Blue Star Reports 13% Revenue Growth in Q1FY27 as Margins Face Pressure India: Blue Star Limited reported 13% year-on-year revenue growth to USD 354.5 million (INR 3,378 crore) in Q1FY27, while EBITDA declined 13% to USD 18.4 million (INR 175 crore), with margins contracting to 5.2% from 6.7%, and profit before tax falling 24% to USD 13.2 million (INR 126 crore). Margin pressure was driven by unprecedented copper price inflation, rupee depreciation and competitive intensity,

RAK Ceramics Reports Resilient Q2 2026 Performance Despite Regional Disruptions UAE: RAK Ceramics reported a resilient Q2 2026 performance, with revenue broadly stable at AED 822.8 million (US$ 822.8 million) despite regional conflicts, supply chain disruptions and higher logistics costs. Strong demand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh supported performance, while gross profit margin improved to 41%. Tiles revenue rose 1.7%, driven by higher sales across key markets, wh

Samsung Electronics Reports Record Q2 Revenue and Operating Profit SOUTH KOREA: Samsung Electronics reported record Q2 2026 consolidated revenue of approximately US$118.9 billion and operating profit of around US$62.0 billion. While semiconductor products remained the primary growth driver, the Digital Appliances (DA) business recorded higher revenue supported by strong demand for air conditioners during the quarter. Despite cost pressures weighing on profitability, Samsung s

Mitsubishi Electric to Invest US$30 Million in Ohio IT Cooling Manufacturing Facility UNITED STATES: Mitsubishi Electric has announced plans to establish MEHITS US, Inc. in Mason, Ohio, to manufacture IT cooling equipment for the rapidly expanding U.S. data centre market. The company will invest approximately US$30 million to renovate and repurpose part of an existing manufacturing facility, with production scheduled to begin in April 2027. The new plant will strengthen Mitsu

Johnson Controls Raises FY2026 Outlook Following Strong Q3 HVAC Growth IRELAND: Johnson Controls delivered strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 results, driven by sustained demand for applied HVAC systems and mission-critical building solutions. Total sales increased 9% year-on-year to US$6.6 billion, while Applied HVAC remained the key growth driver across the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Organic orders rose 27%, and backlog reached a record US$21.0 billion, supported by continued

LIXIL Reports Higher Q1 Revenue, Maintains Full-Year Outlook Despite Profit Decline JAPAN: LIXIL reported Q1 FYE2027 revenue of approximately US$2.53 billion, up 4% year-on-year, driven by strong international sales, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. However, core earnings fell to around US$11 million as rising raw material costs, especially aluminium, weighed on profitability in Japan. The company posted a net loss of approximately US$23 million during the quarter

Ariston Group Confirms 2026 Outlook After Strong Q2 Revenue and Margin Growth ITALY: Ariston Group reported second-quarter 2026 net revenue of approximately US$797 million, up 7.4% year-on-year, driven by robust demand for heating products, particularly heat pumps. Adjusted EBIT increased 28.3% to around US$45 million, supported by margin expansion and operational efficiencies. For the first half of 2026, revenue reached approximately US$1.55 billion, while adjusted EBIT rose

Villeroy & Boch Maintains 2026 Outlook Despite Challenging Market Conditions GERMANY: Villeroy & Boch reported first-half 2026 revenue of approximately US$744 million, down 12.4% year-on-year from US$849 million, reflecting portfolio changes and geopolitical challenges. Adjusted for divestments and currency effects, revenue declined 7.4%, while the order backlog increased. Operating EBIT fell to around US$40.4 million from US$55.9 million, and the company recorded a net loss

Zehnder Group Reports Strong Ventilation Growth, Confirms 2026 Outlook SWITZERLAND: Zehnder Group reported first-half 2026 sales of approximately US$455.2 million, up 3% year-on-year, driven by strong demand in its ventilation business. Ventilation sales increased 7% to around US$313.7 million, accounting for 69% of total revenue, while adjusted EBIT rose 15% to approximately US$43.5 million, delivering a 9.5% margin. Net profit increased 2% to about US$27.5 million, despite

AO Smith Reports Stable Q2 Sales, Reaffirms 2026 Outlook UNITED STATES: AO Smith reported second-quarter 2026 net sales of US$1.0 billion, broadly unchanged from the previous year, while adjusted earnings per share declined 4% to US$1.03. North America sales increased 5% to US$821 million, supported by 3% organic growth, a 21% increase in boiler sales and a US$16 million contribution from the Leonard Valve acquisition. In contrast, Rest of World sales fell 19% to US$195 milli

Carrier Raises 2026 Outlook Following Strong Q2 Performance UNITED STATES: Carrier Global Corporation reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of US$6.35 billion, up 4% year-on-year, supported by strong global orders, particularly in commercial HVAC and data centres. Adjusted earnings per share reached US$0.86, while operating cash flow totalled US$927 million and approximately US$640 million was returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Despite margin pre

Trane Technologies Raises 2026 Outlook After Strong Q2 Results IRELAND: Trane Technologies reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, with revenue increasing 11% year-on-year to US$6.4 billion, supported by robust commercial HVAC demand and record bookings. Organic bookings rose 37%, while backlog reached a record US$12.1 billion, led by a 90% increase in Americas Commercial HVAC. Adjusted continuing earnings per share increased 11% to US$4.31. The company generated US$1.6

Masco Reports Higher Q2 Profit, Lifts Full-Year 2026 Earnings Forecast UNITED STATES: Masco Corporation reported second-quarter 2026 net sales of US$1.99 billion, down 3% year-on-year, reflecting softer demand across its Plumbing Products and Decorative Architectural Products businesses. Despite lower revenue, the company delivered stronger profitability, with adjusted operating margin rising to 24.2% and adjusted earnings per share increasing 26% to US$1.64. Improved operati

Lecico Egypt Completes Merger of Three Wholly Owned Subsidiaries Egypt: Lecico Egypt has completed the merger of its three wholly owned subsidiaries, International Ceramics, European Ceramics, and Lecico for Ceramic Industries finalizing a process that began last year. Following the merger, the company's issued capital was reduced to approximately USD 4.04 million (EGP 200 million) from approximately USD 8.08 million (EGP 400 million) by halving the par value of its shares to

Elite Bathrooms Enters Voluntary Liquidation in Scotland UK: Edinburgh-based Elite Bathrooms Ltd, a bedroom and bathroom fitting specialist, has entered voluntary liquidation, with Christopher David Horne of Robson Scott Associates appointed as liquidator on July 8, followed by the formal winding-up process on July 13. The company, which had traded for nearly two decades and was registered in North Meggetland, Edinburgh, specialized in luxury bathroom installations by qualifi

LG Electronics Reports Record Second-Quarter 2026 Revenue and Operating Profit South Korea: LG Electronics Inc. reported preliminary second-quarter 2026 consolidated revenue of approximately USD 17.3 billion (₩23.83 trillion) and operating profit of approximately USD 1.15 billion (₩1.58 trillion), marking the highest second-quarter results in the company’s history. For the first half of 2026, the company recorded revenue of approximately USD 34.5 billion (₩47.56 trillion) and

Byggmax Reports Higher Sales and Profit in Second Quarter Sweden: Byggmax reported net sales of SEK 2,263 million (USD 236.0 million; EUR 202.7 million) for the second quarter, an increase of 2.9% compared with the same period last year, while like-for-like sales rose by 1.4%. Net sales in the corresponding quarter of 2025 stood at SEK 2,199 million (USD 229.3 million; EUR 197.0 million). Operating profit increased to SEK 267 million (USD 27.9 million; EUR 23.9 million) from

Magnet to Close 15 Underperforming Stores Under Restructuring Plan UK: Magnet Group will close 15 underperforming stores across the UK as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) aimed at addressing unsustainable property costs and strengthening the company’s long-term financial position. While the retailer has not disclosed a closure timeline or the number of jobs affected, it stated that employees will be offered support and alternative roles where possible, and any im

TOTO Ceramics Division: Semiconductors Displace Bathrooms as Profit Source Japan: TOTO, announced that its semiconductor ceramics business has become the company’s largest profit contributor, surpassing its core housing-equipment segment. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, the advanced ceramics division generated USD 182 million in operating profit, accounting for more than half of the company’s record USD 339 million group operating profit, while maintaining an operat

Howdens to Acquire DIY Kitchens for Approximately USD 529 Million to Expand Direct-to-Consumer Reach UK.: Howdens has agreed to acquire the parent company of DIY Kitchens for an enterprise value of approximately USD 529 million on a cash and debt-free basis, comprising about USD 397 million in cash and USD 132 million in Howdens shares. The acquisition will provide Howdens with direct access to non-trade consumers through DIY Kitchens’ online-only, vertically integrated busin