Latest news with #768
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Car companies ‘in full panic' over rare earths bottleneck
Even players that have developed marketable products struggle to compete with Chinese producers on price. David Bender, co-head of German metal specialist Heraeus' magnet recycling business, said it is only operating at 1% capacity and will have to close next year if sales do not increase. Minneapolis-based Niron has developed rare earth free magnets and has raised more than $250m (R4,442,200,000) from investors including GM, Stellantis and car supplier Magna. "We've seen a step change in interest from investors and customers" since China's export controls took effect, CEO Jonathan Rowntree said. It is planning a $1bn (R17,768,800,000) plant scheduled to start production in 2029. England-based Warwick Acoustics has developed rare earth-free speakers expected to appear in a luxury car later this year. CEO Mike Grant said the company has been in talks with another dozen carmakers, though the speakers are not expected to be available in mainstream models for about five years. As car companies scout longer-term solutions, they are left scrambling to avert imminent factory shutdowns. Carmakers must figure out which of their suppliers – and smaller ones a few links up the supply chain – need export permits. Mercedes-Benz, for example, is talking to suppliers about building rare earth stockpiles. Analysts said the constraints could force carmakers to make cars without certain parts and park them until they become available, as GM and others did during the semiconductor crisis. Carmakers' reliance on China does not end with rare earth elements. A 2024 European Commission report said China controls more than 50% of global supply of 19 key raw materials, including manganese, graphite and aluminium. Andy Leyland, co-founder of supply chain specialist SC Insights, said any of the elements could be used as leverage by China. "This is a warning shot," he said.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shree Cement Ltd (BOM:500387) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Growth in Sales and ...
Total Sales Volume: Increased to 9.84 million tonnes, up 13% from 8.67 million tonnes sequentially. Average Valuation per Tonne: Improved by 5% to INR4,768 from INR4,554 sequentially. EBITDA: INR1,383 crores, representing a growth of 47%. EBITDA per Tonne: Increased by 29% to INR1,406 from INR1,088 sequentially. Adjusted EBITDA per Tonne: INR1,437, accounting for a one-off item of INR30.66 crores. Green Energy Share: 60.2% of total energy consumption in Q4 FY25. Green Power Generation Capacity: 582 megawatts, up 21% from 480 megawatts at the beginning of FY24-25. Installed Cement Capacity: Increased to 62.8 million tonnes in India. Premium Product Sales Share: Increased from 11.9% in Q4 2024 to 15.6% in Q4 FY25. Additional Provision for ECL: INR24 crores for legal notices issued. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with BOM:500387. Release Date: May 14, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Shree Cement Ltd (BOM:500387) reported a 13% increase in total India sales volume, reaching 9.84 million tonnes in Q4 FY25. The company's EBITDA for the quarter grew by 47%, with EBITDA per tonne increasing by 29% to INR1,406. The company achieved a significant milestone with 60.2% of its energy consumption coming from green energy sources, one of the highest in the industry. Shree Cement Ltd (BOM:500387) received an ESG rating of Care Edge ESG 1 with a score of 70.8%, highlighting its leadership in managing ESG risks. The company launched several premium products, increasing the share of premium product sales from 11.9% to 15.6% year-over-year. Despite the positive results, the company faces challenges with capacity utilization, which remains around 65%, indicating underutilization of its installed capacity. The company incurred a one-off cost of INR30.66 crores due to a voluntary separation scheme, impacting its financials. Shree Cement Ltd (BOM:500387) made an additional provision of INR24 crores for expected credit losses, reflecting a more conservative accounting approach. The company's strategy to focus on profitability over volume growth may limit its market share expansion in a competitive industry. There are concerns about the impact of new capacity additions on pricing and market dynamics, especially with the industry's supply overhang. Q: What is the outlook for volume growth in FY26, given the recent capacity expansions? A: Ashok Bhandari, Senior Adviser, explained that the strategy is to focus on profitability rather than volume. The company expects a volume growth of 6.5% to 7.5% for FY26, with a target of reaching 39 million tonnes. The focus will remain on balancing volume and price to maximize profitability. Q: Can you elaborate on the branding strategy and its impact on pricing? A: Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director, stated that the company is focusing on improving brand equity through premium products and technical work in the field. The strategy is consistent across regions, aiming to enhance brand strength and improve pricing. Q: What are the plans for capacity expansion, particularly in North India? A: Neeraj Akhoury mentioned that the company is targeting Central and East UP markets with the new Ita plant. The North plants will cater to various markets, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and West MP. The company is also exploring opportunities in Jaisalmer for future expansion. Q: How does the company plan to manage the trade-off between volume and pricing in a supply overhang scenario? A: Ashok Bhandari emphasized that the company aims to be the most profitable rather than the largest volume player. The focus is on maximizing cash profit and net profit through a strategic mix of volume and pricing, considering market conditions and competition. Q: What is the status of the RMC business, and what are the future plans? A: Neeraj Akhoury shared that the RMC division is relatively new, with about 15 plants currently operational. The company plans to expand rapidly, aiming for at least 50 RMC units. Some plants are already EBITDA positive, particularly in Mumbai and Hyderabad. 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
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Arab League Trade Exceeds SAR87 Billion in Q4 2024
Saudi Arabia's trade with Arab League nations, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reached SAR87,768 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing 17.2% of the Kingdom's total global trade of SAR510,974 billion. This trade volume demonstrates a 6.2% annual growth rate, exceeding the Q4 2023 figure of SAR82,679 billion by over SAR5 billion, SPA reported. According to the General Authority for Statistics' quarterly International Trade Bulletin, the Kingdom's trade surplus with Arab League countries, including the GCC, significantly increased to SAR30,461 billion in Q4 2024, up from SAR22,185 billion in the same period of 2023, marking a 37.3% annual growth. Saudi Arabia's total exports to Arab League countries amounted to SAR59,114 billion. Of this, SAR39,507 billion were destined for GCC nations, accounting for 14.2% of the Kingdom's total global exports of SAR277,932 billion. Exports to non-GCC Arab League countries reached SAR19,607 billion, representing 7.1% of total exports. Saudi Arabia's imports from Arab League countries totaled SAR28,653 billion, or 12.3% of total imports. Within this, SAR18,354 billion came from GCC countries, and SAR10,298 billion from other Arab League nations. The Kingdom's total global imports were SAR233,042 billion. The United Arab Emirates emerged as Saudi Arabia's top Arab export destination in Q4 2024, with exports exceeding SAR23,512 billion. Bahrain followed with SAR8,423 billion, Egypt with SAR8,353 billion, Oman with SAR4,434 billion, and Jordan with SAR2,999 billion.
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia's Arab League trade exceeds $23.2bln in Q4 2024
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia, propelled by its ambitious Vision 2030, is surpassing economic projections and cementing its position as a significant global force. Its strategic geographical location, connecting three continents, enhances its role as a vital trade and investment hub, supported by progressive economic policies and infrastructure. The Kingdom's diversification efforts are yielding substantial growth, with non-oil exports and strategic partnerships contributing to record figures. Saudi Arabia's trade with Arab League nations, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reached SAR87,768 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing 17.2 percent of the Kingdom's total global trade of SAR510,974 billion. This trade volume demonstrates a 6.2 percent annual growth rate, exceeding the Q4 2023 figure of SAR82,679 billion by over SAR5 billion. According to the General Authority for Statistics' quarterly International Trade Bulletin, the Kingdom's trade surplus with Arab League countries, including the GCC, significantly increased to SAR30,461 billion in Q4 2024, up from SAR22,185 billion in the same period of 2023, marking a 37.3 percent annual growth. Saudi Arabia's total exports to Arab League countries amounted to SAR59,114 billion. Of this, SAR39,507 billion were directed to GCC nations, accounting for 14.2 percent of the Kingdom's total global exports of SAR277,932 billion. Exports to non-GCC Arab League countries reached SAR19,607 billion, representing 7.1 percent of total exports. Saudi Arabia's imports from Arab League countries totalled SAR28,653 billion, or 12.3 percent of total imports. Within this, SAR18,354 billion came from GCC countries, and SAR10,298 billion from other Arab League nations. The Kingdom's total global imports were SAR233,042 billion. The United Arab Emirates emerged as Saudi Arabia's top Arab export destination in Q4 2024, with exports exceeding SAR23,512 billion. Bahrain followed with SAR8,423 billion, Egypt with SAR8,353 billion, Oman with SAR4,434 billion, and Jordan with SAR2,999 billion.
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Plus500 expands UAE presence, launches mainland operations with a newly secured SCA license
Dubai, UAE – Plus500, a leading global multi-asset fintech group, has officially launched its new UAE subsidiary, Plus500Gulf Securities LLC ('Plus500Gulf'), under a prestigious mainland license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). This expansion marks a major step in strengthening the Group's presence in the UAE and the broader region. The new SCA license enables Plus500 to expand its marketing initiatives and acquire customers more widely across the UAE mainland. Additionally, it provides the framework to broaden its local product offering beyond CFDs, with the ability to introduce share dealing, futures, and options on futures over time. Building on two years of operations under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Plus500 group now holds 14 international licenses, serving over 30 million registered customers across more than 60 countries. The addition of an SCA license further reinforces the group's status as one of the few industry players with dual local regulatory licenses in the UAE, highlighting its commitment to long-term investment and growth in the region. As a listed company on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the prestigious FTSE250 and STOXX Europe 600 indexes, Plus500 is known for its proprietary, industry-leading technology, global recognition and unwavering focus on customer trust. Through the SCA licensed operation, Plus500 is set to introduce bespoke trading solutions tailored for UAE-based traders, and to redefine the regional trading experience by offering traders with an exceptional and intuitive experience powered by Plus500's signature trading solutions. The expansion follows Plus500's strong 2024 financial performance, with total revenue reaching approximately $768 million. The Group maintains a robust financial position, with cash balances of approximately $900 million as of December 31, 2024, and zero debt, further solidifying its status as a global leader in online trading. About Plus500Gulf Securities LLC: Plus500Gulf is the UAE-based subsidiary of Plus500 Ltd, a leading global multi-asset fintech group listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 250 and STOXX Europe 600 indexes. With a newly acquired Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) license, Plus500Gulf is committed to providing innovative, technology-driven trading solutions tailored for traders in the UAE and the broader Gulf region. Plus500Gulf leverages Plus500's industry-leading proprietary trading platform to deliver a seamless and secure trading experience.
