Finance
Tornado Infrastructure Equipment Launches Tornado Equipment Finance, Provides Q4/2024 Business Update and Implements Tariff Mitigation Strategies
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tornado Infrastructure Equipment Ltd. (“Tornado”, the “Company” or “we”) (TSX-V: TGH; OTCQX: TGHLF) is pleased to announce the launch of Tornado Equipment Finance Ltd. (“Tornado Finance”), a dedicated financing arm designed to provide financing, rental, and leasing solutions to support its customers’ equipment needs across Canada.
Launch of Tornado Finance
Tornado Finance will offer flexible financial solutions exclusively to Canadian customers, making it easier for businesses to acquire Tornado’s industry-leading hydrovac trucks and infrastructure equipment. By providing in-house financing options, Tornado aims to enhance customer accessibility while strengthening long-term relationships. The Company expects this new initiative to generate a steady additional revenue stream while further solidifying Tornado’s position as a full-service provider in the infrastructure equipment sector.
Brett Newton, President and CEO of Tornado, commented: “The launch of Tornado Equipment Finance is a significant milestone in our commitment to customer service. By providing financing, rental, and leasing solutions, we are making it easier for our Canadian customers to access our equipment while offering them financial flexibility. We believe this initiative will support both our business growth and our customers’ success.”
Q4/2024 Business Update
Tornado is pleased to share a business update for Q4/2024, which was another record quarter for hydrovac truck sales and production. The Company anticipates releasing its financial results for the quarter in April 2025. The Company manufactured and sold 88 hydrovac trucks during the quarter, bringing the total for 2024 to 320 hydrovac trucks, compared to 241 in 2023.
This strong finish to the 2024 year follows a temporary production slowdown in Q3/2024, which was necessary to accommodate the launch of a new product line and as a result of preparations for the construction of Tornado’s expanded manufacturing building on site. These strategic initiatives required resource reallocation and production line adjustments, which temporarily impacted output. However, production rebounded in Q4/2024, resulting in the Company’s highest quarterly hydrovac truck sales and production numbers for the year 2024.
Tariff Mitigation Strategies
The Company also wishes to provide an update in response to the February 1, 2025, announcement from the White House announcing the implementation of a 25% tariff on imports from Canada. The implementation of this tariff has now been delayed until March 2025.
Finance
BofA revises Harley-Davidson stock price after latest announcement
Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.
This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.
“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”
Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.
Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.
To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.
What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?
Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.
Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan
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Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
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Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
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Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
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Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
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Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.
Finance
What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
Finance
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