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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
NMDC shares tumble 3% after sequential profit drop in Q4. Should you stay invested?
Shares of NMDC fell as much as 2.8% on Wednesday to Rs 70.70 on the BSE after the state-owned miner reported a sharp sequential decline of 23% in March-quarter earnings, triggering concerns over cost pressures and pricing headwinds. The profit drop came despite healthy year-on-year growth in revenue and sales volumes. NMDC posted a standalone net profit of Rs 1,496.16 crore for the quarter ended March 2025, rising just over 2% from Rs 1,462.03 crore a year earlier. However, the profit marked a 23% fall from Rs 1,943.51 crore in the preceding December quarter, reflecting the impact of weaker iron ore prices and higher operating expenses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Total income grew 9% year-on-year to Rs 7,497.17 crore from Rs 6,908.37 crore in Q4 FY24. Of this, iron ore sales contributed Rs 6,350.49 crore, while Rs 662.07 crore came from pellets and other minerals. NMDC's quarterly iron ore production stood at 13.31 million tonnes (MT), with sales volumes of 12.67 MT. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. For the full fiscal year FY25, the company reported a net profit of Rs 6,538.82 crore, up more than 17% from Rs 5,571.25 crore in FY24. Total income rose to Rs 25,498.84 crore from Rs 22,678.73 crore in the previous fiscal. The company's board of directors proposed a final dividend of Rs 1 per share, subject to shareholder approval. This comes on top of the Rs 2.30 per share interim dividend already paid for FY25. Live Events Brokerage Motilal Oswal retained its 'buy' rating on NMDC stock but flagged concerns over margin compression, adding that the state-owned miner missed its earnings estimates driven by high expenses. '4QFY25 revenue came in line with our estimate at Rs 70 billion, up 8% YoY and 7% QoQ, primarily driven by healthy volumes and NSR growth,' the brokerage said. It added, 'EBITDA stood at Rs 20.5 billion (-2% YoY and -14% QoQ) against our estimate of Rs 24.5 billion, dragged down by high other expenses.' The brokerage noted that the iron ore production was 13.3 MT (flat YoY and QoQ), while sales stood at 12.7 MT (+1% YoY and +6% QoQ). Average selling price (ASP) during the quarter was Rs 5,530 per tonne, up 7% year-on-year and flat sequentially. 'APAT for the quarter stood at Rs 14.8 billion (+3% YoY and -22% QoQ) against our estimate of Rs 19.8 billion,' the brokerage noted. Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director, NMDC, said the company remains on track to achieve its long-term capacity targets. 'Our focus has always been on consistent, year-on-year progress to reach the final milestone of 100 MTPA in the next five years.' He added that in the current quarter, NMDC's focus remains on 'innovation, sustainability, and value creation' as it works toward strategic growth goals. Shares of NMDC had gained nearly 11% over the past month and are up around 10.5% year-to-date. Also read | Sensex drops over 200 pts, Nifty below 24,800 as block deals & IPO activity weigh on markets
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
REVEALED: Perth's worst areas for hayfever sufferers
They beautify cities, provide physical, mental and environmental health benefits, and can even boost property values. But for one-in-four hay-fever sufferers — including most of the 2.8 million Australians living with asthma — some of WA's most attractive trees are bringing nothing but allergy misery. Edith Cowan University (ECU) researcher Dr Mary Hanson said the five worst offenders in the City of Perth for hayfever symptoms were plane trees, canary palms, liquidambars, Chinese elms and olive trees. These trees have been avidly planted and are all moderate to highly allergenic ones. The specific CBD streets that are most likely to have people reaching for their handkerchiefs and antihistamines are Terrace Road at Langley Park, and Aberdeen Street in Northbridge, given both feature many olive and plane trees. 'For some people it can be a bit of a detrimental experience going into these spaces, especially if they are exposed to high levels of pollen,' Ms Hanson said. 'If people are able to avoid those hotspots by making minor adjustments to their lifestyle, like taking a different route home, it could improve their quality of life.' This new map created by ECU researchers aims to help people visualise where the most allergenic trees are in Perth's CBD. Credit: Supplied According to Dr John Blakey, a Perth respiratory physician and spokesperson for Asthma Australia, many hay fever sufferers are triggered by tree pollen leading to symptoms such as runny noses, itchy eyes and sore throats. And a significant number who believe they only experience hay fever actually have asthma. 'Hay fever is more common — and not every hay fever case progresses to asthma, but it certainly can do,' he told The West Australian. 'Tree pollens can be a significant problem, especially because the majority of people in Australia have poor daily control of their asthma symptoms according to national surveys. Most just accept it. 'The problem is, you cannot avoid trees. They are everywhere and the answer is not to remove the trees. We want a world with trees given they provide so many benefits. 'There are other ways to deal with this. For example, most people suffer from hay fever when they are not taking their preventative treatment regularly.' He said drastic lifestyle changes, such as avoiding working in the CBD to avoid allergenic trees, is unlikely to be especially helpful. 'In the CBD you are exposed to much more harmful particles in the air in the way of diesel particulates from passing cars, being around a lot of people with viruses, breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke and things like that which make your airway much more sensitive to allergens,' he explained. 'It's the combination effect — it's not just I breathed in some tree pollen.' Most people are also triggered by multiple allergens, sometimes five or six, not just by tree pollen. ECU researcher Mary Hanson. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'That is not to dismiss the fact that you have a heavier concentration of the trees in some areas and some people will genuinely be worse in some areas, but often that is something that can be managed with other processes without going to extreme lengths like moving schools, or house or job where those trees are.' Dr Blakey said councils could give more consideration to planting lower allergenic trees going forward. 'But it is always better to have the trees even if they do inflame people's allergies a little bit because the benefits of having them are so much greater,' he added. Ms Hanson said ECU researchers recently developed a new tool enabling people to visualise where allergenic trees are positioned in four of Australia's major cities, including Perth. The idea was to make it easier for people to identify tree allergy hot spots. An online portal with maps will be launched soon, she added, complementing the Perth Pollen website and app, both popular resources for pollen and airborne allergen information, including the grass pollen forecast for Perth.
Powys County Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Retail sales jump in April as sunny weather boosts food shopping
Sales rose for UK retailers last month as warmer weather helped drive stronger demand for food and drink, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said overall retail sales volumes increased by 1.2% in April. This compared with a 0.1% rise in March, which was revised down from a previous estimate of 0.4% for the month. April's retail sales growth surpassed expectations, with analysts having predicted a 0.4% increase. The ONS said the latest increase means growth over the past three months has been the 'largest in nearly four years' despite concerns over pressure on consumer budgets. Retail sales rose again for the fourth consecutive month. Retail sales volumes were up 1.2% in April 2025, following a rise of 0.1% in March 2025 (revised down from 0.4%). Read more ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) May 23, 2025 It comes as official data continues to show that wages – which rose 5.6% in the three months to March – are outpacing inflation, the increase in goods and services. In April, shoppers spent more on food and drink, with retailers linking the increase to warmer weather and the Easter holiday. Food stores reported a 3.9% rise in sales volumes – the strongest performance since January – with supermarkets, butchers, bakers and alcohol stores all trading well. Elsewhere, department stores and household goods retailers also said they benefited from better weather, recording growth of 2.8% and 2.1% respectively. However, clothing and shoe stores saw recent growth falter in April, reporting a 1.8% decline. ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said: 'Sunny skies and warm temperatures helped boost retail sales in April with strong trading across most sectors. 'After a poor couple of months, food sales bounced back with supermarkets reporting robust sales, while it was also a positive month for butchers and bakers, alcohol and tobacco stores. 'Conversely, after a good March, clothing sales fell this month, although it was a brighter picture for department stores and household good shops whose sales grew.' Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'With the first taste of summer, consumer spending was up across the board, with sales of food and drink performing particularly well as people hosted Easter gatherings, barbecues and picnics. 'Darker days are coming as April brought an additional £5 billion in costs to retailers from increases in employer National Insurance Contributions and the national living wage. 'This is set to increase to £7 billion once the new packaging tax is introduced later this year.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) Affirms 2025 Guidance Despite Q1 Earnings Dip
Lowe's Companies recently released its first-quarter earnings results, revealing a decline in sales and net income year-over-year. The company affirmed its full-year 2025 earnings guidance, projecting total sales between USD 83.5 billion and USD 84.5 billion and comparable sales growth of up to 1%. Despite the slight decline in the broader market, Lowe's shares experienced a 6% increase over the last month. This positive movement contrasts with the overall performance of major indices like the S&P 500, which showed a minor decline, indicating the company's initiatives, such as introducing new technologies, might have contributed positively to investor sentiment. We've spotted 2 weaknesses for Lowe's Companies you should be aware of, and 1 of them makes us a bit uncomfortable. The end of cancer? These 23 emerging AI stocks are developing tech that will allow early identification of life changing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. The recent first-quarter earnings report for Lowe's Companies, revealing a decline in sales and net income, could influence the future trajectory of the company's initiatives, particularly those aimed at strengthening Pro market engagement and tech enhancements. These initiatives could bolster revenue and earnings if successfully implemented, despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions highlighted by elevated mortgage rates and competitive pressures. The positive monthly share price movement stands in contrast to the overall decline in major indices, suggesting investor optimism about these growth strategies may already be evident. Over a longer-term period of five years, Lowe's has achieved a total shareholder return of 104.54%, which points to significant value creation for investors. However, in the past year, the company underperformed compared to the US Specialty Retail industry, which returned 17.1%. This discrepancy highlights both the potential and challenges Lowe's faces in maintaining its competitive edge and realizing its growth strategies. Analyst forecasts project Lowe's revenue to grow at 2.8% annually over the next three years, with earnings climbing to US$8.0 billion by 2028. This is contingent upon the company's ability to leverage its Total Home Strategy and PPI program amidst macroeconomic uncertainties. Currently, the share price is trading at a discount to the consensus analyst price target of US$272.95, reflecting an 18.3% potential upside, assuming the company meets its projected growth rates and manages challenges effectively. Our expertly prepared valuation report Lowe's Companies implies its share price may be lower than expected. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:LOW. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bank of Canada faces dilemma as core inflation heats up
Headline inflation slowed in April mainly due to drop in gasoline prices because of the elimination of the federal carbon tax, but it was a different story for the measures the Bank of Canada follows. Statistics Canada said Tuesday the main reading on the consumer price index (CPI) decelerated to 1.7 per cent year over year just ahead of analysts' estimates of 1.6 per cent and down from 2.3 per cent in March. Gas prices fell 18.1 per cent in April, also helped by lower oil prices, pushing the overall inflation rate below the Bank of Canada's two per cent target for the first time since January. However, the central bank's preferred measures — core CPI median and trim, which strip out the effects of taxes — accelerated to 3.2 per cent and 3.1 per cent year over year from 2.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively. April's results boost those measures above the top end of the Bank of Canada's inflation target range of three per cent. Here's what economists think the numbers mean for the central bank and its upcoming interest rate decision on June 4. 'The Canadian inflation numbers for April were hotter than expected, which comes as a surprise to a wobbly economy replete with employment loss and widening spare capacity in the labour market,' David Rosenberg, founder of Rosenberg Research and Associates Inc., said in a note, pointing to the pickup in core inflation. Rosenberg also said 'it was disappointing' to see a jump in the core reading that excludes food and energy, which has risen in four of the past five months. The 'staycation' trend was the main source of the underlying increase in inflation as travel services rose 8.7 per cent in April month over month. Recreation services and restaurants also benefited from the stay-at-home movement. 'This places the Bank of Canada in a bit of a box,' he said. The latest CPI data shows that 'underlying inflation pressures still pose a threat,' said Thomas Ryan, North America economist with Capital Economics Ltd. Stripping out gasoline, the rate of inflation stepped up to 2.9 per cent year over year from 2.5 per cent. Prices rose for airfares, motor vehicles, with the latter taking a hit from retaliatory tariffs — and food prices. 'While this level of underlying inflation is still too high for the Bank of Canada's comfort, the bank's mostly dovish tone in April suggests it is more focused on economic risks,' Ryan said. Capital thinks the Bank of Canada will cut its rate again in June after pausing in April because weak employment and housing data point to 'growing signs that U.S. tariffs are putting strain on the economy.' The Bank of Canada will likely look past the slowdown in headline inflation since it was mostly driven by the one-off cancelation of the carbon tax, but the acceleration in core measures will concern policymakers, said Royce Mendes, head of macro strategy at Desjardins Group. But Mendes said the elimination of the carbon tax could have longer-term effects such as tempering people's inflation expectations. 'We expect that upcoming surveys will show a sharp reversal of the spike in inflation expectations seen earlier this year,' he said, adding that the Bank of Canada should have that data before its June 4 interest rate announcement. Given that the economy is weakening and inflation expectations are slowing, Mendes thinks the Bank of Canada will go ahead and cut rates by 25 basis points next month. 'We recently revised our terminal rate forecast to two per cent, up from 1.75 per cent, and today's slightly hotter data reinforce that decision, but the data don't remove the need for monetary stimulus in the near-term,' he said. Canada's inflation rate cools to 1.7% as consumer carbon tax ends Bank of Canada rate to go lower, but not too low: Desjardins • Email: gmvsuhanic@
