Latest news with #LNW
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
More 48-hour water shutdowns planned for Polokwane
POLOKWANE – Residents in the city are encouraged to prepare ahead of time for a series of planned water shutdowns as part of Phase 2 of Lepelle Northern Water's (LNW) upgrade and commissioning programme. LNW said the shutdowns, which will affect key pumping stations, are necessary to bring new and improved pump stations into operation. This, they said, is aimed at enhancing the reliability, efficiency and overall performance of their water supply systems in the long term. The upcoming planned shutdowns follow the recent 48-hour shutdown of the Olifantspoort Scheme in July, which impacted water supply across Polokwane, Seshego and other areas. The shutdowns are scheduled as follows: July 23-24: Olifantspoort Scheme – Pump Station 2 and Pump Station 3 (48 hours). August 6-7: Ebenezer Scheme – High Lift Pump Station (48 hours). August 20-21: Olifantspoort Scheme – Pump Station 1 and Pump Station 2 (48 hours). Shorter shutdowns (less than 48 hours) are anticipated in August and September and will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, the Polokwane Municipality warns that areas supplied by the affected schemes may experience low water pressure or a temporary supply interruption during the shutdowns. 'Residents are kindly urged to use water sparingly and to store sufficient water in advance for essential use,' said Thipa Selala (Polokwane Municipality spokesperson). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Lepelle responds to water project criticism
Under fire for slow delivery, Lepelle says its leadership overhaul and new contractors are already showing real progress. The department of water and sanitation under Minister Pemmy Majodina is partly blaming the Lepelle Northern Water board (LNW) for the slow provision of water and the completion of bulk water infrastructure projects in Limpopo. Lepelle is a state-owned water utility responsible for bulk water provision and the construction of bulk water projects in Limpopo on behalf of the national department. Deputy Minister David Mahlobo said many of the projects being implemented by LNW are subjected to long delays. Many Lepelle Northern Water board projects delayed for long In addition, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of LNW among water service authorities in Limpopo. He said the department has arranged for Rand Water and Lebalelo Water User Association to provide support to LNW to improve its infrastructure procurement and project and contract management. ALSO READ: 'They will rue the day we crossed paths': Limpopo mayor threatens construction mafia after stalled projects He said LNW is also getting support from the Government Technical Advisory Service in the National Treasury to improve its infrastructure procurement. According to Mahlobo, the Infrastructure Fund is now assisting Lepelle with financial structuring and project management for the Olifantspoort-Ebenezer project. Mahlobo said the department has reduced the allocation of new projects to Lepelle to enable the agency to focus on the completion of its existing projects, while improving its service to water authorities in Limpopo. Development Bank of South Africa appointed as implementing agent Mahlobo said the Development Bank of South Africa has been appointed as implementing agent for the Musina-Zimbabwe water transfer scheme and the Nandoni water treatment plant upgrade. The agency defended itself, saying since the new leadership took office in 2021, LNW has been on a significant turnaround path. ALSO READ: Limpopo villagers plead with rain queen to end drought 'From early 2023, LNW has instituted several reforms and operational improvements, particularly in the management and execution of capital projects. 'Many of the older, underperforming contractors have been terminated and new capable service providers have been appointed,' said LNW chief executive officer Cornelius Ruiters. New appointments delivering measurable progress Ruiters said the new appointments were delivering measurable progress and projects were now being implemented within budget and on schedule, 'a testament to a new culture of professionalism and accountability at LNW'. 'We have also restructured our internal operations, including the establishment of a dedicated engineering division staffed by qualified professionals to oversee all infrastructure projects.'
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stifel Stays Cautious on Light & Wonder (LNW) Despite Steady Long-Term EBITDA Target
Light & Wonder Inc. (NASDAQ:LNW) is one of the top 10 picks from Harvard University's stock portfolio. The stock's position in Harvard Management Co.'s portfolio is down approximately 27% quarter-over-quarter, but still commands around 8% of the portfolio's weight. On June 4, following meetings with Light & Wonder's SVP of Investor Relations, Nick Zangari, at the Stifel Cross Sector Insight Conference, a Stifel Nicolaus analyst reaffirmed a Hold rating on the stock, with an unchanged price target of $95. The analyst noted that management remains committed to achieving its 2028 Adjusted EBITDA goal of $2 billion, despite the overall addressable market for its core business appearing stable rather than expanding. Near-term trends in regional gross gaming revenue have been encouraging, supporting the company's projections for North America. Research and development remains a strategic focus, with early progress suggesting better returns. That, in turn, is helping the company stay aligned with its longer-term market share ambitions. The analyst also noted that industry consolidation could give Light & Wonder additional room to grow. However, he flagged a few concerns as well. Firstly, the comparisons against last year's performance are expected to be more challenging in the coming quarters, and broader macro conditions remain unpredictable. He also noted that demand for slot machine replacements could soften, which may weigh on results depending on how the cycle plays out. While management sounds confident about its roadmap, these factors justify the analyst's reiteration of a neutral view on the stock for now. Light & Wonder Inc. (NASDAQ:LNW) is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based, cross-platform global games company with a focus on content and digital markets. The Company creates content and products for land-based casino gaming, social, and digital organizations. While we acknowledge the potential of LNW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Best Tech Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Water supply to return to Polokwane after successful pump upgrade
Water supply to return to Polokwane after successful pump upgrade POLOKWANE – Polokwane residents can expect water supply to resume by midday today (June 20) following the successful installation of new pumps at the Olifantspoort Plant's Pump Stations 2 and 3. Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) confirmed that the pumps were commissioned and brought online at 06:00 this morning after a 48-hour planned shutdown that began on Tuesday. LNW spokesperson Joe Makhafola said the shutdown allowed for the first phase of upgrades at the Olifantspoort Scheme, which is key to improving long-term water reliability in the city. 'The critical work was completed on schedule by a team of engineers, contractors and operations personnel. The upgrade comes ahead of Limpopo's high-demand summer period, where water shortages continue to pose a major challenge,' he said. Makhafola added that the broader infrastructure renewal project is designed to strengthen the city's current and future water supply needs. A second shutdown is scheduled for the first week of July to allow for the installation of additional pumps. 'Full completion of the Olifantspoort upgrade remains on track for the end of September 2025,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LNW Q1 Earnings Call: Tariff Mitigation, Product Pipeline, and Margin Focus Shape 2025 Outlook
Gaming products and services provider Light & Wonder (NASDAQ:LNW) missed Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025 as sales rose 2.4% year on year to $774 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.94 per share was 16.7% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy LNW? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $774 million vs analyst estimates of $809 million (2.4% year-on-year growth, 4.3% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $311 million vs analyst estimates of $308.3 million (40.2% margin, 0.9% beat) Operating Margin: 22%, in line with the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $7.66 billion Light & Wonder's first quarter results were shaped by operational progress in its core gaming, SciPlay, and iGaming business segments, with management emphasizing the performance of new game franchises and continued expansion of its North American installed base. CEO Matt Wilson highlighted gains in market share—particularly in premium and recurring revenue titles—and noted the company's ability to add over 500 gaming units sequentially. Despite cycling over tough international comparables and weather-related headwinds in the U.S., the company maintained stable operating margins. Wilson also pointed to ongoing strength in SciPlay's Quick Hit Slots and 88 Fortunes, and described the company's focus on content diversity as a key lever supporting growth across all business lines. Looking forward, Light & Wonder's executive team reiterated their commitment to operational discipline and margin expansion, even amid macroeconomic uncertainty and evolving tariff policies. Management expects growth to accelerate in the second half of the year, supported by a robust product pipeline, integration of Grover Gaming's charitable assets, and expanded direct-to-consumer (DTC) initiatives in SciPlay. CFO Oliver Chow stated, 'We have line of sight to top-line growth to get us to the $1.4 billion target,' citing ongoing cost optimization, supply chain adaptation, and further investments in first-party content. Wilson added that resilience in gross gaming revenue (GGR) across U.S. markets and upcoming platform efficiencies will be critical signposts for achieving the company's full-year objectives. Management attributed Q1's performance to successful product launches, expanded DTC channels, and proactive supply chain adjustments to address tariff uncertainty, while also highlighting strategic preparations for the Grover Gaming acquisition. Gaming operations expansion: Light & Wonder increased its North American installed base by over 500 units sequentially, now exceeding 34,000 units, with 51% of machines classified as premium. Management noted a 400-basis-point share gain in North American game sales over the past year, underscoring momentum in both hardware and content franchises. SciPlay DTC momentum: The SciPlay segment sustained its outperformance versus the broader social casino market, with Quick Hit Slots and 88 Fortunes posting double-digit growth. The company's DTC platform now accounts for over 13% of SciPlay revenue, and recent regulatory changes around alternative payment methods are expected to further increase DTC penetration and margins. iGaming content launches: Light & Wonder reported ongoing success with new first-party games and exclusive partnerships, such as the launch of Huff and More Puff with FanDuel and Wizard of Oz Over the Rainbow with BetMGM. These titles set single-game records and are expected to drive broader market expansion as exclusivity periods end. Tariff and supply chain mitigation: Management detailed efforts to mitigate tariff impacts through supply chain reconfiguration, including inventory pull-forwards and increased sourcing via Mexico. They emphasized that current inventory will remain tariff-unaffected for several quarters, giving the company time to adapt further. Grover Gaming acquisition progress: The Grover transaction remains on track, with regulatory approvals expected by the end of Q2. Management views this acquisition as a strategic entry into the regulated charitable gaming market, accelerated by Indiana's recent legalization of electronic pull tabs, which was not included in prior forecasts. Management's outlook is anchored in margin expansion initiatives, supply chain adaptation, and increased contribution from digital and regulated gaming channels. Second-half weighted growth: Management expects improved sales momentum in the latter half of the year, driven by the rebound of SciPlay's Jackpot Party, new game launches, and anticipated contributions from the Grover Gaming acquisition. They see recurring revenue and premium product mix as key drivers of this acceleration. Margin optimization and cost control: The company continues to implement margin enhancement strategies, including ongoing supply chain right-shoring and operational efficiencies. These efforts are intended to offset tariff headwinds and support sustained EBITDA margin performance at or above current levels. Digital and platform investments: Light & Wonder is increasing investment in its DTC channel for SciPlay and advancing its Carbon platform to enable simultaneous game releases across business lines. This should improve cost efficiency and scalability as new markets, such as Indiana's charitable gaming, come online. In the coming quarters, our analysts will be tracking (1) the pace of DTC adoption in SciPlay and its effect on segment margins, (2) the integration and revenue contribution from the Grover Gaming acquisition, especially in newly legalized markets, and (3) the company's ability to further optimize supply chain and operational costs to sustain margin expansion. Execution on the Carbon platform and the rollout of high-performing content across channels will also be key to monitoring progress. Light & Wonder currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 15.5×. Should you double down or take your chips? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). 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