Latest news with #Xerxes
South China Morning Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Sound strategy or not, Trump's tariffs are doomed by poor execution
On the cusp of invading Greece with his army, the Persian Emperor Xerxes was confronted by his chief counsel, Artabanus, who cautioned against unforeseen threats and logistical difficulties in his campaign. However, Xerxes shunned any operational hand-wringing, according to historian John Lewis Gaddis' book On Grand Strategy, arguing that 'big things are won by big dangers'. Advertisement More than 2,000 years after Xerxes' ill-fated campaign, which helped to unify once-disparate Greek city states into a major political force in the Mediterranean region, another leader of a superpower is imposing his will on the rest of the world without much forethought. Almost two months since he declared ' Liberation Day ' and imposed 'reciprocal' tariffs on almost all US trade partners, the track record of US President Donald Trump's trade war is, at best, mixed. Aside from negotiating a 90-day pause in an escalating trade war with China and striking a partial deal with the United Kingdom, the US leader has struggled to show any kind of decisive success. There could be a strategic logic that drives Trump's seemingly inchoate trade policy and incoherent tactics. The United States is a declining superpower largely because of its hollowed-out manufacturing base and shrinking contribution to global trade. Advertisement Liberal globalisation has enriched the US financial sector and Big Tech companies, but it has left much of the country in a much weaker position vis-a-vis other major economic powers, especially China. Though disruptive, Trump's policies are an attempt at reviving the foundations of the US economy before it slides into permanent decline.
Epoch Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 16–22
This week, we feature a riveting biography of a late 16th-century artist and an insightful account of one woman's unlikely challenge to forego screens. Biography ' By Andrew Graham-Dixon He is known as Caravaggio, though his name, which the artist adopted, stems from the city in which he was born. His childhood was inflicted by the horrors of the Black Plague, and his life and art often reflected the horrific and painful. Creating works of unmistakable originality, Caravaggio is one of the masters, known for his usage of light and shadow. Graham-Dixon has unearthed a volatile artist, presenting him in the same ferocity with which he lived his life. W.W. Norton, 2012, 544 pages Nonfiction ' Related Stories 5/1/2025 4/24/2025 By Hannah Brencher The heart of this book—which combines personal anecdotes and reflections on matters of spirit, religious faith, and culture—is the author's challenge: to endure 1,000 unplugged hours in one year. Feeling worn down and empty in 2021, Brencher got what she calls one of her nudges: to turn off her phone and keep turning it off. Here, she recreates that journey of reengaging with people and nature. It's an excellent reminder of the benefits and blessings received when we take some time away from our screens. Zondervan, 2024, 272 pages Energy ' By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow Nuclear energy is regaining favor with some environmentalists. They see it as a green alternative to fossil fuel, but with greater reliability and smaller environmental impact than solar. It led to a 2024 decision to keep California's last nuclear plant open. This book explains how the reversal happened. It explores the emergence of a 21st-century nuclear power renaissance and shows how environmentalists joined forces with traditional nuclear advocates to create a reappraisal of nuclear energy. Algonquin Books, 2025, 288 pages Historical Fiction ' By L. Sprague De Camp Best known for his science fiction, De Camp also wrote five historical novels set in ancient times. Xerxes, King of Persia, desires immortality. His court magician claims Xerxes can get it with an elixir made from the blood of a dragon and the heart of a hero. He tells Xerxes that dragons live in the southern Nile River. Xerxes commutes the death sentence of Bessas of Zarispa, an officer, with promise of a pardon if Bessas returns with a dragon. This tale follows Bessas's adventures seeking a dragon. Phoenix Pick, 2013, 382 pages Classics ' By Boris Pasternak Set in Russia between the Revolution of 1905 and World War II, this 1957 novel roused enormous controversy, won the Nobel Prize for the author, and became a smash Hollywood hit in 1965. Physician and poet Yuri Zhivago, his family, and his love for Lara are at the story's heart, but the book is fascinating as well for its many discussions about Russia, history, art, faith, and more. Banned by the Soviets until 1988, Pasternak's romantic saga remains a warning against the dangers and cruelty of Marxism. Vintage, 2011, 704 pages For Kids ' By Alice and Martin Provensen French aviator Louis Blériot made the first powered airplane flight across the English Channel on July 25, 1909. This story begins with the Blériot family living in Cambrai, France in the year 1901 and depicts how Papa Blériot was inspired to fly and came to accomplish this monumental feat. It's a story of persistence, innovation, and family love. Puffin Books, 1987, 40 pages What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mattr Corp (MTTRF) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Revenue Growth Amidst EBITDA Challenges
Revenue: $207.8 million in Q4 2024, an 8.5% increase from Q4 2023. Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations: $12.7 million in Q4 2024, a 50.9% decrease from the prior year. Composite Technology Segment Revenue: $120.3 million in Q4 2024, a 6.9% increase from Q4 2023. Connection Technology Segment Revenue: $87.5 million in Q4 2024, an 11% increase from Q4 2023. Cash Provided by Operating Activities: $45.2 million in Q4 2024. Net Cash Generated: $316.5 million in Q4 2024. Net Debt: $131.9 million as of December 30, 2024. Share Repurchases: Nearly 1.9 million shares repurchased in Q4 2024. Capital Expenditures: $33.1 million in Q4 2024. Full Year 2024 Revenue from Continuing Operations: $885.3 million, a 0.5% increase from 2023. Full Year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations: $108.2 million, a 28.2% decrease from 2023. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Signs with MTTRF. Release Date: March 14, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) achieved new annual revenue records in three of its four business lines and year-over-year revenue growth within its consolidated continuing operations. The company successfully completed its North American production modernization, expansion, and optimization (MEO) program, establishing three new US manufacturing sites. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) acquired AmerCable, significantly enhancing its wire and cable portfolio and making connection technologies the larger of its two segments. The company repurchased more than 3.3 million shares under its normal course issuer bid, buying back nearly 12% of its stock since the program's inception. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) expects meaningful year-over-year growth in 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA, driven by its connection technology segment and the Xerxes business within its composite technology segment. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) experienced a 50.9% decrease in adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations compared to the prior year, primarily due to non-capitalizable expenses tied to the MEO strategy. The company anticipates continued weakness in the North American onshore oilfield market, Eurozone industrial sector, and global automotive market throughout 2025. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) incurred $18 million of non-capitalizable expenses related to its MEO strategy, impacting reported adjusted EBITDA. The company faced a decline in gross profit due to temporary impacts of unabsorbed costs at Xerxes sites and changes in product and customer mix. Mattr Corp (MTTRF) expects potential tariff impacts due to cross-border exposure, with approximately 30% of its continuing operations revenue derived from product sales crossing the US-Canadian border. Q: Can you discuss the potential impact of tariffs on your cross-border operations and how you plan to manage these costs? A: Michael Reeves, President and CEO, explained that most cross-border revenue is within the composites segment, with Mattr often being the importer of record for Flexpipe but not for Xerxes. If tariffs are imposed, Mattr plans to pass these costs to customers, as their products are USMCA compliant and currently not subject to tariffs. The company has also prepositioned inventory in the US to mitigate potential impacts. Q: What is the outlook for Flexpipe, especially in light of your competitor's recent performance? A: Michael Reeves noted that Flexpipe's revenue for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025 is expected to be similar, driven by market share gains and the introduction of larger-diameter products. These products have expanded Flexpipe's addressable market, and the company anticipates continued growth despite a flat North American operating environment. Q: How is the integration of AmerCable progressing, and what are the expected costs and benefits? A: Michael Reeves stated that the integration is going well, with a focus on maintaining AmerCable's current operations. The company expects $5 million in onboarding costs in 2025, with cross-selling opportunities anticipated to drive revenue growth. AmerCable's revenue is expected to be strongest in Q1 due to project timing. Q: Can you provide an update on the cost savings from the recent workforce restructuring? A: Tom Holloway, CFO, confirmed that the expected reductions have been executed, aligning the workforce with market demand. The restructuring costs were approximately $4.9 million, and the company believes it has the right cost base for anticipated 2025 revenue levels. Q: What are the expectations for MEO costs in 2025, and how will they impact the financials? A: Tom Holloway indicated that MEO costs are expected to be $7 million to $8 million in 2025, spread across the first two quarters, and will be concentrated in the connection technology segment. No further MEO costs are anticipated for composite technologies. 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
