Author: Consultant

EW YORK, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) (“BAM”), a leading global alternative asset manager headquartered in New York with over $1 trillion of assets under management, today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

Connor Teskey, President of Brookfield Asset Management, stated, “Our second quarter results highlight the continued momentum and strength of our business. Fee-related earnings were up 16%, with distributable earnings up 12%. We have announced sales of over $55 billion of assets to date in 2025, demonstrating the robust demand for great businesses in sectors where we hold leadership positions.”

He continued, “As the secular trends of decarbonization, deglobalization, and digitalization continue to accelerate, we are extending our leadership by forming large-scale, proprietary investment partnerships with governments, corporates and institutions. These themes are driving significant investment activity and fundraising momentum, positioning us to deliver strong long-term value for both our clients and our shareholders.”

https://www.barchart.com/story/news/33916275/brookfield-asset-management-announces-strong-second-quarter-results

QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Record second quarter revenue of $1.9 billion representing a 12.5%, or $212.2 million , increase as compared to the second quarter of 2024
  Solid progress on Specialty Foods’ core U.S. growth initiatives in protein and artisan baked goods, which for the quarter generated organic volume growth rates of 15.0% and 98.1%, respectively. Specialty Foods’ U.S. year-over-year growth rate for sandwich products was impacted by channel fill sales associated with a major new product launch in the second quarter of 2024
  Including acquisitions, Specialty Foods’ total U.S. sales, which represented 64.3% of its second quarter sales, grew by $140.5 million to $843.7 million
  Record second quarter adjusted EBITDA ¹ of $177.1 million representing a 7.6%, or $12.5 million , increase as compared to the second quarter of 2024, despite significant protein cost inflation challenges
  Second quarter adjusted EPS ¹ of $1.33 per share representing a 3.9%, or $0.05 per share, increase as compared to the second quarter of 2024

https://www.barchart.com/story/news/33918312/premium-brands-holdings-corporation-reports-record-second-quarter-sales-and-adjusted-ebitda-declares-third-quarter-dividend-and-announces-completion-of-tennessee-sandwich-plant-sale-and-leaseback

TORONTO (AP) — TORONTO (AP) — Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI) on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings of $313 million.

On a per-share basis, the Toronto-based company said it had net income of 69 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 87 cents per share.

The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 83 cents per share.

The news and financial information company posted revenue of $1.79 billion in the period, meeting Street forecasts.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TRI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TRI

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, iA Financial Group (TSX: IAG) recorded core diluted earnings per common share (EPS) ^†† of $3.49, which is 27% higher than the same period in 2024 and well above the medium-term annual average growth target of 10%+. ⁴ Core return on common shareholders’ equity (ROE) ^†† for the trailing 12 months was 17.0%, in line with the 2027 target of 17%+. ⁴ Second quarter net income attributed to common shareholders was $321 million, diluted EPS was $3.43 and ROE for the trailing 12 months was 14.7%. The solvency ratio ⁶ was 138% ³ at June 30, 2025, highlighting a strong capital position.

“We are proud of our very strong second-quarter results, which reflect the effectiveness of our diversified business model and the disciplined execution of our growth strategy across all of our operating segments,” commented Denis Ricard, President and CEO of iA Financial Group. “We remain focused on strategic capital deployment, including our intention to acquire RF Capital Group, an active share buyback program, and a 10% increase in our common share dividend, all aligned with our commitment to delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

https://www.barchart.com/story/news/33901798/ia-financial-group-reports-second-quarter-results-and-a-10-increase-in-its-common-dividend

Second Quarter Highlights

• Generated $2.7 billion in adjusted funds from operations and $1.0 billion in free funds flow.
• Returned $1.45 billion to shareholders, with $750 million in share repurchases and $700 million in dividends.
• Record second quarter upstream production of 808,000 bbls/d and record first half production of 831,000 bbls/d.
• Record second quarter refinery throughput of 442,000 bbls/d and record first half throughput of 462,000 bbls/d.
• Executed major upstream and downstream turnaround activity safely and ahead of schedule.
• Completed the Upgrader 1 coke drum replacement project ahead of schedule in early July.
• Reduced 2025 capital guidance by $400 million, reflecting strong execution performance and capital discipline.

“What stands out the most about our strong second quarter is the outstanding execution of major upstream and downstream turnaround activities, completed safely and ahead of schedule,” said Rich Kruger, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This performance was a key driver behind Suncor’s record-setting second quarter and first half volumes results and positions us extremely well for a strong second half of the year. The quarter once again demonstrates our unwavering commitment and focus on delivering superior results for our shareholders.”

https://www.barchart.com/story/news/33901964/suncor-energy-reports-second-quarter-2025-results

The latest Canadian jobs report, released on July 11, 2025, showed a strong increase in employment, with 83,000 new jobs added in June. This led to a decrease in the unemployment rate, which fell to 6.9%. The report also indicated a rise in the employment rate, reaching 60.9%. 

Key Highlights:

• Employment Growth: The Canadian economy added 83,000 jobs in June, reversing a previous trend of slower growth. 
• Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate decreased to 6.9%, a drop of 0.1 percentage points. 
• Employment Rate: The employment rate rose to 60.9%, an increase of 0.1 percentage points. 
• Sectoral Gains: The wholesale and retail trade industry saw the most significant gains, with 34,000 new positions, followed by health care and social assistance with 17,000 new jobs. 
• Manufacturing Rebound: Despite recent concerns about tariffs, the manufacturing sector also saw gains, adding 10,000 jobs in June, according to BNN Bloomberg. 
• Tariff Impact: While the report shows overall positive job growth, some areas, like Windsor, Ontario, are still experiencing high unemployment rates due to trade pressures from tariffs. 
• Student Unemployment: The unemployment rate for returning students remained elevated at 17.4%. 

Overall, the Canadian jobs report indicates a positive trend in June, with strong employment gains and a decrease in the unemployment rate

 Gold prices rose for a third straight session on Monday after last week’s economic data fueled expectations of interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $3,371.85 per ounce as of 1:47 p.m. ET (5:47 GMT), its highest level since July 24. U.S. gold futures gained 0.8% to $3,427.1.

“The odds are stronger now for a rate cut in September and even stronger for another rate cut in December. That coupled with the headwinds of inflation, I think is pretty bullish for gold,” said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

Last week, data showed that U.S. employment growth was weaker than expected in July while the nonfarm payrolls count for the prior two months was revised down by a massive 258,000 jobs, suggesting a sharp deterioration in labor market conditions. Additionally, the Fed’s preferred gauge, U.S. PCE inflation data, increased 0.3% in June after an upwardly revised 0.2% gain in May as tariffs started raising the cost of some goods.

According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders now see an 85% chance of a September rate cut, up from just over 63% a week ago.

Bullion typically performs well in a low-interest-rate environment and is regarded as a hedge against inflation.

The tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump imposed last week on scores of countries are likely to stay in place rather than be cut as part of continuing negotiations, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in comments aired on Sunday.

Trump set rates including a 35% duty on many goods from Canada, 50% for Brazil, 25% for India, 20% for Taiwan and 39% for Switzerland, according to a presidential executive order.

Elsewhere, spot silver was up 0.8% at $37.33 per ounce.

Platinum inched 0.5% higher to $1,322.03, while palladium reached an over two-week low, slipping 1.9% to $1,184.75.

Palladium prices still has some upside and are likely to see a rebound with downside support at $1,180/oz and upside breakout at $1,230, Pavilonis said.

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels a day for September, the latest in a series of accelerated output hikes to regain market share, as concerns mount over potential supply disruptions linked to Russia.

The move marks a full and early reversal of OPEC+’s largest tranche of output cuts plus a separate increase in output for the United Arab Emirates amounting to about 2.5 million b/d, or about 2.4 per cent of world demand.

Eight OPEC+ members held a brief virtual meeting, amid increasing U.S. pressure on India to halt Russian oil purchases – part of Washington’s efforts to bring Moscow to the negotiating table for a peace deal with Ukraine. President Donald Trump said he wants this by Friday.

In a statement following the meeting, OPEC+ cited a healthy economy and low stocks as reasons behind its decision.

Oil prices have remained elevated even as OPEC+ has raised output, with Brent crude closing near US$70 a barrel on Friday, up from a 2025 low of near US$58 in April, supported in part by rising seasonal demand.

Imperial Oil encouraged by talks with Ottawa as company posts fall in quarterly profit

“Given fairly strong oil prices at around $70, it does give OPEC+ some confidence about market fundamentals,” said Amrita Sen, co-founder of Energy Aspects, adding that the market structure was also indicating tight stocks.

The eight countries are scheduled to meet again on Sept. 7, when they may consider reinstating another layer of output cuts totalling around 1.65 million b/d, two OPEC+ sources said following Sunday’s meeting. Those cuts are currently in place until the end of next year.

OPEC+ in full includes 10 non-OPEC oil producing countries, most notably Russia and Kazakhstan.

The group, which pumps about half of the world’s oil, had been curtailing production for several years to support oil prices. It reversed course this year in a bid to regain market share, spurred in part by calls from Mr. Trump for OPEC to ramp up production.

The eight began raising output in April with a modest hike of 138,000 b/d, followed by larger-than-planned hikes of 411,000 b/d in May, June and July, 548,000 b/d in August and now 547,000 b/d for September.

“So far the market has been able to absorb very well those additional barrels also due to stockpiliing activity in China,” said Giovanni Staunovo of UBS. “All eyes will now shift on the Trump decision on Russia this Friday.”

As well as the voluntary cut of about 1.65 million b/d from the eight members, OPEC+ still has a 2-million-b/d cut across all members, which also expires at the end of 2026.

“OPEC+ has passed the first test,” said Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy and a former OPEC official, as it has fully reversed its largest cut without crashing prices.

“But the next task will be even harder: deciding if and when to unwind the remaining 1.66 million barrels, all while navigating geopolitical tension and preserving cohesion.”

The Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate at 2.75 per cent for the third consecutive time as U.S. trade policy continues to muddy the economic outlook.

The bank once again held off publishing a central forecast in its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. Instead, it detailed three potential paths for the Canadian economy that depend on the trajectory of U.S. tariffs, ranging from a mild downturn to an extended recession.

Key moments:

• BoC’s policy interest rate remains on pause for the third consecutive time
• Markets react to today’s BoC decision and probabilities of further rate cuts this year
• Why the BoC hold won’t do much for Canada’s real estate market