Rob Foster, incoming CFO of ATI Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2026 [Photo: ATI]

ATI Inc., the big name in high-performance materials out of Dallas, just shook things up. They announced that James Robert “Rob” Foster is stepping into the role of senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer starting January 1, 2026.

### The Transition at ATI

Foster is taking over from Don Newman, who isn’t heading out the door just yet. Newman will transition into a strategic advisor role to the CEO as of January 1. After that, he’ll officially call it quits on March 1, 2026. This gives him some time to help ensure everything transitions smoothly.

### Foster’s Deep Dive

Rob Foster’s got some serious chops. Before his new gig, Foster served as the president of ATI’s specialty alloys & components business. He’s been a key player in taking ATI’s exotic alloys game to the next level. Before that, he was the VP of Finance, Supply Chain, and Capital Projects, overseeing the global finance scene and capital deployment.

### A Word from the Top

Kim Fields, ATI’s president and CEO, gave Foster a nod by saying, “Rob is a proven P&L leader.” Fields noted his enterprise-wide experience which plays right into ATI’s growth plans. Not to mention, he’s had a major hand in transforming Specialty Rolled Products.

### Foster Speaks Out

Foster himself chimed in, “I’m honored to become ATI’s next CFO.” He sees a bright future with tons of opportunities for growth, highlighting ATI’s strong balance sheet and focused strategy.

### His Journey Before ATI

Before jumping on the ATI bandwagon in 2012, Foster had senior roles at API Technologies Corp. and Spectrum Control Inc. He tackled ERP implementations, acquisition integrations, and beefed up internal controls. Oh, and he started off his career crunching numbers as an auditor at Ernst & Young (EY).

### ATI’s Bigger Picture

ATI isn’t just about aerospace and defense. They’re also a key player in electronics, medical fields, and specialty energy markets. They crank out materials that stand up to the toughest jobs out there.

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### Also Worth Mentioning

– Keith Schroeder’s over 40 years in finance roles is noteworthy.
– James Cook is retiring with 24 years under his belt.
– Anthony DiSilvestro’s jumping into KDP at a big moment, with $18 billion on the line.
– Donna Guy’s bringing 25 years of financial leadership experience to her new post.
– Last week, Caterpillar marked its 100th year anniversary in the U.S., highlighting its century-long innovation journey.

And that’s what’s going down at ATI Inc. Stay tuned because this company’s not slowing down.

The post ATI Elevates Veteran Executive to CFO and Senior VP of Finance in Dallas appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

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Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world

Just another day in the frenetic underbelly of high finance as U.S. stocks nudged upwards and currency markets turned into a seesaw after Donald Trump took the presidential oath. Now, while you might expect fireworks on Trump’s first day, his silence on immediate tariffs had everyone still guessing. In typical Trump fashion, spoken in a New York dialect, there was plenty of heated rhetoric with a side of ambiguity.

Tariffs, tariffs, and you guessed it, more tariffs. This was Trump’s opening gambit from the comfort of the Oval Office. He broached a hefty 25% tariff against near neighbors Mexico and Canada. Why, you ask? Oh, to demonstrate a strict stance on weak border security and fentanyl trade issues or so the line goes. Read more about US-Mexico trade relations.

Interestingly enough, despite the president’s threats, we saw the S&P 500 tick up by 0.6% in mid-day trading. At the same time, tech-savvy Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.5%. A New York holiday had kept markets snoozing on Monday.

Currency Changes: A Mixed Bag

The talking wouldn’t be all about trade partners from down south; Trump laid his sights on Europe too. He riffed about slapping tariffs on the EU unless they shopped American-made oil. “They don’t take our cars,” Trump quipped, as if they’re boycotting Mom’s home cooking. U.S. Trade Representative offers insights on EU trade. His dissonant trade talk dinged the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar, which inched down by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively, after a steeper fall earlier on. Meanwhile, the euro made a sneaky comeback, ending up 0.1% higher at a cool $1.046; sterling shared its recovery flair by looping back to $1.233 flat. The U.S. dollar? Humbled at a 1.3% dip against currency cronies.

Stock Markets: A Law of Averages

Elsewhere across stock heaven, the FTSE 100 closed up 0.3% and Germany’s Dax remained buoyed with another 0.3% rise. Our Eurozone protagonist, the Stoxx 600, showed a petite yet proud 0.4% uptick. An ensemble of cautious optimism, some might infer. Yet Trump’s plan to rewind Joe Biden’s key policies and crank up America’s protectionism honed a tense atmosphere. After all, what can be more New Yorker than a fine mix of apprehension and audacity? Market behaviors post-inauguration explained.

Wind energy? Considered collateral damage on inauguration day. Ouch! The announcement to freeze new wind ventures rocked companies like Ørsted, watching their stocks take a nosedive by 10.7%. Vestas and Nordex shared the sinking sentiment, with drops of 2.3% and 1.8%. Talk about a breezy fall.

Cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin Blues

Even Bitcoin, the digital nomad, felt the jitters. Peaking at $109,241 on that famous day, things cooled down when the coin closed at $105,718, up just a smidge by 3%. Trump sidestepped any crypto chatter in his spiel, leaving that subplot in suspense. Thus ended a day that was equal parts tension, analysis, and speculation.

In the end, what’s noteworthy is this: Trump’s presidency hints at a more unpredictable rhythm. As Eric Winograd at AllianceBernstein put it, “This sort of volatility is the new normal.” And if you need a guide through this political and financial maze? Remember, New Yorkers know it best. Sort of like unlocking that insider’s pass to the city that never sleeps.

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Pure Cycle Corporation: On the Fast Track

In the realm of water supply, Pure Cycle Corporation is making waves. Nestled in Watkins, Colorado, they’ve got a market value strutting at $278 million, and their 74% gross profit margin? Simply remarkable. The company recently hosted its annual shareholder showdown on January 15, 2025, with a gathering akin to an upscale block party for investors.

Shareholders Show Up in Force

A hefty 87.99% of the shareholder army showed up in spirit—or proxies, perhaps—for this meeting. On the agenda was the election of directors, with heavy hitters like Mark W. Harding and Susan D. Heitmann receiving love from their constituency. But Wanda J. Abel? She faced a bit more skepticism, though still nabbed the job. With a current ratio of 3.56, as shared by InvestingPro, the company oozes liquidity strength like a Wall Street golden child.

Here’s a look at the vote tally:

The Auditors and Exec Paychecks

Forvis Mazars, LLP continues to hold the gavel as Pure Cycle’s independent accounting maestros, blessed by the shareholder nod. On executive dough, the advisory vote gave the thumbs up, which, if you’re into numbers, meant 14.39 million agreed, versus a paltry 86,194 dissenting voices.

While we’re at it, you should know that Pure Cycle’s fiscal prowess isn’t just talk. They’ve clocked a 56% revenue sprint in the last year. Yes, you’re reading that right, and it’s not from the lack of pigeon milk.

Riding Below Fair Value

Interestingly, according to InvestingPro analysis, Pure Cycle trades below its Fair Value. For savvy investors, that’s Fortune 500 music. Imagine the potential upside waiting for folks to jump on the bandwagon!

For those craving more intricate financial tales and valuation wizardry, a deeper dip into InvestingPro’s library, with reports covering over 1,400 US stocks, is a thrilling treasure hunt.

In sum, while Pure Cycle is sculpting its operations and showing off healthy growth, they continue to nurture investor confidence. And, as in any good New York conversation, the buzz about what’s next is as juicy as a fresh bagel. So, watch this space. You might not want to abstain when the next vote comes around.

Editor’s Note: This scribe received a digital nudge from AI but wore a human edit hat. Check our T&C for more details.

If you’re thirsty for more, well, that’s what Pure Cycle is best at—quenching it.

The post Pure Cycle Investors Confirm Board, Auditors, and Executive Compensation Approval appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

News alert, folks! International Paper Co (NYSE:IP) seems to be making moves, and not just in the boardroom. Director Kathryn D. Sullivan unloaded 600 shares of her stock stash at a cool $56.19 a pop. That’s some quick math to roughly ten grand. Filed automatically under her trading plan, it’s all SEC-green. Now, don’t start a panic; she’s still got 37,745 shares in her back pocket.

IP’s Strategic Moves: DS Smith Plc Acquisition

Meanwhile, the chatter about International Paper’s bold steps to scoop up DS Smith Plc isn’t just idle talk. This strategic buyout aims to expand their reach into the sustainable packaging sector. Both companies’ boards are singing in harmony on this one. The deal hops through the hoops of regulation and legal jazz. They’ve even rolled out additional paperwork to slap those shiny new shares on the London Stock Exchange. Smart play? Only time will tell.

Slicing and Dicing at International Paper

Jefferies seems to think so, slapping a “Buy” badge on IP with a price target upgrade from $56.00 to $66.00. The company’s on a diet, shedding extra weight like its Global Cellulose Fibers business and is expected to cash in on a $230 million cost-cutting bonanza. Lean and mean might just be the new vogue.

Next up in the gossip, IP’s Q3 earnings showed some wear-and-tear. Earnings per share dipped from $0.55 to $0.44. Lower volumes and those pesky higher operating costs are to blame. But hey, they managed to buffer the impact through some nifty pricing. They’re also shutting down five plants as part of that grand plan to trim the fat. Not everything’s rosy, but in true New York style, they keep hustling forward.

Future Prospects: Aiming for that Billion-Dollar Mark

They’re eyeing roughly $1 billion in operational upgrades. Even with the gloom, expect better vibes in Q4, courtesy of price hikes and slicker operations. Keep those eyes peeled for the DS Smith deal to seal by early Q1 2025.

For a deeper dive, let’s talk insider selling. Sure, Sullivan sold some stock, but what about IP’s broader financial health? It’s worth a look according to [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com). The market cap sits at $20 billion, with a P/E that screams high at 47.27 against industry standards. Except, when you adjust for the last twelve months, it chills out to 23.39. That’s more like it.

Market Performance: IP’s Steady Climb

And let’s talk returns. The stock showed some serious resilience with a 79.95% jump over the past year and a 45.89% uptick in the last six months. Word on the street is IP is nearing its 52-week zenith. Financially buff, I’d say.

That insider sale? No biggie. The dividend yield is sitting pretty at 3.21%, and that’s after dolling dividends for 54 years straight. Bank on that for some sweet, sweet income. For the inquisitive minds, [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com) has a handful of additional pearls of wisdom, 11 to be exact, to keep you in the loop.

More details await if you’re keen to plumb the depths. Dive into the [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com) platform for a trove of insights beyond the usual headlines. And remember, an AI had a hand in piecing this together, but rest easy — a human editor did a once-over. For more thrills, check our terms and deeds over on [T&C](https://www.investingpro.com)!

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