Baltimore, MD, March 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Economist and former CIA advisor Jim Rickards has released a new video presentation examining what he believes could be a major turning point for the U.S. economy. In the presentation, Rickards outlines several economic trends that he says are quietly building beneath the surface — including renewed focus on domestic manufacturing, energy production, and critical natural resources. Rickards explains why some analysts believe these sectors may become increasi ...

Market Overview - The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.95% last week due to tariff anxiety, macro uncertainty, and a spike in the VIX to 23.75, which is at its 88th percentile over the past year [1] - Consumer staples stocks like Sherwin-Williams faced significant sell-offs, while software-adjacent stocks such as IBM, Salesforce, and Microsoft saw a rotation of investment [1] Company Performance - **IBM**: Shares increased by 7.76% last week, rebounding from a year-to-date decline of over 11% [1] - **Salesforce**: Gained 3.76% to close at $202.11, amidst contrasting analyst opinions regarding its growth potential and AI strategy [1] - **Microsoft**: Rose by 4.13% to $408.96, despite facing an antitrust probe in Japan and challenges with its Microsoft 365 Copilot product [1] Analyst Insights - **Salesforce**: Analysts are divided; Stephens cut its price target from $285 to $241, while Phillip Securities maintained a Buy rating with a $253 target, citing strong Agentforce adoption and AI revenue growth [1] - **Microsoft**: Regulatory risks and product adoption challenges are noted, but the underlying business remains strong with Azure growing 39% last quarter [1] Sector Trends - Consumer staples, particularly Sherwin-Williams, saw a decline of 9.02% last week, trading at a high earnings multiple of 32X with only 4% expected sales growth [1] - Tariff-related pressures are impacting companies like Nike and Caterpillar, with Nike's shares dropping 8.31% due to new global tariffs affecting its supply chain [1][2]

The latest labor market figures delivered an unexpected turn, with payrolls shrinking in February and the unemployment rate ticking higher, raising new questions about whether consumer confidence and spending power can maintain their steadiness.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enj ...

Key Takeaways ITW sees strong demand in Food Equipment, Automotive OEM and Specialty Products, aided by EV growth.ITW enterprise initiatives lifted operating margin by up to 140 bps in each 2025 quarter.ITW returned $3.3B via dividends and buybacks in 2025; construction demand remained weak.Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is gaining from solid momentum across most of its segments. Growth in the institutional and food retail markets in North America, along with higher service revenues and strong demand in the ...

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) has been on a downward spiral lately with significant selling pressure. After declining 12.4% over the past four weeks, the stock looks well positioned for a trend reversal as it is now in oversold territory and there is strong agreement among Wall Street analysts that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a ...

Despite the upbeat tone, management cautioned that volatility remains elevated across end markets, pointing to tariffs, precious metal pricing, geopolitical unrest, and ongoing disruption in global automotive supply chains.Bevis said NN has won more than $200 million of new business since the transformation plan launched in mid-2023 and is facing “record levels of program launches” in 2026. He added that the company’s pipeline stands at more than $800 million of prospective opportunities and noted NN’s “fir ...

2024Orders$145,088$133,119$135,032$137,622$117,900Backlog$232,925$230,984$236,586$237,323$230,788ExpandFourth quarter orders increased 9% sequentially, reflecting steady demand across Industrial market applications, continued strength in Aerospace & Defense, and solid commercial automotive activity within the Vehicle market. On a year-over-year basis, orders rose 23%, driven by broad-based demand across end markets. Fourth quarter orders resulted in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.01, underscoring sustained order ...

Core Insights - The Toro Company demonstrated strong operational agility in Q1 2026, capturing increased demand from winter storms, which significantly contributed to performance outperformance [4] - The Professional segment, accounting for 80% of the portfolio, is the main growth driver, supported by demand in underground construction and specialty equipment [4] - The acquisition of Tornado Infrastructure Equipment enhances the company's capabilities in hydrovac excavation, tapping into high-growth potential markets [4] Financial Performance - The multiyear AMP program has yielded $95 million in cumulative cost savings, aiding in offsetting rising material and manufacturing costs [4] - Free cash flow conversion rate improved to 22%, with projections for the full year now expected to reach at least 120% due to inventory optimization and seasonal demand [4] - Adjusted EPS guidance for the full year 2026 has been raised to $4.40–$4.60, reflecting strong execution in Q1 and improved expectations for the Residential segment [4] Market Outlook - The company anticipates a robust performance in snow and ice categories for the latter half of the fiscal year, supported by healthy field inventory and positive preseason fill expectations [4] - Growth in the Professional segment is expected to continue, driven by multiyear tailwinds in data centers, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure projects [4] - International markets have shown unexpected softness in Europe and Asia, attributed to a cooling global macroeconomic environment [4] Strategic Initiatives - The company is managing the impact of tariffs and inflation through net price realization and productivity initiatives [4] - Capital allocation is focused on R&D and M&A, with $95 million in stock repurchases executed in Q1 as a secondary return mechanism [4] - The transition towards high-margin technology solutions, including autonomous turf maintenance and AI-enabled water management software, is strengthening market positioning [4]

Buy: HubSpot (HUBS) - HubSpot reported a revenue increase of over 20% year-over-year and earnings per share (EPS) growth in the high-teens, indicating strong momentum in its core business driven by AI demand [1] - The company has a PEG ratio around 1, suggesting a reasonable valuation for long-term investors looking for growth opportunities [1] Buy: Sanmina (SANM) - Sanmina's revenue grew more than 7% year-over-year, with EPS surging nearly 17% to a record $1.67, driven by strong demand from electronics manufacturing [1] - The company is positioned well to benefit from near-shoring and on-shoring trends, making it a compelling investment opportunity [1] Sell: GoDaddy (GDDY) - GoDaddy's revenue was $1.27 billion, up nearly 7% year-over-year, but shares fell approximately 14% due to disappointing guidance for the fiscal year, projecting revenue around $5.2 billion [1] - The company's promotional pricing strategy is negatively impacting margins, leading to increased pressure in a competitive market [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, net sales were $104.7 million, a decline of $1.8 million compared to Q4 2024. On a pro forma basis, net sales increased by $1.4 million, or 1.4% year-over-year [25] - Adjusted operating income for Q4 was $3.3 million, up from $2.4 million in the prior year. On a pro forma basis, operating income decreased slightly by 5.7% [25] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $12.9 million, an increase from $12.1 million a year ago, with a pro forma increase of $1.1 million or 9.3% year-over-year [26] - For the full year 2025, net sales were $422.2 million, a decline of $42.1 million compared to the previous year. On a pro forma basis, net sales decreased by $7.4 million or 1.7% [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Power Solutions segment, Q4 net sales were $45.5 million, up 14.9% year-over-year, driven by new program launches in electrical and defense business [30] - The Mobile Solutions segment saw Q4 net sales of $59.3 million, down from $63.8 million, primarily due to the rationalization of dilutive business [32] - Power Solutions adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $30.7 million, an increase of 10.8% compared to the previous year [31] - Mobile Solutions adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $33.5 million, a decline of 4%, but with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding by 70 basis points [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global automotive market is expected to grow slightly by 2% in 2026, with specific regional growth outlooks [18] - The commercial vehicle market is anticipated to begin growing in 2026, supported by strong orders [19] - The defense electronics market is growing strongly, particularly with customers like Raytheon [49] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is shifting its sales profile towards higher value end markets and capabilities, moving away from low-value commodity automotive parts [7] - A record level of program launches is expected in 2026, with a pipeline of over $800 million in high-quality prospects [8] - The company aims to achieve between $70 million and $80 million in new business wins for the year [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that volatility remains high in markets due to global supply chain issues and geopolitical unrest [9] - The company is optimistic about returning to net sales growth in 2026, with a strong start in Q1 [9] - Management highlighted the importance of tactical maneuvering in response to ongoing market volatility [22] Other Important Information - The company completed a significant transformation plan, including the closure of four plants and the exit of unprofitable business lines [7] - Adjusted gross margin performance was 18.8% in Q4, trending towards a five-year goal of 20% [16] - The company achieved cost-out targets of $15 million for the year, offsetting inflation and pricing pressures [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you expand on the data center end market opportunity? - The company is focused on high precision products for data centers, including watertight couplings and cable assemblies, with an immediate ramp-up expected due to high demand [60][62] Question: What does the roadmap for sustaining sales growth in 2026 look like? - The company plans to double capital spending, with growth primarily driven by new wins that have already been secured [64] Question: What is the cadence of ramp in 2026 in terms of revenue? - The company expects to see between $20 million and $25 million of revenue from new launches in 2026, alongside revenue from programs launched in 2025 [72]