Latest news with #CLAR
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BMW working on new off-roader to rival G-Class, Defender as a successor to XM
BMW SUVs are known to be driver-focused, but the brand does not have a halo off-roader like some of its luxury rivals. The company is now looking to get a chunk of that action, and is said to be working on a new halo off-road SUV, which will take on the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The upcoming SUV will serve as a successor to the BMW XM hybrid, which received a rather lukewarm response from the market. BMW is looking to get a chunk of the big SUV action, and is said to be working on a new halo off-road SUV, which will take on the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. New BMW Off-Roader In The Works Recent reports suggest that the upcoming BMW off-roader has been internally codenamed G74, and will be a new seven-seater offering, positioned on top of the brand's 'X' lineup. It will be produced at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the US, which also produces the X5 and X7 SUVs, and is expected to hit the shelves sometime in 2029. Also check these Cars Find more Cars BMW XM 4395 cc 4395 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 2.60 Cr Compare View Offers Lexus LM 2487 cc 2487 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 2.10 Cr Compare View Offers Audi RS Q8 3996 cc 3996 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 2.49 Cr Compare View Offers Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS 122 kWh 122 kWh 611 km 611 km ₹ 2.28 Cr Compare View Offers Porsche 911 GT3 3996 cc 3996 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 2.75 Cr Compare View Offers Lotus Eletre 112 kWh 112 kWh 610 km 610 km ₹ 2.55 Cr Compare View Offers Also Read : BMW to hike prices across range by up to 3% from September 1 The upcoming BMW off-roader is likely to be based on the heavily modified CLAR platform, supporting ICE and electric powertrain options The new BMW offering is expected to be underpinned by a heavily modified version of the CLAR platform. The carmaker will bring its new flagship off-roader with an internal combustion engine, while hybrid/electric powertrains cannot be ruled out. The model is expected to arrive with BMW's Neue Klasse design language, combined with traditional body lines. It will also be a step-up in terms of luxury, albeit with a heavily rugged exterior identity. The off-road credentials are expected to be the best-ever from the automaker in terms of approach, rampover, and departure angles. There's no word yet on what the new BMW SUV could be called, but the Bavarian carmaker could revive the 'X8' moniker, which was previously touted to be the coupe-styled X7. Models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender have developed a massive cult following The G-Class is one of the most popular off-road icons globally, with over six lakh units sold since its arrival in 1979. The Land Rover Defender holds a strong cult as well and has been a massive hit for the British automaker. It is also JLR's bestseller in the Indian market. The upcoming BMW off-roader will join this lineup and is likely to arrive in India after its global debut. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CLAR Q1 Earnings Call: Management Withdraws Guidance Amid Tariff Uncertainty and Market Shifts
Outdoor lifestyle and equipment company Clarus (NASDAQ:CLAR) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street's expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 12.8% year on year to $60.43 million. Its non-GAAP loss of $0.02 per share was $0.03 below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy CLAR? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $60.43 million vs analyst estimates of $56.23 million (12.8% year-on-year decline, 7.5% beat) Adjusted EPS: -$0.02 vs analyst estimates of $0.01 ($0.03 miss) Adjusted EBITDA: -$761,000 vs analyst estimates of $589,400 (-1.3% margin, significant miss) Operating Margin: -11.2%, down from -9.8% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $134.8 million Clarus' first-quarter results reflected the impact of challenging consumer demand and internal restructuring, with management emphasizing ongoing efforts to simplify operations and rightsize inventory. Executive Chairman Warren Kanders noted the company's focus on 'executing against our strategic roadmap,' as sales in the Adventure segment were pressured by account-specific declines and a decision to move away from low-margin off-price channels. The Outdoor segment saw a planned reduction in ski-related sales, offset by stronger apparel performance and the successful launch of an updated e-commerce platform. President Neil Fiske credited the 'hard work… to simplify the business and rightsize our inventory' for improving resilience, while CFO Mike Yates highlighted cost controls, including the closure of unprofitable stores, that helped reduce operating expenses year over year. Looking ahead, Clarus leadership withdrew full-year guidance due to significant uncertainty from new U.S. tariffs and global trade policy changes, citing unpredictability in consumer demand and supply chain disruption. Management outlined plans to accelerate the transition of manufacturing out of China, aiming to reduce exposure to tariffs by late 2025 or early 2026. As Fiske explained, 'We are accelerating our China exit plan and expect to have new country-of-origin production up and running by Q4 this year.' The team remains focused on protecting market share, even if it means absorbing temporary margin pressures. Kanders stated that, for now, capital allocation will be conservative, with resources held in cash until there is greater economic clarity. Management attributed Q1 results to operational streamlining, targeted inventory reductions, and selective pricing actions, while emphasizing that trade policy uncertainty and customer-specific factors drove deviations from expectations. Apparel bookings momentum: Outdoor segment saw strong advance orders for Black Diamond apparel, with bookings up 50% in the U.S. and 30% in Europe, driven by product updates and a sharper marketing message. Adventure segment leadership change: Trip Wyckoff was promoted to lead Adventure, brought in to revamp business structure and go-to-market strategy, aiming for long-term growth and efficiency. Tariff mitigation underway: Management is accelerating efforts to relocate manufacturing from China in response to U.S. tariffs, aiming to complete the transition by early 2026, with price increases already implemented on select products to offset costs. Strategic divestiture: The company agreed to sell its PEEPS snow safety brand, part of a move to simplify the business and focus on core categories. The transaction is expected to be margin accretive over time. Channel and product rationalization: Clarus exited low-margin off-price retail channels in Adventure, and reduced exposure to discontinued and low-performing SKUs in Outdoor, which impacted near-term sales but is intended to improve profitability and inventory quality. Clarus' future performance will hinge on its ability to navigate trade policy headwinds, continue product innovation, and realign its supply chain to protect margins. Tariff risk and supply chain shift: The company's accelerated plan to move manufacturing out of China is expected to reduce tariff exposure by 2026. Management cautioned that transitional margin pressure could persist until the move is complete, especially if high tariffs remain in place. Product simplification and innovation: Further SKU rationalization and a focus on high-margin, best-selling styles are expected to support margin recovery and brand differentiation, with recent apparel line updates showing early demand strength in key markets. Selective pricing and market protection: Clarus has raised prices on affected products to offset a portion of tariff impacts, but is limiting increases on some China-sourced goods to maintain market share. The company will monitor competitive responses and consumer behavior closely as industry-wide price adjustments unfold. In upcoming quarters, StockStory analysts will monitor (1) progress on Clarus' transition out of China and the resulting impact on gross margins, (2) the sustainability of apparel demand and channel expansion in the Outdoor segment, and (3) the integration of new Adventure leadership and customer mix shifts. Additional attention will be paid to how industry-wide pricing and trade policy developments affect both top-line growth and profitability. Clarus currently trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 9×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Cash-Heavy Stocks Walking a Fine Line
Companies with more cash than debt can be financially resilient, but that doesn't mean they're all strong investments. Some lack leverage because they struggle to grow or generate consistent profits, making them unattractive borrowers. Financial flexibility is valuable, but it's not everything - at StockStory, we help you find the stocks that can not only survive but also outperform. That said, here are three companies with net cash positions to avoid and some better alternatives instead. Net Cash Position: $347.1 million (30.7% of Market Cap) With courses ranging from investing to cooking to computer programming, Udemy (NASDAQ:UDMY) is an online learning platform that connects learners with expert instructors who specialize in a wide range of topics. Why Does UDMY Give Us Pause? Decision to emphasize platform growth over monetization has contributed to 1.6% annual declines in its average revenue per buyer Demand is forecasted to shrink as its estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat Excessive marketing spend signals little organic demand and traction for its platform Udemy's stock price of $7.49 implies a valuation ratio of 12.2x forward EV/EBITDA. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than UDMY. Net Cash Position: $39.4 million (30.4% of Market Cap) Initially a financial services business, Clarus (NASDAQ:CLAR) designs, manufactures, and distributes outdoor equipment and lifestyle products. Why Is CLAR Risky? Products and services have few die-hard fans as sales have declined by 17.4% annually over the last two years Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 16.5% annually Shrinking returns on capital from an already weak position reveal that neither previous nor ongoing investments are yielding the desired results At $3.30 per share, Clarus trades at 8.7x forward EV-to-EBITDA. To fully understand why you should be careful with CLAR, check out our full research report (it's free). Net Cash Position: $1.02 billion (10.1% of Market Cap) Founded in 1993 during the early days of offshore software development, EPAM Systems (NYSE:EPAM) provides digital engineering, cloud, and AI transformation services to help global enterprises and startups modernize their technology systems and create digital products. Why Are We Hesitant About EPAM? Constant currency growth was below our standards over the past two years, suggesting it might need to invest in product improvements to get back on track Free cash flow margin shrank by 7.3 percentage points over the last five years, suggesting the company is consuming more capital to stay competitive Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging EPAM is trading at $178.56 per share, or 16.4x forward P/E. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why EPAM doesn't pass our bar. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Singapore REITs to Watch Out for in June
The REIT sector continues to be a reliable source of dividends for income investors who are seeking to navigate a complex macroeconomic landscape. Although the asset class was beset by the twin challenges of inflation and elevated interest rates, things are looking up. Interest rates have moderated, and inflation has declined significantly from its high in 2022. Meanwhile, REIT managers have been active in reconstituting their portfolios and are engaging in capital recycling activities to improve their portfolios. Here are four Singapore REITs you should keep an eye out for in June. CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, or CLAR, is Singapore's oldest industrial REIT and also one of the largest industrial REITs listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68). The REIT released an encouraging business update for the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025). Portfolio occupancy stood at 91.5%, and the portfolio also enjoyed a positive rental reversion of 11%. During the quarter, CLAR completed the sale and leaseback acquisition of a Class A modern logistics property for S$153.4 million. A redevelopment at Science Park Drive was also completed for S$300 million. The REIT also saw two asset enhancement initiatives (AEIs) completed, one in the US and the other in Singapore. Just last week, CLAR announced the acquisition of two properties in Singapore – a data centre at 9 Tai Seng Drive, and a business space property at 5 Science Park Drive. Both properties are fully occupied, with the data centre sporting a net property income (NPI) yield of 7.2% and the business space property having a 6.1% NPI yield. These acquisitions will help to solidify the REIT's Singapore footprint and enhance the quality of CLAR's portfolio. The purchases should also translate into a 1.36% accretion to distribution per unit (DPU) for the REIT. Moreover, there is the potential for rental uplift as 9 Tai Seng Drive has room for capacity expansion. For 5 Science Park Drive, the existing rent is around 15% below market rates, allowing for future positive rental reversion. Mapletree Industrial Trust, or MIT, is an industrial REIT with a portfolio of 141 properties spanning 25.2 million square feet of net lettable area. MIT's portfolio was valued at S$9.1 billion as of 31 March 2025. In the middle of May, the REIT entered into a sale and purchase agreement to sell three industrial properties in Singapore for S$535.3 million to Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM). These three properties, named The Strategy, The Synergy, and the Woodlands Central Cluster, were at a 2.6% premium to the properties' independent valuations of S$521.5 million. It was also a 22.1% increase from these properties' original cost of S$438.4 million. The Strategy and The Synergy had occupancy rates of 82.1% and 71.6%, respectively, while Woodlands Central boasted a higher occupancy rate of 95.5%. These divestments should be completed by 3Q 2025. MIT's rationale for the sale was to strengthen its capital structure and improve its financial flexibility for future investments while realising the capital appreciation on these properties. Manulife US REIT, or MUST, is an office REIT with a portfolio of eight freehold properties in the US with a total NLA of 4.1 million square feet. The office REIT agreed to sell its Peachtree Class A office building in Georgia for a gross consideration of around US$133.8 million. MUST will receive around US$118.8 million in net proceeds, which will be used to make an early repayment of its 2026 loans. With this repayment, around 78% of its total debt due in 2026 will be repaid. This sale also allows MUST to achieve 82% of its net sales proceeds target under the Master Restructuring Agreement (MRA), enabling the beleaguered office REIT to negotiate a recovery path with its lenders. The REIT had already divested Capitol in California and Plaza in New Jersey as part of its progress in repaying its loans. With this divestment, MUST's pro-forma aggregate leverage should improve from 60.8% to 57.7%, with its pro-forma weighted average cost of debt reduced from 4.53% to 4.07%. This disposal means that the REIT's portfolio will now comprise seven properties with an NLA of around 3.5 million square feet. Elite UK REIT owns mostly freehold properties in the UK and is the largest provider of infrastructure to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other UK government departments. As of 31 December 2024, the REIT had an AUM of more than S$2 billion. Elite UK REIT reported an encouraging set of earnings for 1Q 2025 as revenue inched up 0.6% year on year to £9.3 million. NPI shot up 24.4% year on year to £10.4 million because of a one-off lease surrender premium and dilapidation settlement. Excluding this, NPI would have increased by 4.9% year on year to £8.7 million. DPU increased by 9.6% year on year to £0.0076. With its expanded investment mandate, the manager plans to reposition two of its properties. The first is Lindsay House in Dundee, a vacant asset that can be repositioned into a purpose built-student accommodation (PBSA). The conversion will use the property's existing structure, which will reduce project costs and accelerate the asset's time-to-market. The expected opening of this PBSA is September 2027. The other asset is a site in Blackpool, which can be developed into a potential data asset development. Elite UK REIT has submitted the planning permission for this site, which is now in its final stages. Looking to create a lifelong income stream? Check out our report, '7 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That Can Pay You for Life.' We uncover a powerful lineup of dividend-paying stocks with the reliability and growth potential you need in today's market. Don't miss out on these dependable picks. Download your copy now and start building a secure financial future! Follow us on Facebook and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses! Disclosure: Royston Yang owns shares of Mapletree Industrial Trust and Singapore Exchange. The post 4 Singapore REITs to Watch Out for in June appeared first on The Smart Investor.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unlock Higher Yields: 3 Data Centre REITs Set for Dividend Hikes This Year
Of all the REIT subsectors, retail and industrial have held up best over the past few years. Within the industrial sub-sector, the data centre space offers tantalising opportunities for investors. The surge in digitalisation, along with higher demand for cloud computing services, has contributed to the growth of this asset class. Income investors can gain exposure to data centres by purchasing REITs that are either pure-play data centre REITs or through REITs with data centres within their portfolios. Here are three Singapore data centre REITs that look well-positioned for higher dividends this year. CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, or CLAR, is Singapore's oldest industrial REIT. Its portfolio includes 226 properties spread across Singapore (65%), the US (12%), Australia (13%), and the UK/Europe (10%). CLAR's total assets under management (AUM) stood at S$16.9 billion as of 31 March 2025, and around 8% of its AUM comprises data centres located in Singapore and the UK. The industrial REIT reported a commendable set of earnings for 2024 despite the twin headwinds of inflation and high interest rates. Gross revenue rose 2.9% year on year to S$1.52 billion while net property income (NPI) increased by 2.6% year on year to S$1.05 billion. The REIT's distribution per unit (DPU) inched up 0.3% year on year to S$0.15205. For the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025) business update, CLAR reported a positive rental reversion of 9% for 1Q 2025. This was slightly lower than the prior year's positive rental reversion of 11.4%. Overall, CLAR reported a positive rental reversion of 11% for its portfolio. The REIT also has ongoing projects that are undergoing development, redevelopment or refurbishment to improve the quality of the portfolio. These projects, costing a total of S$498.4 million, will be progressively completed from 3Q 2025 to 1Q 2028. CLAR maintained a high portfolio occupancy of 91.5% as of 31 March 2025 with moderate gearing of 38.9%, allowing the REIT to continue acquiring yield-accretive properties using debt financing. Keppel DC REIT is a data centre REIT with a portfolio of 24 data centres across 10 countries. As of 31 March 2025, the REIT's total AUM stood at approximately S$4.9 billion. Keppel DC REIT's 1Q 2025 results packed a punch as it was the only REIT to report a double-digit year-on-year increase in its DPU. Gross revenue jumped 22.6% year on year to S$102.2 million while NPI shot up 24.1% year on year to S$88.1 million. Finance income was boosted by its Australian data centre note, climbing 40.1% year on year to S$3.9 million. DPU increased by 14.2% year on year to S$0.02503. Keppel DC REIT maintained a high portfolio occupancy of 96.5% and also enjoyed a positive rental reversion of 7% for the quarter. The manager plans to rely on acquisitions in the target markets of Japan, South Korea, and Europe as a driver of its AUM and DPU. With aggregate leverage at just 30.2%, this leaves significant debt headroom for the data centre REIT to conduct yield-accretive acquisitions. Management identified artificial intelligence (AI) as an enduring trend that should boost demand for data centres serving AI inference workloads. With positive rental reversions and the continued strong demand for data centres, Keppel DC REIT should do well in the medium term. Digital Core REIT, or DCR, is also a data centre REIT with a portfolio of 11 data centres spread across the US, Canada, Frankfurt (Germany), and Osaka (Japan). The REIT's AUM stood at US$1.7 billion as of 31 December 2024. DCR reported an encouraging set of financial results for 1Q 2025. Revenue leapt nearly 80% year on year to US$44.2 million, largely because of acquisitions conducted in the past year. NPI climbed 41.8% year on year to US$22.4 million while distributable income rose 9.9% year on year to US$11.7 million. The REIT enjoyed a very high portfolio occupancy of 98%, and its assets are all of freehold tenure. With aggregate leverage at 38%, DCR has debt headroom of around US$438 million before it hits the mandatory 50% gearing limit. The REIT recently concluded the acquisition of a 20% stake in a second data centre from its sponsor, Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR). DCR also established a US$750 million medium-term note programme to reduce reliance on bank debt and to set the stage for faster growth. The data centre REIT has a right-of-first-refusal over its sponsor's pipeline of assets worth US$15 billion. These assets have a minimum occupancy of at least 90% and do not require any material asset enhancements within two years. This healthy pipeline means that DCR could engage in more yield-accretive acquisitions in the months and years to come, helping to boost its DPU. First-time investors: We've finally released our Beginner's Guide. Read it in an afternoon, follow the principles, pick an investing style and buy your first SGX stocks within the next few hours! Click here to download it for free. Follow us on Facebook and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses! Disclosure: Royston Yang owns shares of Keppel DC REIT and Digital Core REIT. The post Unlock Higher Yields: 3 Data Centre REITs Set for Dividend Hikes This Year appeared first on The Smart Investor.
