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Int'l Business Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Wirtz Wants To 'Win Everything' For Liverpool After Record Move
Florian Wirtz said he wants to win it all at Liverpool after completing a blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee. Reports in England said the Premier League champions will pay an initial GBP100 million ($134 million) for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, with a further GBP16 million in performance-related add-ons making it a British record deal. However, German media suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (GBP111 million, $149 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros. One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the "best in the world" by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. "I would like to win everything every year!" Wirtz told the club's website. "In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious." The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month. "I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me," added Wirtz, who turned down the option of joining Bayern for the move to England. "This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League." After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a GBP40 million deal. Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Where Wirtz's fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. "The people say I'm a creative player, and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch," said Wirtz. "I try to make assists, goals and run for the team to defend. I hope I can just make the team one step better." Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources. Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday AFP
Int'l Business Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Business Times
Man Utd Seize Control Of Europa League Semi Against 10-man Bilbao
Bruno Fernandes struck twice as Manchester United put one foot in the Europa League final with a clinical away performance to beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Thursday. The fervent home fans were enraged when Athletic defender Daniel Vivian was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund and Fernandes slotted home the resulting penalty, after Casemiro had opened the scoring against the run of play in the semi-final first leg. Fernandes rolled in a third before half-time as Ruben Amorim's side moved a step closer to the final, to be held at Athletic's San Mames stadium. The hosts have been dreaming of winning a first European trophy on their own soil but their hopes were demolished by United's professional display in the north of Spain -- and Athletic's supporters argued, the refereeing. "I think it's the best result (of my tenure) because nobody expected this result -- but you saw two games today," Amorim told reporters. "The first 25 mins, then (another one) after the goal and the sending-off." Languishing in 14th in the Premier League, Champions League qualification for United is only possible with a Europa League triumph, as is access to the GBP100 million ($133 million) honeypot it entails. Despite regularly crumbling under pressure this season, the Red Devils -- who produced a stunning comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals -- first survived and then thrived in a hostile environment. "We looked a little bit nervous at times in the first 20 minutes... we weathered the storm and we knew we'd get our chance," Man United's Harry Maguire told TNT Sports. "It was a clinical first half, professional second half... It's a great victory in the end but there's another big game next week." With May 1 a bank holiday in Spain the streets of Bilbao were filled with red-and-white striped shirts from the morning onwards, in party mode. The San Mames was rocking as fans greeted their heroes, all of them born or raised in the Basque country, as per the club's century-long policy. Beyond an Alejandro Garnacho goal ruled out for offside, the early stages for United were about gritting their teeth and holding off the hosts. Alex Berenguer forced a smart low save from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Inaki Williams headed narrowly over. Victor Lindelof made a vital block to thwart Berenguer after Nico Williams fed his brother Inaki, who was given too much space on the right wing. The hosts were ascendant and when former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring for United it came as a shock. Just as much of a surprise was the way United created the goal, with centre-back Maguire dribbling down the right flank as Mikel Jaureguizar floundered in his wake. The defender fizzed a cross into the area, which Manuel Ugarte flicked on for Casemiro to nod home from close range. It seemed like a smash-and-grab but soon United had a second, when Vivian was penalised for pulling back Hojlund as he tried to connect with a cross. The defender was sent off to add insult to injury and Fernandes stroked home from the spot. "The penalty and the red card... conditioned the game. At 11 against 11, we were doing well," said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde. United made it three before half-time. Ugarte's clever backheel played Fernandes through and he stroked home. Noussair Mazraoui crashed a shot off the crossbar from distance as United almost grabbed a fourth before the break. Athletic fans were further enraged in the second half, waving anything white to show their disgust, when Maroan Sannadi tumbled under pressure from Maguire as he ran towards goal but no foul was awarded. United largely controlled the game in the second half but they could not add a fourth despite probing. The second leg takes place next Thursday at Old Trafford, ahead of the final on May 21 against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt. "At the slightest contact (Hojlund) let himself fall and the bad luck is that the penalty was given," said Inaki Williams. "We weren't particularly great, so we shouldn't make excuses -- we're three goals down but we're capable of mounting a comeback."
Int'l Business Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Rwandan Awarded For Saving Grey Crowned Cranes
White wings flashing overhead in the sunlight, conservationist Olivier Nsengimana points out Rwanda's grey crowned cranes, migratory birds that have made an extraordinary comeback in the Great Lakes region. Their resurgence is thanks to the veterinarian and former gorilla doctor's work protecting their natural habitat in a country better known for its misty peaks than damp swamps. The British charity Whitley Fund for Nature was set to award Nsengimana the GBP100,000 ($134,000) Gold Award on Wednesday in recognition of his work. The sprawling Rugezi swamp has become a refuge for the distinctive cranes, which stand some 1.2 metres tall and have a wingspan of over two metres. Nsengimana's work has seen their numbers soar from just 300 to 1,293. "The grey crowned crane is usually a symbol of wealth and longevity. It's also a sign of a healthy wetland," Nsengimana told AFP. Their numbers fell due to habitat loss and the birds being kept as exotic pets, often injured and unable to breed -- the animals being one of only two crane species that mate for life. The golden-crested birds play a vital role in the wetlands ecosystem and food chain. Nsengimana created the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association in 2015, which supports 75 community rangers. "We want the kids to grow up looking at the rangers and saying: 'Oh I want to be like my brother, I want to be like my sister, my mom who is protecting the marsh," he said. "Before joining the rangers, I was a marsh hunter myself. I stole the eggs, captured the cranes and took them home with me," said head of the rangers Jean-Paul Munezero. "I stopped hunting them and became their protector." But constant patrols are still necessary. Globally, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Rwanda faces many accusations of rights abuses, including severe repression of opposition voices. But it has been praised for its conservation work, which is key to its vital tourism sector. Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association is supporting locals with new jobs to move them away from damaging the marshes. Vestine Kabihogo used to harvest the grasses to make mats and other items. She now earns more in a sewing cooperative supported by the nature conservation ANCR. "After joining this group, I was able to find some real stability," she said. Grey crowned cranes are critical to the Great Lakes ecosystem AFP Rangers patrol the sprawling Rugezi swamp AFP A sewing cooperative provides alternative jobs to locals AFP
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Smiths Group PLC (SMGKF) (H1 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Organic Growth and ...
Organic Revenue Growth: 9.1%, including acquisitions increased to 10.2%. Reported Revenue Growth: 6.7%, impacted by adverse foreign exchange. Operating Profit Growth: 12.6% organic, 9.5% reported, with a margin expansion of 40 basis points to 16.7%. EPS Growth: 14%, enhanced by lower tax, interest charges, and share buyback program. Cash Conversion: 94%. Return on Capital Employed: 17.1%. Dividend Increase: 5% to 14.23p. Share Buyback Program: Increased to GBP500 million. Free Cash Flow: GBP143 million, up nearly 30% from last year. John Crane Organic Revenue Growth: 3.8%. Flex-Tek Organic Revenue Growth: 2.5%, with acquisitions adding 4.4%. Smiths Detection Organic Revenue Growth: 15.3%. Smiths Interconnect Organic Revenue Growth: 26.8%. Full-Year CapEx Expectation: Around GBP100 million. Acquisition of Duc-Pac Corporation: GBP32 million at 7.2 times EBITDA. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with SMGKF. Release Date: March 25, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Smiths Group PLC (SMGKF) reported strong financial performance with organic revenue growth of 9.1% and operating profit growth of 12.6% on an organic basis. The company increased its dividend by 5% and expanded its share buyback program to GBP500 million, enhancing shareholder returns. Smiths Detection and Smiths Interconnect showed significant growth, with Detection's revenue increasing by 15.3% organically and Interconnect's revenue growing by 26.8%. The company is executing a strategic plan to focus on high-performance technologies, which includes the separation of Smiths Interconnect and Smiths Detection to unlock value. Smiths Group PLC (SMGKF) reaffirmed its fiscal-year '25 guidance, which has been raised twice since last September, indicating confidence in future performance. The company experienced a cybersecurity incident in January, impacting John Crane's performance and causing a 1% to 2% reduction in growth for the division. Adverse foreign exchange effects led to a lower reported revenue growth of 6.7%, compared to the organic growth rate. The mix of business and product lines led to a 60 basis point contraction in margins, particularly affecting John Crane and Flex-Tek. The US construction market remains uncertain, affecting Flex-Tek's growth outlook, with new housing permits and starts showing declines. The separation process for Smiths Interconnect and Smiths Detection involves complexities and potential costs, with the company needing to ensure a smooth transition. Q: Can you quantify the impact of the cyber incident on John Crane and discuss the recovery outlook? A: Roland Carter, CEO: The cyber incident impacted John Crane significantly, reducing growth by 1% to 2%. We expect a stronger second half as recovery progresses, but it will take time due to the vertically integrated nature of the business. Aftermarket recovery is underway, and we anticipate improved performance in H2. Q: What are the plans for the demerger or sale of Smiths Detection and Smiths Interconnect? A: Roland Carter, CEO: We aim to announce the sale of Smiths Interconnect by the end of the calendar year, with Smiths Detection to follow. We are open to both demerger and sale options, focusing on value creation. The processes are on track with governance and advisory structures in place. Q: How do you view the growth assumptions for FutureSmiths, and what are the margin improvement prospects? A: Roland Carter, CEO: We target a 5% to 7% organic revenue growth and a 21% to 23% margin. Both John Crane and Flex-Tek have opportunities for margin expansion through pricing, efficiency, and innovation. The focus on these businesses will drive technical and commercial advancements. Q: Can you elaborate on the performance and outlook for Flex-Tek, especially in the industrial segment? A: Roland Carter, CEO: Flex-Tek's industrial segment grew 2% despite a subdued construction market. We expect stronger growth in H2, driven by industrial heat and aerospace segments. The US housing market recovery will be a key driver, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on it. Q: What is the sustainability of the Interconnect margin, and how are you managing US tariffs? A: Julian Fagge, CFO: Interconnect's margin performance was strong, and we expect it to remain robust in the second half. Regarding US tariffs, our local-for-local approach mitigates impacts, and we have plans to address any changes in the tariff landscape. Q: How is the semiconductor segment performing within Interconnect, and what is the visibility on future growth? A: Julian Fagge, CFO: The semiconductor segment, particularly in high-performance GPUs and AI, performed strongly. Although the market is short-cycle, underlying conditions remain positive, and we are well-positioned with our advanced technology offerings. Q: What is the status of the M&A pipeline, and how are you managing capacity for acquisitions amid other initiatives? A: Roland Carter, CEO: We have a focused pipeline for bolt-on acquisitions, particularly in Flex-Tek and John Crane. Dedicated teams manage these acquisitions, ensuring we maintain capacity for strategic initiatives like demergers and the acceleration program. Q: Can you provide an update on the divestment process for Interconnect and Detection? A: Julian Fagge, CFO: The divestment process is proceeding as planned, with strong interest expected. We are confident in executing the transactions as committed, focusing on maximizing value. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bodycote PLC (BYPLF) (FY 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Resilient Performance Amid Market ...
Organic Revenue Growth (Core Business): 1% excluding surcharges. Total Revenue: GBP 757 million, down 4% organically, flat after surcharge adjustments. Operating Profit: GBP 129 million, up 1.7% organically. Core Operating Profit: GBP 127.6 million, 3% organic profit growth. Adjusted EPS: Up 0.4% to 48.6p. Full Year Dividend: Up 1.3% to 23p. Operating Margin (Core Business): Increased by 120 basis points to 17.9%. Group Operating Margin: Increased by 110 basis points to 17%. Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): 15.7%, up 90 basis points. Operating Cash Conversion: 90%. Specialist Technologies Revenue Growth: 5% organically. Specialist Technologies Margin: Up 300 basis points to 29%. Precision Heat Treatment Revenue: Fell by 0.8% organically. Precision Heat Treatment Margin: Down 60 basis points to 17%. Carbon Emissions Reduction: 6% reduction achieved. Shareholder Returns: Over GBP 100 million returned through dividends and share buybacks. Net Debt: GBP 68.3 million, leverage at 0.3 times net debt to EBITDA. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with BYPLF. Release Date: March 14, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Bodycote PLC (BYPLF) achieved a margin improvement from 15.9% to 17%, driven by a better business mix, operational leverage, and productivity improvements. The company reported a resilient performance in 2024, with core business organic growth of 1% and a total growth of 2.4% including acquisitions. Specialist Technologies division saw a 5% organic revenue growth, demonstrating the underlying quality of the business despite tough market conditions. Bodycote PLC (BYPLF) achieved a 6% reduction in carbon emissions, surpassing its previous sustainability targets ahead of schedule. The company returned over GBP100 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting a disciplined approach to capital allocation. The non-core segment, which includes cyclical, high-carbon, low-margin processes, was either loss-making or just over breakeven, impacting overall growth. The automotive and industrial markets faced challenges, with a 0.8% revenue decline in precision heat treatment due to weak end market conditions. FX was a GBP4.9 million headwind to profit year over year, affecting overall financial performance. The company incurred significant exceptional costs of GBP78.3 million related to restructuring and goodwill impairment in North American automotive and industrial businesses. Free cash flow is expected to be lower in 2025 due to increased capital expenditure and restructuring cash spend, impacting short-term financial flexibility. Q: Can you elaborate on your growth strategy, particularly regarding inorganic investments and M&A opportunities? A: Jim Fairbairn, CEO, explained that while Bodycote completed the Lake City acquisition last year, which met expectations, there are no immediate plans for further acquisitions. The company is building a funnel of acquisition opportunities, focusing on targeted, high-quality bolt-on acquisitions in areas like aerospace, energy, and medical processes. Q: How is the aerospace and defense market performing, and what are your expectations for the future? A: Benjamin Fidler, CFO, noted that aerospace grew by 9% in 2024, despite supply chain constraints affecting the latter part of the year. These constraints are expected to ease, and the fundamental demand remains robust, with significant backlogs for Airbus and Boeing. Q: What are the current utilization rates in your industrial business, and how does this affect your gearing to recovery? A: Benjamin Fidler stated that industrial and automotive plants are operating at about 55% utilization, with some regional variations. This indicates significant potential for increased capacity utilization as market conditions improve. Q: Can you provide more details on the operational improvements in Specialist Technologies and their impact on margins? A: Benjamin Fidler highlighted that operational improvements contributed about 100 basis points to the 300 basis point margin increase in Specialist Technologies. The company sees further opportunities for margin improvement through enhanced operational execution. Q: How is Bodycote addressing sustainability and energy costs? A: Jim Fairbairn emphasized Bodycote's leadership in sustainability within the industry, with a focus on CO2 reduction and energy efficiency. The company is launching an internal program called Carbon Smart to train sales teams and engage with customers on sustainability initiatives, which also presents revenue growth opportunities. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
