Business
Back to books – Sweden’s schools give up digital learning
Without such measures, younger children from richer families, whose parents are more likely to be able to help them understand how to use AI tools, will gain an advantage creating a “digital divide”, warns Prof Linnéa Stenliden, at Linköping University’s Department of Behavioral Sciences.
Business
Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children's safety
Top executives from firms such as Meta and YouTube will be asked what they are doing to protect children.
Business
Polaris Stock Plunges 10% on Weak Demand Fears as 2026 Earnings Loom for Off-Road Giant
NEW YORK — Polaris Inc. shares tumbled more than 10 percent in morning trading Wednesday, plunging to around $51.59 as investors grew jittery ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report and grappled with ongoing softness in the powersports and off-road vehicle market.
At approximately 11:27 a.m. EDT on April 15, 2026, PII stock had dropped $5.91, or 10.28 percent, from the previous close near $57.50. The recreational vehicle maker’s market capitalization stood near $3.1 billion after the steep decline. Shares have now lost roughly 6 to 7 percent over the past six months while the broader S&P 500 remained essentially flat, highlighting sector-specific pressures weighing on the Minnesota-based company.
The sell-off comes just two weeks before Polaris is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2026 financial results on April 28, followed by a conference call at 9 a.m. Central Time. Analysts expect another challenging period marked by cautious consumer spending on big-ticket discretionary items such as all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides and snowmobiles.
Fourth-quarter 2025 results released in late January offered a mixed picture. Revenue rose to $1.92 billion, beating estimates, while adjusted earnings per share of $0.08 topped forecasts. Yet the company guided for 2026 adjusted EPS around the midpoint of roughly $1.55 — below Wall Street expectations — and flagged only modest top-line growth of 1 to 3 percent for the full year amid persistent inventory management and demand headwinds.
Polaris has been working aggressively to right-size dealer inventory after years of elevated stock levels. Executives have pointed to promotional activity and reduced shipments as key levers, but softer retail demand in key segments continues to pressure margins. Operating margins contracted in recent quarters, and the company faces additional headwinds from tariffs that could add tens of millions in costs.
Wall Street’s consensus view reflects the uncertainty. Across 11 analysts tracked recently, the rating sits at Hold with an average 12-month price target near $60 to $63, implying potential upside of roughly 15 to 22 percent from current depressed levels. Targets range from a low of $52 to a high near $74. Firms including Citi recently trimmed their price objective to $58 from $71, while Wells Fargo initiated coverage with an Equal Weight rating and a $52 target.
Some longer-term models point to even more conservative outcomes. Certain forecasts see limited growth in 2026, with sales essentially flat or slightly down and profitability remaining under pressure. Bears highlight structural challenges: a maturing off-road market, intense competition from rivals such as BRP and Honda, and quality-related issues that have occasionally surfaced in recent years.
For bulls, the story centers on Polaris’s strong brand heritage and innovation pipeline. The company is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its all-terrain vehicles in 2026 and has rolled out an expanded off-road lineup featuring refreshed RZR, RANGER and Sportsman models. Highlights include the new entry-level RANGER 500 utility vehicle priced under $10,000, updated RZR Pro R models with larger touchscreens and enhanced suspension, and new 2-up ATV configurations designed to broaden appeal.
These 2026 product refreshes aim to drive retail traffic and recapture share in the side-by-side and ATV segments, where Polaris has long been a leader. The company is also leaning into rider-focused technology such as the RIDE COMMAND touchscreen system and improved comfort features for both work and recreation use. Management hopes the refreshed family lineup, combined with targeted promotions, will help stabilize demand as the riding season approaches.
Yet macroeconomic factors cloud the outlook. Higher interest rates have made financing more expensive for big-ticket purchases, and middle-income consumers — a core Polaris customer base — remain price-sensitive after years of inflation. Retail sales data in the powersports industry have shown choppy trends, with some categories still normalizing after pandemic-era surges.
Polaris maintains a solid balance sheet and continues to return capital to shareholders. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, yielding roughly 5 percent at current prices, and qualifies as an attractive income play for patient investors. However, dividend coverage has drawn scrutiny amid compressed earnings.
Free cash flow generation remains a bright spot, though capital allocation will be key as the company balances debt reduction, investment in new products and potential share repurchases. Trailing 12-month revenue stands near $7.15 billion with a market value that has contracted significantly from earlier peaks.
For investors weighing a position in 2026, Polaris represents a classic cyclical play in the consumer discretionary space. Optimists argue that any stabilization in retail demand combined with successful execution on the new model year could spark a rebound, especially if interest rates ease later in the year. The stock’s current valuation — trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple in the low 30s on depressed earnings — leaves room for multiple expansion if guidance improves.
Skeptics counter that the risk-reward remains unfavorable. Persistent margin pressure, tariff exposure estimated in the tens of millions, and limited near-term growth visibility suggest the stock could test lower support levels if Q1 results disappoint or summer selling season starts slowly. Some quantitative models flag the name as overvalued on traditional metrics when factoring in execution risks.
Next earnings on April 28 will be closely watched for several metrics: shipment volumes, gross margin trends, dealer inventory levels and any updated full-year guidance. Commentary on retail sell-through rates and early reception to the 2026 lineup could move the needle sharply in either direction.
Polaris has navigated economic cycles before, leveraging its American-engineered brand and vertically integrated manufacturing. The company’s off-road dominance, particularly in the high-performance RZR segment, provides a moat, while diversification into motorcycles via Indian and other on-road products offers some buffer.
Still, the industry faces longer-term shifts. Electrification remains on the horizon but has yet to materially impact Polaris’s core combustion-engine lineup. Regulatory changes around emissions and safety could add costs, while supply chain normalization has been uneven.
As spring riding season begins, attention will turn to dealership traffic, online configurator activity and any major marketing campaigns tied to the new models. Broader economic indicators — including consumer confidence, fuel prices and disposable income trends — will also influence sentiment.
At current levels near $51.59, Polaris stock offers a high dividend yield and potential recovery upside for contrarian investors who believe the worst of the inventory correction is behind it. Those seeking steadier growth may prefer to wait for clearer signals from earnings or a more attractive entry point.
The coming weeks will provide critical data points. Stronger-than-expected retail metrics or upbeat commentary on 2026 product momentum could halt the slide and support a rebound toward the $60 consensus zone. Further weakness in demand or margin commentary, however, risks pushing shares toward the lower end of the 52-week range.
Polaris built its reputation on rugged, innovative machines that power adventures across trails, farms and job sites. Whether 2026 marks a stabilization year or another period of headwinds will determine if the stock can shift from recent laggard to performer in the powersports sector. Investors will soon get fresh insight when the company reports results and outlines its path forward in a still-challenging environment.
Business
Form 13F Raub Brock Capital Management LP For: 15 April

Form 13F Raub Brock Capital Management LP For: 15 April
Business
Bank boss tells BBC he won't rush interest rate rises
Bank of England governor says the Iran war energy shock makes the next rate decision “very very difficult”.
Business
Carrier Global Stock Drops 8% on Residential HVAC Weakness as Data Center Boom Offers 2026 Hope
NEW YORK — Carrier Global Corp. shares tumbled more than 8 percent in morning trading Wednesday, falling to around $59.48 as investors weighed persistent softness in the residential heating and cooling market ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report later this month.
At approximately 11:43 a.m. EDT on April 15, 2026, CARR stock had declined $5.19, or 8.02 percent, extending recent pressure on the climate and energy solutions provider. The company’s market capitalization stood near $54 billion after the drop. Shares have traded in a 52-week range of roughly $50.20 to $81.10, reflecting a challenging stretch for the former United Technologies spin-off amid mixed demand signals across its segments.
The sell-off comes less than two weeks before Carrier is set to release first-quarter 2026 results on April 30, with a conference call scheduled for 7:30 a.m. ET. Analysts and investors will scrutinize any early signs of stabilization in residential and light commercial HVAC, where weakness has weighed on results, while watching for continued strength in high-growth areas such as commercial systems and data center cooling.
Full-year 2025 results released in early February painted a tale of two businesses. Net sales fell 3 percent to $21.75 billion, with organic sales down 1 percent. Adjusted earnings per share reached $2.59. Global commercial HVAC and aftermarket businesses delivered double-digit growth, but this was more than offset by sharp declines in residential and light commercial segments, particularly in the Americas and China.
Fourth-quarter 2025 figures underscored the pressure. Sales dropped 6 percent to $4.84 billion, missing estimates, while adjusted EPS of $0.34 also fell short of consensus. Residential volumes plunged nearly 38 percent year-over-year in some regions, hurt by cautious consumer spending, higher financing costs and elevated dealer inventory levels following pandemic-era surges.
Carrier’s 2026 guidance, issued alongside the full-year results, called for reported sales of approximately $22 billion, incorporating a roughly $350 million headwind from the planned divestiture of its Riello business. Organic growth is expected to be flat to low-single-digit, with adjusted operating profit around $3.4 billion and adjusted EPS near $2.80 — representing high-single-digit earnings growth but falling slightly below some Wall Street forecasts. Free cash flow is projected at about $2 billion, supporting continued share repurchases of roughly $1.5 billion.
Wall Street’s consensus remains constructive despite near-term concerns. Across roughly two dozen analysts, the rating tilts toward Moderate Buy or Outperform, with an average 12-month price target near $70 to $72 — implying potential upside of 18 to 21 percent from current levels. Targets range from a low near $55 to highs of $90, reflecting divergent views on the speed of residential recovery versus the durability of commercial and data center momentum.
Bulls emphasize Carrier’s positioning in secular growth drivers. Data center cooling orders surged nearly 50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, fueled by artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout. Management has highlighted expectations for continued double-digit expansion in global commercial HVAC and aftermarket services in 2026, with data center-related revenue potentially contributing $1.5 billion or more as backlog converts to shipments, particularly in the second half.
The company has introduced next-generation HVAC solutions featuring higher efficiency, smart controls and improved comfort, debuted at industry events such as the AHR Expo and International Builders’ Show. These innovations, combined with a strong aftermarket playbook, are designed to drive recurring revenue and margin stability even as new residential construction and replacement demand remain muted.
Carrier also benefits from a survey showing more than half of U.S. homeowners planning home improvements in 2026, with heating and cooling upgrades ranking among the top projects. Yet executives have cautioned that meaningful recovery in North American residential markets may not materialize until later in the year or into 2027, assuming interest rates ease and consumer confidence improves.
Challenges extend beyond cyclical demand. Higher interest rates have delayed commercial and residential projects, while destocking at distributors has pressured shipments. Tariff exposure and supply chain dynamics add further uncertainty, though Carrier has focused on cost control, discretionary spending reductions and backlog building in longer-cycle businesses.
The stock’s valuation reflects these tensions. Trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple in the mid- to high-20s based on 2026 estimates, CARR offers a dividend yield of approximately 1.6 percent with a quarterly payout of $0.24. The company has returned substantial capital to shareholders, including nearly $3.7 billion in 2025 through dividends and buybacks.
For investors debating buy or sell decisions in 2026, Carrier represents a play on both cyclical recovery and structural AI-driven demand. Optimists argue that any stabilization in residential sell-through, combined with accelerating data center deployments, could spark multiple expansion and support a rebound toward the $70 consensus zone. The current depressed price relative to street targets creates what some view as an attractive entry for patient capital.
Skeptics counter that prolonged weakness in residential and light commercial — which together represent a sizable portion of revenue — could keep earnings growth subdued and pressure margins further. Execution on cost initiatives and successful integration of new product launches will be critical. Broader economic factors, including housing starts, commercial construction activity and energy prices, will also influence performance.
Next earnings on April 30 will offer fresh insight into first-quarter trends, with particular attention to order rates, backlog conversion and any updated commentary on full-year guidance. Q1 revenue is expected near $5 billion, with adjusted EPS around $0.50.
Carrier’s diversified portfolio spans climate solutions for homes, commercial buildings, transportation refrigeration and industrial applications. Its legacy as a pioneer in air conditioning provides brand strength, while investments in intelligent controls and energy-efficient systems position it for decarbonization trends and stricter efficiency standards.
As spring advances and cooling season approaches, retail and wholesale traffic in HVAC products will serve as key barometers. Dealer inventory normalization and early reception to 2026 product lines could provide tailwinds if consumer sentiment improves.
At current levels near $59.48, Carrier stock offers a defensive quality in the industrials sector with upside tied to both macro recovery and AI infrastructure spending. Dividend-focused investors may find the yield appealing, while growth-oriented participants will watch data center momentum as a potential offset to residential softness.
The coming quarters will test whether commercial and aftermarket strength can sufficiently counterbalance near-term residential headwinds. If data center orders continue converting and residential markets show even modest stabilization, Carrier could deliver on its earnings growth targets and reward shareholders.
Carrier has guided for its sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth in commercial HVAC. That track record, paired with innovation in smart and efficient solutions, underpins the longer-term bullish case even as 2026 begins with caution.
Whether the stock rebounds from recent lows or faces further pressure will hinge on April 30 results and the trajectory of key end markets. For now, the market appears to be pricing in extended weakness in residential demand while assigning optionality to the company’s high-growth commercial exposure.
As one of the world’s leading providers of intelligent climate and energy solutions, Carrier remains well-positioned for eventual recovery in its core markets and sustained expansion in data center cooling. Investors will soon receive updated signals on execution as the company navigates a transitional year in a dynamic economic environment.
Business
India Inc reduced overseas bond issues on local liquidity, rupee fall
Data from Cbonds, a financial data provider, showed offshore bond fundraising fell to $8.1 billion in FY26, down from $13.9 billion a year earlier, a nearly 40% decline. In contrast, domestic bond issuances held steady at ₹12.32 lakh crore during April-February FY26, compared with ₹12.97 lakh crore in FY25.
“Offshore borrowing has come down largely due to geopolitical uncertainty and volatility,” said Utsav Johri, partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors. “While the recent relaxations in ECB guidelines make the market look promising and could drive a pickup later in the year once conditions stabilise, issuers are currently holding back. Hedging costs are elevated and expose borrowers to currency risk, and with ample liquidity available in the domestic market, companies are not keen to tap offshore markets at this stage.”
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently relaxed norms for external commercial borrowings (ECB), raising limits to $1 billion, easing maturity requirements and removing caps on borrowing costs. The changes are aimed at making offshore funding more accessible and cost-effective.
ETMarkets.com
Last fiscal, abundant liquidity in the domestic market and relatively attractive borrowing costs encouraged companies to stay onshore. “Rates in the local market were in the 7-8% range, and there was ample liquidity. That reduced the need to tap offshore markets,” a senior banker said.
The trend was also due to currency pressures. The rupee weakened amid global uncertainties, including tariff-related disruptions, making unhedged foreign currency exposure riskier. As a result, several corporates opted to refinance existing dollar liabilities through rupee bonds.Large issuers such as Greenko and Vedanta have already tapped domestic markets to refinance foreign currency debt, showing a shift toward local borrowing.
This trend is likely to persist in the near term.
“There is not a very active offshore pipeline right now. Companies are holding back on large commitments and closely watching global developments, including geopolitical risks and their impact on costs and growth,” another banker said.
Issuance activity in offshore markets has also become more selective, largely confined to investment-grade borrowers, while high-yield issuers face tighter conditions. Some diversification into alternative markets has emerged, with companies exploring currencies such as yen, though such issuances are limited.
If global conditions stabilise, issuers with upcoming maturities, particularly large public sector borrowers, could return to overseas markets to refinance debt, bankers said.
Business
Ticketmaster-owner Live Nation ran a monopoly and overcharged fans, jury finds
Morgan Harper, a director at the non-profit economic advocacy organisation American Economic Liberties Project, called the verdict against Live Nation “a historic victory for fans, artists, concert promoters and venue owners who have suffered for decades under the thumb of Ticketmaster’s monopoly”.
Business
'Ferocious' fire hits fuel production at oil refinery
Petrol production has been disrupted at one of Australia’s two oil refineries while a “ferocious” fire continues to burn out of control at the plant.
Business
China's economy grows faster than expected despite Iran war
The better-than-expected GDP data comes as Asian countries have been hit hard by the impact of the conflict.
Business
Jobs hold firm as Iran war impact trickles through
Australia’s unemployment rate has held steady at 4.3 per cent despite the Iran war raising fears of a global recession and mass job lay-offs.
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