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Cable & wire stocks fall up to 17% in March on metal price spike

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Cable & wire stocks fall up to 17% in March on metal price spike
ET Intelligence Group: Shares of cable and wire companies have dropped 6-17% in March so far as a sudden jump in copper and aluminium prices has dampened investor sentiment. The pullback comes despite a steady underlying demand, suggesting investors are reacting more to rising input costs and temporary operational disruptions amid geopolitical issues than to any structural shift in the sector’s fundamentals.

Analysts believe the near-term pressure is more on revenues than margins since cost pass-throughs may protect profitability. Dispatches are slowing mainly because of channel destocking – dealers who loaded up between December and February are now waiting for prices to cool before placing new orders. This could weigh on reported sales for a couple of months.

Sterlite Technologies has been an outlier, gaining 11% in March so far since the company manufactures optical fibre cables (OFC) and, therefore, has lesser exposure to copper and aluminium.

For other companies, copper and aluminium make up nearly two-thirds of production costs, leaving the sector highly sensitive to metal inflation. While price increases are typically passed on, the adjustments come with a lag. A sudden spike, therefore, may result in higher working capital needs.

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Demand Steady but Cable & Wire Stocks Fall on Metal Price SpikeAgencies

War Shock Stocks fall 6–17% in March with investors reacting to near-term pressures; Analysts feel cost pass-throughs may still protect profitability

Adding to the pressure, supply disruptions in LPG and natural gas have constrained production for some companies. “While January and February had normal dispatch trends, momentum weakened in early March, a critical month that typically contributes about half of quarterly volumes,” said Manish Valecha, research analyst, Anand Rathi Institutional Equities. He expects muted to mid-single-digit volume expansion depending on how demand shapes up through the rest of the month.


According to Aakash Fadia, lead analyst – consumer durables, YES Securities, customers may defer purchases briefly in anticipation of price corrections though it may be short lived as purchase delays beyond 15-20 days risk pushing their project timelines, thereby affecting profitability. He added that the export segment faces a bigger drag due to high shipping costs and vessel shortages.
“The consumer durables sector will feel a sharper pinch, as intense competition restricts its ability to pass on the copper-price surge, putting margins at risk. In contrast, wires and cables should see only a milder impact because pass-throughs are smoother and margins are structurally higher,” said Fadia. While he is yet to revise estimates, he cautions that industry projections may be trimmed once conditions normalise or even towards the end of the month. For now, the weakness appears operational rather than structural.

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DUG settles US legal action with Shell subsidiary

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DUG settles US legal action with Shell subsidiary

Shares in Perth-based high-performance computing provider DUG Technology have lifted on news it settled a long-running legal battle with a US subsidiary of Shell.

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Docusign, Inc. (DOCU) Q4 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Docusign, Inc. (DOCU) Q4 2026 Earnings Call March 17, 2026 5:00 PM EDT

Company Participants

Matt Sonefeldt – Head of Investor Relations
Allan Thygesen – President, CEO & Director
Blake Grayson – Executive VP & CFO

Conference Call Participants

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Robbie Owens – Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Tyler Radke – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Mark Murphy – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Patrick Walravens – Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Research Division
S. Kirk Materne – Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Allan M. Verkhovski – BTIG, LLC, Research Division
Josh Baer – Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Aleksandr Zukin – Wolfe Research, LLC
Rishi Jaluria – RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Patrick McIlwee – William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division

Presentation

Operator

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Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining DocuSign’s Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded and will be available for replay on the Relations section of the website following the call. [Operator Instructions]

I will now pass the call over to Matthew Sonefeldt, Head of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin.

Matt Sonefeldt
Head of Investor Relations

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Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, and welcome to DocuSign’s Q4 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. Joining me on today’s call are DocuSign’s CEO, Allan Thygesen; and CFO, Blake Grayson. The press release announcing our fourth quarter fiscal 2026 results was issued earlier today and is posted on our Investor Relations website along with a published version of our prepared remarks.

Before we begin, let me remind everyone that some of our statements on today’s call are forward looking, including any statements regarding future performance. We believe our assumptions and expectations related to these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different. In

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Reddit director Farrell buys $1.38 million in RDDT stock

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Reddit director Farrell buys $1.38 million in RDDT stock

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Dell cuts workforce by 10% for third straight year

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Dell cuts workforce by 10% for third straight year

Dell’s workforce has fallen by 10% for a third year in a row, according to annual reports filed Monday. 

As of Jan. 30, the Texas-based tech giant reported a headcount of 97,000 employees, down roughly 11,000 from its previous year of 108,000. 

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The reductions were primarily driven by cost-cutting measures, including employee reorganizations, restricted external hiring and facility consolidation to better align investments.

“Throughout Fiscal 2026, we remained committed to disciplined cost management in coordination with our ongoing business modernization initiatives and continued to take certain measures to reduce costs,” the company said. 

ORACLE EXPECTED TO SLASH THOUSANDS OF JOBS AS MASSIVE AI SPENDING CREATES FINANCIAL CASH CRISIS

dell office outside

The exterior of a Dell Technologies office building Jan. 4, 2023, in Round Rock, Texas.  (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Over the years, Dell has implemented numerous cost-cutting measures, including employee reorganizations, restrictions on external hiring and other steps to better align its investments with strategic and customer priorities.

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In its most recent reports, Dell highlighted the extensive integration of AI and machine learning technologies across its operations, including IT management, software solutions and the use of specialized servers.

Dell, whose shares have risen roughly 20% so far this year, said in February the company expects revenue from its AI-optimized server orders to double by 2027.

META EYES MASSIVE 20% WORKFORCE CUT AS AI INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS CONTINUE TO SOAR ACROSS OPERATIONS: REPORT

blue dell technologies sign in building

The Dell Technologies logo is prominently displayed at the company’s pavilion during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 5, 2026. (Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

According to its fiscal 2026 report, Dell recorded total severance charges of $569 million, compared with $693 million in 2025 and $648 million in 2024. These payments primarily affected the selling, general and administrative departments, followed by cost of net revenue and research and development each year.

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While Dell reported a staff count of 97,000 in 2026, the company had 133,000 employees in 2023. 

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
DELL DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC. 153.01 -3.53 -2.26%

In 2023, Dell announced a workforce reduction of roughly 5% to navigate a challenging global economic environment.

The following year, Dell’s headcount fell by 13,000, a 9.8% decrease in its workforce.

In 2025, Dell again recorded a 10% reduction in staff, representing 12,000 fewer employees. 

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Most recently, the company reported a 10.2% decline in 2026.

META CUTS OVER 1,000 JOBS IN MAJOR METAVERSE RETREAT

Dell logo is seen displayed

A Dell logo displayed on a smartphone.  (Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Silicon Valley workers have grown increasingly concerned about AI-driven disruption as tech companies such as Meta and Oracle have reportedly planned mass layoffs.

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Earlier this month, Meta reportedly considered a massive 20% workforce reduction as AI infrastructure spending continues to rise. Oracle has also reportedly weighed cutting tens of thousands of jobs amid soaring AI spending and mounting financial pressures.

Reuters has also linked workforce decline to the demands of competing in the high-growth AI infrastructure sector, pressuring companies to offset expenses.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Qfin Holdings, Inc. 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (NASDAQ:QFIN) 2026-03-17

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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Steak ‘n Shake adds dark chocolate Statue of Liberty to popular milkshake

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Steak 'n Shake adds dark chocolate Statue of Liberty to popular milkshake

Steak ‘n Shake is shaking up its “Patriot Milkshake” with a new, chocolate twist.

The milkshake will now be served with a dark chocolate Statue of Liberty, the company announced on Monday.

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“Patriot Milkshake now comes with [a] Statue of Liberty. Yes fans, it’s dark chocolate,” the company wrote in a post on X.

The milkshake, which debuted in December, is still priced at $2.50 and will be for the rest of the year, according to the post. The chain previously announced the shake would be available through January.

STEAK ‘N SHAKE PLEDGES $1K CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUMP ACCOUNTS FOR EMPLOYEES’ CHILDREN

steak-n-shake-exterior

Steak ‘n Shake is Located in the Midwest and Southern U.S. (iStock / iStock)

The company announcement included a photo of the milkshake, which features its classic red, white and blue sprinkles, an American flag on a toothpick and a dark chocolate Lady Liberty atop whipped cream.

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The franchise first announced the milkshake in December as an early nod to America’s 250th anniversary, which will be celebrated in July, according to the company.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
BH BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC. 304.94 +5.17 +1.72%

“Steak n Shake is getting a head start on America’s 250th anniversary of its founding,” the company said in an X post in 2025.

The announcement garnered positive feedback on social media, with one X users writing, “This is what [w]inning looks like.”

STEAK ’N SHAKE TOUTS $2.50 ‘PATRIOT MILKSHAKE’ TO HONOR AMERICA’S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

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A photo of Steak 'n Shake's Patriot Milkshake

Steak ‘n Shake announced an update to their “Patriot Milkshake” on Monday. The shake will now be served with a dark chocolate Statue of Liberty. (Steak ‘n Shake via X / Unknown)

Alex Bruesewitz, a political consultant and Trump advisor, also reposted the announcement, heralding the addition.

“[Steak ‘n Shake] continues to prove that they are the best fast food chain in America,” Bruesewitz wrote in the post.

FOX Business previously reported that this promotion came as other fast food chains were taking different approaches to dealing with pricing and mounting cost pressures.

FAST FOOD CHAIN SAYS THEY’VE ‘RFK’D’ THEIR FRIES, OPTING FOR HEALTHIER COOKING ALTERNATIVE

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RFK Jr. at a Steak 'n Shake in 2025

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. visits a Steak ‘n Shake location last year. (Steak ‘n Shake via X / Unknown)

Some chains, such as Jack in the Box, decided to close locations as part of a “broader turnaround plan.” 

Other chains, such as Cava, advised against discounting with their CEO, Brett Schulman, telling FOX Business that “you can’t discount your way to prosperity.”

The company recently made headlines for launching their 100% beef tallow tots, becoming the only restaurant to serve the side dish. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

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This comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to hammer the food industry to provide healthier options for consumers as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

Steak ‘n Shake did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

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Fini to buy Caves House

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Fini to buy Caves House

The prominent property developer is set to refurbish the heritage-listed asset and improve its hospitality offering.

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Jio tells bankers it may file IPO prospectus as early as March

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Jio tells bankers it may file IPO prospectus as early as March
India’s Reliance Industries Ltd. aims to file a draft red herring prospectus for the initial public offering of its telecom unit, Jio Platforms Ltd. as early as the end of this month with the December-end financials, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company formally kicked off preparations for the IPO on Tuesday by appointing as many as 17 bankers to handle the issue. Morgan Stanley, HSBC Holdings Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are among nine global banks selected for advisory roles, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.

Domestic advisers include Kotak Mahindra Capital Co., Axis Capital Ltd., JM Financial Ltd. and SBI Capital Markets Ltd., the people added.

Plans for the IPO have gathered steam after the government approved a change in listing requirements that allowed large issuers to dilute as little as 2.5% of their equity. The IPO could be India’s largest-ever IPO and the first by a major unit of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s flagship company, Reliance, in almost two decades.

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The proposed offering is expected to comprise largely secondary share sale by existing investors and could take place later this year. Details including the size, structure and timing of the transaction are still being finalized and are subject to change, the people added.


Representatives for the company and banks didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment outside of business hours.

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Brandon Craig to replace Mike Henry as BHP CEO

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Brandon Craig to replace Mike Henry as BHP CEO

The incoming boss of BHP says he is committed to Australia but has warned local investment was at risk as other nations cut red tape in pursuit of mining money.

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ZTR CEF: Collect A 8.8% Yield While Aligned To Grow Alongside AI Infrastructure (NYSE:ZTR)

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ZTR CEF: Collect A 8.8% Yield While Aligned To Grow Alongside AI Infrastructure (NYSE:ZTR)

This article was written by

Financial analyst by day and a seasoned investor by passion, I’ve been involved in the world of investing for over 15 years and honed my skills in analyzing lucrative opportunities within the market.I specialize in uncovering high quality dividend stocks and other assets that offer potential for long term-growth that pack a serious punch for bill-paying potential. I use myself as an example that with a solid base of classic dividend growth stocks, sprinkling in some Business Development Companies, REITs, and Closed End Funds can be a highly efficient way to boost your investment income while still capturing a total return that follows traditional index funds. I created a hybrid system between growth and income and manage to still capture a total return that is on par with the S&P.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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