Latest news with #644
LeMonde
29-05-2025
- Health
- LeMonde
In Japan, newly released archives reveal the scale of human experimentation between 1938 and 1945
Service records of officers and soldiers before Japan's defeat in 1945, made public on May 15 by the country's National Archives, revealed that some were assigned to secret units in China: one in Nanjing, identified as Unit 1,644, and another in Guangzhou, numbered 8,604. The military personnel in these units reportedly conducted bacteriological experiments on human subjects. Until now only Unit 731, located near Harbin – now in China's Heilongjiang province and then the capital of Manchukuo, a puppet state controlled by Tokyo – was known for carrying out such activities from 1938 until the end of World War II. "The service records confirm the existence in China of a network of units conducting these experiments and coordinating their activities," explained Katsuo Nishiyama, emeritus professor at Shiga University of Medical Science and a specialist in Japan's imperial-era biological weapons programs. Units 1,644 and 8,604 − with the one in Nanjing being the largest − were overseen, like Unit 731, by the Tokyo-based Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department. Their primary activity reportedly involved experimenting on humans to enable Japan to develop biological weapons, in violation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting chemical and biological weapons.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Rentvesting: The property trend you need to know about
Rentvesting: The property trend you need to know about The concept is simple: Live where you love, invest where you can afford. Makes sense, right? That's the crux of rentvesting – buying investment properties in affordable areas while renting homes in suburbs where you want to live. South Africa's buy-to-let market has continued its upward trajectory since its resurgence in 2022. ooba Home Loans reported that 32% of all buy-to-let applications in Q1 '25 derived from the country's most expensive province, the Western Cape. This strategy, adopted by Gen Zs and early millennials, is particularly effective as renting remains cheaper than buying – especially when factoring in the costs of levies and municipal fees. Take a look: An average one-bedroom property on Cape Town's sought-after Atlantic Seaboard would cost a homeowner upwards of R2 million, which comes to R20,644 per month (over 20 years, no deposit at 11%). The average rental for a one-bedroom property starts from R12,000. That's a no-brainer, right? If you're looking at adopting a rentvesting strategy, start with these four practical tips from Only Realty Group: Do the math: Make sure that the property you are purchasing makes financial sense to rent out, and vice versa. Do not overinvest in a rental: While it makes sense to invest money (within reason) into upgrading a property you own, money spent on a rental is essentially a gift to your landlord. Understand the full implications of homeownership: Have a little savings account in case you go without a tenant for a couple of months so that you can cover the monthly costs, such as levies, municipal fees and bond repayments, in times of emergency. Remain objective: Do your homework before you buy that investment property and make sure to opt for an area that is in high demand and offers good returns. Do some research on what properties are selling for in various areas and what they are rented out for. For more on lifestyle, visit Get It Magazine.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
James Hardie Industries PLC (JHX) (Q4 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges ...
North America Sales: $2.9 billion in FY25. North America EBIT Margin: 29.4% in FY25. North America EBITDA: $1 billion, with a 35% EBITDA margin. Adjusted Net Income: $644 million in FY25. Q4 Total Net Sales: $972 million, a 3% decrease year-over-year. Q4 Adjusted EBITDA: $269 million, with a 27.6% margin. Q4 Adjusted Net Income: $156 million. Q4 Adjusted Diluted EPS: $0.36 per share. Asia Pacific Q4 Net Sales: Declined 17% in USD, 13% in AUD. Europe Q4 Net Sales: $135 million, a 5% increase in USD. FY26 Free Cash Flow Guidance: At least $500 million, up over 30% from FY25. FY26 Capital Expenditures: Expected to decline by nearly $100 million to approximately $325 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with CVOSF. Release Date: May 20, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) delivered solid business and financial results in the fourth quarter, reflecting a commitment to invest and grow profitably even in challenging market conditions. The company achieved a North America EBIT margin of 29.4%, exceeding initial profitability commitments. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) announced a strategic combination with the AZEK Company, creating a leading growth platform in building products. The company has secured multiyear national hard siding and trim exclusivity agreements with several major homebuilders, enhancing its market position. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) expects to generate robust annual free cash flow of greater than $1 billion post-synergies from the AZEK merger. The North American market is expected to face a mid-single-digit decline in volumes due to macroeconomic uncertainties and a challenging demand environment. The company's interior products and multifamily segments experienced significant volume declines, impacting overall performance. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) faced raw material headwinds, particularly in cement and pulp, which weighed on margins. The Asia Pacific segment saw a 31% decrease in volume, primarily due to the closure of operations in the Philippines. The European market remains challenged, with a gradual path to recovery expected, particularly in Germany, the largest European market for the company. Q: Can you provide your internal view of North American R&R and new single-family end markets in FY26 and your growth expectations within that guidance? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We expect to outperform the market despite external forecasts indicating a mid to high single-digit decline in R&R. Our guidance accounts for potential market depression, and we are confident in our ability to outperform. Q: Regarding AZEK, what are your top priorities for integration in the first 6 to 12 months to achieve the targeted commercial synergies? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: The most important aspect is getting the people right, ensuring they are in the right positions, and retaining talent. We need to clearly lay out priorities, and I am confident in the combined strength of the James Hardie and AZEK teams. Q: Can you elaborate on the recent agreements with homebuilders like DIWA, CBH, and McKinley? Are you gaining more traction with AZEK products? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We've focused on large homebuilders, and our strategy is paying off with recent multiyear agreements that include hard siding and trim. As we align with AZEK, we see tremendous future opportunities. Q: What are you seeing in the channel regarding inventory levels, and is there a risk of destocking similar to 2022? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: Generally, we are seeing normal stock levels across channels. While R&R remains soft, we are partnering with dealers, contractors, and builders to leverage our strong value proposition and win in the market. Q: The guidance indicates a mid-single-digit decline in North American volume. How do interior products and multifamily influence this? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We expect R&R to be down mid to high single digits, single-family new construction to be flat or slightly down, and multifamily to decline but not as significantly as in FY25. Our single-family exteriors business is showing solid growth. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
James Hardie Industries PLC (JHX) (Q4 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges ...
North America Sales: $2.9 billion in FY25. North America EBIT Margin: 29.4% in FY25. North America EBITDA: $1 billion, with a 35% EBITDA margin. Adjusted Net Income: $644 million in FY25. Q4 Total Net Sales: $972 million, a 3% decrease year-over-year. Q4 Adjusted EBITDA: $269 million, with a 27.6% margin. Q4 Adjusted Net Income: $156 million. Q4 Adjusted Diluted EPS: $0.36 per share. Asia Pacific Q4 Net Sales: Declined 17% in USD, 13% in AUD. Europe Q4 Net Sales: $135 million, a 5% increase in USD. FY26 Free Cash Flow Guidance: At least $500 million, up over 30% from FY25. FY26 Capital Expenditures: Expected to decline by nearly $100 million to approximately $325 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with CVOSF. Release Date: May 20, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) delivered solid business and financial results in the fourth quarter, reflecting a commitment to invest and grow profitably even in challenging market conditions. The company achieved a North America EBIT margin of 29.4%, exceeding initial profitability commitments. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) announced a strategic combination with the AZEK Company, creating a leading growth platform in building products. The company has secured multiyear national hard siding and trim exclusivity agreements with several major homebuilders, enhancing its market position. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) expects to generate robust annual free cash flow of greater than $1 billion post-synergies from the AZEK merger. The North American market is expected to face a mid-single-digit decline in volumes due to macroeconomic uncertainties and a challenging demand environment. The company's interior products and multifamily segments experienced significant volume declines, impacting overall performance. James Hardie Industries PLC (NYSE:JHX) faced raw material headwinds, particularly in cement and pulp, which weighed on margins. The Asia Pacific segment saw a 31% decrease in volume, primarily due to the closure of operations in the Philippines. The European market remains challenged, with a gradual path to recovery expected, particularly in Germany, the largest European market for the company. Q: Can you provide your internal view of North American R&R and new single-family end markets in FY26 and your growth expectations within that guidance? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We expect to outperform the market despite external forecasts indicating a mid to high single-digit decline in R&R. Our guidance accounts for potential market depression, and we are confident in our ability to outperform. Q: Regarding AZEK, what are your top priorities for integration in the first 6 to 12 months to achieve the targeted commercial synergies? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: The most important aspect is getting the people right, ensuring they are in the right positions, and retaining talent. We need to clearly lay out priorities, and I am confident in the combined strength of the James Hardie and AZEK teams. Q: Can you elaborate on the recent agreements with homebuilders like DIWA, CBH, and McKinley? Are you gaining more traction with AZEK products? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We've focused on large homebuilders, and our strategy is paying off with recent multiyear agreements that include hard siding and trim. As we align with AZEK, we see tremendous future opportunities. Q: What are you seeing in the channel regarding inventory levels, and is there a risk of destocking similar to 2022? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: Generally, we are seeing normal stock levels across channels. While R&R remains soft, we are partnering with dealers, contractors, and builders to leverage our strong value proposition and win in the market. Q: The guidance indicates a mid-single-digit decline in North American volume. How do interior products and multifamily influence this? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We expect R&R to be down mid to high single digits, single-family new construction to be flat or slightly down, and multifamily to decline but not as significantly as in FY25. Our single-family exteriors business is showing solid growth. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh revenue collection grows 37%
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting to review the mid-year tax collection performance and found that against a target of Rs618,966 million, the provincial government agencies have recovered Rs312,000 million during the last eight months of 2024-25, indicating a 37 per cent growth compared to last year and achieving 50.41 per cent of the target. The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Minister Excise & Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla, PSCM Agha Wasif, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi and Secretary Excise Saleem Rajput and others concerned. During the briefing, it was reported that the provincial tax collecting agencies have been assigned a target of Rs618,966 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The provincial government agencies were expected to collect Rs412,644 million during the eight months (July 2024 to Feb 2025); however, the actual collection was recorded at Rs312,000 million.
