2.1 million tonnes in December 2025, compared to 1.5 million tonnes in December 2024 [3] - This performance marks the best ever showing for the month of December, with significant inventory reduction and a strong focus on customer deliveries [3]

Market Overview - The stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade on December 30, 2025, due to persistent foreign fund outflows and a muted trend in global equities affecting investor sentiment [1] - The BSE Sensex fell by 209.32 points to 84,486.22, while the NSE Nifty decreased by 63.25 points to 25,878.85 [1] Company Performance - Among the biggest laggards in the 30-Sensex firms were Eternal, InterGlobe Aviation, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, and Kotak Mahindra Bank [1] - Conversely, Bharti Airtel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Adani Ports, and Reliance Industries were noted as gainers [2] Foreign and Domestic Investment - Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth ₹2,759.89 crore on December 29, while Domestic Institutional Investors purchased stocks worth ₹2,643.85 crore [3] Global Market Trends - In Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was in positive territory, while South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225, and Shanghai's SSE Composite index were lower [2] - U.S. markets also ended lower on December 29 [2] Commodity Prices - Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, increased by 0.03% to $61.96 per barrel [3]