CITI'S TAKE Materials demand in 1Q25 was mostly in line with our expectation, with stronger prints on steel and cement, and weaker on coal. As the trade war between the US and China escalates, we assess the impact from trade disruptions and potential RMB depreciation on materials. We believe the impact of tariffs has already kicked in for the battery supply chain (see note) and expect more to be felt through commodities in the coming months. This should call for more decisive policies from Chinese side to b ...

Core View - AXIL Brands, Inc. has experienced a significant decline in stock performance, with a 2.2% drop since the third quarter results, contrasting with a 7.8% increase in the S&P 500 index during the same period [1] Financial Performance - In Q3 of fiscal 2025, AXIL reported revenues of $6.92 million, a 7% increase from $6.47 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Net income decreased by 26.1% to $0.6 million from $0.8 million a year earlier, with diluted EPS at 7 cents, down from 4 cents [2] - Adjusted EBITDA improved to $0.9 million, a significant turnaround from a negative $11,052 in the prior year, indicating enhanced operational efficiency [2] Operating Metrics & Business Segments - The hearing enhancement and protection segment was the primary revenue driver, contributing $6.45 million, or approximately 93% of total revenues, up from $5.99 million last year [3] - The hair and skin care segment reported flat revenues of $0.5 million, with a gross profit of $0.3 million [3] - Total assets increased to $12.95 million from $10.97 million as of May 31, 2024 [3] Profitability and Costs - Gross profit rose to $4.97 million from $4.62 million, with a margin expansion to 71.7% from 71.5% [4] - Operating expenses decreased by 7.3% to $4.38 million, attributed to lower advertising costs and a shift to targeted marketing [5] - Stock-based compensation increased significantly to $0.3 million from $59,099 a year earlier [5] Cash Flow and Financial Position - Cash position improved to $4.74 million from $3.25 million at the end of the previous fiscal year [6] - Operating cash flow for the nine months ended February 28, 2025, rose sharply to $1.73 million from $339,323 in the prior-year period [6] Management Insights - Management noted that reduced advertising spending in earlier quarters impacted direct-to-consumer sales but highlighted stronger performance in Q3 due to post-Thanksgiving sales and expanded distribution [7] - CEO Jeff Toghraie expressed confidence in navigating market challenges and emphasized initiatives for geographic expansion and cost efficiency [7] Strategic Developments - AXIL Brands incurred approximately $195,000 in consulting fees related to geographic expansion and new product lines [8] - The company completed a reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20 and converted 3.36 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 168,000 shares of common stock, streamlining its capital structure [13] Supply Chain Strategy - AXIL accelerated its supply-chain transition strategy in response to elevated tariffs and geopolitical risks, relocating manufacturing leadership to the U.S. and establishing domestic facilities [14]

Long-only investment, evaluating companies from an operational, buy-and-hold perspective.Quipus Capital does not focus on market-driven dynamics and future price action. Instead, our articles focus on operational aspects, understanding the long-term earnings power of companies, the competitive dynamics of the industries where they participate, and buying companies that we would like to hold independently of how the price moves in the future. Most QC calls will be holds, and that is by design. Only a very sm ...

California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call March 3, 2025 1:00 PM ET Company Participants Joanna Park - VP, IR & Treasurer Francisco Leon - CEO, President & Director Clio Crespy - EVP & CFO Francisco Leon - CEO, President & Director Jay Bys - EVP & Chief Commercial Officer Conference Call Participants Scott Hanold - RBC Capital Markets Kalei Akamine - Bank of America Merrill Lynch Nate Pendleton - Texas Capital Josh Silverstein - UBS Betty Jiang - Barclays Neal Dingmann - Tr ...