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Release – AZZ Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Full Year Results

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Apr 21, 2025, 16:15 ET

Achieved Record Full-Year Sales and Profitability, Adjusted EPS of $5.20 and GAAP EPS of $1.79

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions, today issued its audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2025.

Fiscal Year 2025 Overview (as compared to prior fiscal year 2024⁽¹⁾):

Total Sales $1,577.7 million, up 2.6%
- Metal Coatings sales of $665.1 million, up 1.4%
- Precoat Metals sales of $912.6 million, up 3.5%
Net income of $128.8 million, up 26.8%; Net Income available to common shareholders of $52.4 million reflects the redemption premium payment on the Series A Preferred Stock of $75.2 million; Adjusted net income of $156.8 million, up 18.1%
GAAP diluted EPS of $1.79 per share, down 48.3%, which includes full redemption of Series A Preferred Stock, and Adjusted diluted EPS of $5.20, up 14.8%
Adjusted EBITDA of $347.9 million, or 22.0% of sales, up 4.3% versus prior year of $333.6 million, or 21.7% of sales
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.9% for Metal Coatings and 19.6% for Precoat Metals
Debt reduction of $110.0 million for the year, resulting in net leverage below 2.5x

Fourth Quarter 2025 Overview (as compared to prior fiscal year fourth quarter⁽¹⁾):

Total Sales of $351.9 million, down 4.0%, primarily due to inclement weather during the quarter
- Metal Coatings sales of $148.4 million, down 3.9%
- Precoat Metals sales of $203.5 million, down 4.1%
Net Income of $20.2 million, up 41.7%, and Adjusted net income of $29.6 million, up 7.9%
GAAP diluted EPS of $0.67 per share, up 19.6%, and Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.98, up 5.4%
Adjusted EBITDA of $71.2 million or 20.2% of sales, versus prior year of $73.9 million, or 20.2% of sales
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margins of 29.2% for Metal Coatings and 17.8% for Precoat Metals

______________________________________

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and net leverage ratio are non-GAAP financial measures as defined and reconciled in the tables below.

Tom Ferguson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AZZ, commented, “Fiscal year 2025 was a successful year for AZZ. We delivered record full year results and made significant progress on our growth initiatives throughout the year. We are pleased with full-year sales growth of 2.6%, which includes record results in both Metal Coatings and Precoat Metals, despite navigating significant weather impacts in the fourth quarter. For the year, our Metal Coatings segment delivered sales of $665.1 million, and 30.9% EBITDA margin, while Precoat Metals delivered sales of $912.6 million and 19.6% EBITDA margin.

“With sales of $1.58 billion and cash flow from operations of $250 million, we were able to substantially complete our greenfield project in Washington, Missouri while significantly paying down debt in fiscal 2025. We successfully completed a secondary public offering of common stock, and fully redeemed the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock. We are pleased with the financial condition of the Company and plan to further strengthen our balance sheet. We expect to accelerate debt paydown with proceeds from the AVAIL transaction which is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.

“I want to sincerely thank our entire AZZ team for their exceptional performance in fiscal 2025—our 38th consecutive year of profitability from continuing operations. As we capitalize on our strong market positions to meet rising demand in our end markets, I am confident in our ability to generate significant cash flow and drive long-term value. With a focus on strategic growth initiatives, we remain committed to enhancing shareholder value and seizing future opportunities as they arise,” Ferguson concluded.

Segment Performance

Full Year 2025 Metal Coatings

Strong sales of $665.1 million, up 1.4% from prior year. Improved sales were driven by an increase in volume for hot-dip galvanizing driven by continued strength within the renewables, utility and construction markets.

Segment EBITDA of $205.4 million was up 4.4% versus the prior year. EBITDA margin of 30.9% was at the upper end of our previously stated range of 25%-30%, and increased 90 basis points due to a higher volume of steel processed and operational efficiencies.

Full Year 2025 Precoat Metals

Sales of $912.6 million, up 3.5% from prior year due to higher volume.

Segment EBITDA of $179.0 million or 19.6% of sales, was up 6.9%, on higher volume.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Metal Coatings

Sales decreased 3.9% to $148.4 million and EBITDA decreased 2.1% to $43.2 million versus the prior quarter in fiscal 2024. Sales were lower as a result of decreased volume due to unfavorable weather conditions in the quarter.

Segment EBITDA margin increased to 29.2% of sales, or 60 basis points higher than the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA margin. The increase in EBITDA margin was a result of lower operating and selling, general and administrative costs.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Precoat Metals

Sales decreased 4.1% to $203.5 million and EBITDA decreased 3.9% to $36.2 million, versus the prior quarter in fiscal 2024. Sales were seasonally lower as a result of decreased volume due to unfavorable weather conditions and lower end market demand in transportation.

Segment EBITDA margin of 17.8% of sales, was flat compared to prior year fourth quarter EBITDA margin.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

The Company generated significant operating cash of $249.9 million for fiscal 2025 through improved earnings and disciplined working capital management. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company’s net leverage was below 2.5x trailing twelve months EBITDA. Consistent with the capital allocation strategy, the Company paid down debt of $110.0 million and returned cash to common shareholders through cash dividend payments totaling $23.1 million. Capital expenditures were $115.9 million during the year, which included $52.8 million for the greenfield facility in Washington, Missouri. Fiscal 2026 capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $60 – $80 million. In fiscal 2026, we will continue to allocate our strong cash flow generated from operations as well as the proceeds from the AVAIL joint venture transaction, which we now estimate will be over $200 million, to support our capital allocation strategy.

Financial Outlook — Reiterating Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance

We are reiterating our fiscal year guidance, reflecting our confidence in the Company’s strategic execution, operational resilience, and market positioning. Fiscal year 2026 guidance reflects our best estimates given expected market conditions for the full year, lower interest expense, an annualized effective tax rate of 25% and excludes M&A and any federal regulatory changes that may emerge.

		FY2026 Guidance⁽¹⁾
Sales		$1.625 – $1.725 billion
Adjusted EBITDA		$360 – $400 million
Adjusted Diluted EPS		$5.50 – $6.10


⁽¹⁾	FY2026 Guidance Assumptions:
	a.	Excludes the impact of any future acquisitions.
	b.	Management defines adjusted earnings per share to exclude intangible asset amortization, acquisition expenses, transaction related expenses, certain legal settlements and accruals, and certain expenses related to non-recurring events from the reported GAAP measure.
	c.	Assumes EBITDA margin range of 27 – 32% for the Metal Coatings segment and 17% – 22% for the Precoat Metals segment.

Conference Call Details

AZZ Inc. will conduct a live conference call with Tom Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Jason Crawford, Chief Financial Officer, and David Nark, Chief Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations Officer to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2025, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. ET. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 855-9499 or (412) 317-5497 (international). A webcast of the call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations page at http://www.azz.com/investor-relations.

A replay of the call will be available at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 (international), replay access code: 3079902 through April 29, 2025, or by visiting http://www.azz.com/investor-relations for the next 12 months.

About AZZ Inc.

AZZ Inc. is the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions to a broad range of end-markets. Collectively, our business segments provide sustainable, unmatched metal coating solutions that enhance the longevity and appearance of buildings, products and infrastructure that are essential to everyday life.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements herein about our expectations of future events or results constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “might,” “would,” “projects,” “currently,” “intends,” “outlook,” “forecasts,” “targets,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Certain factors could affect the outcome of the matters described herein. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changes in customer demand for our manufactured solutions, including demand by the construction markets, the industrial markets, and the metal coatings markets. We could also experience additional increases in labor costs, components and raw materials including zinc and natural gas, which are used in our hot-dip galvanizing process, paint used in our coil coating process; supply-chain vendor delays; customer requested delays of our manufactured solutions; delays in additional acquisition opportunities; an increase in our debt leverage and/or interest rates on our debt, of which a significant portion is tied to variable interest rates; availability of experienced management and employees to implement AZZ’s growth strategy; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the manufactured solutions that we provide; economic volatility, including a prolonged economic downturn or macroeconomic conditions such as inflation or changes in the political stability in the United States and other foreign markets in which we operate; tariffs, acts of war or terrorism inside the United States or abroad; and other changes in economic and financial conditions. AZZ has provided additional information regarding risks associated with the business, including in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in AZZ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, and other filings with the SEC, available for viewing on AZZ’s website at www.azz.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

You are urged to consider these factors carefully when evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are based on information as of the date hereof and AZZ assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Company Contact:
David Nark, Chief Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations Officer
AZZ Inc.
(817) 810-0095
www.azz.com

Investor Contact:
Sandy Martin / Phillip Kupper
Three Part Advisors
(214) 616-2207 or (817) 368-2556
www.threepa.com

Release – FreightCar America, Inc. To Release First Quarter 2025 Results On May 5, 2025

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on RAIL

04/21/2025

CHICAGO, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAIL), a diversified manufacturer of railroad freight cars, today announced that it will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Monday, May 5, 2025, after the market close and host a teleconference to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on the following day. Teleconference details are as follows:

May 6, 2025
11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Phone: 1-877-407-0789 or 1-201-689-8562
Webcast access at: www.freightcaramerica.com

Please note that the webcast is listen-only and webcast participants will not be able to participate in the question and answer portion of the conference call. Interested parties are asked to dial in approximately 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. To access the replay, please dial (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671. The replay passcode is 13753235. An archived version of the webcast will also be available on the FreightCar America Investor Relations website.

About FreightCar America

FreightCar America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. We also specialize in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. Since 1901, our customers have trusted us to build quality railcars that are critical to economic growth and instrumental to the North American supply chain. To learn more about FreightCar America, visit www.freightcaramerica.com.

Investor Contact

RAILIR@Riveron.com

V2X, Inc. (VVX) – Some LOGCAP Extensions

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

V2X builds innovative solutions that integrate physical and digital environments by aligning people, actions, and technology. V2X is embedded in all elements of a critical mission’s lifecycle to enhance readiness, optimize resource management, and boost security. The company provides innovation spanning national security, defense, civilian, and international markets. With a global team of approximately 16,000 professionals, V2X enables mission success by injecting AI and machine learning capabilities to meet today’s toughest challenges across all operational domains.

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Hans Baldau, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

LOGCAP Extensions. V2X has been notified by the U.S. Army that it will extend the current period of performance (PoP) for the various task orders under the LOGCAP V ID/IQ contract to support U.S. military operations worldwide. The Company’s Kuwait Task Order (TO), Iraq Task Order, and INDOPACOM Task Order are scheduled to extend through June 2030. Given the size of LOGCAP V, we view this as a significant positive for the Company.

SAM.gov. According to the filing on SAM.gov, the Army sought to increase the overall PoP for the current LOGCAP performance task orders (PTOs) to match the PoPs of the aligned Set the Theater (STT) task orders. The LOGCAP STT TOs were awarded as a base year plus nine one-year option periods.

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

NN, Inc. (NNBR) – Solid 1Q25 New Business Wins

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Hans Baldau, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

1Q25 New Business Wins. NN achieved 1Q25 new business wins of $16.4 million, a solid performance given the state of the economy, in our view. In the same period last year, new business wins totaled $17.2 million. NN is well on its way to meeting its 2025 goal of $65 million in new business wins.

Diversified Backlog and Pipeline. New business wins for the quarter were focused on electrical and power products, medical, non-automotive industrial products, and automotive products. Roughly half of the nearly $700 million pipeline is in these targeted areas.

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.

InPlay Oil (IPOOF) – Share Consolidation, Updating Estimates

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

InPlay Oil is a junior oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Alberta focused on light oil production. The company operates long-lived, low-decline properties with drilling development and enhanced oil recovery potential as well as undeveloped lands with exploration possibilities. The common shares of InPlay trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol IPO and the OTCQX Exchange under the symbol IPOOF.

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Hans Baldau, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Share consolidation. As of April 21, 2025, InPlay Oil shares are trading on a post-consolidation basis, with 27,939,437 common shares outstanding. The terms of the share consolidation were one post-consolidation common share per six pre-consolidation common shares. Fractional shares resulting from the consolidation were rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Updating estimates and price target. We are updating our 2025 estimates to reflect fewer shares outstanding and lower crude oil price estimates. For 2025, we are lowering our oil and gas revenue and earnings per share estimates to C$318.7 million and C$1.34, from C$333.5 million and C$1.46, both adjusted for the share consolidation. Moreover, we have lowered our adjusted funds flow (AFF) to C$149.5 million from C$161.6 million. We are maintaining our production estimate of 18,750 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) post the Pembina acquisition, which averages 15,816 boe/d for the full-year 2025.

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

AZZ Inc. (AZZ) – Adj. Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Exceed Expectations

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by cpereira@noblefcm.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Fourth quarter and full year financial results. For fiscal year (FY) 2025, AZZ reported adjusted net income of $156.8 million or $5.20 per share compared to $132.8 million or $4.53 per share during FY 2024 and our estimate of $155.9 million or $5.17 per share. Compared to FY 2024, sales increased 2.6% to $1.578 billion. AZZ generated a 24.3% gross margin as a percentage of sales compared to 23.6% during the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.3% to $347.9 million, representing 22.0% of sales compared to 21.7% of sales in FY 2024. Adjusted net income and EPS during the fourth quarter of FY 2025 were $29.6 million and $0.98, respectively, compared to our estimates of $28.8 million and $0.95 per share.

Debt reduction. During FY 2025, AZZ generated operating cash flow of $249.9 million and reduced debt by $110 million. Management expects to accelerate debt repayments with proceeds from the AVAIL transaction which is expected to close in the first quarter of FY 2026. We estimate FY 2026 debt repayments could approach $300 million. At the end of FY 2025, AZZ’s net leverage was below 2.5x trailing twelve months EBITDA.

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

Bitcoin Breaks Out as Safe-Haven Bet Amid Market Chaos

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Key Points
– Bitcoin has rallied nearly 20% in April, diverging from slumping tech stocks.
– The cryptocurrency is trading more like gold amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
– ETF inflows and technical levels suggest further upside momentum.

Bitcoin has staged a striking rally in April, jumping nearly 20% from its early-month lows and defying the broader risk-off sentiment that’s gripped traditional markets. As stocks slumped, particularly in tech, and the U.S. dollar weakened under pressure from geopolitical volatility and economic uncertainty, Bitcoin began to chart a different path — one that more closely mirrors gold than growth stocks.

The largest cryptocurrency surged to nearly $90,000 on Tuesday, its highest level since early March, in a move that’s reigniting hopes of a long-awaited decoupling from U.S. tech equities. For most of the past two years, Bitcoin has traded like a highly volatile cousin of the Nasdaq, rising and falling with investor appetite for risk. But as the market landscape shifts under the weight of aggressive tariffs, inflation worries, and political drama in Washington, Bitcoin’s narrative as a “digital store of value” is once again gaining traction.

The turning point appears to have been the fallout from President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff moves and his pointed attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. These developments rattled markets and sent investors scrambling for assets perceived to be safe havens. Gold rocketed past $3,500 an ounce — a record — while the dollar slid to a 15-month low. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s climb has started to mirror gold’s trajectory rather than tech’s slide.

Analysts see this shift as potentially foundational for the crypto space. Augustine Fan, a partner at crypto trading platform SignalPlus, noted that after a year of being labeled a “leveraged Nasdaq proxy,” Bitcoin is finally showing signs of reclaiming its original appeal as an alternative to fiat-based monetary systems. As questions mount over U.S. financial leadership and the credibility of the Fed’s independence, some investors are once again turning to decentralized assets as a hedge against systemic instability.

Adding to the momentum, U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs saw $381 million in inflows on Monday — their largest single-day intake since January. That marks a meaningful vote of confidence from institutional investors, who appear to be reallocating from traditional assets into Bitcoin in response to changing macro conditions.

Technical analysts also see room for continued upside. If Bitcoin can sustain levels above $88,800, several market watchers forecast a push toward the $92,000 to $94,000 range. For now, Bitcoin is benefiting from a rare combination of macro catalysts: weaker dollar, shaky central bank leadership, and increasing demand for liquid alternatives to traditional hedges.

For investors in small and micro-cap stocks, Bitcoin’s rise amid market turmoil may offer indirect encouragement. A shift in sentiment toward alternative assets often coincides with a renewed appetite for asymmetric opportunities — and the small-cap space typically sees a resurgence when investors move beyond large-cap safety plays in search of growth. If Bitcoin’s rally proves durable, it could signal a broader re-risking in pockets of the market not tethered to mega-cap tech.

CMOC Acquires Lumina Gold for C$581 Million in All-Cash Deal

Posted on April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Key Points:
– CMOC’s acquisition of Lumina Gold offers shareholders a 71% premium over the 20-day VWAP and a 41% premium over the April 17, 2025 closing price.
– The acquisition aims to propel the development of the Cangrejos project, one of the largest primary gold deposits globally, with CMOC providing interim financing to support ongoing needs.
– The deal reflects strong investor confidence in the mining sector, potentially influencing indices like the Russell 2000 and upcoming Russell reconstitution.

Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) has announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by CMOC Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of CMOC Group Limited, in a strategic all-cash transaction valued at approximately C$581 million. Under the deal, CMOC will purchase all outstanding Lumina shares at C$1.27 per share — a significant premium that reflects growing interest in high-potential gold projects and underscores the strategic value of Lumina’s flagship asset, the Cangrejos project in Ecuador.

This premium amounts to a 71% increase over Lumina’s 20-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) and a 41% premium to its closing price on April 17. The all-cash offer, which is not subject to financing conditions, offers immediate liquidity to shareholders and removes future exposure to commodity and execution risks.

Backed by over a decade of exploration and development, Lumina has transformed the Cangrejos project from an undeveloped parcel into one of the largest primary gold deposits in the world. With proven scale and a completed Pre-Feasibility Study in 2023, Cangrejos represents a cornerstone asset for CMOC’s continued expansion into Latin America’s resource-rich regions.

As part of the transaction, CMOC has also committed to interim financing of US$20 million via unsecured convertible notes to support near-term development. The notes carry a 6% annual interest rate and a conversion price of C$1.00 per share — itself an 11% premium to Lumina’s market close at the time of signing.

Lumina’s board of directors unanimously approved the transaction following a recommendation from a special committee of independent directors. Shareholders holding 52.3% of Lumina’s outstanding shares have already entered into support agreements to vote in favor of the acquisition. The board also received a fairness opinion from RBC Capital Markets, affirming that the offer is fair from a financial standpoint.

CEO Marshall Koval expressed confidence in the new ownership, noting, “The Lumina team is excited for the transition of the Cangrejos project to CMOC. We look forward to working with them and our stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.” His optimism reflects not just a major milestone for Lumina but also growing global confidence in strategic resource development.

The transaction still requires regulatory approvals, court sanctioning, and support from two-thirds of Lumina’s shareholders and option/RSU holders at a special meeting. If completed as expected in Q3 2025, Lumina will be delisted from the TSXV and will cease to be a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws.

For the broader market — especially small-cap mining investors — the deal signals a strong vote of confidence in the long-term value of precious metals. As geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty drive interest in hard assets, acquisitions like this could draw renewed attention to junior miners with quality assets and strong development pipelines. With the Russell Reconstitution on the horizon, such transactions could also influence index inclusion for mining-focused small caps, giving them greater visibility and institutional exposure.

In the current environment, CMOC’s acquisition of Lumina is more than just a business deal — it’s a strategic alignment that underscores the future of gold exploration and the global appetite for untapped mineral wealth.

Trump’s Powell Threat Rattles Wall Street, Ignites Flight from U.S. Assets

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Key Points:
– Stocks and the U.S. dollar dropped as markets reacted to Trump’s threat to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
– Concerns over Fed independence sparked a flight from U.S. assets into gold and foreign bonds.
– Investors fear increased volatility, weakening confidence in the dollar and U.S. monetary policy.

On Monday, April 21, 2025, U.S. financial markets experienced significant volatility following President Donald Trump’s renewed criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump’s public suggestion that he may attempt to remove Powell has heightened concerns about political interference in monetary policy — a cornerstone of market confidence. The S&P 500 dropped over 1%, while the Bloomberg Dollar Index fell to a 15-month low. Treasury yields jumped, pushing the 10-year above 4.4%, reflecting the market’s unease with rising inflation risk and a potentially less independent Fed.

At the same time, investors poured into safe-haven assets. Gold surged to a record above $3,400 an ounce, while the Swiss franc and Japanese yen rallied. The sharp movements signal not just a knee-jerk reaction to headlines, but deeper anxiety over the future of monetary policy. Analysts have warned that undermining the Fed’s credibility could cause long-term damage to the dollar’s global reserve status and complicate the central bank’s ability to steer the economy during periods of stress.

Markets are now on edge over the prospect of a politicized Federal Reserve. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett confirmed that Trump is reviewing the legality of removing Powell — a move seen by many as extreme and historically unprecedented. While legal scholars argue the president lacks the authority to fire the Fed Chair without cause, the noise alone has proven enough to shake investor confidence. Fed officials have maintained a measured tone, but Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned over the weekend that undermining central bank independence is a dangerous path.

For small and micro-cap investors, the ripple effects are particularly pronounced. These companies typically have tighter margins, higher debt costs, and fewer international buffers than large-cap peers. In a rising rate or inflationary environment — or worse, one with erratic policy signals — smaller firms can see financing dry up and market multiples compress rapidly. Investors focused on this space should be watching both policy headlines and macroeconomic indicators closely, as volatility may linger longer than anticipated.

Adding to market pressure, geopolitical tensions have grown. Reports that Chinese investors are reducing U.S. Treasury holdings in favor of European and Japanese debt point to an early-stage shift in global capital allocation. If trust in U.S. governance continues to erode, further capital outflows could strain markets even more. At the same time, the White House’s ongoing tariff disputes are reshaping trade routes and disrupting sectors from tech to commodities. All of this contributes to an environment where capital seeks safety — and where policymaker credibility is paramount.

This shifting market sentiment could have meaningful implications for small-cap stocks, particularly those tracked by the Russell 2000. As investors rotate away from large-cap tech and U.S. dollar-denominated assets, the Russell’s reconstitution later this year may spotlight high-quality domestic companies with strong fundamentals and less exposure to geopolitical volatility. For savvy investors, this uncertainty could ultimately shine a light on overlooked small-cap opportunities poised to benefit from changing capital flows and renewed interest in U.S.-focused growth stories.

Release – NN Announces Another Strong Quarter of New Business Wins

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on NNBR

PDF Version

New Business Awards of $16.4 million in first quarter 2025; New Business Awards of over $150 million since Q1 2023; tracking ahead of its five-year plan

Company raises five-year Adjusted EBITDA margin target range to 13–14%, and reaffirms previous 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NN (NASDAQ: NNBR) today announced an update on its new business wins program and its ongoing above-plan margin results.

Highlights:

First quarter 2025 new business wins were $16.4 million; we believe NN is on pace to meet its 2025 goal of $65 million of new business awards
- Approximately $98 million of new business awards will ramp into revenue stream during 2025 and beyond
New wins for the quarter were in the key focus areas of non-automotive industrial products, electrical and power products, medical, and automotive products
- NN is leveraging its installed base of $340 million of assets and is selectively adding new capacity in certain growth areas
NN has secured more than $150 million in new wins since Q1 2023, tracking ahead of its five-year goal and supporting its long-term net sales targets which also assumes a stable base market for ongoing business
NN’s new business pipeline continues to expand in non-automotive, medical, industrial, and automotive products
- NN has built a $340+ million pipeline in the targeted areas of electrical, medical, and industrial; or about half of its pipeline
NN’s adjusted EBITDA rate is ahead of its five-year plan due to cost-improvement actions and new business
- NN is increasing its five-year Adjusted EBITDA target range up to 13-14%, up from prior range of 12-13%
- Company is incurring immaterial direct tariff impacts due to its indigenous footprint strategy in the US
- NN is reaffirming prior adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025

Harold Bevis, Chief Executive Officer of NN Inc. commented, “First quarter 2025 was a good quarter for NN as we continued to execute on our transformation strategy, highlighted by strong new business growth of $16.4 million. Our commercial pipeline is building upon the strong momentum delivered since the launch of the transformation, and we are proud to be solidifying our position as an elite and preferred supplier in our key growth portfolios. Our base business is slightly less than expected in certain areas due to uncertainties, but the company is adjusting its cost positions where needed.”

Bevis concluded, “Our team remains highly focused on accretive margin expansion and driving operational improvements across the company. Our efforts to date have resulted in profitability improvements that are tracking ahead of our initial transformation plan, and as a result, we are increasing our five-year Adjusted EBITDA margin target up to the range of 13-14%. We are well underway with improving our cost structure, onboarding accretive new business, pivoting our ongoing accumulated pipeline, and improving our margin mix through continued wins in our key growth areas of stampings, electrical, and medical markets. While we are pleased with the momentum and early success of our program, we are only getting started and will implement further growth and cost-out initiatives to strengthen profitability and expand our margins as part of our commitment to growing shareholder value.”

ABOUT NN

NN is a global industrial company that combines advanced engineering and production capabilities to deliver solutions for high-precision components and assemblies for a variety of markets on a global basis. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, NN has facilities in North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. For more information, visit www.nninc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for specific historical information, many of the matters discussed in this press release may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to NN, Inc. (the “Company”) based on current beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “growth,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “trajectory” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are outside of management’s control and that may cause actual results to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic conditions and economic conditions in the industrial sector; the impacts of pandemics, epidemics, disease outbreaks and other public health crises, on our financial condition, business operations and liquidity; competitive influences; risks that current customers will commence or increase captive production; risks of capacity underutilization; quality issues; material changes in the costs and availability of raw materials; economic, social, political and geopolitical instability, military conflict, currency fluctuation, and other risks of doing business outside of the United States; inflationary pressures and changes in the cost or availability of materials, supply chain shortages and disruptions, the availability of labor and labor disruptions along the supply chain; our dependence on certain major customers, some of whom are not parties to long-term agreements (and/or are terminable on short notice); the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, as well as expansion of end markets and product offerings; our ability to hire or retain key personnel; the level of our indebtedness; the restrictions contained in our debt agreements; our ability to obtain financing at favorable rates, if at all, and to refinance existing debt as it matures; our ability to secure, maintain or enforce patents or other appropriate protections for our intellectual property; new laws and governmental regulations; the impact of climate change on our operations; and cyber liability or potential liability for breaches of our or our service providers’ information technology systems or business operations disruptions. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. The Company qualifies all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Investor Relations:
Joseph Caminiti or Stephen Poe, Investors
NNBR@alpha-ir.com
312-445-2870

Source: NN, Inc.

Release – V2X Names Melon Yeshoalul To Chief Human Resources Officer

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on VVX

April 21, 2025

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RESTON, Va., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — V2X (NYSE: VVX) has named Melon Yeshoalul to Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer effective April 21, 2025. In this role, she will be responsible for the company’s global human resources strategy and operations including talent management, recruitment, leadership development, and compensation and benefits. She will join the executive team and report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy C. Wensinger.

“As we continue to scale globally and invest in the growth of our people, Melon brings the right combination of experience and leadership to help shape the future of our workforce,” said Wensinger. “She is deeply committed to building strong cultures and high-performing teams, and I am confident she will elevate our employee experience and strengthen our position as an employer of choice.”

Bringing more than two decades of experience, Yeshoalul has established herself as a leading professional in recruiting, compensation, and HR business partnering. Most recently, she served in a senior leadership role at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she helped deliver scalable talent and operations programs to support rapid growth and organizational effectiveness. Prior to AWS, she held top HR leadership positions at DXC Technology, PwC, and The Boeing Company.

“I’m thrilled to join V2X at such an exciting time in its evolution,” said Yeshoalul. “This is a company that is mission-driven, people-first, and poised for extraordinary growth. I look forward to working across the enterprise to unlock the potential of our talent, foster innovation, and drive a culture of excellence worldwide.”

Yeshoalul earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

About V2X
V2X builds innovative solutions that integrate physical and digital environments by aligning people, actions, and technology. V2X is embedded in all elements of a critical mission’s lifecycle to enhance readiness, optimize resource management, and boost security. The company provides innovation spanning national security, defense, civilian, and international markets. With a global team of approximately 16,000 professionals, V2X enables mission success by injecting AI and machine learning capabilities to meet today’s toughest challenges across all operational domains.

Investor Contact
Mike Smith, CFA
Vice President, Treasury, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
IR@goV2X.com
719-637-5773

Media Contact
Angelica Spanos Deoudes
Director, Corporate Communications
Angelica.Deoudes@goV2X.com
571-338-5195

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SOURCE V2X, Inc.

Release – Snail Games Subsidiary Interactive Films LLC Signs MOU with Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU) for Joint Short-Drama Development

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on SNAL

April 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM EDT

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CULVER CITY, Calif., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or the “Company”), a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Interactive Films LLC (“Interactive Films”), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU). Under this MOU, both parties will leverage their respective strengths to establish a comprehensive collaboration framework for the joint development, production, and global distribution of short dramas, further enhancing their presence in the entertainment industry.

Mr. Hai Shi, Chairman and Co-CEO of Snail Games, commented, “Today’s announcement represents a strategic step forward in advancing Interactive Films’ short-drama business line and expanding our growing portfolio of original short dramas alongside MPU. According to WiseGuyReports¹, the global mini program short drama market is expected to grow at a strong 20.81% CAGR to $25.68 billion by 2032. North America particularly is a key market for short-form content driven by the rapid adoption of streaming services and the growing presence of major industry players. This accelerated momentum and rising global appetite for short dramas presents a compelling opportunity for us to further diversify our content portfolio, deepen production capabilities, and capitalize on our unique strengths in artificial intelligence and immersive storytelling. With a shared vision, both parties look forward to leveraging its respective platforms and proprietary apps to deliver a slate of innovative short films to audiences worldwide.”

Mr. Yucheng Hu, CEO of MPU, also commented, “This partnership marks an important step for MPU as we expand our content portfolio and strengthen our presence in the global short-drama industry. Short dramas are seeing increasing popularity, with audience demand for binge-worthy, serialized content on the rise. With Snail Games’ expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive storytelling, combined with MPU’s established production and distribution capabilities, we believe this collaboration has the potential to deliver compelling content that resonates with global audiences.”

Under the MOU, Interactive Films and MPU will collaborate on the creative direction and script development of short dramas, jointly overseeing production progress and budgeting. The content will be distributed globally through both companies’ platforms. Leveraging its experienced in-house team and extensive expertise in short-drama production, MPU will oversee outsourced production and post-production of the short drama to ensure high-quality content. Additionally, Snail Games’ expertise in AI and interactive technologies, honed through game development, may be integrated into personalized recommendations and interactive storytelling, delivering a next-generation immersive viewing experience for audiences.

Over the next 12 months (unless the MOU is earlier terminated upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party), Interactive Films and MPU have committed to co-developing at least 10 short dramas. By utilizing their well-established international distribution channels in gaming and micro-drama markets, the Company believes these productions will quickly reach audiences across North America, Southeast Asia, and other global regions, further amplifying both companies’ influence in the global entertainment sector.

This strategic partnership marks a further expansion of Snail Games’ short drama business and represents a significant milestone in MPU’s expansion within the entertainment industry. Through this collaboration, both companies can combine their strengths in content creation and technology, while leveraging MPU’s global distribution network to accelerate the global rollout of the short dramas. This collaboration is expected to accelerate Interactive Films’ business and short film portfolios while providing audiences with a diverse selection of high-quality short dramas.

¹https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/mini-program-short-drama-market

About Mega Matrix Inc.
Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU) is a holding company and operates FlexTV, a short-video streaming platform and producer of short dramas, through its subsidiary, Yuder Pte, Ltd. Mega Matrix Inc. is a Cayman Island corporation headquartered in Singapore. For more information, please contact info@megamatrix.io or visit: http://www.megamatrix.io.

About Snail Games
Snail Games (Nasdaq: SNAL), is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices. For more information, please visit: https://snail.com/

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the respective strengths of Snail and MPU to establish a comprehensive collaboration framework for the joint development, production, and global distribution of short dramas; however, the MOU is not fully binding on either party and may be terminated upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed by the Company with the SEC on March 26, 2025 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed with the SEC. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contacts:

Investors:
John Yi and Steven Shinmachi
Gateway Group, Inc.
949-574-3860
SNAL@gateway-grp.com

Press:
press@snailgamesusa.com

Release – ACCO Brands Corporation Announces First Quarter 2025 Earnings Webcast

Posted on April 21, 2025April 21, 2025 by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on ACCO

04/18/2025

LAKE ZURICH, Ill–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that it will release its first quarter 2025 earnings after the market close on May 1, 2025. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on May 2 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com and will be available for replay.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands is the leader in branded consumer products that enable productivity, confidence and enjoyment while working, when learning and while playing. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE^®, Five Star^®, Kensington^®, Leitz^®, Mead^®, PowerA^®, Swingline^®, Tilibra^® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christopher McGinnis
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Kori Reed
Media Relations
(224) 501-0406

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation