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Tariff

What are Tariffs? How They Work and Why They Matter to You?For centuries, tariffs have played a crucial role in global trade, safeguarding domestic industries, shaping international relations, and influencing economic policies. While they often dominate headlines during trade wars and economic policy debates, many people still don’t fully understand what tariffs are, why they are used, and how they impact the economy. This comprehensive guide covers: ⦿ What tariffs are and how they work ⦿ Different types of tariffs ⦿ Why governments impose tariffs ⦿ The economic, political, and social effects of tariffs. ⦿ Historical and modern examples ⦿ The debate between protectionism and free trade ⦿ Tariffs in different economic systems ⦿ The future of tariffs in a globalized world By the end of this article, you’ll have a decent understanding of tariffs and their role in the global economy. 🤔 What Are Tariffs? A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods and services. The primary purpose of tariffs is to increase the cost of foreign products, making domestically produced goods more attractive to consumers. This serves several economic and political functions, such as protecting domestic industries, generating government revenue, and addressing trade imbalances. 👍 How Do Tariffs Work? A government sets a tariff rate on imported goods (e.g., 25% on foreign cars). Importers must pay this tax when bringing goods into the country. This increases the cost of imported goods, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic alternatives. Domestic industries benefit from reduced foreign competition. The government collects revenue from the tariff. 🦸‍♂ Who Pays the Tariff? Importers: These businesses or individuals directly pay the tariff when they bring goods into the country. This increases their costs. Businesses: Since importers face higher costs, businesses that rely on imported goods often pass these costs onto consumers by increasing prices. Consumers: Ultimately, the general public bears the cost as they pay higher prices for goods affected by tariffs. 🔎 Types of Tariffs Governments employ various tariffs depending on their economic goals and trade policies. Some of these are: 1️⃣ Ad Valorem Tariffs An ad valorem tariff is a percentage-based tariff calculated on the value of the imported goods. The tax amount increases or decreases with the price of the product. Example: A 10% tariff on imported TVs means a $1,000 TV incurs a $100 tariff. Usage: Commonly used for luxury goods, automobiles, and consumer electronics. 2️⃣ Specific Tariffs A specific tariff is a fixed fee charged per unit of imported goods, regardless of price. Example: $3 per barrel of imported oil. Usage: Often used for commodities like oil, wheat, and alcohol. 3️⃣ Compound Tariffs A compound tariff includes both a percentage-based tax (Ad valorem) and a fixed fee on imports (Specific). This means importers pay a fixed fee per unit as well as a percentage of the item’s value. Example: A 5% tax plus $2 per imported cheese wheel. Usage: Applied to goods where both quantity and value affect the market, such as food products and industrial materials. 4️⃣ Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQs) A TRQ allows a limited quantity of an imported good to enter at a lower tariff rate. After the quota is reached, extra imports are taxed at a higher rate. Example: One of the most well-known examples of a TRQ is the U.S. Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota. The United States allows a certain quantity of sugar to be imported each year at a lower tariff rate. Any sugar imports within the quota limit are subject to a low tariff (e.g., 5%). However, once the quota is exceeded, any additional sugar imports face a much higher tariff (e.g., 20%). This system ensures that domestic sugar producers remain competitive while still allowing controlled imports to meet demand. Another example is the European Union's TRQ on Beef Imports. The EU permits a specific amount of high-quality beef imports (e.g., from the U.S. and Canada) at a lower tariff. Once this quota is filled, any additional beef imports are taxed at a significantly higher rate. This policy helps protect EU cattle farmers while maintaining trade agreements with international suppliers. 5️⃣ Protective Tariffs A protective tariff helps local industries by making imported goods more costly, reducing foreign competition. Example: The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese steel to protect domestic steel manufacturers. Usage: Commonly used in industries facing strong foreign competition, such as steel, automotive, and textiles. 6️⃣ Revenue Tariffs A revenue tariff is mainly designed to raise money for the government, not to shield local industries. Example: In the 19th century, tariffs were the main source of revenue for the U.S. government before income taxes were introduced. Usage: Often applied to goods that do not have strong domestic competition but are widely consumed, such as alcohol and tobacco. ❓ Why Do Governments Impose Tariffs? 1️⃣ Protecting Domestic Industries Tariffs shield local businesses from cheaper foreign competitors, helping domestic industries grow. Example: U.S. steel tariffs in 2018 benefited domestic steel manufacturers. 2️⃣ Generating Government Revenue Before modern taxation systems, tariffs were a key source of revenue for governments. Example: In the 1800s, tariffs accounted for 90% of U.S. federal revenue. 3️⃣ National Security Concerns Some industries, like defense and technology, are crucial for national security, and governments impose tariffs to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Example: The U.S. limits imports of rare earth minerals to ensure a domestic supply chain for defense technologies. 4️⃣ Retaliation in Trade Wars Countries impose tariffs to address unfair trade practices or economic conflicts. For instance, during the trade war between the United States and China, both countries imposed taxes on each other's goods 5️⃣ Preventing Dumping Dumping occurs when a country exports goods at below-market prices to eliminate competition. Example: The U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels due to concerns about dumping. ⚖️ Pros and Cons of Tariffs Pros ✅ Protects local jobs and industries ✅ Encourages domestic production ✅ Generates government revenue ✅ Enhances national security by reducing reliance on foreign goods Cons ❌ Increases prices for consumers ❌ Can lead to trade wars and economic retaliation ❌ Encourages inefficiency in domestic industries ❌ Disrupts global supply chains 📕 Historical and Modern Examples of Tariffs 1. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) The U.S. imposed tariffs on over 20k imported goods. Result: Other countries retaliated, global trade dropped by 66%, and the Great Depression worsened. 2. Trump’s Tariffs on China (2018-2020) The United States levied tariffs on $360 billion worth of Chinese goods. China retaliated, affecting U.S. agriculture exports. Result: Some U.S. industries benefited, but consumers faced higher prices. 3. The European Union’s Tariffs on U.S. Goods (2021) The EU imposed tariffs on American whiskey, motorcycles, and jeans in response to U.S. steel tariffs. Result: Brands like Harley-Davidson saw reduced sales in Europe. ⚙️ Tariffs vs. Free Trade: The Big Debate The debate between tariffs and free trade is a fundamental discussion in global economics and trade policy. This debate revolves around whether governments should impose tariffs (taxes on imported goods) or embrace free trade (minimal to no restrictions on imports and exports). ◉ Free Trade (No Tariffs) Free trade is the unrestricted movement of goods and services across borders without tariffs or other trade barriers. Advocates argue that it fosters economic efficiency and global cooperation. ✅✅ Advantages of Free Trade Lower Prices for Consumers – Without tariffs, imported goods are cheaper, leading to more affordable products. Increased Economic Growth – When countries trade freely, they specialize in what they do best, leading to higher productivity and economic expansion. More Competition = Better Products – Companies must compete on quality and innovation rather than relying on government protection. Stronger Global Relations – Open markets encourage cooperation between nations, reducing the risk of economic conflicts. Access to More Goods and Services – Consumers enjoy a greater variety of products at lower costs. ❌❌ Disadvantages of Free Trade Job Losses in Unprotected Industries – Domestic industries that can't compete with cheaper imports may shrink or shut down. Dependence on Foreign Suppliers – A country may become overly reliant on other nations for essential goods (e.g., medical supplies, electronics). Potential Trade Deficits – Countries that import more than they export may struggle with imbalances in trade. ◉ Protectionism (Using Tariffs) Protectionism refers to economic policies that restrict imports through tariffs, quotas, or other barriers to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. ✅✅ Advantages of Tariffs Protects Local Jobs and Industries – Domestic businesses have a better chance to compete without being undercut by cheaper imports. Reduces Dependence on Foreign Competitors – A country can maintain its own manufacturing and production capabilities, especially in critical industries like steel, energy, and food. Generates Government Revenue – Tariffs provide a source of income for governments, which can be reinvested in public services. Prevents Dumping – Tariffs discourage foreign companies from flooding the market with artificially cheap goods to destroy domestic competition. ❌❌ Disadvantages of Tariffs Higher Prices for Consumers – Since imported goods are taxed, businesses pass the extra costs to customers. Risk of Trade Wars – When one country imposes tariffs, others retaliate, leading to economic conflicts that hurt all parties involved. Encourages Inefficiency – Without foreign competition, domestic companies may become complacent and innovate less. Disrupts Global Supply Chains – Many industries rely on international suppliers; tariffs can increase production costs and delays. ❇️ The Future of Tariffs in a Globalized World As economies become more interconnected, tariffs are often seen as barriers to global trade. Emerging industries, such as digital services, face new trade policy challenges that traditional tariffs do not cover. With globalization, many nations favor free trade agreements (FTAs) like USMCA and the EU single market to reduce trade barriers. Climate-related tariffs, such as carbon border taxes, may become more common as nations try to incentivize environmentally friendly trade practices. 📌 Closing Thoughts Tariffs remain one of the most powerful - and controversial - tools in economic policy. Like a thermostat for trade, they can be adjusted to protect domestic industries, but risk overheating the economy with unintended consequences. History shows that while tariffs can provide temporary relief for specific sectors, they often create ripple effects across the entire economy. The steel tariffs of 2018 helped some American mills reopen, but made cars and appliances more expensive for everyone. Neither free trade nor tariffs are perfect solutions. A balanced approach, where tariffs are selectively used for strategic industries while promoting open markets in others, is often the best path. Each country must decide based on its economic strengths and priorities. For example, developed nations might push for free trade, while developing nations use tariffs to protect growing industries. As trade policies continue evolving, understanding tariffs gives citizens and businesses crucial insight into how globalization affects prices, jobs, and economic security. The debate isn't about whether tariffs are "good" or "bad," but rather when and how they should be used strategically. What are your thoughts on the ongoing U.S. tariff war? Share your opinions in the comments! 📩
SP:SPXEducation
by johntradingwick
9
Liberation Day: Fear or greed in the air? We are less than hour out from the Liberation Day tariff announcements. The U.S. is preparing to roll out reciprocal tariffs on all countries, with rates set at 10%, 15%, and 20%, according to Sky News. Investors hoping for certainty may be disappointed—this could mark the start of a longer phase of trade battles. Mexico, once again, is reading the room. President Sheinbaum has confirmed Mexico won’t respond with tit-for-tat tariffs. They understand that the way to deal with Trump is to treat him with kid gloves. Meanwhile, gold hit another record high, reaching $3,149.04 on Tuesday before pulling back a little. Buyers might have a better setup around the parallel pivot line to position for further upside.
BLACKBULL:XAUUSD
by BlackBull_Markets
Why the RBA should cut rates todayThe Reserve Bank of Australia should cut rates today, argues James Glynn in the Wall Street Journal . Markets, however, expect the central bank to wait until May for its next move. RBA Governor Michele Bullock remains cautious, citing lingering inflation. But Glynn contends that global uncertainty now outweighs the RBA’s desire to wait for marginal improvements in inflation data. That uncertainty is set to escalate this Wednesday, with the Trump administration announcing sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners—likely triggering retaliatory measures. Andrew Boak, chief economist at Goldman Sachs Australia, appears to support Glynn’s view: “There are costs to waiting until May to cut. Waiting is not always a virtue.” Is Glynn simply chasing a contrarian headline or is there actually a possibility the RBA could act today?
by BlackBull_Markets
Yearly Candle on NQ 2025I believe what we're seeing right now is simply the market printing the “open low” of the yearly candle. The recent dip seems driven by short-term fear surrounding the new tariffs, but in my view, this is just noise. Long-term, this sets up a bullish scenario. Businesses won’t adjust overnight—it takes time to shift operations away from high-tariff regions. But as that transition unfolds, we’ll likely see improved margins and stronger fundamentals emerge. From a technical standpoint, I’m watching for a key reversal after price revisits the order block. If we get that reaction, it could mark the beginning of a broader move higher. This looks like manipulation, not distribution. OLHC - Gavin NFA, DYOR
CME_MINI:NQ1!Long
by gavintradez
2 reasons the peso rally may not be over The USD/MXN has fallen over 2.5% in the past five trading sessions, dropping below 19.9 per USD for the first time since November 2024. Two key factors could be driving this move: 1. Investor distrust in the U.S. dollar – Market confidence is weakening due to Trump’s inconsistent tariff threats and other unpopular policies. In contrast, the Sheinbaum government’s kid-glove handling of Trump is securing favourable trade concessions. 2. Attractive interest rate differential – With Banxico’s benchmark rate at 9.5%, the peso remains appealing for carry trades. The Federal Reserve’s decision this week could widen this gap further. Last week’s subdued U.S. inflation data is helping to fuel speculation of earlier Fed rate cuts, which may continue to support the peso despite trade uncertainties.
by BlackBull_Markets
EURUSD: Trump’s trade war crosses the Atlantic You may be sick of hearing about tariffs, but they are currently the catalyst for a huge amount of volatility in the market and a huge amount of trading opportunities. And now Trump’s trade war has crossed the Atlantic Today, the European Union announced retaliatory tariffs on approximately €26 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to President Donald Trump's recent increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Targeted products include Harley-Davidsons, bourbon, and jeans—key American exports that have been caught in previous trade disputes. The EU has said it remains open to negotiation but has not ruled out further action. In response, Trump vowed to retaliate, stating, “Of course I’m going to respond.” The daily chart for the EUR/USD shows the pair could fall into a larger corrective decline, given overbought RSI conditions.
by BlackBull_Markets
International politics is now a high school dramaSo, Trump was all like, “Let’s slap an extra 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum,” which meant total duties shot up to 50%. Why? Because Ontario put a 25% tax on electricity exports to the U.S. And Doug Ford? He was not having it—saying he’d “respond appropriately” and “not back down.” But —he totally backed down and scrapped the tax on electricity exports to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. And now, Trump just ditched the extra 25% tariff, and boom— USDCAD broke below the recent low of 1.43986
by BlackBull_Markets
USD/CAD holds up OK despite tariffsOK, so it's finally happened. On March 4, 2025, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, with Canadian energy products facing a separate 10% tariff. Tariffs on Chinese imports were also doubled from 10% to 20%. In response, Canada imposed immediate 25% tariffs on CA$30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with plans to extend them to another CA$125 billion in the coming weeks. While USD/CAD maintained a steady upward movement, it is difficult to characterize the move as a broad-based selloff. Maybe this is more of a trade scuffle than a trade war right now? China announced additional tariffs of 10% to 15% on U.S. agricultural products, effective March 10. Mexico is set to announce its own retaliatory tariffs on March 9. Now, the focus shifts to Trump’s next move. He has already suggested he will reciprocate the reciprocation. Where does this end? Full blown trade war? Meanwhile, reports suggest he is considering easing sanctions on Russia.
by BlackBull_Markets
Market Update & Crypto OutlookMarket Update & Crypto Outlook Tariffs & Economic Impact Trump is leveraging tariffs as a negotiation tactic to pressure adversaries into deals. While Europe is reluctant to concede outright, they have little choice. These tariffs are shaking the markets, and we all know how sensitive elites are about their portfolios. By hitting them where it hurts—their wallets—Trump is forcing them to the table. In my opinion, this strategy will work. Over time, Europe, Ukraine, and even China will likely agree to compromises. As these agreements unfold, market uncertainty (FUD) will ease, restoring investor confidence. Inflation & Market Sentiment Markets are pricing in expected quantitative tightening , meaning no interest rate cuts for at least two years. However, I don’t believe tariffs will fuel inflation as much as feared. Reduced government spending and a stronger USD could offset price increases, maintaining purchasing power without printing money. Until markets realize this, we’ll see uncertainty, but inflation numbers may not be as catastrophic as expected , helping stabilize sentiment. Crypto & Market Cycle The bull market isn’t over, but Bitcoin finally experienced real consolidation —without heavy ETF purchases propping it up. The ETF FOMO is over , and that’s actually a good thing. Now, Bitcoin can continue its rally naturally , setting up for its final, most parabolic leg. Altcoins & The Spark for Altseason As I mentioned before, a strong dollar combined with the upcoming $5,000 stimulus checks will ignite true altseason . This influx of cash will likely fuel a major altcoin rally later this year , after the new administration distributes the payments. Conclusion Yes, it’s been painful—altcoins are bleeding, portfolios are down, and sentiment is low. But capitulation marks the bottom . Expect a bumpy March , but April and especially May* could be parabolic , making today’s struggles a distant memory. 🚀 (Everything is on the chart, check the arrows)
by CryptoNikkoid
4
Now it’s an EU trade war Trump wantsDonald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union, bizarrely stating that the 27-member bloc was “formed to screw the United States.” Without providing further details, he hinted at targeting carmakers, saying, “We have made a decision and we’ll be announcing it very soon.” The EU has vowed to retaliate immediately if the tariffs take effect. EUR/USD tested resistance around 1.0536 before sellers stepped in around the time of Trump's announcement. The pair remains under pressure, trading below the 50-day EMA, while the 200-day EMA is flattening, offering a potential target besides the 38 and 50% Fibonacci levels on the chart.
by BlackBull_Markets
EURUSD 10 Feb 2025 W7 - Intraday Analysis - Tariffs!This is my Intraday analysis on EURUSD for 10 Feb 2025 W7 based on Smart Money Concept (SMC) which includes the following: Market Sentiment 4H Chart Analysis 15m Chart Analysis Market Sentiment My Weekly Analysis HERE still the same as Tariffs is the main theme but market reaction is the key. Is the market got used to the Tariffs news so reactions will be soft and fade or we are going to see more fear in the market with Tariff War ? 4H Chart Analysis 1️⃣ 🔹Swing Bullish 🔹INT Bearish 🔹Reached Swing Extreme Demand 🔹Swing Continuation 2️⃣ 🔹With the deep pullback to the Bullish Swing extreme discount and mitigating the 4H/Daily demand zones, price turned Bullish forming a Bullish CHoCH. 🔹The current Bullish move from Swing extreme discount to current price level having 2 scenarios: Scenario 1: Pullback for Bearish INT Structure and with the recent Bearish CHoCK and Minor Demand zones are failing, I expect Bearish continuation to target the Weak INT Low which aligns with the Daily/Weekly Bearish Structure/Move. (Counter Swing – Pro Internal) Scenario 2: Bullish Swing continuation to target the Weak Swing High. Which requires to have Demand holding and Supply failing. The first sign required to confirm this scenario will be the current Demand which price is currently at to hold and we form a Bullish CHoCH. (Pro Swing – Counter Internal) 3️⃣ 🔹Expectations is set to Bearish to target the Weak INT Low as long LTFs are staying Bearish. 15m Chart Analysis 1️⃣ 🔹Swing Bearish 🔹INT Bearish 🔹Swing Continuation 2️⃣ 🔹Price reached the Weak Swing High (4H CHoCH) sweeping the liquidity and turning INT structure to bearish with iBOS. 🔹INT Structure continuing Bearish following the 4H Continuation. 🔹With today open, market created a new Bearish iBOS due to Tariffs announcements. 🔹Current INT High is the 4H CHoCH which could be taken out as liquidity for continuation down. 🔹Price currently reached the Supply zone that caused the Bearish iBOS and we could see continuation down targeting the Weak INT Low. 🔹For me, I’d prefer to short from the 4H Supply after sweeping the 15m INT High (4H CHoCH). 3️⃣ 🔹Expectation is for price to continue Bearish targeting the 15m Weak Swing Low.
by Amr-Sadek
03/02/25 Weekly outlookLast weeks high: $106,485.24 Last weeks low: $100,995.99 Midpoint: $95,506.74 As the US begins a tariff trade war on the world, BTC ends the previous week with a weekend selloff back into the range low of $91,000. Despite the crypto world being everchanging this range low level has held strong for nearly 3 months now. Because of this strong support level we have seen many weekly outlooks follow the pattern of an early break below weekly low, then reclaim and rally back up the range throughout the week. Could this be the case once again? Currently sentiment is terrible, probably bear market levels of depression despite Bitcoin being above $100K most of the time. I think this is largely due to the state of altcoins as they are at pre-US election lows, in some cases bear market levels... This plays havoc mentally which so much was promised in terms of alt season potential now that Bitcoin is a new highs. In reality the market will do what hurts the most, max pain. Having said that, generally a weekend dump can be misleading due to low volume and the absence of institutional buying making any manipulated move much easier to pull off from a market makers point of view. There are some nice 4H TF setups emerging, now the macro environment is definitely calling the shots in the Tradfi world but as long as the $91,000 holds the rangebound move is still in play.
by ProR35
$SPY: Fed induced rally hiccupsThe 6 week rally from the low on Mar 23 appears to be digesting the gains or struggling for direction, as you see fit. $SPY ended lower for the week, down -2.65% on Friday on a very low volume day as most of the exchanges worldwide were closed for Labor day holiday. The critical 61.8% retrace and gap resistance is acting as a wall at present. The US markets started May poorly, especially the small caps (IWM), which was trounced for -3.97%. FED induced rally appears to be running out of steam. $SPY has lost the 20 EMA. Price and momentum are diverging. Cycles are pointing to a low around 3rd week of May. Story stocks like $AMZM, $ZM, $TDOC, strong sectors like semiconductors (SMH) -4.71% are likely trading heavy due to anticipated 2nd round of tarriff war with China. These geo political tensions, alongwith economic devatation from Covid-19, does not bode well for the markets for the near future. Technically the markets are showing weakness, though a supportive tweet or further FED stimulus can again rip the markets higher.
AMEX:SPYShort
by insyyte
When Trump Made America Great Again - SPXSP:SPX TVC:SHCOMP AMEX:VEU TVC:SX5E AMEX:VEU 1, Vertical lines: Thin Orange is Trump wins election. Thick Orange is start of Trump presidency 2. Chart Lines: White is USA stock market, S&P500 Blue is the European “Dow Jones”, Euro Stoxx 50 Orange is the market cap weighted index of the entire planet’s stock markets (the 44 countries with capital markets), except the S&P 500. “All World minus USA” ETF. Red is China stock market. Summary: Between January 29th and May 24th, 2018, The U.S. went from lagging the World’s stock market to clearly leading the Earth’s stock. I propose this is a direct result of the announcement and implementation of Tariffs. 1st with $50B of tariffs on China on March 22nd, 2018. - I had initially thought this was due to Brexit (Britain exiting the European Union), However, the Brexit vote happened in June 2017, and actually seems to have boosted their markets. - For symmetry, and to compare apples 2 apples, this chart is in log percentage format.
AMEX:SPYLong
by jgeno
Acuity Brands: Business Uncertainties from Tariffs and WagesAcuity Brands: The Business Uncertainties from Tariff and Wage Inflation I last mentioned Acuity Brands (AYI), a lighting and building management solutions company with $3.7B in net sales in 2018, three months ago. At that time, I described a good risk/reward setup to go long the stock post-earnings. AYI shot nearly straight up from there. The stock broke through resistance at its 200-day moving average (DMA) and gained as much as 34.7% before peaking intraday in September. While I only participated in a portion of that run-up, I am glad I did not overstay my welcome. Fast forward to last week: AYI suffered a massive post-earnings gap down. The stock lost 16.3% and sliced right through 200DMA support after the 50DMA gap down. Sellers closed the week confirming the bearish breakdown. AYI has now almost erased its entire incremental gain from July earnings. {Chart: Acuity Brands (AYI) looks set to reverse all its previous post-earnings gains after a disastrous earnings report that sent the stock crashing through its 50 and 200DMAs} This moment is critical for the stock. AYI hit an all-time high in August, 2016 and sold off pretty steadily from there (on a monthly basis) until reaching a 4-year low in May, 2018. If AYI completes a full reversal of its gains from July earnings, then the stock greatly increases its risk of resuming the downtrend from the all-time high. AYI’s earnings report was interesting for a lot more than the technical disaster. The company also delivered some telling remarks about today’s inflationary environment. The company begain its conference call by launching right into the bad news. From the Seeking Alpha transcript: “While our results for the fourth quarter and the full year were records, we had higher expectations coming into 2018. Market conditions for growth were far more subdued than most had originally anticipated, especially for larger commercial projects and deflationary pricing persisted throughout the year, while cost pressures were far more significant than most had forecast, particularly in the fourth quarter.” The general market environment hindered the business: “Based on the information from various data collection and forecasting organizations, we believe the overall growth rate for the fourth quarter as measured in dollars for lighting in North America was flat to slightly down, continuing the sluggish trend over the last several quarters… We believe the lighting industry will continue to lag the overall growth rate of the construction market, primarily due to continued product substitution to lower priced alternatives for certain products sold through certain channels.” For the fourth quarter and full-year, the company sported record revenues and diluted earnings but significantly lower operating profit and margin. The cost pressures came from multiple inflationary fronts including tariffs and wages. Emphasis mine… “Another significant factor impacting our adjusted gross profit and margin was higher input cost for certain items, including electronic and certain oil-based components, freight and certain commodity-related items, particularly for steel. Many of these items experienced dramatic increases in price in the fourth quarter due to several economic factors including enacted tariffs and wage inflation due to the tight labor markets. We estimate the inflationary impact of these items reduced our adjusted gross profit in the quarter by more than $20 million, lowering our adjusted gross profit margin by 200 basis points and reduced adjusted earnings per share this quarter by $0.38… …we expect employee-related costs will continue to rise as we enter fiscal 2019 as markets for certain skills remain tight contributing to a rise in wage inflation…” AYI also explained that it sources from China about 15% of its components and finished goods which are subject to the new import tariffs. Freight costs are an increasing burden. The combination of rising oil prices and the rising wages that come from a severe shortage of truck drivers are driving freight rates skyward. Shipping a lower-value product mix is exacerbating the shipping burdens. As we would expect, AYI is scrambling to mitigate these costs by finding alternative suppliers and production sources, improving productivity, and increasing prices. The company announced price hikes last month and new price increases go into effect on October 15th. Assuming the new 25% bump in tariffs on Chinese imports goes into effect on January 1, 2019, AYI will raise prices yet again. IF AYI makes these price hikes stick without losing much demand, then the stock could represent a great buying opportunity. Better margin numbers should start appearing by the second fiscal quarter 2019. AYI cautioned that a lot uncertainty surrounds the potential impact of the cost pressures. For example, the inflationary pressures from tariffs caught the general industry by surprise as participants have experienced a deflationary environment for a “handful of years.” The demand impacts are hard to assess: “It is not possible for us to precisely determine what the potential impact tariffs will have on demand as it is a very complex situation impacted by numerous factors including currency fluctuations and political outcomes.” As the inflationary adjustments unfold, I will watch the technicals for signs of renewed buying interest. The company itself is one source of buying. AYI repurchased 2M shares at a cost of $298.4M in its fiscal year 2018. AYI still has 5.2M shares left under its repurchase authorization. I have to assume the company will aggressively buy shares in the coming months given the current stock price of $130.99/share is well below the average cost basis of $149.20/share of the to-date repurchased shares. Finally, it is possible tariffs could HELP AYI although the company did not specifically say so. In the conference call AYI pointed out that the Chinese government is subsidizing lighting companies who are undercutting price for lower-value fixtures. This competitive pressure is important because, as noted earlier, some of AYI’s customers are downshifting to these lower-valued products. AYI is determined to compete – “We will not yield this space for many strategic reasons” – and this competition represents one more important risk factor for the business. Overall, AYI is one more cautionary tale about the unanticipated impacts of today’s new inflationary environment. Given that financial markets are generally ignoring most potential fallouts from the expanding trade war between the U.S. and China, this earnings season should deliver many more surprises like AYI’s. Be careful out there! Full disclosure: no positions For more, see One-Twenty Two by Dr. Duru
NYSE:AYI
by drduru