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  • Zeon (TSE:4205) Earnings Jump 9.6% on One-Off Gain, Challenging Quality Concerns

    Zeon (TSE:4205) Earnings Jump 9.6% on One-Off Gain, Challenging Quality Concerns

    Zeon (TSE:4205) bucked its recent earnings trend, posting a 9.6% gain in EPS over the past year, well ahead of its five-year average of just 0.1% per year. Net profit margins also improved to 8.7% from 8.1%, aided by a notable one-off gain of ¥15.4 billion in the latest results. While revenue is now forecast to grow at 1.8% per year, which lags the Japanese market’s 4.5% average, Zeon’s price-to-earnings ratio of 8.5x remains below industry and peer benchmarks. This potentially offers value, but investors will note both the one-off impact on earnings and the more cautious outlook for future growth.

    See our full analysis for Zeon.

    Next, we will see how Zeon’s earnings profile compares to the current consensus narratives, highlighting areas where the numbers either reinforce or challenge the prevailing views.

    Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives

    TSE:4205 Earnings & Revenue History as at Nov 2025
    • Zeon’s latest net profit margins climbed to 8.7%, supported by a one-time gain of ¥15.4 billion that inflated last year’s profitability.

    • Bulls emphasize that such a sizable non-recurring gain gives an immediate boost, but they caution that true core profitability is likely lower. Future margins may drop back toward historical averages once the impact fades.

      • This one-off item highlights the importance of digging beneath headline improvements to assess underlying business strength.

      • The interplay between reported margins and recurring earnings has investors watching for signs of lasting operational momentum.

    • Zeon’s revenue is projected to grow at just 1.8% per year, lagging well behind the Japanese market average of 4.5% annual growth.

    • The prevailing market view weighs this muted forecast as a sign that Zeon could struggle to capture industry tailwinds, even as some sector rivals move ahead faster.

      • Still, Zeon’s broad customer base in automotive and electronics may offer some resilience, providing a potential buffer as overall industry demand shifts.

      • Investors are closely watching whether growth initiatives or new product lines will be able to close this gap in the coming years.

    • Trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.5x, Zeon sits at a sizeable discount compared to both the chemicals industry average (13x) and its peer group (20.3x), and remains below its own DCF fair value of ¥4,569.69.

    • The prevailing market view recognizes that this valuation gap may reflect both immediate earnings boost from one-off items and investor concern about slowing future profits. Yet the discount still highlights room for upside if growth stabilizes.

      • The stock’s current price of ¥1,583.5 is far below DCF fair value, suggesting the market is pricing in both caution and uncertainty about sustainable improvement.

      • Continued underperformance versus industry norms could keep valuation multiples compressed, but any signs of stabilizing or improving fundamentals could help the shares re-rate higher.

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  • Mars Group Holdings (TSE:6419) Net Profit Margin Rises, Challenging Concerns on Recent Earnings Downturn

    Mars Group Holdings (TSE:6419) Net Profit Margin Rises, Challenging Concerns on Recent Earnings Downturn

    Mars Group Holdings (TSE:6419) posted a net profit margin of 21.6%, up from 20.9% the year before, highlighting a further boost to profitability even as recent annual earnings growth turned negative. Notably, over the past five years, the company’s earnings grew at an impressive average rate of 40.8% per year. With the stock trading on a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.8x, which is well below both the industry and peer averages, and no identified risks for the period, investors are likely to take a favorable view on its value and quality. This positive view is balanced by the need to watch for potential reversals after the latest earnings downturn.

    See our full analysis for Mars Group Holdings.

    Next up, we’ll see how these headline numbers compare to the big-picture narratives that investors follow. The focus is on whether the results back up the story or pose new questions.

    Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives

    TSE:6419 Revenue & Expenses Breakdown as at Nov 2025
    • Mars Group Holdings averaged a striking 40.8% annual earnings growth over the last five years, but just delivered a negative annual growth rate, a sharp deviation from the established track record.

    • Despite the recent setback, the prevailing market view points out that five-year growth of this magnitude typically signals a durable business model and balance sheet. However, the sudden reversal has investors questioning if accelerating profits were simply unsustainable at past rates.

      • Long-term strength is clear at an average 40.8% per year, but the break in momentum draws focus to whether this is temporary or hints at a deeper shift in the company’s market position.

      • Investors looking for consistency may see the recent downturn as a sign to monitor future updates closely, rather than taking the past growth at face value.

    • Current net profit margin stands at 21.6%, improved from last year’s 20.9%, with no margin compression even as annual earnings have dipped, indicating resilience in operational efficiency.

    • The prevailing market view highlights that holding margins steady, as opposed to shrinking margins during a period of flat or negative earnings, undercuts fears in cautious narratives that profitability is at risk when headline growth slows.

      • Margins expanding in the face of top-line pressure signals strong cost control and may indicate management’s ability to protect the bottom line even when revenue momentum cools.

      • Peers in the industry tend to see pressure on both margins and profits during slowdowns, so Mars Group stands out for operational discipline over the reporting period.

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  • Motorola Solutions (MSI) Margin Gains Reinforce Bullish Narrative Despite Slower Growth Versus Market

    Motorola Solutions (MSI) Margin Gains Reinforce Bullish Narrative Despite Slower Growth Versus Market

    Motorola Solutions (MSI) posted standout earnings growth of 35.6%, significantly outpacing its 5-year average of 15.1% per year. Profit margins climbed to 18.7% from last year’s 14.7%, and while earnings and revenue are forecast to rise at 9.09% and 6.8% per year respectively, both figures trail the broader US market averages. For investors, the improving margins and steady growth profile make the latest results look constructive, especially with shares trading below analyst price targets and no major risks flagged in the recent report.

    See our full analysis for Motorola Solutions.

    The real challenge now is to see how these fresh numbers stack up against the market’s widely followed narratives. Some long-held assumptions may get reinforced, while others could face a reality check.

    See what the community is saying about Motorola Solutions

    NYSE:MSI Earnings & Revenue History as at Nov 2025
    • Analysts expect profit margins to climb from 19.1% today to 20.2% in 3 years, highlighting the impact of a growing mix of high-margin software and managed services.

    • Consensus narrative highlights how recurring software and services, such as command center and video solutions, are driving operating leverage and more resilient earnings growth.

      • The company’s record multi-year contract wins and expanding backlog lend visibility to these projections. This reinforces the claim that a focus on integrated smart technologies is underpinning durable margin expansion.

      • High attachment rates on new hardware and international deployments of SaaS/cloud applications are expected to further accelerate the shift toward more stable, recurring revenue streams.

    • The balance between recurring revenue growth and increased visibility into future cash flows has become a key underpinning of the analysts’ consensus view on margins and earnings durability.

    📊 Read the full Motorola Solutions Consensus Narrative.

    • Revenue is forecast to grow at 6.8% annually, which is slower than the US market average of 10.3%, but sustained by major contract wins and structural sector tailwinds.

    • Consensus narrative notes that while rising demand for advanced public safety tech and upgrades in core infrastructure are boosting Motorola’s backlog, several headwinds could still impact growth.

      • Competition from large tech and defense firms targeting cloud video and unmanned systems could pressure pricing and future earnings, as the narrative points to an increasingly crowded playing field.

      • Reliance on government contracts exposes Motorola to potential volatility, given these contracts depend on government budgets and shifting policy priorities.

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  • Egypt’s Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time

    Egypt’s Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time

    Yolande Knell,Middle East correspondent, Jerusalem and

    Wael Hussein,Cairo

    Getty Images A close up of the face of the Golden Sarcophagus of Tutankhamun.Getty Images

    The new museum will show all of the artefacts discovered by Howard Carter and his team in the tomb of Tutankhamun

    Near one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient…

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  • Fu Yu (SGX:F13) investors are sitting on a loss of 43% if they invested five years ago

    Fu Yu (SGX:F13) investors are sitting on a loss of 43% if they invested five years ago

    Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Fu Yu Corporation Limited (SGX:F13), since the last five years saw the share price fall 55%. On the other hand the share price has bounced 9.4% over the last week.

    With that in mind, it’s worth seeing if the company’s underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

    Trump has pledged to “unleash” American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

    Fu Yu wasn’t profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we’ll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. When a company doesn’t make profits, we’d generally hope to see good revenue growth. That’s because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size.

    Over half a decade Fu Yu reduced its trailing twelve month revenue by 8.1% for each year. While far from catastrophic that is not good. With neither profit nor revenue growth, the loss of 9% per year doesn’t really surprise us. The chance of imminent investor enthusiasm for this stock seems slimmer than Louise Brooks. Not that many investors like to invest in companies that are losing money and not growing revenue.

    The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

    SGX:F13 Earnings and Revenue Growth November 1st 2025

    Take a more thorough look at Fu Yu’s financial health with this free report on its balance sheet.

    We’ve already covered Fu Yu’s share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Fu Yu’s TSR of was a loss of 43% for the 5 years. That wasn’t as bad as its share price return, because it has paid dividends.

    Investors in Fu Yu had a tough year, with a total loss of 19%, against a market gain of about 31%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year’s performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 7% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should “buy when there is blood on the streets”, but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It’s always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Fu Yu better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example – Fu Yu has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit concerning) we think you should know about.

    But note: Fu Yu may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

    Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges.

    Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

    This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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  • PM orders review of high tax rates

    PM orders review of high tax rates

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File


    ISLAMABAD:

    Prime Minister…

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  • Pakistan eyes BRICS+ to boost trade

    Pakistan eyes BRICS+ to boost trade


    LAHORE:

    Pakistan’s fashion and textile industry is stepping into a new era of global engagement as the BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2025 in Moscow opens fresh opportunities for trade diversification and cultural diplomacy.

    The event, endorsed by more than 50 of the world’s leading fashion weeks, has provided a vital platform for countries like Pakistan to showcase their textile artistry, innovation and craftsmanship to non-traditional markets beyond the West.

    The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) hailed the successful organisation of the summit and called for using this international platform to strengthen Pakistan’s trade and fashion outreach across Central Asia and Russia.

    Mubashar Naseer Butt, PRGMEA’s former central chairman who represented Pakistan for the third time at the summit, said the BRICS+ initiative presents a major opportunity to diversify Pakistan’s export markets beyond the West by building stronger linkages with the fast-growing Eurasian economies.

    “BRICS+ is not just an exhibition, it is a bridge between economies, cultures and people,” Butt said. “Pakistan has the creativity, production capacity and craftsmanship to excel in new markets. The summit allows us to project our textile heritage, from Ajrak and Pashmina to embroidered fashion collections, in ways that connect with global buyers seeking authenticity and diversity.”

    The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, which brought together participants from more than 100 emerging and established markets, also led to the formation of the BRICS International Fashion Federation (BRICS IFF). Supported by dozens of international fashion weeks, the federation aims to foster cross-cultural collaboration, sustainability and innovation through design and technology.

    For Pakistan, participation in such global platforms is crucial as it looks to lessen its export dependence on the West. Textile exports, the backbone of the national economy, stood at $17.88 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. However, nearly two-thirds of these exports still go to traditional Western destinations, mainly the United States and the European Union.

    Butt emphasised that Pakistan is ideally positioned to act as a trade bridge between South Asia, Central Asia and Europe. To turn that geographical advantage into tangible results, he called for the creation of a Pak-Russia Business Council under the BRICS+ framework and the establishment of reliable banking channels to ensure smooth transactions between Pakistani exporters and Russian importers.

    He also urged for visa facilitation for business leaders and more structured participation of Pakistani brands in the upcoming BRICS+ fashion events.

    Nisar Ahmed, a textile trader, said that platforms like BRICS+ offer a much-needed space for Pakistan’s textile sector to evolve. “To tap the true potential of this platform, Pakistan has to show the world its creativity while speeding up value addition in textile products,” he said. “Our competitors are already blending heritage with high fashion and technology. If we want to remain relevant, we must invest in modern design capabilities, sustainable production and quick delivery models,” he added.

    The BRICS+ summit also highlighted the growing importance of Fashion Tech – a field that merges technology with fashion through innovations like 3D clothing modeling, smart fabrics and virtual try-ons. Such advancements, experts believe, can help Pakistan cut production costs, improve design efficiency and align with sustainability standards increasingly demanded by global buyers.

    However, experts agree that Pakistan’s textile future depends on how fast it adapts to new realities. While cultural richness gives Pakistan an edge, the country’s real breakthrough lies in innovation, consistency and global visibility.

    “Fashion today is about more than fabric, it’s about storytelling, technology and speed. If Pakistan combines all three, the world will start looking towards us not just as a manufacturer, but as a trendsetter.” Ahmed said, adding “this is the only way for Pakistan to increase the export revenue towards $25 billion per year, a landmark figure, which is still a dream for country’s vibrant sector.”

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  • Blood Pressure Variability May Lead to Neurodegeneration and Brain Shrinkage in Older Adults

    Blood Pressure Variability May Lead to Neurodegeneration and Brain Shrinkage in Older Adults

    Beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) has shown a direct correlation to nerve cell injury, brain shrinkage, and neurodegeneration in older adults.1

    In a study conducted by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Daniel Nation, PhD,…

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  • ‘Hundreds dead’ as violence rocks Tanzania after polls – Dawn

    1. ‘Hundreds dead’ as violence rocks Tanzania after polls  Dawn
    2. Tanzania election: Hundreds feared dead in crackdown on protests  BBC
    3. ‘Hundreds dead’ in Tanzania post-election violence, says opposition party  Dawn
    4. Tanzania police fire shots,…

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  • New Zealand wins the toss and bowls in the 3rd ODI against England

    New Zealand wins the toss and bowls in the 3rd ODI against England

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl Saturday in the third one-day cricket international against England.

    Bowling first has been a successful formula for New Zealand which has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the…

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