Latest news with #marketstrategy
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Affordable Housing, Gen Z & The Near Future Of The U.S. Housing Market
When markets tighten, some companies retreat and wait for easier conditions. Others see adversity as the moment to lean into purpose and sharpen differentiation. For Beazer Homes, clarity around brand, culture, and technology strategy is central to navigating today's challenging housing landscape. The housing market has faced a triple threat: rising inventories in many Sunbelt markets, affordability pressures driven by elevated prices and interest rates, and significant declines in builder stock valuations. Allan Merrill Beazer CEO explained, 'Sentiment is toxic. People want to know what the catalyst is, and right now it's hard to see one instantaneously.' Yet despite these headwinds, the brand focus remains on long-term strategic investments. Beazer CEO Allan Merrill The Four Principles To Maintain Focus And Growth During Market Turbulence Four principles shape Beazer's approach. First, being honest about market realities. Optimism is valuable for the long term, but clarity is critical for immediate decision-making. Without it, credibility can slip internally, affecting alignment and morale. Second, using the company's strategy as a filter to prioritize efforts that align with purpose, while shelving distractions that don't. In leaner times, resources tighten, making focus essential. For Beazer that means leaning into its vision to inspire sustainable and healthy living. Third, adjusting time horizons without losing sight of goals. The destination remains constant, even if the speed to reach it changes. This prevents shortcut decisions aimed at hitting arbitrary timelines. Finally, avoiding the temptation to mimic competitors. Tough markets often lead to herd behavior, but maintaining brand points of difference prevents commoditization and preserves long-term value. Dean Wehrli, an industry expert and principal at John Burns noted, 'There are a ton of market headwinds right now, but the smart operator balances long-term success against short-term necessities. Beazer appears to be focused on maintaining that balance to lay the groundwork to not just get through the tough times but come out better on the other end.' Investing In Product, Experience, And People Product innovation remains front and center. Beazer has no plans to reverse course on its leadership in energy efficiency. In fact, now is viewed as the moment to widen that moat. 'Others lose their nerve to save a dollar,' Merrill explained. 'This is when you build the widest moat possible, so when the market recovers, you're far ahead.' Wehrli elaborated, 'Beazer builds exceptional homes. When price is top of mind, quality can lag in the race to offer the least expensive home, but there is always going to be long-term value in building a brand that buyer's associate with quality.' Customer experience is another area of focus. In an anxious homebuying environment, trust matters more than ever. The company has been recognized as the number one builder for customer experience based on third-party owner data, and it continues to invest in technology and AI to enhance interactions before, during, and after purchase. Projects include simplifying the post-ownership experience – such as ensuring homeowners always know who to call and when. Beazer Leverages AI As A Strategic Enabler Rather than treating AI as a standalone initiative, Beazer is embedding it across its technology stack. It is becoming a core toolkit, reshaping processes from site selection to market analytics and talent acquisition. One AI-powered tool accelerates site selection by analyzing potential parcels, ranking them based on dozens of factors and running pro formas. This enables land teams to act faster and smarter. The Intangible Value Of A Meaningful Partnership With Fisher House Nearly a decade into its relationship with Fisher House, the company views it as far more than philanthropy. Employees volunteer to cook meals, maintain homes, and fundraise for military families. 'This isn't about virtue signaling,' Merrill shared. 'It's a serious partnership, not transactional. Over time, consistency builds belief that culture is behavior, not slogans.' The intangible benefits are clear: deeper employee engagement, cultural stability, and a sense of authentic purpose that transcends economic cycles. Stonewood Estates in Durham, N.C. Gen Z & The Housing Market As more Gen Z adults begin to enter the housing market in greater numbers, they are encountering financial hurdles that are reshaping the future of homeownership. According to a new Insurify survey, 91% of Gen Z doubt they can afford a home, and 89% of buyers record underestimating the real costs of homeownership. As someone that has co-authored a research-based book on Marketing to Gen Z, it strikes me that Beazer is one of the few brands that will hit the intersection of affordable pragmatism that I believe will motivate Gen Z to home purchase. Looking Ahead Growth targets remain in place, though timelines have adjusted modestly. The company still aims to reach 200 active communities, now targeting fiscal year 2027 instead of 2026, reflecting a realistic response to market conditions rather than a change in strategy. Ultimately, staying grounded, focusing on areas of true differentiation, integrating AI as a strategic accelerant, and honoring long-term commitments like Fisher House are how Beazer plans to emerge stronger. As cycles turn, those who invest in purpose and people today build the brands that thrive tomorrow.
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Temasek Holdings in talks to sell stake in Schneider Electric India JV
Photo: Temasek SINGAPORE: State investment firm Temasek Holdings is in discussions to sell its 35% stake in Schneider Electric India to the French multinational. This could value the joint venture (JV) at $5 billion. This is a reflection of Temasek's evolving India strategy and the growing appeal of the India market to global investors. The increased control by Schneider also limits opportunities for new entrants in India's low-voltage switchgear and industrial automation market by limiting the space for new entrants. Temasek plans to focus on companies that can benefit from a growing middle class and consumer demand in India. The subcontinent makes up 5% of its total portfolio as of March 2025, where it plans to invest US$10 billion over the next three years. For Schneider, gaining full ownership of its India unit strengthens its strategic position in India. It also enhances its operational efficiency and decision-making, increasing investor confidence in Schneider's long-term growth. Temasek is currently seeking to back companies with brands that have long-term consumer appeal. As part of this, it is selling off mature assets to maximise returns. The sale of its minority stake to Schneider Electric SE, simplified the ownership structure of the JV and strengthened the company's position in an important growth market. India is Schneider Electric's third-largest market. It is key to its shift from a traditional electrical equipment maker to a full provider of industrial solutions. The potential acquisition comes amid rising Indian M&A activity, with deal values reaching $31 billion this year, a 16% increase from last year. If the deal successfully closes, it would have 16% premium over Schneider Electric India's current market value and boost investor sentiment. However, talks are still ongoing and final terms are not set. The transaction has larger market effects. After Schneider's 2019 purchase of Larsen & Toubro's electrical business, regulations were established to prevent market control. Greater control could further tighten the low-voltage switchgear and industrial automation sectors. See also Why is Ho Ching's salary still a secret? Lee Hsien Yang questions The exit of Temasek highlights its refocus to invest in high-growth sectors in India and globally. Its recently released Temasek Review 2025 saw it post a record portfolio of US$324 billion. It is ranked the 11th largest sovereign wealth fund in the world by research firm GlobalSWF. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
JPMorgan's Oksana Aronov Sees More Junk Firms Struggling to Repay Debts
Lower-rated companies paying more interest with new debt is a sign of rising credit stress as interest rates stay high and earnings decline, according to JPMorgan Asset Management's Oksana Aronov. So-called payment-in-kind — an arrangement that allows companies to pay interest with principal instead of cash — has jumped to nearly 9% of high-yield bond and loan interest payable globally, from about 4% in 2020, according to the firm's head of market strategy for alternative fixed income. Aronov says PIK is prevalent at retail companies, but also widely used in other industries, and she expects it to spread further to other sectors this year.
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Fed Has No Need to Be Aggressive, Aronov Says
Oksana Aronov, JPMorgan Asset Management head of market strategy, alternative fixed income, says Federal Reserve has no need to be aggressive right now. She is on "Bloomberg Surveillance." (Source: Bloomberg)
Malay Mail
06-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Opec+ surprises market with bigger-than-expected August output hike
LONDON, July 6 — Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key members of the Opec+ alliance yesterday said they would further increase oil output in August to 548,000 barrels per day. Analysts had expected the alliance to decide on another output increase of 411,000 bpd — the same target approved for May, June and July. The group said in a statement that 'a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories' led to the decision to further hike output. Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy told AFP that 'Opec+ keeps surprising the market — this latest hike was even larger than expected and sends a clear message, for anyone still in doubt: the group is firmly shifting toward a market share strategy. 'Two big questions now hang over the market: First, once the full 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary cuts are unwound, will Opec+ target the next tier of 1.66 million barrels? And second, is there enough demand to absorb it? 'With prices holding comfortably above US$60 (RM253) and a turbulent geopolitical backdrop — especially given the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, and broader risks in Ukraine and Libya — the answer to both questions might well be 'yes'.' UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said that 'effectively Kazakhstan and Iraq still overproducing their higher quotas is a factor supporting the cut unwind decision' on Saturday. The meeting comes after a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which briefly sent prices above US$80 a barrel amid concerns over a possible closing of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply. The wider Opec+ group — comprising the 12-nation Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and its allies — began output cuts in 2022 in a bid to prop up prices. But in a policy shift, eight alliance members spearheaded by Saudi Arabia surprised markets by announcing they would significantly raise production from May, sending oil prices plummeting. Oil prices have been hovering around a low US$65-US$70 per barrel. By approving another output hike, heavyweight Saudi Arabia might seek to up pressure on members for not keeping to agreed quotas via slashing expected oil profits due to lower prices. An estimate by Bloomberg showed that the alliance's production increased by only 200,000 bpd in May, despite doubling the quotas. — AFP
