Operations
Stanley Black & Decker Q2 Results Improve: Tariff Refunds and Asset Sales as Main Drivers
Stanley Black & Decker's second-quarter net sales were approximately $4 billion, with net profit reaching $351.3 million, more than doubling year-over-year. Tariff refunds contributed a 6 percentage point increase in profit margin, and after the sale of the aerospace business, the company repaid $1.7 billion in debt and repurchased shares. The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share to $5.20-$5.80.
U.S. Army Awards Prototype Contracts for Heavy Infantry Squad Vehicle to Ford, General Motors, and BC Customs
The U.S. Army has awarded prototype development contracts to Ford Motor Company, General Motors Defense, and BC Customs as part of its Heavy Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV-H) upgrade program. Each of the three companies will develop three prototype vehicles for competition, with the first prototypes expected to be delivered by March 30, 2027. The winner will receive a contract to produce more than 600 ISV-H vehicles.
Nucor Steel's Q2 shipments hit record high, driven by both prices and demand
Nucor Steel's Q2 2026 steel shipments reached 7.1 million tons, a record high, up 10% year-over-year; net income was $1.2 billion, a significant increase of 92%. Benefiting from higher steel prices driven by Section 232 tariffs and robust domestic demand, the company expects continued profit growth in Q3.
AI demand drives Intel's revenue to biggest increase in 15 years
Intel's second-quarter 2026 revenue reached $16.1 billion, up 25% year-over-year, hitting a 15-year high. AI and data center product revenue totaled $6.3 billion, up 59% year-over-year. The company raised capital expenditure to over $20 billion and revealed significant yield improvements at 18A, with the 14A node attracting customer interest.
Cleveland-Cliffs Issues Optimistic Q3 Outlook Despite Maintenance Shutdowns
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. reported Q2 earnings with adjusted EBITDA of $286 million, its best quarter in two years. Despite maintenance shutdowns and contract lags, the company expects Q3 results to more than double and announced CFO Celso Gonçalves has been promoted to President and Director.
Manufacturing Cyberattack Numbers Drop Sharply, but Threats Remain High: Report
The latest report from California cybersecurity firm SonicWall indicates that while the number of cyberattacks facing the manufacturing sector has declined significantly compared to the same period last year, the threat level remains severe. In the first half of 2026, malicious traffic in this industry decreased by 56.2% year-over-year, the largest drop among all tracked sectors, yet the total still reached as high as 474 million incidents. The report emphasizes that as factories connect more operational technology to the internet, the attack surface continues to expand, and security models have not kept pace.
Variloom: On-Demand 3D-Printed Clothing Reduces Waste and Costs
Variloom, based in Palo Alto, California, has developed a 3D printing-to-shape system and accompanying recyclable soft materials, enabling brands to design and produce customized, recyclable fabrics within days rather than months. The technology aims to reduce material waste, lower excess inventory, and lessen reliance on offshore manufacturing. The company's risk lead, Bethany Meuleners, discusses in an interview the technology's principles, collaboration progress, and industry application prospects.
JetZero Files $3 Billion Application with U.S. Export-Import Bank for North Carolina Plant Financing
JetZero signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Export-Import Bank on Monday, planning to seek up to $3 billion in financing for its $4.7 billion manufacturing campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. The letter of intent is part of EXIM's "Make More in America" initiative, aimed at evaluating construction funding options. The campus spans 8 million square feet, is expected to create 14,500 jobs, and will produce the Z4 all-body aircraft. Construction was previously delayed due to a state budget impasse, but Governor Josh Stein signed a budget on July 7 that includes $133.9 million in earmarked funds, and the company says construction plans remain on track.
Steel Dynamics Q2 Results Shine, but Aluminum Business Losses Weigh on Overall Performance
Steel Dynamics reported strong second-quarter results, with record steel shipments of 3.7 million tons, net sales up 33% year-over-year to $6.1 billion, and net income nearly doubling to $534.1 million. However, the aluminum business incurred a $33 million loss due to startup costs, partially offsetting growth in the steel segment.
Alcoa cuts 2026 alumina production guidance, citing refinery operational disruptions
Alcoa lowered its 2026 alumina production guidance by 200,000 to 300,000 metric tons to 9.5 million to 9.6 million metric tons, due to operational instability at the Pinjarra refinery in Western Australia in late March and natural gas supply disruptions caused by Cyclone Narelle.