Latest news with #SXI

The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Xaverian spirit soars as illustrious alumni meet at PJ reunion
Some of the old boys and girls of SXI who turned up at the high-tea gathering held in Petaling Jaya. THE Xaverian spirit was riding high during a get-together in Petaling Jaya attended by many old boys and girls of St Xavier's Institution (SXI) of Penang. The gathering was organised by the Xaverian Club of Kuala Lumpur (XCKL) which caters mainly for the alumni who reside in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Besides the annual dinner, XCKL holds regular events to ensure the ex-students stay in touch and share their latest experiences through life's journey. There are no formalities when the gatherings are held, with many of the alumni having had long and illustrious careers, both in the public and private sectors. The most recent get-together, held at a hotel in Petaling Jaya, saw the likes of ex-Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Kamaruzzaman Shariff, ex-Bank Rakyat chairman Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaluddin Syed Salim, ex-OCBC Bank (Malaysia) board chairman Datuk Ooi Sang Kuang, former arts, culture and heritage deputy minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, former senior executive in the telecommunications industry CY Chin, CH Williams, Talhar and Wong ex-managing director Datuk John Loh Soong Chew and 1967 Thomas Cup winning squad member Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe attending. Also at the merry event were XCKL president Kevin Yew Chia Ein, and past presidents Ho Chee Kit, Jason Ong, Lim Hock Thiam, Anthony Chuah and Tan Kar Aun. Ong, who was from the Class of 1969, said he was touched to see so many personalities setting aside time to meet up with old schoolmates and club members. 'I was determined to be a part of this reunion, and I would like to say a big thank you to all who made the effort. 'Some, despite their advancing age, remained strong in spirit and will, which is the hallmark of Xaverians. 'They certainly matched words with deeds,' added Ong, who came with his brother-in-law Tan Hun Peng, who is also an SXI old boy. XCKL was registered in 1986 by ex-students residing in the Klang Valley. Its objectives are to promote the Xaverian ideal of brotherhood, forge close links with their alma mater and maintain an interest in its advancement, promote fellowship among the alumni and cultivate closer links with other Lasallian chapters under the banner of the Malaysian Federation of Lasallian Alumni Associations.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Reasons to Sell SXI and 1 Stock to Buy Instead
Over the past six months, Standex's stock price fell to $166.64. Shareholders have lost 6.9% of their capital, which is disappointing considering the S&P 500 has climbed by 7.6%. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation. Is now the time to buy Standex, or should you be careful about including it in your portfolio? Get the full stock story straight from our expert analysts, it's free. Despite the more favorable entry price, we don't have much confidence in Standex. Here are three reasons why SXI doesn't excite us and a stock we'd rather own. A company's long-term performance is an indicator of its overall quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but many enduring ones grow for years. Unfortunately, Standex's 3.4% annualized revenue growth over the last five years was sluggish. This fell short of our benchmark for the industrials sector. Although long-term earnings trends give us the big picture, we like to analyze EPS over a shorter period to see if we are missing a change in the business. Standex's EPS grew at an unimpressive 5.9% compounded annual growth rate over the last two years. On the bright side, this performance was higher than its flat revenue and tells us management responded to softer demand by adapting its cost structure. Free cash flow isn't a prominently featured metric in company financials and earnings releases, but we think it's telling because it accounts for all operating and capital expenses, making it tough to manipulate. Cash is king. As you can see below, Standex's margin dropped by 3.2 percentage points over the last five years. If its declines continue, it could signal increasing investment needs and capital intensity. Standex's free cash flow margin for the trailing 12 months was 5.1%. Standex isn't a terrible business, but it isn't one of our picks. After the recent drawdown, the stock trades at 18.9× forward P/E (or $166.64 per share). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but our analysis shows the upside isn't great compared to the potential downside. We're fairly confident there are better investments elsewhere. We'd recommend looking at one of our all-time favorite software stocks. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. 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). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.


The Star
10-07-2025
- General
- The Star
SXI Class of ‘85/‘87 gift rainwater harvesting system to alma mater
(From right) SXI Penang brother director Brother Jason Blaikie, Tan, Board of Governors treasurer Jeffrey Chew and old Xaverians posing with a mock cheque for RM68,888 beside the donated rainwater harvesting system. — KT GOH/The Star IN A gesture that embodies their 'Honouring the Past, Building for the Future' reunion theme, St Xavier's Institution (SXI) Class of '85/'87 gifted their alma mater a new rainwater harvesting system. This sustainable installation serves as a tribute to their late schoolmate, Bernard Lim Peng Aun, who passed away of a heart attack earlier this year, and reflects his lifelong dedication to innovation and social impact. The sixth official reunion of the Class of '85/'87's drew 154 former students and 17 ex-teachers to the school's Heah Joo Seang Hall. SXI Board of Governors chairman Victor Tan praised the initiative. He said the system, costing about RM10,000, would help the school save money in the long run as the collected water would be used to water plants and keep the SXI clean. 'This gift of a rainwater system is a perfect reflection of how one person's spirit can continue to make a difference. 'We are humbled and inspired by the Class of '85/'87's generosity,' said Tan. The reunion also served as a platform to raise funds for the much-needed upgrade of SXI's school field. This historic field, dating back to 1911, was purchased by Catholic De La Salle Brothers for $99,550 (Straits dollars). The field has witnessed significant historical moments, including its transformation into a makeshift 'attap school' after SXI's main building was bombed during World War II. Today, it faces challenges such as hard ground conditions, poor drainage and seasonal flooding. With 1,300 students depending on it for sports and co-curricular activities, the field needs an overhaul, Tan said. 'The RM1.4mil planned upgrade will include excavation and drainage works, and re- turfing of the football field at a cost of RM430,000,' said Tan. 'It will also see the installation of a 300m synthetic track (RM780,000) and facilities for field events (RM190,000). 'So far, RM100,000 has been pledged by the Penang government while the SXI Board of Governors has committed RM200,000. 'The reunion raised RM68,888, a testament to the commitment of Xavierians to their alma mater,' Tan said. To raise the amount needed, Tan announced that the school will hold the SXI Run 2025 on Sept 21. 'We hope to attract 1,000 people to take part in the run. 'We also welcome sponsors and community involvement. 'Various donation tiers are available. These include title sponsor (RM30,000), gold (RM10,000), silver (RM5,000) and bronze (RM1,000), with all contributions being tax-exempt,' he said, adding that sponsorships, student entries and in-kind donations are welcome. Participants will each receive a finisher's medal, certificate of participation and T-shirt. There are also lucky draw prizes and cash prizes for selected categories. For donation and sponsorship enquiries, call Tan at 019-480 6556. To register for the run, visit
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SXI Q1 Earnings Call: Acquisitions and New Product Growth Offset Organic Weakness, Margins Hold Steady
Industrial manufacturer Standex (NYSE:SXI) reported Q1 CY2025 results beating Wall Street's revenue expectations , with sales up 17.2% year on year to $207.8 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.95 per share was 1.5% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy SXI? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $207.8 million vs analyst estimates of $204.2 million (17.2% year-on-year growth, 1.7% beat) Adjusted EPS: $1.95 vs analyst estimates of $1.92 (1.5% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $45.3 million vs analyst estimates of $45.64 million (21.8% margin, 0.8% miss) Operating Margin: 14.6%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 1.7%, down from 10.8% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $1.89 billion Standex's first quarter results reflected the company's ongoing shift towards growth in fast-expanding end markets and successful integration of recent acquisitions. Management pointed to higher sales contributions from the Amran/Narayan Group and McStarlite, as well as an acceleration in new product launches, as key drivers behind the quarter's revenue increase. CEO David Dunbar highlighted that 'sales into fast-growth markets increased to 29% of total company sales,' underlining the company's focus on sectors like electrical grid modernization and aerospace. Looking ahead, management signaled that new product ramp-ups and continued investment in capacity expansion—particularly in Europe and India—will be central themes. Dunbar indicated that customer commitments for Amran/Narayan products 'extend years into the future,' giving the company confidence in ongoing expansion. However, he acknowledged ongoing macro uncertainties, including tariffs and slower demand in scientific and certain industrial markets, with the company planning additional pricing and productivity actions to mitigate these headwinds. Standex's management attributed first quarter performance primarily to acquisition contributions and targeted growth in select end markets, while addressing challenges in organic growth and tariff impacts. Acquisition-Driven Revenue Gains: Standex's revenue growth was bolstered by the contributions from the Amran/Narayan Group (electronics) and recent McStarlite (aerospace components) acquisitions. These acquisitions expanded the company's exposure to fast-growing markets, with Amran/Narayan's integration performing ahead of expectations. Expansion in Fast-Growth Markets: Sales into markets such as electrical grid modernization, space, defense, and renewable energy represented a larger share of the portfolio. Management noted that these segments not only provided top-line growth but also supported higher margins due to favorable product mix and value-added offerings. New Product Momentum: The company doubled year-on-year new product sales, with 13 product launches year-to-date. Management expects new products to contribute over 200 basis points of incremental growth for the full year, emphasizing the long ramp-up cycle typical for products integrated into OEM platforms. Tariff and Supply Chain Management: While new tariffs—especially on imports from China—presented a risk, management downplayed the overall impact, citing regional manufacturing strategies and the ability to offset most tariff costs through pricing and productivity improvements. They noted that only about 6% of total cost of goods sold was exposed to Chinese imports. Margin and Cash Flow Dynamics: Operating margin remained stable despite organic sales declines, benefitting from price and productivity initiatives. However, free cash flow declined significantly year-on-year due to transaction-related payments, longer customer credit terms from acquired businesses, and annual tax payments. Management highlighted ongoing efforts to improve working capital efficiency in upcoming quarters. Management's outlook for the coming quarters centers on executing expansion plans for recent acquisitions, ramping up new product launches, and navigating external cost pressures. The focus is on sustaining growth in targeted end markets while managing margin and cash flow headwinds. Capacity Expansion Progress: The company is investing in expanded manufacturing capacity for Amran/Narayan in India, the United States, and a new European site, with initial investment levels described as modest. Management expects these expansions to support growing demand from major OEM customers, particularly in the electrical grid and data center sectors. Organic Growth Resumption: While organic revenue declined in the latest quarter, management expressed confidence in an inflection towards organic growth in electronics and engineering technologies, citing improving order trends in Asia and stable demand from core customers. Tariff and Demand Risks: Management acknowledged risks from tariffs and ongoing softness in scientific and general industrial end markets. The company is responding with a combination of price increases, productivity initiatives, and supply chain adjustments, but scientific remains the most exposed segment to tariff-related margin pressure. Chris Moore (CJS Securities): Asked about the impact and mitigation strategies for tariffs across segments; management detailed pricing and productivity actions, highlighting scientific as the most challenging area for full cost recovery. Matt Koranda (ROTH Capital): Inquired about capacity utilization and margin implications of Amran/Narayan's European expansion; management responded that current capacity is sufficient and margin impact from the expansion is expected to be minimal. Ross Sparenblek (William Blair): Sought clarity on organic growth outlook and restocking trends in electronics; management indicated improvement in Asia and confidence in returning to organic growth in the next fiscal year. Gary Prestopino (Barrington Research): Questioned the margin profile of fast-growth markets and how Amran/Narayan affects it; management confirmed that these markets yield higher margins, with Amran/Narayan adding 'a couple of hundred basis points' to segment margins. Mike Shlisky (D.A. Davidson): Asked about working capital improvements and the overall impact of tariffs; management outlined ongoing efforts to optimize receivables and inventories and reiterated that tariff exposure is minor at the corporate level. In the next few quarters, our analysts will be monitoring (1) the pace and execution of capacity expansion for Amran/Narayan in Europe and India, (2) the ramp-up and market adoption of recently launched products, and (3) progress in improving working capital efficiency to support free cash flow recovery. Sustained strength in fast-growth markets and successful mitigation of tariff and demand headwinds will also be key markers for operational execution. Standex currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 17.5×. At this valuation, is it a buy or sell post earnings? The answer lies in our free research report. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Hated Stocks Facing Headwinds
Rock-bottom prices don't always mean rock-bottom businesses. The stocks we're examining today have all touched their 52-week lows, creating a classic investor's dilemma: bargain opportunity or value trap? At StockStory, we dig beneath the surface of price movements to uncover whether a company's fundamentals justify its current valuation or suggest hidden potential. That said, here are three stocks where the skepticism is well-placed and some better opportunities to consider. One-Month Return: -29.6% Spun out from General Instrument in 1987, Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontrollers and integrated circuits used mainly in the automotive world, especially in electric vehicles and their charging devices. Why Are We Out on MCHP? Sales tumbled by 2.1% annually over the last five years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle Sales are projected to tank by 9% over the next 12 months as its demand continues evaporating Free cash flow margin dropped by 13.4 percentage points over the last five years, implying the company became more capital intensive as competition picked up At $38.90 per share, Microchip Technology trades at 21x forward price-to-earnings. If you're considering MCHP for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more. One-Month Return: -15.5% Operating large, warehouse-style stores, Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND) is a specialty retailer that specializes in hard flooring surfaces for the home such as tiles, hardwood, stone, and laminates. Why Are We Hesitant About FND? Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it's having trouble bringing new shoppers into its brick-and-mortar locations Revenue base of $4.46 billion puts it at a disadvantage compared to larger competitors exhibiting economies of scale Low returns on capital reflect management's struggle to allocate funds effectively, and its falling returns suggest its earlier profit pools are drying up Floor And Decor's stock price of $72.54 implies a valuation ratio of 36.4x forward price-to-earnings. To fully understand why you should be careful with FND, check out our full research report (it's free). One-Month Return: -18.8% Holding over 500 patents globally, Standex (NYSE:SXI) is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial components for various sectors. Why Are We Wary of SXI? Sales tumbled by 1.7% annually over the last two years, showing market trends are working against its favor during this cycle Earnings growth over the last two years fell short of the peer group average as its EPS only increased by 5.4% annually Standex is trading at $141.46 per share, or 16.7x forward price-to-earnings. Read our free research report to see why you should think twice about including SXI in your portfolio, it's free. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Sterling Infrastructure (+1,096% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Sign in to access your portfolio