A growing list of casual dining chains are turning to bankruptcy court and closing underperforming stores as heavy debt loads and shifting consumer habits take their toll. The latest casualty, FAT Brands, has moved to permanently close 32 locations and reject their leases.
As cautious optimism returns to Australian markets, investors are scanning the small-cap space for resilient companies with growth potential. We examine three ASX-listed firms, each with a market capitalisation below $700 million, that stand out for their financial health and strategic positioning.
Asian equities broadly declined on Friday, taking cues from a volatile U.S. session marked by a historic plunge in Microsoft shares. The sell-off extended to commodities, with oil and precious metals also losing ground.
Malaysia's state energy giant Petronas unveils a sweeping three-year plan to sustain domestic oil and gas output, expand its global LNG footprint, and position itself as a regional leader in carbon capture, navigating the complex transition toward a lower-carbon future.
Asian markets opened to a volatile session Friday, with Bitcoin leading a sharp crypto sell-off and stocks swinging as traders weighed President Trump's signals on a key Fed nomination and a deal to avert a government shutdown.
Dover Corporation delivered a powerful finish to 2025, reporting its highest quarterly organic revenue growth of the year at 5%. Bolstered by accelerating bookings and expanding margins, the diversified industrial manufacturer projects continued double-digit earnings growth for the coming year.
Driven by surging demand in aerospace and defense, Carpenter Technology (CRS) announced record-breaking quarterly profitability and raised its full-year forecast, citing constrained supply and favorable long-term pricing agreements.
In its Q4 2025 earnings call, CNX Resources outlined a disciplined capital strategy for 2026, emphasizing operational resilience amid severe weather and providing updates on its deep Utica shale program, RNG initiatives, and hedging posture. Management signaled a focus on long-term infrastructure catalysts rather than chasing volatile spot gas prices.
Celestica's Q4 2025 results shattered guidance, fueled by its Connectivity & Cloud unit. The company announces a massive capital expenditure surge to over $1 billion in 2026, betting big on sustained demand from hyperscalers for AI and networking infrastructure.
Caterpillar Inc. capped off a historic 2025 with record sales and a soaring backlog, but executives signaled a cautious outlook for 2026 as escalating trade tariffs threaten to squeeze margins. The industrial giant's performance was buoyed by robust demand across construction, mining, and a surging data center power market.
The iconic Berkeley-born coffee chain Peet's is closing dozens of locations across California, including in Southern California and the Bay Area, as part of a strategic realignment following its acquisition by Keurig Dr Pepper. The move, affecting hundreds of employees, has drawn sharp criticism from workers and union representatives.
Despite a flat start to 2026, Nvidia's valuation appears compelling as new forecasts project global AI spending to surge past $3.3 trillion by 2027, suggesting the chipmaker's growth story is far from over.
MGM Resorts International is powering its Las Vegas Strip operations with a major new solar and battery storage deal. This strategic shift toward renewables comes as the company's stock shows mixed signals, trading below some fair value estimates yet at a high earnings multiple, leaving investors to weigh long-term sustainability against immediate financial metrics.
Elevra Lithium reports record quarterly revenue from its flagship North American operation but tempers near-term production guidance, highlighting the complex balancing act facing lithium miners as they expand amid market volatility.
Aptiv PLC (APTV) presents a puzzle for investors: a widely cited discounted cash flow model suggests significant upside, yet its premium valuation multiples tell a more cautious tale. As the automotive technology supplier navigates its EDS separation and bets on software-defined vehicles, the market weighs short-term momentum against long-term execution risks.
Fortive Corporation's shares have retreated over 5% in the past month, prompting investors to re-examine the industrial technology conglomerate's fundamentals. With a renewed focus on its recurring revenue streams and a fair value estimate suggesting upside, analysts are divided on whether the pullback presents a buying opportunity or reflects deeper sector headwinds.
Despite a recent 15% share price decline, EPB Group Berhad (KLSE:EPB) presents a complex picture with respectable financial fundamentals. We analyze its Return on Equity and growth trajectory to assess if this is a buying opportunity or a sign of deeper issues.
Simon Property Group (SPG), the premier mall REIT, is back in the spotlight following years of impressive total returns. As its share price momentum continues, investors are scrutinizing whether its current valuation still presents an attractive entry point for income and growth.
AIC Mines Ltd (ASX:A1M) reported record ore production and maintained cost guidance in its Q2 2026 update, with its share price rising 5.7%. The company's strategic focus remains on expanding its Eloise processing plant and advancing the Jericho project, aiming to boost copper output while managing expenses.
Marriott International's shares have delivered impressive multi-year gains, but recent analysis suggests the hospitality giant's stock may now be trading at a significant premium. With a DCF model pointing to a 16% overvaluation and a P/E ratio exceeding industry peers, investors are debating whether the price fully reflects future growth or has outpaced fundamentals.
