Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Business

Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Published

on

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

Q1: 2026-04-30 Earnings Summary

EPS of $1.20 beats by $0.01

 | Revenue of $439.58M (0.50% Y/Y) beats by $13.58M

Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call April 30, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Kristen Stewart – Director of Investor Relations
Payman Khales – CEO, President & Director
Diron Smith – Executive VP & CFO

Advertisement

Conference Call Participants

Matthew O’Brien – Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Brett Fishbin – KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Research Division
Richard Newitter – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Nathan Treybeck – Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Andrew Cooper – Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Travis Steed – BofA Securities, Research Division
Joanne Wuensch – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Suraj Kalia – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division

Advertisement

Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Integer Holdings Corporation’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Kristen Stewart, Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Advertisement

Kristen Stewart
Director of Investor Relations

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to Integer’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. With me today are Payman Khales, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Diron Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. This morning, we issued a press release announcing our first quarter 2026 financial results. We have posted a presentation to accompany today’s call on the Investor Relations page on our website at integer.net. On today’s call, Payman will provide opening comments. Diron will then review our adjusted financial results for the first quarter of 2026 and our financial outlook. Payman will provide his closing remarks, and then we’ll open the line for your questions.

As a reminder, the results and data we discuss today reflect the consolidated results of Integer for the periods indicated. During our

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

Belden: Investors Have Some Questions On The Ruckus Deal (NYSE:BDC)

Published

on

Belden: Investors Have Some Questions On The Ruckus Deal (NYSE:BDC)

This article was written by

The Value Investor has a Master of Science with specialization in financial markets and a decade of experience tracking companies via catalytic company events. As the leader of the investing group Value In Corporate Events they provide members with opportunities to capitalize on IPOs, mergers & acquisitions, earnings reports and changes in corporate capital allocation. Coverage includes 10 major events a month with an eye towards finding the best opportunities. Learn more.

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.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Channel 9 to Axes 20 Jobs in Major Restructure as Staff Brace for More Cuts Across Network

Published

on

FTSE 100 Surges 0.8% Today as Oil Eases and Markets

SYDNEY — Channel 9 will eliminate up to 20 positions in its television news and current affairs division in the first wave of redundancies, with staff warned that further job losses are likely as the network undergoes a significant operational overhaul.

Channel 9 to Axes 20 Jobs in Major Restructure as
Channel 9 to Axes 20 Jobs in Major Restructure as Staff Brace for More Cuts Across Network

The cuts, confirmed internally on Thursday, primarily target roles in Sydney and Canberra newsrooms and will affect every position in the division as part of a broader restructure. Management has described the changes as a move to streamline operations and adapt to evolving media consumption patterns rather than pure cost-cutting, though unions and staff have expressed deep concern about the impact on journalistic quality and workloads.

The announcement comes just months after Nine Entertainment implemented earlier redundancies, including around 50 roles in late 2025 as part of a $100 million efficiency drive across broadcast and streaming divisions. Thursday’s move signals that the transformation of Australia’s largest commercial television network is far from over.

Insiders told news.com.au that all roles in news and current affairs are under review, with consultations already underway. Affected staff have been invited to apply for newly created or restructured positions, but the process has left many feeling anxious about job security in an industry already battered by declining linear television audiences and rising digital competition.

Nine’s leadership maintains the changes will create a more agile and sustainable news operation capable of delivering high-quality content across multiple platforms, including 9Now, Stan and its digital outlets. However, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has criticised the timing and scale of the cuts, warning they could undermine the network’s ability to cover major stories and hold power to account.

Advertisement

The redundancies hit at a challenging time for Australian media. Traditional broadcasters face shrinking advertising revenues as viewers shift to streaming services, short-form video and on-demand content. Nine has invested heavily in digital transformation while trying to maintain its flagship news programs such as Today, A Current Affair, 60 Minutes and evening bulletins.

Sources familiar with the restructure say the 20 positions include a mix of editorial, production and technical roles. Some duplication across Sydney headquarters and regional bureaus is being eliminated as the network centralises certain functions. Canberra’s parliamentary press gallery presence is understood to be among the areas under pressure, potentially reducing on-the-ground political coverage.

Staff meetings held Thursday morning delivered the news, with senior executives emphasising opportunities for redeployment and upskilling in digital storytelling, data journalism and multi-platform production. Despite these assurances, morale has plummeted, with employees describing a sense of “bloodbath” looming over newsrooms that have already endured multiple rounds of voluntary redundancies and attrition.

The cuts form part of a wider strategic reset at Nine Entertainment, which owns Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Life, radio stations including 2GB and 3AW, and major newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. The company has been consolidating operations to compete with global streaming giants and digital-first news providers.

Advertisement

Industry analysts say the redundancies reflect broader pressures facing legacy media companies. Linear television viewership continues to decline, particularly among younger audiences, forcing networks to do more with fewer resources. At the same time, expectations for 24/7 digital content and social media engagement have increased workloads for remaining staff.

Nine has not publicly detailed the financial savings expected from the latest cuts, but the move aligns with previous statements about removing duplication following the integration of broadcast and streaming operations under new leadership structures. Earlier efficiency drives targeted back-office, engineering and product roles, but Thursday’s focus on frontline news and current affairs marks a more visible shift.

For veteran journalists and producers, the news is particularly disheartening. Many have dedicated decades to Channel 9, covering everything from federal elections and natural disasters to major scandals and human interest stories. The potential loss of institutional knowledge worries some observers who fear reduced diversity of voices and shallower coverage of complex issues.

Union representatives have called for transparent consultation processes and fair redundancy packages. They argue that slashing newsroom resources ultimately harms viewers by limiting investigative journalism and local storytelling at a time when public trust in media is already under scrutiny.

Advertisement

Nine’s competitors face similar challenges. Rival Network 7 and the public broadcasters ABC and SBS have also undertaken efficiency reviews and selective redundancies in recent years. The entire Australian media landscape is contracting as advertising dollars migrate online and consumer habits fragment across platforms.

Despite the job losses, Nine continues to invest in high-profile talent and programming. The network maintains strong ratings in key timeslots and has expanded its digital footprint aggressively. Executives insist the restructure will strengthen rather than weaken its news product by fostering innovation and cross-platform collaboration.

Staff have been advised to keep performing their roles while the consultation period unfolds over coming weeks. Voluntary redundancy expressions of interest may be sought in some areas, with compulsory redundancies possible if targets are not met. Exact details on which specific positions will disappear remain confidential for now.

The development has sparked wider discussion about the future of television news in Australia. As audiences increasingly consume content on mobile devices and demand instant updates, traditional newsroom structures built for evening bulletins and morning shows are being forced to evolve rapidly. Many fear this latest round represents another step toward leaner, less resourced news operations across the board.

Advertisement

For the broader Nine Entertainment workforce, Thursday’s announcement serves as a stark reminder of ongoing industry volatility. While the company reports solid overall performance in some divisions, the pressure to adapt quickly to technological and economic shifts continues to reshape careers and news delivery.

As consultations begin and more details emerge, affected staff face uncertain futures. Some may find new roles within the organisation’s expanding digital and streaming arms, while others could exit the industry entirely amid a competitive job market for experienced journalists. The coming weeks will reveal the full human cost of Channel 9’s latest efficiency drive.

Nine has declined to comment publicly beyond internal communications, directing inquiries to its standard media statements on organisational reviews. The network emphasised its commitment to delivering quality journalism and entertaining content to Australian audiences despite the structural changes.

The redundancies arrive as Nine prepares for another ratings battle in 2026, with key programs under new leadership and formats evolving to capture fragmented audiences. Whether the leaner news operation can maintain its competitive edge while delivering the depth and breadth viewers expect remains to be seen.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Apple sees ‘extraordinary’ iPhone demand as boss Tim Cook leaves

Published

on

Apple sees 'extraordinary' iPhone demand as boss Tim Cook leaves

Overall, sales of Apple products grew 17% to $111bn (£81bn) in the first three months of the year, compared to the same quarter a year ago, the company said in financial results released Thursday. Sales in China were up by 28% compared to a year ago.

Continue Reading

Business

Mortgage rates rise to 6.3%: Freddie Mac

Published

on

Mortgage rates rise to 6.22%: Freddie Mac

Mortgage rates ticked slightly higher this week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.3%, up from 6.23% last week. 

Advertisement

The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.76% at this time last year.

HOUSING MARKET GAINING MOMENTUM AS SPRING SEASON BEGINS

“As rates had modestly declined the last few weeks, purchase demand has accelerated with purchase applications rising to over 20% above a year ago,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “It is clear that purchase demand continues to hold up as prospective buyers react to both modestly lower rates and more inventory to choose from than the last few years,” Khater added.

HOUSING CRISIS HITS ALL AGES AS HOMEOWNERSHIP DECLINES NATIONWIDE

Advertisement
An open house for a home.

Mortgage rates ticked slightly higher than a week ago. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 5.64%, up from 5.58% last week. The rate on 15-year fixed mortgages averaged 5.92% last year.

Mortgage rates are affected by several factors, including the Federal Reserve and geopolitics. Though mortgage rates are not directly affected by the Fed’s interest rate decisions, they closely track the 10-year Treasury yield. The 10-year yield hovered around 4.37% as of Thursday afternoon.

The latest mortgage data follows the Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday to leave its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.

AVERAGE MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT HITS NEW HIGH, TOPPING $2K FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Advertisement
A couple tours a home.

Geopolitical risk is influencing interest rates higher, economists say. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu said that while the Federal Reserve “unsurprisingly held rates steady, the dissent among the voters raises further uncertainty of monetary policy ahead.”

“Despite key decisions and upcoming leadership transition for the Fed, geopolitics is likely to be the bigger driver of mortgage rates in the near term,” Xu explained. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“With the U.S.-Iran peace talks hitting an impasse this week, the 10-year treasury bond rose above 4.3% and passed the 4.4% threshold after the Fed left rates unchanged and expressed concerns about the overall uncertainty tied to Middle East tension,” Xu added.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Former Premier Palaszczuk’s Partner in Ongoing Investigation

Published

on

Annastacia Palaszczuk

BURLEIGH HEADS, Australia — Queensland Police declared a crime scene and seized items from a luxury beachfront apartment owned by prominent weight-loss surgeon Dr. Vahid Reza Adib on Thursday, thrusting the long-term partner of former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk into the spotlight of an active investigation.

Annastacia Palaszczuk
Annastacia Palaszczuk

Officers, including forensic specialists, arrived at the Norfolk building unit in Burleigh Heads around 11 a.m. and spent hours examining the property, removing evidence bags and inspecting areas including the balcony and barbecue. Witnesses described multiple police vehicles outside the high-end beachside complex as the search unfolded.

Police have not revealed the nature of the investigation, laid any charges or named any suspects. Authorities stressed that Palaszczuk herself is not believed to be involved and may have no knowledge of the raid. Dr. Adib, 59, was not present at the time of the search.

The development marks a dramatic turn for the couple, who have maintained a relatively private relationship since going public in 2021 while Palaszczuk was still premier. Adib, a respected bariatric surgeon, has faced previous scrutiny in professional settings, including an inquest into the death of a patient in 2022, but Thursday’s police action appears unrelated to those earlier matters.

Palaszczuk served as Queensland premier from 2015 until stepping down in 2023 after leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic. She and Adib have been photographed together at public events, though both have largely stayed out of the media glare since her departure from politics.

Advertisement

The raid has sent shockwaves through Queensland’s political and medical circles. Sources close to the former premier described her as blindsided by the events. Police have declined to provide further details, stating only that inquiries are continuing as part of an ongoing probe.

The luxury apartment, located in one of the Gold Coast’s desirable beachside enclaves, offers sweeping ocean views and is part of a premium development popular with high-net-worth residents. Forensic teams were seen methodically working through the property, a sign that investigators are treating the location as significant to their case.

Dr. Adib is well-known in Queensland’s medical community for his work in obesity surgery. He operates clinics specializing in weight-loss procedures and has built a reputation for treating complex cases. The surgeon maintains a low public profile despite his high-profile relationship.

News of the search spread rapidly on Thursday, sparking intense speculation on social media and among political observers. Some drew connections to past controversies involving medical practitioners, while others noted the timing amid broader scrutiny of high-profile figures. Authorities have urged caution against unfounded rumors.

Advertisement

Queensland Police issued a brief statement confirming the search but provided no timeline for when more information might be released. “No further information is available at this time,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing the active status of the investigation.

The incident highlights the intense public interest that follows former political leaders and their families even after they leave office. Palaszczuk’s tenure as premier was marked by strong public approval during the pandemic but also criticism over certain policies. Her personal life has occasionally drawn media attention, though she has generally kept it separate from her professional role.

Legal experts note that searches of this nature often relate to serious matters such as fraud, misconduct or other criminal allegations, though without official confirmation, all possibilities remain open. The declaration of a crime scene suggests investigators found reason to treat the property with heightened forensic protocols.

Neighbors expressed surprise at the heavy police presence in the normally quiet, upscale building. One resident told reporters that officers were professional and methodical, spending several hours inside before departing with seized materials. The crime scene designation means the unit remains under police control for the immediate future.

Advertisement

Palaszczuk has not issued a public statement on Thursday’s events. Her office and representatives for Dr. Adib have not responded to requests for comment. The former premier maintains a low profile since leaving politics, occasionally appearing at community events or offering commentary on state issues.

The raid comes against a backdrop of ongoing challenges for Queensland’s health sector, where surgeons and specialists face increasing regulatory oversight. Adib’s professional history includes participation in coronial inquests, but those matters concluded without criminal findings against him.

Political analysts say the situation could prove awkward for the current Queensland Labor government, which succeeded Palaszczuk’s administration. Opposition figures may seek to question any perceived links, though police have been careful to separate the investigation from political matters.

As details slowly emerge, the public and media will watch closely for any charges or further developments. High-profile investigations involving partners of former leaders inevitably attract intense scrutiny, raising questions about privacy, due process and the lingering public interest in political figures’ private lives.

Advertisement

For now, the focus remains on the Burleigh Heads apartment, where forensic work continues. Queensland Police have appealed for anyone with relevant information to come forward while urging restraint in speculation that could compromise the investigation.

The story has dominated headlines across Australian media outlets on Thursday, with live updates and helicopter footage capturing police activity at the beachfront location. It serves as a reminder that even after leaving public office, the lives of former leaders and those close to them can suddenly intersect with law enforcement in unexpected ways.

As inquiries progress, authorities maintain their silence on specifics, leaving many questions unanswered. Dr. Adib’s professional standing, the couple’s relationship and the precise nature of the police interest will likely become clearer in coming days or weeks as the investigation unfolds.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Why Subscription Creep Is Becoming a CFO Problem

Published

on

Five Things a Good Small Business Accountant in London Saves You

Managing a company budget used to be simpler. You had big, predictable costs like rent, payroll, and hardware. But today, the financial landscape has shifted.

There is a silent leak in almost every modern balance sheet, and it goes by the name of subscription creep. This happens when small, monthly software costs slowly add up, eventually becoming a massive, unmanaged expense.

For many growing businesses, keeping track of these recurring fees is a full-time job. This is exactly why savvy firms often leverage Virtual CFO Services to gain professional oversight and stop financial leakage before it impacts the bottom line. By using Outsourced Financial Services, companies can identify these hidden costs and ensure every dollar spent on software actually delivers a return on investment.

Beyond the Monthly Bill: What Exactly Is Subscription Creep?

In the world of finance, we often talk about SaaS-Wildwuchs or SaaS sprawl. This refers to the uncontrolled growth of software subscriptions across different departments. It starts small, with a $20 monthly fee for a design tool here and a $15 seat for a project management app there. Because these costs fall under operating expenses (OpEx) rather than large capital expenditures (CapEx), they often bypass the rigorous approval processes reserved for big purchases.

The problem is that these “micro-costs” are designed to be invisible. They are small enough to stay under the radar but frequent enough to cause significant budget drift. Over time, these individual subscriptions create a web of recurring revenue leakage that erodes your profit margins. For a CFO, this isn’t just about the money; it is about a lack of financial transparency. If you cannot see where the money is going, you cannot manage your cash flow effectively.

Advertisement

The Silent Growth of SaaS Sprawl: How It Sneaks Into Your Budget

Why does this happen so easily? The answer lies in the “low-friction” nature of modern software. In the past, installing software required IT approval and a physical disk. Today, anyone with a corporate credit card can sign up for a new tool in seconds. This has led to the rise of Schatten-IT, or Shadow IT.

Shadow IT occurs when employees or department heads buy software without the knowledge or permission of the IT or Finance departments. While these tools are often bought with good intentions, to solve a quick problem or improve productivity, they create massive departmental silos. When every team has its own “special” tool, the company loses the ability to negotiate bulk licensing or maintain a unified technology stack. This decentralized procurement culture is the primary driver of subscription creep, turning a flexible budget into a rigid wall of monthly bills.

The Three Hidden Leaks Draining Your Profit Margins

To solve the problem, a CFO must first understand where the water is leaking. It usually boils down to three specific types of software waste that impact operational inefficiency.

The Ghost License: Paying for People Who No Longer Work There

One of the most common pain points is the “zombie” account. When an employee leaves the company, their email might be deactivated, but their user seat management often remains active. These orphaned subscriptions continue to bill the company month after month for a service that no one is using. Without a strict employee offboarding process that includes a license utilization audit, you are essentially throwing money away on inactive accounts and wasted IT resources.

Advertisement

The Redundancy Trap: Paying Twice for the Same Feature

Does your marketing team use Asana while the development team uses Jira and the sales team uses Trello? This is a classic case of overlapping functionality. When different departments use different tools that perform the same basic task, you are paying for feature duplication. A thorough technology stack audit often reveals that a company is paying for three or four different “communication” or “storage” tools when one consolidated platform would do the job better and cheaper.

The Auto-Renewal Loop: The High Price of “Set It and Forget It”

The SaaS business model thrives on automatic renewal traps. Many contracts include price escalation clauses that allow the vendor to raise prices by 5% to 10% every year without notice. If your finance team isn’t practicing active contract lifecycle management, these increases go unnoticed. You lose your negotiation leverage the moment a contract auto-renews because you’ve missed the window to discuss license rightsizing or better terms.

The CFO’s Playbook: A 4-Step Strategy to Regain Control

Regaining control of your corporate fiscal health requires more than just cutting costs; it requires a new system of financial governance. For many growing businesses, leveraging Outsourced Financial Services provides the high-level expertise needed to implement these controls and manage technology expense management without the cost of a full-time internal department. Here is how a professional CFO approaches the problem.”

Step 1: Conduct a Radical SaaS Audit

You cannot fix what you cannot see. The first step is to create a complete subscription register. This involves looking at every line item in your ledger analysis and credit card statements to find every single recurring charge. This creates total spend visibility and allows you to build an audit trail for every tool the company owns.

Advertisement

Step 2: Establish Clear Tool Ownership

Every subscription needs a “parent.” By assigning tool ownership to specific department leads, you create accountability. These owners are responsible for proving the ROI of software within their team. If they cannot explain how a tool helps the company grow, it should be on the chopping block.

Step 3: Consolidate Your Stack and Renegotiate

Once you have an inventory, look for ways to cut the “dead weight.” Move toward vendor consolidation by choosing one primary tool for each function. This gives you more power during procurement negotiation. Often, you can secure volume discounts simply by moving all users onto a single platform rather than having them scattered across three different ones.

Step 4: Automate Governance for Sustainable Growth

Manual tracking is a losing battle. High-performing companies use SaaS Management Platforms (SMP) to track usage in real-time. These tools can send automated alerts when a seat is unused or when a renewal date is approaching. By using procurement automation, you turn cost control from a periodic headache into a continuous, scalable workflow.

Shifting the Goal: From Simple Cost-Cutting to Strategic Reinvestment

The goal of managing subscription creep isn’t just to save money; it is to increase business agility. When a CFO identifies $5,000 a month in wasted software fees, that money doesn’t just disappear into a vault. It can be redirected into high-impact investments like R&D, marketing, or better employee benefits.

Advertisement

This is where the CFO evolves from a “budget balancer” into a true business partner. By improving financial resiliency, you ensure the company has the “dry powder” needed to survive economic shifts. Optimizing your technology stack is actually a form of value creation. It makes the company leaner, faster, and more competitive.

Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Bottom Line in a Subscription-First World

Subscription creep is a modern problem that requires a modern solution. It is no longer enough to look at the budget once a year. In a world of “software-as-a-service,” ongoing vigilance is the only way to ensure long-term fiscal health.

By addressing Schatten-IT, eliminating zombie licenses, and automating your financial transparency, you protect your cash flow from the thousands of small cuts that threaten your profitability. The CFO of the future isn’t the one who says “no” to every new tool, but the one who ensures that every tool the company uses is a strategic asset, not an invisible cost centre. Taking the time to perform a regular Abo-Audit today can save your company from a massive financial headache tomorrow.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Business

Hindustan Labs, RK Steel get Sebi nod to launch IPOs

Published

on

Hindustan Labs, RK Steel get Sebi nod to launch IPOs
Indian pharmaceutical firm Hindustan Laboratories has received observations from capital markets regulator Sebi, clearing a key step toward its proposed initial public offering (IPO). The IPO comprises a total issue size of up to 14.1 million equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each. This includes a fresh issue of up to 5 million shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 9.1 million shares by existing shareholders.

According to the filing, the company intends to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue primarily to fund its working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes.

Hindustan Laboratories operates in the generic pharmaceuticals segment, focusing on the large-scale manufacturing and supply of affordable medicines. Its portfolio mainly consists of generic formulations, drugs whose patents have expired and are typically priced lower than branded alternatives, making them widely accessible.

The company’s business model is largely business-to-government (B2G), with a strong presence in public procurement systems. It supplies medicines under contracts for central government projects routed through agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as various state government bodies. These government institutions form the bulk of its customer base.

Advertisement

The IPO is being managed by Choice Capital Advisors Private Limited, which has been appointed as the book-running lead manager for the issue.


Apart from Hindustan Labs, RK Steel has also received the nod from regulator to launch the issue.
Incorporated in 2006, RK Steel Manufacturing is a prominent manufacturer of welded structural steel tubes and pipes. The company boasts a diverse product portfolio, including Pre-Galvanised Pipes (GP), Hot Dip Galvanised Pipes (GI), Hot Rolled Pipes (HR), and Cold Rolled Pipes (CR), alongside value-added products like GP Coils and CRFH Coils.

Continue Reading

Business

US national debt surpasses GDP for the first time since World War II era

Published

on

US national debt surpasses GDP for the first time since World War II era

The U.S. national debt has now surpassed the size of the U.S. economy, a historic threshold that hasn’t been crossed since the conclusion of World War II.

Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday showed that the national debt held by the public reached $31.27 trillion as of March 31, while nominal gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $31.22 trillion for the 12-month period ending in March.

Advertisement

That pushed the debt held by the public as a percentage of GDP above 100%, meaning that the public debt is now larger than the size of the U.S. economy. Public debt as a share of GDP is a measure preferred by economists in assessing a country’s government debt burden because it excludes debt held in government accounts.

With the latest data showing the public debt eclipsing the size of the U.S. economy, the federal government is quickly approaching the all-time record debt to GDP percentage of 106%, which was set in 1946 as the U.S. was in the process of demobilizing after the end of World War II.

US DEBT SET TO CRUSH WORLD WAR II RECORD AS ANNUAL DEFICITS EXPLODE TO $3T WITHIN DECADE

The US Capitol seen from the street during springtime

The national debt held by the public as a share of GDP topped 100% at the end of March, and the debt now exceeds the size of the economy. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a 10-year budget and economic outlook earlier this year that projected the U.S. will break the post-WWII record in 2030 with the debt held by the public estimated at 108% that year. A decade from now, debt held by the public as a share of GDP is projected to reach 120%.

Advertisement

Making the budget picture even worse, the CBO estimates that the debt held by the public is expected to grow faster than U.S. GDP as projected in the years ahead, which could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s fiscal and economic outlook. 

It said that dynamic could slow economic growth and reduce private investment, while hiking interest costs from servicing the debt.

US NATIONAL DEBT BREACHES $39 TRILLION MILESTONE FOR FIRST TIME AMID SPENDING SURGE

“With debt now above 100% of GDP, it’s only a matter of time until we pass the all-time record of 106% reached in the immediate aftermath of World War II,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB). 

Advertisement

“This time, the borrowing isn’t borne from a seismic global conflict, but rather a total bipartisan abdication of making hard choices.

“The higher we allow our debt to grow, the more we erode our own prosperity and that of future generations. Rising debt compromises affordability by slowing income growth, pushing up interest rates, and increasing inflationary pressures,” MacGuineas added.

“Debt squeezes our budgets with massive interest costs. It exposes us needlessly to challenges from geopolitical rivals. And without corrective action, rising debt could spark a devastating fiscal crisis.”

BUDGET DEFICIT HITS $1 TRILLION IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR: CBO

Advertisement
Washington debates over national debt ceiling

The national debt has surpassed a World War II-era milestone. (iStock)

MacGuineas added that lawmakers “need to stop the bleeding” to get the country’s fiscal outlook on a more sustainable path, urging them to reject new borrowing as well as offsetting new spending or tax cuts twice over to reduce budget deficits.

She also said that to stabilize and reduce the national debt as a share of the economy, the U.S. will need to go further and reduce budget deficits by about $10 trillion in the years ahead.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“One option among many is to follow the bipartisan momentum towards bringing deficits down to 3% of GDP, which would help bring the debt below 100% of GDP over time. What’s most important is turning this pattern of inaction around. There is no time to lose,” MacGuineas said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Finder to raise $30m

Published

on

Finder to raise $30m

Damon Neaves-led Finder Energy has announced plans to raise $30 million, as it aims to further accelerate activities at its KTJ oil project off the coast of Timor Leste.

Continue Reading

Business

Turning Ideas Into Real-World Impact

Published

on

Turning Ideas Into Real-World Impact

Big ideas are easy to talk about. Bringing them to life is harder. Karan Gupta has built his career on doing both. He works at the intersection of technology, design, and storytelling. His focus is simple. Build things that people actually use and care about.

“I’ve always been interested in how ideas move from concept to reality,” Karan says. “Execution is where most ideas either succeed or fall apart.”

His journey shows how that mindset developed over time.

Early Life: Growing Up Around Innovation

Karan Gupta grew up in San Francisco. The environment around him played a big role in shaping his thinking. He was exposed to technology, creativity, and constant change at a young age.

“I didn’t see innovation as something abstract,” he explains. “It was part of everyday life.”

Advertisement

This early exposure sparked his interest in how products are built and how people interact with them. It also helped him see that technology is not just about tools. It is about people.

UC Berkeley: Learning by Building

Karan attended the University of California, Berkeley. He studied Media Studies and Entrepreneurship. But his most important lessons came outside the classroom.

During college, he launched a digital magazine and a city-focused podcast. These projects gave him real experience in building and managing ideas.

“I wanted to test what I was learning in real time,” he says. “You learn a lot faster when you actually put something out into the world.”

Advertisement

The digital magazine focused on content and audience engagement. The podcast explored local culture and community stories. Both projects required consistent effort and adaptability.

“These weren’t just school projects,” Karan explains. “They were experiments in understanding what people respond to.”

Through this work, he learned how to create, manage, and grow an audience. He also learned how to handle feedback.

“If people don’t connect with what you’re building, you need to adjust,” he says. “That’s part of the process.”

Advertisement

Career Path: Building in Technology and Creative Industries

After graduating, Karan moved into roles across the technology and creative industries. His work focused on digital strategy, user experience, and brand storytelling.

He became known for combining creativity with structure. This allowed him to turn ideas into clear, usable products and campaigns.

“Creativity is important,” he says. “But without structure, it doesn’t go anywhere.”

Over time, he took on leadership roles. He worked with teams to develop campaigns and build products that reached different audiences.

Advertisement

“People don’t engage with complexity,” Karan explains. “They engage with clarity.”

His approach is based on simplifying ideas. He focuses on making sure that users understand what they are seeing and why it matters.

How Karan Gupta Brings Ideas to Life

A key part of Karan’s work is execution. He believes that ideas only matter if they are carried through to completion.

“Anyone can have a good idea,” he says. “The challenge is following through.”

Advertisement

He focuses on a few core principles:

  • Start with a clear goal
  • Understand the audience
  • Build, test, and adjust

“These steps sound simple,” he says. “But they require discipline.”

His experience with early projects helped shape this mindset. Launching a magazine and podcast taught him that progress comes from action, not planning alone.

“You can’t wait for everything to be perfect,” he adds. “You have to start.”

Leadership Style: Building Strong Teams

As Karan’s career grew, so did his role as a leader. He now focuses on building teams that can execute effectively.

Advertisement

“My role is to help people do their best work,” he says.

He believes in clear communication and shared direction. He also values collaboration.

“Good ideas can come from anywhere,” he explains. “You need to create space for that.”

His leadership style is practical. He focuses on results, but also on process.

Advertisement

“If the process is strong, the outcomes usually follow,” he says.

Mentorship and Giving Back

Outside of his main work, Karan spends time mentoring young creatives and entrepreneurs. He sees this as a natural extension of his career.

“I had guidance early on,” he says. “It made a difference.”

He now shares what he has learned with others. His focus is on helping people build skills and confidence.

Advertisement

“Talent is important,” he says. “But mindset is what drives long-term growth.”

He encourages young professionals to stay curious and take action.

“Don’t overthink the first step,” he adds. “Just start building.”

Life Outside Work: Staying Creative

Karan’s personal interests reflect his professional mindset. He enjoys photography, travel, and exploring new ideas.

Advertisement

“Seeing new places helps you think differently,” he says.

He also spends time exploring San Francisco and experimenting with food. These activities help him stay creative.

“Taking a step back often leads to better ideas,” he explains.

A Career Built on Execution and Clarity

Karan Gupta’s career is not defined by one role or title. It is defined by a consistent approach. Start with an idea. Build it. Improve it. Repeat.

Advertisement

“I try to focus on what actually works,” he says. “Not just what sounds good.”

His work shows that success often comes from simple principles applied well. Clear thinking. Strong execution. And a focus on people.

In a fast-moving industry, those fundamentals continue to matter. And for Karan, they remain at the center of everything he builds.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025