Core Insights - Electra Battery Materials Corporation commends the Ontario government's C$500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund, which aims to build a domestic supply chain for clean energy technologies [1] - The fund is expected to enhance local industry capabilities and support the growth of electric vehicle and battery manufacturing in Ontario [2] - Electra's CEO highlighted the importance of a North America-first approach to secure critical mineral supply chains amid global competition, particularly against China's dominance [6] Group 1: Government Initiatives - The C$500 million fund represents a significant investment in critical mineral processing, aligning with Electra's mission to create a sustainable battery materials supply chain [1][2] - The fund is anticipated to generate economic opportunities in Northern Ontario communities, supporting clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing [2] Group 2: Company Strategy and Positioning - Electra is focused on developing North America's only cobalt sulfate refinery and aims to onshore critical minerals refining to reduce foreign reliance [7] - The company is also exploring nickel refining and battery recycling, with projects including black mass recycling and potential cobalt production in Quebec [7] Group 3: Industry Engagement - At the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, Electra's CEO engaged with key stakeholders, emphasizing the urgency of reducing foreign dependence on critical minerals [4] - The company looks forward to collaborating with newly appointed federal cabinet ministers to advance clean energy and critical minerals priorities [5]

Core Insights - The company reported a decline in net sales and adjusted EBITDA for Q4 FY2025, reflecting soft end-market demand and ongoing market challenges [4][5][12] - Management anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in North American market volumes for FY2026, marking a fourth consecutive year of declines in large-ticket repair and remodel activity [9][13][25] - The pending merger with Azek is expected to drive significant revenue and cost synergies, enhancing growth and margin expansion opportunities [11][45][82] Financial Performance - Global net sales for Q4 FY2025 were $972 million, down 3% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $269 million, a 4% decline [4][5][62] - North America net sales reached $2.9 billion for FY2025, with a 2% revenue decline and a 3% volume decline [5][6][65] - Adjusted net income for Q4 FY2025 was $156 million, with adjusted diluted EPS of $0.36 [5][63] Regional Performance - Asia Pacific net sales declined 17% in US dollars and 13% in Australian dollars during Q4 FY2025, with a 31% decline in volumes attributed to the closure of the Philippines [3][7][69] - Europe achieved record net sales of $135 million in Q4 FY2025, up 5% in USD, driven by strong performance in high-value products [8][71] Cost and Margin Analysis - North America EBIT margin fell to 28.2% in Q4 FY2025, down 350 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization [6][66] - North America EBITDA margin was 34.4% in Q4 FY2025, down 190 basis points, with full-year EBITDA reaching $1 billion [6][67] - The company faced low double-digit inflation in raw materials, impacting margins, but managed to maintain strong cost control measures [9][63] Strategic Outlook - The company expects low single-digit net sales growth in North America for FY2026, with a focus on maintaining EBITDA margins near 35% [9][74] - Capital expenditures for FY2026 are projected to decline by nearly $100 million to approximately $325 million, supporting free cash flow growth [10][79] - The merger with Azek is anticipated to create a leading growth platform in building products, with expected baseline revenue synergies of $500 million [11][47][82]

TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mattr Corp. (“Mattr” or the “Company”) (TSX: MATR) announced today in accordance with Toronto Stock Exchange requirements, the voting results from its Annual Meeting held May 15, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. A total of 43,559,302 common shares were voted at the meeting representing 69.87% of the votes attached to all outstanding shares. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the election of all director nominees as follows: ...

Core Insights - Eagle Materials reported revenue of $470.18 million for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 1.4% and an EPS of $2.08, down from $2.24 a year ago [1] - The reported revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $477.78 million, resulting in a surprise of -1.59%, while the EPS also missed the consensus estimate of $2.34 by -11.11% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Average Net Sales Price for Gypsum Wallboard was $231.54, below the $240.74 estimate, while Cement's average net sales price was $157.62, slightly above the $157.28 estimate [4] - Revenue from Heavy Materials - Concrete & Aggregates was $54.35 million, exceeding the $52.27 million estimate, marking an 11.6% year-over-year increase [4] - Revenue from Heavy Materials - Cement (Wholly Owned) was $180.59 million, below the $185.88 million estimate, representing a -4.7% change year-over-year [4] - Total Revenue from Heavy Materials was $234.94 million, slightly below the $238.25 million estimate, indicating a -1.3% year-over-year change [4] - Revenue from Light Materials - Gypsum Paperboard was $31.03 million, surpassing the $28.05 million estimate, reflecting a +9.4% year-over-year change [4] - Revenue from Light Materials - Gypsum Wallboard was $204.21 million, below the $198.60 million estimate, showing a -2.9% year-over-year change [4] - Total Revenue from Light Materials was $235.24 million, below the $238.70 million estimate, indicating a -1.4% year-over-year change [4] Segment Operating Earnings - Segment Operating Earnings for Light Materials - Recycled Paperboard was $10.49 million, exceeding the $9.20 million estimate [4] - Segment Operating Earnings for Light Materials - Gypsum Wallboard was $80.25 million, slightly below the $81.51 million estimate [4] - Segment Operating Earnings for Light Materials totaled $90.75 million, below the $93.69 million estimate [4] - Segment Operating Earnings for Heavy Materials - Concrete and Aggregates was -$9.35 million, significantly worse than the -$0.47 million estimate [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Eagle Materials have returned +15.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +13.1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

MAY 20, 2025 Fiscal Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements. This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the context of the statements and generally arise when the Company is discussing its beliefs, e ...

Investment Overview - The company intends to use its own funds of RMB 29,900,000 to subscribe for 923,409 shares of Ningbo Huizhi Star New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (Huizhi Star) at a price of RMB 32.38 per share, resulting in a 1.83% ownership stake in Huizhi Star after the investment is completed [4][5] - The investment has been approved by the company's general manager's office and does not require further approval from the board of directors or shareholders [2][5] Company Background - Huizhi Star specializes in the research, production, and sales of optical hardening films and other functional film materials, which are essential components in electronic products such as smartphones, computers, and televisions [7] - The company aims to achieve domestic substitution of high-end optical film materials and utilizes advanced coating and manufacturing technologies to enhance the physical and optical properties of its film materials [7] Market Context - The consumer electronics industry is characterized by rapid product updates and strong innovation requirements, necessitating increased research and development investments from upstream suppliers like Huizhi Star to meet market demands [2][11] - Huizhi Star's revenue concentration is high, with 88.95% of its revenue coming from its top five customers in 2024, indicating potential risks if customer relationships or market demands change [12] Financial Metrics - As of 2024, Huizhi Star reported total assets of RMB 426.54 million, total liabilities of RMB 341.40 million, and operating income of RMB 330.53 million, with a net profit of RMB 21.45 million [6] Investment Rationale - The investment aligns with national industrial policies and industry development trends, presenting a favorable market outlook [12] - The collaboration is expected to leverage technological and resource synergies to advance the research and application of CPI and PET functional film materials in the electronics sector [10]

公开信息显示，科创半导体ETF(588170)跟踪上证科创板半导体材料设备主题指数，囊括科创板中半导 体设备和半导体材料细分领域的硬科技公司。半导体设备和材料行业是重要的国产替代领域，具备国产 化率较低、国产替代天花板较高属性，充分受益于人工智能革命下的半导体需求扩张。 国信证券认为，全球和中国半导体销售额均已连续六个季度实现同比正增长，除AI带来的增量外，下 游各行业去库周期已完成，其中工业库存周期靠后，处于去库完成后复苏的初期，TI1Q25营收在连续 九个季度同比下降后首季同比转正，其表示工业呈现广泛复苏，所有终端客户库存均处于低位；中芯国 际1Q25工业和汽车收入表现强劲，同比增长75.2%，环比增长22.7%。从A股半导体公司业绩来看，整 体收入连续七个季度同比正增长，在统计的146家公司中，2024/2025年收入创季度新高的有58/21家； 1Q25毛利率和净利率均同环比提高。该机构认为，随着收入规模效应显现，半导体板块利润改善幅度 将大于收入，看好板块利润修复逻辑。 5月19日早盘，A股全线小幅低开。上证指数开盘报3365.88点，跌0.05%。深证成指开盘报10171.29点， 跌0.08%。 ...

新质生产力引领作用凸显。创业板指中战略性新兴产业呈现集群化发展态势，权重占比达92%，为指数 贡献了73%的营业收入和85%的净利润。其中新一代信息技术产业、高端装备制造产业、新材料产业创 收能力突出，2024年营业收入同比增长分别为35%、17%、17%。从重点领域来看，数字经济产业样本 公司经营业绩持续走强，2024年营收同比增长22%，尤其境外收入同比增长45%，毛利同比增长16%， 现金流同比增长超200%。 科技创新赋能高成长。创业板指以科技创新引领发展，2024年样本公司研发投入共计880亿元，同比增 长10%，总体研发强度11%，超两成样本公司研发强度超15%，20家样本公司研发投入超过10亿元，主 要集中于新能源车、新一代信息技术、生物等产业。其中，新一代信息技术企业以研发带动盈利能力提 升，研发投入同比增长13%，净利润同比增长36%。 中长期资金增配方向。近年来，以创业板指为代表的成长型宽基获得机构投资者青睐。2024年，创业板 指产品规模突破1600亿元，资金净流入超500亿元，主力ETF规模突破千亿元。伴随各类中长期资金入 市步伐加快，创业板指的配置价值和吸引力有望持续提升，有利于引导 ...

Group 1: Investment Overview - POSCO Holdings announced a total investment of KRW 922.6 billion (approximately $660 million) to enhance competitiveness in its rechargeable battery material subsidiaries [1] - The investment includes KRW 525.6 billion for POSCO Future M, KRW 328 billion for POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, and KRW 69 billion for POSCO GS Eco Materials [1] Group 2: Strategic Intent - This investment is part of the company's strategy to prepare for significant market expansion following a slowdown in the electric vehicle sector [2] - POSCO Holdings aims to bolster future competitiveness in the battery materials industry and improve financial stability [2] Group 3: Specific Investments - POSCO Holdings plans to acquire the full allocation of new shares in POSCO Future M, corresponding to its 59.7% ownership [3] - The capital increase for POSCO Future M is expected to support ongoing investments to boost production capacity for anode and cathode materials, including a joint plant in Canada [4] - Investments in POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution and POSCO GS Eco Materials are aimed at sustainable growth in lithium and recycling operations [5] Group 4: Market Performance - In the past year, shares of PKX have lost 39.7%, compared to the industry's decline of 36.5% [7]

Retail Sales Overview - U.S. retail sales increased by 0.1% in April following a revised 1.7% increase in March, contrary to economists' expectations of no change [1] - The March increase was influenced by consumers making purchases in anticipation of tariff announcements [1] Sector Performance - The largest increases in April were in food services and drinking places (1.2%), building material and garden equipment supplies (0.8%), furniture (0.3%), and electronics and appliances stores (0.3%) [2] - Sales excluding food services, auto dealers, building materials stores, and gasoline stations decreased by 0.2%, below the revised 0.5% gain in March and forecasts of a 0.3% rise [2] Winning Areas Food Services and Drinking Places - Sales in this sector rose by 1.2% sequentially in April and 7.8% year over year [4] - AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ) focuses on companies deriving at least 50% of their revenue from the restaurant business [4] - BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) operates high-end casual dining restaurants and has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] Building Material & Garden Equipment & Supplies Dealers - This segment experienced a 0.8% sequential sales gain and a 3.2% year-over-year increase [6] - Broad-based retail ETFs like Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) and VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) are relevant for this sector [6] - Vulcan Materials (VMC) is the largest supplier of construction aggregates in the U.S. and has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [7] Electronics & Appliance Stores - Sales in this category increased by 0.3% sequentially in April and 0.1% year over year [8] - The rise in electronics sales is expected to benefit semiconductor funds and stocks [8] - VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tracks companies involved in semiconductor production and charges 35 bps in fees [8] - Universal Electronics (UEIC) is a leader in universal control and sensing technologies for smart homes and has a Zacks Rank 3 [9]