The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images Four months had passed since my previous coverage of Leggett & Platt, Inc. ( LEG ), and a lot of things have already transpired. Macroeconomic volatility has intensified as inflation picked up momentum, fueled by tariff wars and skyrocketing oil prices. The housing market has faced several more challenges, which extended to home furnishing shops. The...
The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images Four months had passed since my previous coverage of Leggett & Platt, Inc. ( LEG ), and a lot of things have already transpired. Macroeconomic volatility has intensified as inflation picked up momentum, fueled by tariff wars and skyrocketing oil prices. The housing market has faced several more challenges, which extended to home furnishing shops. The Somnigroup's ( SGI ) M&A deal has already been accepted and signed. So, it is not that surprising that the stock price have stayed flat from where we left off, which justifies my hold rating. Valuation also seems cheap, but that's just it; we cannot anticipate anything exciting. Technicals adhere to it as investors have come to accept their fate. LEG Q1 2026: Market Challenges Persist, But Some Resilience Remained The start of the year was a bit of a roller coaster ride for consumer discretionary businesses. Hope flickered amid the policy easing cycle, but stubborn inflation and recent geopolitical tensions offset it. The weaker housing market was another challenge faced. And even a big brand like Leggett & Platt, Inc. experienced the impact. But its strategic production capacity management continued to help protect its business. In Q1 2026, its total sales amounted to $918.2M , down by 10.2% YoY from $1.02B. Softer consumer demand drove it as sales volume dropped YoY and QoQ. This YoY growth was weaker than in my previous coverage at 6.0%, suggesting that market dynamics weakened again. Even so, I understand that the part of the sales decrease was due to its efforts to stabilize expenses and protect margins, and I think this still worked. As you can see, the operating costs decreased by 10.2% and offset the sales drop. So, its gross profit margin improved by one basis point, although it is still basically flat at 18.6%. Its SG&A expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses also decreased. These also helped LEG preserve its positive profits. Income Statement (LEG Q1...
INTC DEADLINE ALERT: ROSEN, A LEADING INVESTOR RIGHTS LAW FIRM, Encourages Intel Corporation Investors With Losses In Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important July 2 Deadline in Securities Class Action - INTC TMX Newsfile
INTC DEADLINE ALERT: ROSEN, A LEADING INVESTOR RIGHTS LAW FIRM, Encourages Intel Corporation Investors With Losses In Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important July 2 Deadline in Securities Class Action - INTC TMX Newsfile
Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson star in a farmyard mystery, while the spirited bonkbuster returns for a smutty second outing The Sheep Detectives Out now Few can claim a writing career as varied as Craig Mazin, creator of TV’s Chernobyl, co-writer of several Scary Movie and The Hangover films, and co-creator of The Last of Us. Here, he turns his hand to a comedy-mystery about sheep, starring Hugh J...
Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson star in a farmyard mystery, while the spirited bonkbuster returns for a smutty second outing The Sheep Detectives Out now Few can claim a writing career as varied as Craig Mazin, creator of TV’s Chernobyl, co-writer of several Scary Movie and The Hangover films, and co-creator of The Last of Us. Here, he turns his hand to a comedy-mystery about sheep, starring Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson. Adapted from a novel by Leonie Swann. Continue reading...
With the war on Iran, Ukraine, AI and climate breakdown increasing the likelihood of a nuclear war, the clock stands closer to midnight than ever before. So who decides how many seconds we have left – and can we buy ourselves more time? The Earth is getting hotter. Conflicts are raging, in the Middle East and Ukraine, each increasing the chance of nuclear war. AI is infiltrating almost every aspec...
With the war on Iran, Ukraine, AI and climate breakdown increasing the likelihood of a nuclear war, the clock stands closer to midnight than ever before. So who decides how many seconds we have left – and can we buy ourselves more time? The Earth is getting hotter. Conflicts are raging, in the Middle East and Ukraine, each increasing the chance of nuclear war. AI is infiltrating almost every aspect of our lives, despite its unpredictability and tendency to hallucinate. Scientists, tinkering in labs, risk introducing new, deadly pathogens , more destructive than Covid. Our pandemic response preparedness has weakened . The Doomsday Clock – a large, quarter clock with no numbers, keeps ticking, counting down the seconds until the apocalypse. Tick. Tick. Tick. In January, we reached 85 seconds to midnight. Experts believe humanity has never stood so close to the brink. “What we have seen is a slow almost sleepwalk into increasing dangers over the last decade. And we see these problems growing. We see science advancing at a rate that defies our ability to understand it, much less control it,” says Alexandra Bell, CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the organisation that sets the Doomsday Clock. She speaks of the “complete failure in leadership” in the US and other countries, which are doing little to address global, catastrophic threats, even as they feed into one another. Climate change increases global conflict, for instance, and the incorporation of AI into nuclear decision-making is, frankly, terrifying. Continue reading...
Jonathan, 23, a student, meets Katie, 27, an environmental campaigner What were you hoping for? To meet someone outside my usual bubble, have an interesting conversation, and see where it goes. Continue reading...
Jonathan, 23, a student, meets Katie, 27, an environmental campaigner What were you hoping for? To meet someone outside my usual bubble, have an interesting conversation, and see where it goes. Continue reading...
I suspect the fox is stealing my delivery parcels off the doorstep, but I’m not going to escalate without proof It is late afternoon, and I’m standing before the living room’s big bay window, with its commanding view of the street, when I hear the middle one coming down the stairs and turning the corner to the kitchen. “Look at this,” I say. I can hear the reluctance in the slowing of his footstep...
I suspect the fox is stealing my delivery parcels off the doorstep, but I’m not going to escalate without proof It is late afternoon, and I’m standing before the living room’s big bay window, with its commanding view of the street, when I hear the middle one coming down the stairs and turning the corner to the kitchen. “Look at this,” I say. I can hear the reluctance in the slowing of his footsteps as he changes course. Continue reading...
Fears over a natural disaster or cyber attack are pushing households into contingency planning, Link survey shows Millions of Britons are “prepping” for a potential “major disruptive event” by keeping a stash of cash at home, stockpiling tinned goods or ensuring they have a battery-powered torch close to hand, new data suggests. With war raging in the Middle East and Ukraine , extreme weather beco...
Fears over a natural disaster or cyber attack are pushing households into contingency planning, Link survey shows Millions of Britons are “prepping” for a potential “major disruptive event” by keeping a stash of cash at home, stockpiling tinned goods or ensuring they have a battery-powered torch close to hand, new data suggests. With war raging in the Middle East and Ukraine , extreme weather becoming more frequent, and warnings that the UK’s critical infrastructure is at risk from cyber-attacks and power outages, many people feel the world has become a more dangerous and chaotic place. Continue reading...
The world has watched the news of deaths and evacuations anxiously, and those still onboard MV Hondius face a wary reception in the Canary Islands As the MV Hondius sailed out of Ushuaia, the most southerly city on Earth, on 1 April, the grey skies above Tierra del Fuego lifted, lighting up the fresh snow on the mountaintops and the autumnal tree cover closer to shore. Eighty-eight passengers and ...
The world has watched the news of deaths and evacuations anxiously, and those still onboard MV Hondius face a wary reception in the Canary Islands As the MV Hondius sailed out of Ushuaia, the most southerly city on Earth, on 1 April, the grey skies above Tierra del Fuego lifted, lighting up the fresh snow on the mountaintops and the autumnal tree cover closer to shore. Eighty-eight passengers and 61 crew of 23 nationalities had boarded the small polar-class vessel for its 35-day “Atlantic expedition” from the Argentinian province to Cape Verde, via some of the most remote islands on the planet. As the ship cleared the narrow channel leading to the open sea, those onboard had already been treated to glimpses of humpback whales, dolphins, black-browed albatrosses and South American sea lions. Continue reading...
The festival can often make you queasy, as geopolitics are played out through the proxy of art. This year it feels on the verge of collapsing in on itself On Tuesday, the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was full of activity. Several pallets, piled high with cases of prosecco and a few boxes of good old English Gordon’s gin, had been delivered outside. Inside, Ensemble Toloka, a group of “y...
The festival can often make you queasy, as geopolitics are played out through the proxy of art. This year it feels on the verge of collapsing in on itself On Tuesday, the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was full of activity. Several pallets, piled high with cases of prosecco and a few boxes of good old English Gordon’s gin, had been delivered outside. Inside, Ensemble Toloka, a group of “young folk performers and professional researchers of Russian authentic music”, were singing, balalaikas at their feet, the first in a programme of performances staged for the preview days of the art festival. When I sent a few seconds of footage of this to a friend, a close and critical observer of Russia who lived there until recently, the reply came quickly, a succinct review: “Ethnic shit to cover up their war crimes.” Later, I saw DJs at the decks and a handful of people dancing. At pretty much the same time, the city centre of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine was being bombed in broad daylight – six dead. Charlotte Higgins is the Guardian’s chief culture writer Continue reading...
Lucy Punch’s middle-class antihero is back, and one half of the Knife presents an album of dazzlingly inventive psychedelia. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews Continue reading...
Lucy Punch’s middle-class antihero is back, and one half of the Knife presents an album of dazzlingly inventive psychedelia. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews Continue reading...
Zingy lemon and mint elevate tender young beans in this fresh and simple spring supper What are your simple pleasures in the kitchen? The sizzle and spit of a fried egg? The smell of buttered toast, or putting on an apron to mark the end of a day? I like podding beans. I enjoy how it involves hands but not much brain, and how it makes time feel slow and good, like drinking a cup of tea. I also lik...
Zingy lemon and mint elevate tender young beans in this fresh and simple spring supper What are your simple pleasures in the kitchen? The sizzle and spit of a fried egg? The smell of buttered toast, or putting on an apron to mark the end of a day? I like podding beans. I enjoy how it involves hands but not much brain, and how it makes time feel slow and good, like drinking a cup of tea. I also like that it reminds me of my Gujarati aunties doing the same (but with valor beans). And I love not always cooking so much, as in this recipe, where you pod and chop the beans, then mix them with pasta to reveal a simple good meal. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is preferred choice of new leader for 42% of those surveyed Full results from England, Scotland and Wales The majority of Labour members say they do not believe Keir Starmer can turn around the party’s fortunes, while 45% say the prime minister should step down. The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was the first preference for 42% of me...
Exclusive: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is preferred choice of new leader for 42% of those surveyed Full results from England, Scotland and Wales The majority of Labour members say they do not believe Keir Starmer can turn around the party’s fortunes, while 45% say the prime minister should step down. The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was the first preference for 42% of members, who were asked to rank their preferred successor. Continue reading...
About 30 people – nearly all men – have expressed an interest in taking on the far-right National Rally in next year’s ballot At a Paris meeting hall this week, hundreds of leftwing voters braved a rainstorm to gather chanting: “Unity! Unity!” They were celebrating the 90th anniversary of France’s Popular Front, a leftwing alliance that was formed in the 1930s amid fears that the far right could t...
About 30 people – nearly all men – have expressed an interest in taking on the far-right National Rally in next year’s ballot At a Paris meeting hall this week, hundreds of leftwing voters braved a rainstorm to gather chanting: “Unity! Unity!” They were celebrating the 90th anniversary of France’s Popular Front, a leftwing alliance that was formed in the 1930s amid fears that the far right could take power. But their concerns were more immediate. Continue reading...
The Philippines has crowned its newest Miss Universe candidate, Bea Millan-Windorski, with the country – known for its penchant for beauty pageants – preparing to send its latest representative to the global competition in November. The 23-year-old, who grew up in Wisconsin in the United States and is a history and international relations graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stood out ...
The Philippines has crowned its newest Miss Universe candidate, Bea Millan-Windorski, with the country – known for its penchant for beauty pageants – preparing to send its latest representative to the global competition in November. The 23-year-old, who grew up in Wisconsin in the United States and is a history and international relations graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stood out among seven final candidates last weekend with her winning answer. Asked why the Philippines was...
Africa’s farmland could be worth $1 trillion, but global shocks are raising the stakes. Fertilizer shortages, rising costs and supply disruptions are putting pressure on food production across the continent. (Source: Bloomberg)
Africa’s farmland could be worth $1 trillion, but global shocks are raising the stakes. Fertilizer shortages, rising costs and supply disruptions are putting pressure on food production across the continent. (Source: Bloomberg)
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment thesis Why does Leidos Holdings, Inc. ( LDOS ) have a declining share price despite a high return on equity? In this article, we assess the defense contractor’s fundamentals, share price, return on equity, and compounding. I conclude that investors are concerned with exogenous factors and have not noticed the high ROE or the growing gap betwee...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment thesis Why does Leidos Holdings, Inc. ( LDOS ) have a declining share price despite a high return on equity? In this article, we assess the defense contractor’s fundamentals, share price, return on equity, and compounding. I conclude that investors are concerned with exogenous factors and have not noticed the high ROE or the growing gap between earnings and the share price. I rate Leidos a Buy. About Leidos The company describes itself, in its 10-K for 2025 , as “an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations.” While it references commercial customers, 87% of its fiscal 2025 revenue came from U.S. government business. Of the remaining 13%, 8% came from international business. Leidos is known mainly as a defense contractor, but it also has a Health & Civil segment that delivered 30% of total revenues in fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024. Those fiscal years ended on January 2 nd . The firm is currently working its way through what it calls its NorthStar 2030 Strategy. This excerpt from a slide in the Q1-2026 presentation provides an overview: LDOS NorthStar 2030 (LDOS Q1-2026 earnings presentation) On its website , Leidos stated, “We are carrying out our NorthStar 2030 strategy, focusing on five growth engines where demand is expanding and our expertise sets us apart: defense tech, managed health, digital infrastructure and cyber, energy resilience, and mission software.” The main takeaway: Leidos’ management has articulated a plan that should help grow the company, improve profitability, and provide better returns for shareholders. The company also has been a busy acquirer, most recently buying ENTRUST Solutions Group for roughly $2.4 billion. In a news release , it added, “The addition of ENTRUST effectively doubles Leidos' presence in the energy infrastructure market, bringing more than 3,100 experienced professionals with exp...