Operator

Good morning. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Methanex Corporation Fourth Quarter 2025 Results Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]

I would now like to turn the conference call over to the Vice President of Investor Relations at Methanex, Mr. Robert Winslow. Please go ahead, Mr. Winslow.

Robert Winslow

Good morning, everyone. My name is Robert Winslow, and I recently joined Methanex as Vice President, Investor Relations. Welcome to Methanex’ Fourth Quarter 2025 Results Conference Call.

Our 2025 fourth quarter news release and 2025 annual report were posted yesterday, and can be accessed through our website at methanex.com. I would like to remind the listeners that our comments today may contain forward-looking information, which by its nature is subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause the stated outcome to differ materially from actual results.

We may also refer to non-GAAP financial measures and ratios that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, and are, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Any references made on today’s call reflect our 63.1% economic interest in the Atlas facility, our 50% economic interest in the Egypt

With only 90 minutes remaining before the 3 p.m. ET deadline today, Friday, March 6, the 2026 NHL trade deadline is delivering on its promise of high-stakes drama. The league’s landscape has already been significantly altered as Stanley Cup contenders and rebuilding clubs scramble to finalize their rosters for the stretch run.

The deadline period, which saw a steady stream of activity throughout the week, culminated in a final day of high-stakes negotiations. While some teams chose to stand pat, many identified key areas for improvement, turning to the market to secure veteran leadership, defensive stability, and offensive secondary scoring.

Blockbuster Moves Define the Window

The headline acquisition of the deadline occurred on Friday, with the Anaheim Ducks making a bold play for Washington Capitals stalwart defenseman John Carlson. In exchange for the veteran blueliner, the Ducks parted with a conditional 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round selection.

For Anaheim, currently holding strong in the Pacific Division, Carlson provides immediate experience and offensive prowess on the power play. For Washington, the deal marks a strategic shift as the organization looks to accumulate assets after a difficult campaign that left them four points outside the playoff picture as of the deadline.

In another notable move, the Tampa Bay Lightning brought veteran forward Corey Perry back into the fold, acquiring him from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick. Perry, known for his grit and extensive playoff experience, is expected to provide a physical and veteran presence for a Lightning squad intent on reasserting its dominance in the Eastern Conference.

A Busy Week for Contenders and Sellers

The days leading up to the Friday cutoff were equally intense, setting the stage for the final buzzer. The Utah Mammoth, widely projected as a top-tier buyer, made a significant splash on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. The cost was substantial: three second-round picks in the 2026 draft, alongside defenseman Olli Maatta and forward Jonathan Castagna.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres were among the most active participants. Hours after a potential deal for St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko fell through, the Sabres pivoted to secure defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets. The cost included forward Isak Rosen, defenseman Jacob Bryson, and multiple future draft picks.

The Minnesota Wild also made waves, prioritizing internal chemistry by acquiring veteran forward Nick Foligno from the Chicago Blackhawks. The move offers Foligno a chance to play alongside his younger brother, Marcus, for the first time in their careers, adding a unique emotional narrative to the Wild’s playoff push. Additionally, Minnesota bolstered its blueline by acquiring Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers.

Market Trends: Value Over Volume

While the deadline featured several high-profile moves, general managers across the league emphasized a disciplined approach. Many teams showed a marked reluctance to move top prospects or early-round picks unless the return was perceived as a significant upgrade to their Stanley Cup odds.

“Teams were very clear: if you want a player with term or a significant asset, you’re going to pay a premium,” said one league insider. “In a market with so many contenders, the asking price remained sky-high, which led to a mix of blockbuster trades and more measured, peripheral adjustments.”

For teams like the Colorado Avalanche, which currently holds the best record in the NHL, the strategy was focused on incremental gains. The Avalanche added forward Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs, further strengthening an already potent offensive lineup.

Looking Toward the Playoffs

With rosters now frozen for the purposes of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, the focus shifts entirely to the ice. The trades finalized this week serve as the final pieces of the puzzle for teams hoping to secure glory in the coming months.

As the league transitions from the frantic pace of the trade deadline back to the regular season grind, the focus will turn to how these new acquisitions integrate into their respective locker rooms. The performance of these players in high-pressure environments will ultimately determine which general managers made the winning bets and which moves failed to deliver the intended spark.

For the teams that chose to stand firm, the internal belief remains that their current configurations are sufficient to compete. For those that spent heavily, the expectations are now absolute: deep postseason runs are no longer just a goal—they are a requirement.

This article was written by

Follow

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in GAP over 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.

To put things in perspective, Cochin Shipyard shares have climbed nearly 9% over the past two sessions, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has surged about 18% during the same period. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, meanwhile, has gained around 5% in today’s trade.

The rally follows reports that a US submarine fired a torpedo that sank an Iranian warship off the south coast of Sri Lanka. Reports indicated that 87 sailors were killed and 32 others were rescued, while the remaining crew members are still missing. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were 130 sailors on board the vessel.

The development is significant as such an attack by the US has not taken place in more than 80 years, according to multiple media reports. In recent times, warfare has largely shifted toward aerial capabilities such as drones and missiles. While naval attacks are not entirely unexpected, such an incident is considered unconventional in the current context.

Naval combat incidents, such as the sinking of a warship, often prompt countries in the region to strengthen their maritime defence capabilities. Governments typically accelerate spending on assets such as warships, submarines, surveillance vessels and unmanned naval systems, which in turn improves the order outlook for defence shipbuilders.

Live Events

IIndia closely monitors developments in the Indian Ocean region, and any conflict near Sri Lanka underscores the strategic importance of key sea lanes. Such developments could prompt the government to accelerate naval fleet expansion and modernisation, benefiting domestic shipyards involved in building naval platforms.India has also been increasingly focused on the indigenisation of defence platforms, including naval vessels. As a result, any push to strengthen maritime capabilities is likely to translate into higher domestic orders for Indian shipyards rather than reliance on imports.
Ever since the war broke out, benchmark index Nifty has shed 2.50% while the 30-share Sensex has declined 2%.Also read: Reliance Industries shares rise over 2% after US allows Indian refiners to buy Russian crude under a 30-day waiver

Indian stock markets declined on Friday, with the Sensex falling around 500 points and the Nifty 50 hovering near the 24,600-mark in the morning. Escalating war between Iran and the US-Israel was among the key factors behind the market drop. The war entered its 7th day and continued to worsen, with the leaders of the countries threatening more escalations ahead. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the conflict has “only just begun”. US President Donald Trump said yesterday that he has “no time limits” on how long the war can go on.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)