Latest from Sky News Arabia
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 20 dead in fresh Pakistan monsoon rains
More than 20 people have died on Wednesday in a torrential spell of monsoon rain in Pakistan, where downpours have swept away entire villages over the last week, killing more than 400. Eleven people died in the touristic northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan and 10 others in Karachi, the financial capital in the south, due to urban flooding that caused house collapses and electrocution, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. Schools remained closed in the city of more than 20 million, as the meteorological department predicted more rain till Saturday. Amir Hyder Laghari, chief meteorologist of the Sindh province, blamed "weak infrastructure" for the flooding in big cities. As Karachi's crumbling pipes and sewer system struggled to cope with the downpours, rush-hour drivers were caught in rising waters late Tuesday, and multiple neighbourhoods experienced power cuts. By Wednesday morning, the water had receded, an AFP photographer reported. Between 40 and 50 houses had been damaged in two districts, provincial disaster official Muhammad Younis said. "Another (rain) spell is to start by the end of the month," NDMA chairman Inam Haider Malik. More than 350 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a mountainous northern province bordering Afghanistan, since last Thursday. Authorities and the army are searching for dozens missing in villages that were hit by landslides and heavy rain. - 'Children are scared' - The floods interrupted communication networks and phone lines in flooded areas, while excavators worked to remove debris clogging drainage channels. "We have established relief camps where we are providing medical assistance. We are also giving dry rations and tents to all the people," army Colonel Irfan Afridi told AFP in Buner district, where more than 220 people were killed. Authorities have warned that the rains will continue until mid-September. "The children are scared. They say we cannot sleep at night due to fear," said Anjum Anwar, a medical camp official in Buner. "The flood... has destroyed our entire settlements." Landslides and flash floods are common during the monsoon season, which typically begins in June and lasts until the end of September. This year, nearly 750 people have died since the season started, according to authorities. Pakistan is among the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and is increasingly facing extreme weather events. Monsoon floods submerged one-third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in approximately 1,700 deaths. stm/dhw
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
James Hardie Industries PLC (JHIUF) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market ...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Total Net Sales: $900 million, a 9% decrease from the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA: $226 million with a margin of 25.1%, a decline of 21% year-over-year. Adjusted Net Income: $127 million. Adjusted Diluted EPS: $0.29 per share. Free Cash Flow: $104 million, an increase of 88%. North America Net Sales: Declined 12%, with a 3% increase in average net sales price. North America Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 32.1%, down 400 basis points year-over-year. APAC Net Sales: Declined 10%, with a 25% decrease in volumes and a 22% rise in ASP in Australian dollars. Europe Net Sales: Increased 7%, with a 2% increase in euros. FY26 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion. FY26 Adjusted Diluted EPS Guidance: $0.75 to $0.85. Capital Expenditures for FY26: Approximately $400 million. Gross Debt: Approximately $5.1 billion with an annualized effective interest rate of approximately 5.7%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 13 Warning Signs with APAJF. Release Date: August 19, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points The integration of James Hardie and AZEK has created a leading provider of exterior home and outdoor living solutions, significantly expanding the company's offering and market reach. AZEK's business delivered a strong June quarter, exceeding guidance with mid-single-digit sell-through growth in Deck, Rail & Accessories, demonstrating resilience in a challenging market. James Hardie has secured multi-year national exclusivity agreements with several large homebuilders, enhancing its market position and demonstrating strong partnerships. The company has made meaningful progress on cost synergy realization, achieving over 50% of its run rate target for general and administrative cost savings. James Hardie's innovation strategies, including new product launches and enhancements like ColorPlus, are expected to drive future growth and material conversion opportunities. Negative Points Demand in North America, particularly in single-family new construction, has been weaker than anticipated, leading to a more cautious inventory approach by distributors and dealers. The company has adjusted its expectations for FY26 due to softer demand, with market demand expected to decline by high single digits. James Hardie experienced a 12% decline in North America net sales in the quarter, driven by lower volumes and a challenging market environment. The integration of AZEK has led to a more conservative outlook for Deck, Rail & Accessories, with anticipated low single-digit sell-through growth. Persistent raw material inflation, particularly in pulp, has negatively impacted margins, although this headwind is expected to subside through the year. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you help us parse out the single-family outlook versus the inventory element, as it seems more pronounced than expected? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: Our Q1 results were as expected, embedded in our FY26 guide. Customers ordered to more optimistic expectations earlier in the year, but as the outlook softened, they focused on inventory. Single-family new construction starts from January through March impacted our April through June results. We anticipated this dynamic, hence our updated guidance. Q: Given the tougher demand backdrop, are there any additional cost management strategies you can implement? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: We are leveraging the Hardie Operating System, focusing on yield and managing shifts. We are also integrating two companies, which may present opportunities for cost efficiencies. Our team remains disciplined and focused on accelerating our efforts. Q: How much of the Q1 volume decline was due to inventory destocking, and will this impact persist into Q2? A: Aaron Erter, CEO: In Q1, inventory aside, we performed in line with the market, down mid-single digits. We expect some destocking to continue in Q2 and Q3 as customers adopt a more cautious inventory approach. Q: How did the single-family new construction in the South evolve from April to today, and is it stabilizing? A: Rachel Wilson, CFO: Single-family new construction estimates have shifted significantly since May, with South permits declining sequentially. We are prudently planning for continued softness, impacting our guidance. Q: Can you explain the differences in EBITDA guidance for AZEK compared to previous expectations? A: Rachel Wilson, CFO: There are technical differences, such as including stock-based compensation in our EBITDA. Our guidance reflects a conservative channel inventory positioning and potential macroeconomic impacts, despite strong performance in the AZEK business. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fluent Inc (FLNT) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Revenue Declines with Strategic ...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Revenue: $44.7 million, a 19% decline versus Q1 2025 and a 24% decrease from the prior year. Commerce Media Solutions Revenue: Grew 121% year-over-year to $16.1 million, representing 36% of total revenue. Media Margin: $11.9 million, representing 26.7% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA: Negative $2.8 million, a $300k improvement versus Q1 2025. Net Loss: $7.2 million, improved from a net loss of $11.6 million in the prior year period. Adjusted Net Loss: $5.9 million, equivalent to a loss of $0.24 per share. Operating Expense: $14.9 million, down from $18.2 million in the prior year. Interest Expense: Decreased to $702,000 from $1 million in the prior year period. Cash and Cash Equivalents: $4.9 million, with an additional $2.4 million of restricted cash. Net Long-Term Debt: $19.9 million as of June 30, 2025. Equity Financing: Over $10 million announced to support growth. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with FLNT. Release Date: August 19, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Fluent Inc (NASDAQ:FLNT) reported a 121% year-over-year growth in Commerce Media Solutions revenue, reaching $16.1 million and representing 36% of total consolidated revenue. The company secured over $10 million in equity financing from a diversified group of investors, strengthening its balance sheet and supporting growth. Fluent Inc (NASDAQ:FLNT) added 15 new partners to its Commerce Media platform, including a strategic partnership with Rebuy Engine, expanding its network to over 12,000 e-commerce brands. The company expects Commerce Media Solutions to continue growing at a triple-digit rate, aiming for adjusted EBITDA profitability by Q4 2025 and full-year 2026. Fluent Inc (NASDAQ:FLNT) reduced its net long-term debt from $31.9 million at the end of 2024 to $19.9 million as of June 30, 2025, indicating improved financial management. Negative Points Total revenue for Q2 2025 decreased by 24% from the prior year, with a significant decline in the owned and operated segment by approximately 49%. The media margin for Commerce Media Solutions was compressed to 20% in Q2 2025, down from 30.4% in the same quarter of 2024, due to pricing flexibility to remain competitive. Fluent Inc (NASDAQ:FLNT) reported a net loss of $7.2 million for Q2 2025, although this was an improvement from the $11.6 million loss in the prior year. The company faces challenges from regulatory headwinds and volatility in media costs on biddable platforms, impacting its ability to buy media at scale. Despite growth in Commerce Media, the segment's revenue is not yet sufficient to offset the decline in the owned and operated business, affecting overall financial performance. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you expand on what drove the steep declines in your Owned and Operated (O&O) segment in Q2, and what are your thoughts on stabilizing this segment? A: The decline in the O&O segment is primarily due to the FTC settlement, which restricted our ability to buy media profitably on certain biddable platforms. This has led to increased pricing volatility. Despite strong demand, the lack of media channel diversification has impacted our ability to manage margins effectively. We are focusing on stabilizing this segment by managing margins and adjusting to the current media landscape. - Donald Patrick, CEO Q: How is the partnership with Rebuy progressing, and are you fully engaged with the majority of brands on their platform? A: The partnership with Rebuy is progressing well, though it's still in the early stages. We are ahead on the product and operational side, and while it hasn't significantly impacted Q2 results, we are seeing momentum in onboarding merchant partners. This partnership is expected to drive growth in the second half of 2025 and into 2026. - Donald Patrick, CEO Q: Regarding new agreements in Commerce Media, are these mostly revenue share or minimum guarantee? How will this affect margin pressures? A: The agreements are a mix of revenue share and short-term incentives to encourage partners to join our platform. Margin pressures in Q2 were due to launching new solutions and competitive pricing strategies. We expect margins to improve as these solutions scale and new enterprise clients are onboarded. - Donald Patrick, CEO Q: Can you discuss the new placements beyond post transactions mentioned in the press release? A: We are exploring opportunities in loyalty plays and post-event scenarios like post-receipt or post-registration. These initiatives aim to enhance consumer engagement and drive growth beyond traditional post-transaction models. - Donald Patrick, CEO Q: How does your first-party data differentiate you from competitors, and what are the implications for your business and shareholders? A: Our first-party data asset, built over 15 years, allows us to better identify consumer behavior and serve relevant ads, driving superior results compared to competitors. This data advantage enhances customer conversion rates, benefiting both our clients and our bottom line. - Donald Patrick, CEO Q: The press release mentions a Commerce Media revenue run rate exceeding $80 million. Does this imply new business wins in the last six weeks? A: The $80 million run rate reflects the annualized revenue based on partners and media brought on by June 30, 2025, accounting for seasonality. Any new partners in Q3 will add to this number. - Ryan Perfit, CFO Q: Can you clarify the expected revenue growth for 2025 and 2026? A: We anticipate triple-digit growth in Commerce Media for 2025 and double-digit consolidated revenue growth in 2026. The focus is on scaling Commerce Media to surpass owned and operated revenue. - Ryan Perfit, CFO Q: How does the first-party data asset impact customer conversion and financial performance? A: The first-party data allows us to serve more relevant ads, increasing customer conversion rates. This results in higher revenue for our clients and improved financial performance for Fluent, as it enhances our competitive edge in the market. - Donald Patrick, CEO For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
APA Group (APAJF) (FY25) Earnings Call Highlights: Record EBITDA and Strategic Shifts
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Revenue: Not explicitly mentioned in the transcript. EBITDA: FY25 underlying EBITDA up 6.4% to over $2 billion. EBITDA Margin: Expanded to 74.2%. Free Cash Flow: Increased by 1% to approximately $1.1 billion. Net Profit After Tax (NPAT): Excluding significant items, up 8.4%. Distribution: FY25 distribution of $0.57 per security, up $0.01 from last year. FY26 Distribution Guidance: $0.58 per security. FY26 EBITDA Guidance: Between $2.12 billion and $2.2 billion, midpoint represents a 7.2% increase. Cost Reduction Target: Approximately $50 million for FY26. Organic Growth Pipeline: Increased from $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion. Credit Metrics: Improved from 10.1% to 10.4%. Capital Expenditure: Growth CapEx includes Kurri Kurri lateral pipeline and Port Hedland Solar and Battery Projects. Debt Management: Raised USD1.25 billion in US dollar bond market with 10- and 20-year maturities. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 13 Warning Signs with APAJF. Release Date: August 19, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points APA Group (APAJF) reported a 6.4% increase in FY25 EBITDA, reaching over $2 billion for the first time. The company has achieved 21 consecutive years of distribution growth, with FY25 distributions up by $0.01 per security. APA Group has successfully simplified its business by divesting noncore assets and announcing a $50 million cost-out target for FY26. The organic growth pipeline has increased from $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion, with strong momentum in executing strategic projects. The company has improved its credit metrics, with funds from operation to net debt increasing from 10.1% to 10.4%, supporting future growth funding from the existing balance sheet. Negative Points APA Group faced a serious safety incident involving an all-terrain vehicle, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in safety practices. The company has withdrawn from large East Coast electricity transmission projects, which were previously a significant part of its addressable market. Higher interest costs and cash tax payments partially offset the benefits from the uplift in underlying EBITDA. The divestment of the Networks business is expected to reduce FY26 earnings by about $15 million. There is potential volatility in earnings from the Basslink asset, which may impact financial performance in FY26. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you expand on the decision to move away from East Coast electricity transmission projects and what opportunities will fill this gap in your growth outlook? A: Adam Watson, CEO: The strategy remains focused on delivering energy infrastructure supported by long-term contracts and inflation-linked returns. Despite moving away from larger electricity transmission projects, we still have a significant addressable market exceeding $100 billion, focusing on gas transmission, storage, remote grids, and future fuels. Q: Are shippers willing to sign long-term contracts for the East Coast Grid expansion, or will APA need to take on some underwriting risk? A: Adam Watson, CEO: We don't expect the market to fully underwrite projects with long-term contracts as in the past. We've invested significantly in the East Coast grid, taking on market risk, and demand has been strong. We aim to work with customers and the government to secure the necessary confidence for larger investments. Q: How does APA plan to offset the EBITDA decline from the Wallumbilla Gladstone Pipeline capacity tariff expiring? A: Adam Watson, CEO: We are not trying to replace WGP earnings dollar for dollar. Our focus is on continuing to grow the business and delivering returns for shareholders through distribution growth and capital allocation that exceeds our hurdle rate. Q: What is APA's approach to gas power generation (GPG) given the supply chain challenges and emissions targets? A: Adam Watson, CEO: We maintain strong relationships with suppliers to manage supply chain challenges. Our focus is on supporting the energy transition and reducing economy-wide emissions. We are prepared to adjust our intensity targets if necessary, while continuing to bring renewable power generation to market. Q: How does APA view the potential impact of LNG imports on its operations and strategy? A: Adam Watson, CEO: LNG imports are present, but we emphasize the need for market stability to avoid LNG imports setting energy prices, as seen in the UK. Domestic supply is abundant, and regulatory and policy settings should support its development. We focus on ensuring competitive pricing and stability in the market. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EdgeTI to Discuss Data Supremacy and Situational Awareness of Space Assets at SPACE Industry & Government Summit & Expo
Arlington, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 20, 2025) - Edge Total Intelligence Inc. (TSXV: CTRL) (OTCQB: UNFYF) (FSE: Q5I) ("edgeTI", "Company"), a leading provider of Real-Time Digital Operations software, is pleased to announce that it was invited to host a panel session at the upcoming SPACE Industry & Government Summit & Expo, to be held in National Harbor, MD on August 27-29, 2025. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The company Chief Growth and Federal Operations Officer, Jacques Jarman, will present on Thursday, August 28that 9am, local time. Mr. Jarman will be joined by two DOD experts, Hon. Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of Building Cyber Security and former Assistant Secretary of Defense and Mr. Kevin O'Connell, Founder and CEO of Space Economy Rising LLC and former Director, Office of Space Economy, Department of Commerce (SES), to discuss secure, economical, and configurable data integration capabilities, needed to rapidly merge disparate data sets for comprehensive space situational awareness. The topic of the presentation is, "Data Supremacy and Situational Awareness of Space Assets". edgeTI is also providing in-person demonstrations of its TRL9 (highest readiness level) industry-leading digital twin and secure data mesh edgeCore™ Platform to attendees in Booth 501. "We are excited to participate in the discussion of effective situational awareness in space, which is critical for both commercial success and global safety," said Mr. Jarman. "In addition to participating in this panel, we are excited to showcase some of the solutions to these issues with our edgeCore digital twin platform in the exhibit hall." This year's SPACE Summit is also co-located with the MOSA Industry & Government Summit and Expo. Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) is an integrated technical and business strategy for managing and sustaining: a systems and fleets of systems, which employs modular and open principles. Applying MOSA at the enterprise level fosters collaboration across PMs to drive towards enterprise-wide objectives and more easily removable, upgradeable, and interoperable components. About Space Industry and Government Summit & Expo The Space Industry and Government Summit and Expo is a premier event designed to bring together leading innovators from across the space industry with key stakeholders from investment, corporate, and government sectors. This summit serves as a unique platform for showcasing groundbreaking technologies, fostering collaboration, and driving forward the next generation of space exploration and commercialization. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry pioneers, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and explore cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of the space sector. About MOSA Summit and Expo The Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) 2025 Summit and Expo build upon the highly successful 2023 launch in Atlanta GA, and successful 2024 expansion, with over 200 exhibitors, 3000 attendees, and key leadership from across government. About edgeTI edgeTI helps customers sustain situational awareness and accelerate action with its real-time digital operations software, edgeCore™ that unites multiple software applications and data sources into one immersive experience called a Digital Twin. Global enterprises, service providers, and governments are more profitable when insight and action are united to deliver fluid journeys via the platform's low-code development capability and composable operations. With edgeCore, customers can improve their margins and agility by rapidly transforming siloed systems and data across continuously evolving situations in business, technology, and cross-domain operations — helping them achieve the impossible. Website: For more information, please contact:Nick Brigman, Analyst and Press RelationsPhone: 888-771-3343Email: ir@ Forward-Looking Information and Statements Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements or information for the purposes of applicable Canadian and US securities law. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to business, economic and capital market conditions. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the competition and general economic, and market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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