Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record-breaking third-quarter sales of over $2.7 billion, a 6% increase year-over-year, driven by strong performance in Asia and South America [9][12] - Adjusted operating income increased by 14% to $271 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 10%, up 70 basis points from the previous year [9][16] - Earnings per share increased by 26% to $2.31, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of growth in adjusted earnings per share [17] - Operating cash flow was robust at $258 million, an increase of 46% compared to the previous year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales growth was particularly strong in China, with a return to outperformance with Chinese OEMs, driven by recent product launches [4][12] - The company achieved a gross margin of 19.3%, an increase of 130 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to direct labor efficiency and headcount reductions [10][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global light vehicle production increased by 4.6% in the third quarter, exceeding expectations, with strong growth for domestic OEMs in China [11][23] - Light vehicle production in North America showed resilience, while production in Western Europe and Japan declined by approximately 2% to 3% [11][23] - The company underperformed light vehicle production by 0.7% globally, attributed to a negative regional mix [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its presence in China, investing in a second R&D center to strengthen partnerships with Chinese OEMs [6][7] - A strategic agreement with CATARC aims to define the next generation of safety standards in the automotive sector [7][8] - The company plans to form a joint venture with HSAE to develop advanced safety electronics, targeting high-growth areas [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving financial targets despite anticipated challenges in the fourth quarter, including lower light vehicle production and geopolitical issues [25][26] - The outlook for the global auto industry has improved, particularly for North America and China, with expectations of sustained growth in Chinese light vehicle production over the medium term [23][24] Other Important Information - The company has committed to stock repurchases of $300 to $500 million annually and increased its quarterly dividend to $0.85 per share [6][17] - The leverage ratio remains low at 1.3 times, below the target limit of 1.5 times, reflecting prudent financial management [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why isn't organic sales benefiting from the stronger production environment? - Management explained that adjustments for past quarters and a larger negative market mix impacted organic sales guidance [30][31] Question: Was there anything unusual in the strong margin for Q3? - Management confirmed that a $50 million supplier compensation was one-time and highlighted the importance of internal improvement efforts [32][33] Question: Should Q4 trends be extrapolated into 2026? - Management expressed confidence in reaching midterm targets and noted that Q4 is typically the strongest quarter of the year [36][39] Question: Can you dimensionalize the headwinds for Q4? - Management indicated that engineering income would be the largest headwind, followed by the absence of out-of-period inflation compensation and increased depreciation [44][45] Question: How is the company positioned in the Chinese market? - Management noted strong growth with Chinese OEMs and ongoing investments, including a new R&D center [52][53] Question: What is the outlook for the European market? - Management remains cautious about the European market, primarily due to demand uncertainties [54] Question: How does the company view supplier contract trends? - Management stated that they do not foresee major concerns regarding contract negotiations with OEMs [76][77] Question: What is the impact of the recent supply issues on European production? - Management indicated it is too early to comment on potential impacts but emphasized their preparedness to manage supply chain constraints [80]

DULUTH, Ga., Oct. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fox Factory Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: FOXF) (the “Company”), a premium brand and a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of performance-defining products and systems for customers worldwide, will announce results for the third quarter ended October 3, 2025, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after the market close. The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comment ...

With a market cap of $18 billion, Aptiv PLC (APTV) is a technology company that serves the transportation, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. The company designs and manufactures advanced vehicle components and technologies, focusing on electrical architecture, connectivity, and autonomous driving solutions. The Schaffhausen, Switzerland-based company is expected to announce its Q3 2025 results before the market opens on Oct. 30. Ahead of this event, analysts expect Aptiv t ...

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, Oct. 15th:  Energizer (ENR) : This company, which is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of batteries and lighting products, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 1.4% over the last 60 days.Energizer has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.26 compared with 25.90 for the industry. The company posses ...

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) is included among the 12 Reliable Dividend Stocks for Maximum Income. Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Innovation, Flexibility, and Steady Dividend Growth Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) is a ma⁠jor force in the globa‍l industrial manufacturing sector, with operations spread ac⁠ros⁠s seven business segments that include automotiv‌e⁠ co‌mpon⁠ents, foo⁠d service equipment, and other specialized pr‌od‌ucts. The company​ focuses on product areas th‍at off​er above-average⁠ g ...

Core Insights - Heartland Advisors reported a strong performance for small-cap stocks in Q3 2025, with the Russell 2000® Index increasing by 12.39%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 8.12% rise [1] - The Heartland Value Plus Fund achieved an 8.51% return in Q3 2025, lagging behind the Russell 2000® Value Index, which gained 12.60% [1] Company Highlights - PHINIA Inc. (NYSE:PHIN), a spin-off from BorgWarner, focuses on developing integrated components and systems for vehicles and industrial applications, aiming to enhance performance and reduce emissions [2] - PHINIA Inc. experienced a one-month return of -9.93%, but its shares increased by 13.30% over the past 52 weeks, closing at $51.78 on October 10, 2025, with a market capitalization of $2.014 billion [2] Investment Strategy - The Heartland Value Plus Fund emphasized that stock selection is most effective when management actions confirm improving fundamentals, such as share buybacks, insider buying, and growing dividends [3] - Currently, approximately one-third of the fund's holdings have insider buying, 84% of the companies are engaged in active buybacks, and 61% have raised dividends in the past year [3]

Core Insights - The collaboration between Gestamp and Hydnum Steel aims to utilize clean steel produced with renewable energy and green hydrogen for automotive components, marking a significant advancement in the decarbonization of the mobility sector [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Details - Gestamp will supply high-quality steel scrap from its stamping processes to Hydnum Steel, which will produce ultra-low CO₂ emission steel using renewable energy and green hydrogen [2] - The agreement includes technical collaboration to develop steel grades that meet the automotive industry's stringent standards, with Gestamp gaining priority access to these low-emission steels [3] Group 2: Sustainability and Circular Economy - The collaboration supports circularity, a crucial element for decarbonizing the automotive supply chain and achieving the long-term goal of a Net Zero Car [4] - Gestamp's decarbonization strategy focuses on sustainable raw materials, material recycling, and partnerships to promote cleaner mobility, with steel and aluminum recycling being critical due to their significant emissions [5][6] Group 3: Hydnum Steel's Production Model - Hydnum Steel's Puertollano plant will utilize an electric arc furnace powered entirely by renewable energy, aiming for a 98% reduction in emissions compared to traditional steel mills by substituting natural gas with green hydrogen [7] - The plant will implement a closed-loop water treatment and reuse system, achieving zero discharge [7] Group 4: Statements from Leadership - The Chief Purchasing Officer of Gestamp emphasized that the agreement is a step forward in decarbonizing the automotive industry and reinforces the company's circular economy model focused on sustainable resource management [8]

Core Insights - Dana Incorporated (NYSE:DAN) is recognized as one of the best small-cap EV stocks to buy according to analysts [1] - Wells Fargo lowered its price target for Dana from $22 to $21 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating [1] - UBS analyst Joseph Spak reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $25 [3] Financial Performance - Dana reported $2.35 billion in revenue for the fiscal second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 14% year-over-year, but exceeded Wall Street estimates by $49.5 million [3] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) of $0.13 fell short of estimates by $0.03 [3] - Management raised its full-year guidance by $250 million, adjusted EBITDA by $35 million, and free cash flow by $50 million ahead of the fiscal third-quarter results expected on November 5, 2025 [2] Business Overview - Dana Incorporated specializes in energy management solutions and designs and manufactures propulsion systems for vehicles and machines across global mobility markets [4]

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key ...

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aludyne Inc. ("Aludyne†or the "Company†), a global lightweighting solutions and components supplier to the mobility industry, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell certain assets of its North American business operations ("Aludyne North America†), to Linamar Corporation ("Linamar†) in a transaction valued at USD 300 million (the "Transaction†). The Transaction includes substantially all of the Company's North American-based. ...