Bosch Drives Future Growth with AI, Innovation, and Circular Economy Investments ITALY: Bosch reported 2025 consolidated sales in Italy of approximately US$2.6 billion (€2.3 billion), a 4.8% decline from the previous year, reflecting ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges. Despite softer market conditions, the company remains focused on automation, digitalization, electrification, and sustainable growth. The recent acquisition of Johnson Controls’ and Hitachi’s HVAC bus

Dexco Shuts Urussanga Plant, Consolidates Ceramic Production in Brazil Amid Efficiency Drive Brazil: Wood panel and ceramic tile manufacturer Dexco announced the shutdown of industrial operations at its Urussanga plant in Santa Catarina, Brazil, shifting ceramic tile production to Criciúma (Santa Catarina) and Botucatu (São Paulo), under its Ceusa and Portinari brands. The company, controlled by Itaúsa and the Seibel family, said the move is part of a strategy to improve capa

Cera India: Cera Sanitaryware reported a 9.6% year on year decline in net profit to INR 77.33 crore (US$8.11 million) during Q4 FY26, while revenue from operations increased by 11.4% to INR 643.8 crore (US$67.5 million). The company stated that higher operating expenses, including increased stock in trade purchases and other expenditures, affected profitability during the quarter. Operating profit margin declined to 15.2% from 18.3% in the corresponding period last year. For

Ariston Group Italy: Ariston Group reported net revenues of EUR 656.1 million in Q1 2026, marking a 1.2% year on year increase, while organic revenue remained broadly stable. The company posted an adjusted EBIT of EUR 34 million with a margin of 5.2%, supported by continued growth in renewable heating solutions, particularly heat pumps in Europe and Germany. However, weak demand in the gas boiler segment across Europe and slower water heating demand in the United States impac

Blue Star Reports 17% Growth in Q4 FY26 Net Profit Despite Weather-Related Demand Challenges India: Blue Star Limited reported a 17% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to approximately USD 26.8 million in Q4 FY26, compared to around USD 22.9 million in the same quarter last year, while revenue from operations rose 1.3% to nearly USD 480.6 million. For the full year FY26, consolidated net profit declined 11% to around USD 62.2 million despite revenue increasing 3

Ferguson Reports 3.6% Sales Growth and Strong Non-Residential Demand in Q1 2026 US: Ferguson Enterprises reported Q1 2026 net sales of USD 7.5 billion, up 3.6% year-on-year, with gross margin improving 30 basis points to 31.0% and operating margin rising 120 basis points to 8.2%. Diluted earnings per share increased 23.1% to USD 2.13, while adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 9.1% to USD 2.28, supported by strong non-residential revenue growth and ongoing large capital p

LG Electronics South Korea: LG Electronics Inc. reported consolidated revenue of 23.73 trillion won (approximately US$16 billion) and operating profit of 1.67 trillion won (approximately US$1.12 billion) for the first quarter of 2026, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.3% in revenue and 32.9% in operating profit. The company recorded its highest-ever first-quarter revenue, supported by stable growth in core businesses and expansion in business-to-business segments, particul

Haier China: Haier Smart Home Co Ltd reported revenue of 73.69 billion yuan (approximately US$10.7 billion) for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a decline compared to the previous year amid softer demand conditions in key markets. Net profit attributable to shareholders reached 4.65 billion yuan (approximately US$0.67 billion), showing a sequential improvement compared to the previous quarter. The overall performance was influenced by weaker demand in North America and C

Mitsubishi Electric Japan: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation reported consolidated revenue of 5,894.7 billion yen (approximately US$36.71 billion) for fiscal year 2026, marking a 7% year-on-year increase supported by currency impact and pricing improvements. Operating profit reached 433.0 billion yen (approximately US$2.6 billion), while net profit attributable to shareholders rose to 407.7 billion yen (approximately US$2.53 billion), reflecting stronger profitability across ma

Leroy Merlin Reports Modest Growth in 2025 FRANCE: Leroy Merlin recorded a 1.4% increase in business volume in 2025, reaching US$ 11.5 billion (€9.8 billion) in France, outperforming a declining DIY market estimated at around -3%. Growth was largely driven by strong e-commerce performance, with online visits rising by 10% and click-and-collect sales increasing by over 5%, indicating improved digital conversion. In addition, sales to professional customers grew by 10% to US$ 1

Villeroy & Boch Maintains Stability in FY2025 with Revenue Growth Despite Challenging Market Conditions Germany: Villeroy & Boch reported a resilient performance in 2025, with revenue rising 1.8% to EUR 1,447 million and operating EBIT reaching EUR 97.8 million despite weak construction activity and subdued consumer spending. The Bathroom & Wellness division grew 2.3% to EUR 1,124.5 million (3.4% currency-adjusted), supported by acquisitions including Ideal Standard, while ma

Japan’s Real Wages Rise 1.4% in January as Base Salaries Record Fastest Growth in 33 Years Japan: Japan reported a 1.4% year-on-year increase in real wages in January, marking the first rise in 13 months, as inflation cooled and nominal wages grew 3.0% to about USD 1,911 per month. Base salaries increased 3.0%, the fastest growth since October 1992, while overtime pay rose 3.3% and special payments, mainly bonuses, climbed 3.8%. The consumer inflation rate used to calculate r

Geberit Reports Sales Growth in 2025 Despite Weak European Construction Market SWITZERLAND: Geberit Group reported resilient performance in 2025 despite weak construction activity in Europe. Net sales rose 2.5% to US$ 4.01 billion (CHF 3.16 billion), or 4.8% in currency-adjusted terms, supported by strong product launches and broad-based market growth. Operating cashflow (EBITDA) increased 2.0% to US$1.18 billion (CHF 931 million), with the EBITDA margin at 29.4%, slightly be

Home Depot and Lowe’s Earnings Calls Show Retail Trends and Strategic Focus USA: The latest Home Depot & Lowe’s, with more color analysis outlines key insights from the two largest U.S. home‑improvement retailers’ recent earnings discussions. Home Depot reported modest increases in comparable‑store sales and reflected on stable underlying demand, while Lowe’s highlighted solid sales performance and broader merchandise momentum. Both companies addressed macroeconomic pressures

Zehnder Revenue Jumps in 2025; Steady Recovery Expected in 2026 SWITZERLAND: Zehnder Group reported strong growth in its ventilation segment in 2025, with total sales rising 18% (organically +15%) to US$542 million (EUR 501.7 million). The acquisition of Spain-based Siber contributed around 5% to growth, while second-half organic sales increased 14%. The segment accounted for 66% of total group sales, up from 60% a year earlier. Sales revenue in the EMEA region climbed 23% to

Lowe’s Reports Strong Fourth Quarter Sales Performance USA: Lowe’s Companies posted solid sales results in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with total sales rising to about $20.6 billion and comparable store sales increasing by 1.3 % year‑on‑year, driven by growth in professional, online and home services channels, along with robust holiday‑season demand. Management highlighted that the company’s “Total Home” strategy resonated with both professional contractors and DIY cus

Home Depot Posts Slight Comparable Sales Growth as Market Shows Stability USA: The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, reported $38.2 billion in sales for its 13-week fourth quarter ended 1 February 2026, down 3.8 % year‑on‑year due to an extra week in the prior-year period. U.S. comparable‑store sales rose 0.3 %, while net earnings fell 14.2 % to $2.6 billion. For the full year, total sales reached $164.7 billion, up 3.2 %, with net earnings of $14.2 b

Canadian Tire Reports Higher Q4 Sales but Lower Annual Profit CANADA: Canadian Tire Corporation reported stronger sales in the fourth quarter and across 2025, although annual profit declined. Fourth-quarter sales increased 8.3% to about $4.6 billion, while comparable retail sales rose 2.7%, supported mainly by demand for seasonal products. For the full year, retail sales reached $19.0 billion, representing a 4.5% increase compared with the previous year. However, net income f

Ace Hardware Delivers Strong Revenue Growth in 2025 Results USA: Ace Hardware Corporation reported robust financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2025, with record revenues of $2.5 billion in Q4 and $10 billion for the year, marking notable year‑on‑year increases. Fourth‑quarter net income was $44.2 million, down slightly from the prior year, while full‑year net income was $293.4 million. The results reflect expanded sales across wholesale and ret

RAK Ceramics Reports Higher Margins and Profit Growth in Q4 & FY 2025 UAE: RAK Ceramics delivered strong margin expansion and bottom-line growth in Q4 and FY 2025 despite market headwinds, supported by robust UAE real estate and construction activity and higher-margin project and premium product segments. Q4 2025 revenue declined 1.7% YoY to USD 233.2 million, while FY 2025 revenue rose 1.6% YoY to USD 893.1 million; gross profit margins improved to 39.1% in Q4 (vs 37.2%) and