In today’s briefing:
- The Beat Ideas: Excel Industries Ltd
- [US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/05] WTI Falls on Softening Demand Outlook and Rising Inventories
- Baker Hughes: Is Its Upstream Shift Enough to Counter Industry Cyclicality? – Major Drivers
- [US Nat Gas Options Weekly 2025/05] Henry Hub Slipped as Mild Forecasts Undercut Demand
- Dow Inc.: Global Expansion & Product Launches Driving Our Optimism! – Major Drivers
- International Paper: Can E-Commerce Growth Offset Pricing Pressures in Containerboard? – Major Drivers
The Beat Ideas: Excel Industries Ltd
- Excel Industries (EXL IN) faced severe financial declines in FY24 but showed early Q2 FY25 improvement through higher export revenues and better margins amid strategic capacity expansion and new partnerships.
- Its diversified product portfolio, especially DETC, and proactive R&D investments are key to overcoming volatility, making Excel Industries pivotal in sustaining India’s chemical innovation despite market headwinds.
- Investors should note that despite recent downturns, targeted expansion and strategic partnerships could reverse performance trends, revealing potential long-term value if operational challenges are resolved.
[US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2025/05] WTI Falls on Softening Demand Outlook and Rising Inventories
- WTI futures fell by 2.9% for the week ending 31/Jan on the back of trade policy uncertainty, growing U.S. crude stockpiles, and a strengthening dollar.
- WTI options Put/Call volume ratio increased to 1.31 from 0.85 (24/Jan) last week, as call volume rose by 78.1% WoW while put volume surged by 176.3%.
- WTI OI PCR fell to 1.00 from 1.01 last week. Call OI rose by 8.9% WoW, while put OI grew by 6.9%.
Baker Hughes: Is Its Upstream Shift Enough to Counter Industry Cyclicality? – Major Drivers
- Baker Hughes Company (Baker Hughes) presented a strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, showing notable growth across several financial metrics, yet managing challenges characteristic of the energy and industrial sectors.
- The company exceeded the midpoint of its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for the eighth consecutive quarter.
- The fourth quarter set new records for revenue, free cash flow, adjusted earnings per share (EPS), and adjusted EBITDA and margins.
[US Nat Gas Options Weekly 2025/05] Henry Hub Slipped as Mild Forecasts Undercut Demand
- For the week ending 31/Jan, U.S. natural gas prices dropped by 24.4% amid volatile weather forecasts and softening heating demand outlook.
- Henry Hub Put/Call volume ratio increased to 1.50 from 1.05 (24/Jan) the previous week as call volumes fell by 40.2% WoW, while put volumes declined by 14.7%.
- Henry Hub OI PCR rose to 0.96 from 0.93 from last week. Call OI fell by 17.0% WoW, while put OI decreased by 14.6%.
Dow Inc.: Global Expansion & Product Launches Driving Our Optimism! – Major Drivers
- Dow Inc. reported its Q4 2024 and full-year financial results under challenging macroeconomic conditions, highlighting both positive strides and ongoing challenges.
- In Q4, Dow achieved its fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year volume growth despite a weak economic backdrop.
- The company reported net sales of $10.4 billion, down 2% from the same period last year, reflecting pricing pressures across all operating segments.
International Paper: Can E-Commerce Growth Offset Pricing Pressures in Containerboard? – Major Drivers
- International Paper’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call provided insights into the company’s current performance and future outlook.
- Overall, the results were aligned with management’s expectations, while highlighting areas of achievement and challenges going forward.
- In terms of business operations, the significant development is the closure of the DS Smith transaction, which positions International Paper as a leading entity in sustainable packaging solutions across North America and EMEA.
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