Helen of Troy plans to direct $80.5 million in tariff refunds to inventory and packaging

Helen of Troy, owner of Hydro Flask, Osprey and Drybar, said on an October 8 earnings call that it plans to spend part of a projected $80.5 million in tariff refunds this fiscal year on cleaning up its inventory and redesigning packaging to comply with U.S. and foreign environmental laws. The company recognized $26.9 million of the expected refund in the quarter ended August 31 and expects the remainder by the end of FY2027, ending February 28, 2027. The refunds follow the Supreme Court's February ruling that invalidated tariffs the Trump administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Report: US polysilicon minimum import price increase may slip past Dec. 4

Industry checks reported by pv magazine indicate that an increase in US minimum import prices under the polysilicon Section 232 framework may not occur until after Dec. 4, with implementation potentially moving into early 2027, reflecting Commerce's desire to observe how the initial proclamation operates and to gather further investor feedback. The report says Commerce and CBP are expected to scrutinize imports declared at the minimum price, and shipments may be detained while the underlying transaction is verified.

Costco CFO doubles down on tariff strategy, winks at churro comeback

A1 SolarStore report: U.S. solar hardware market tightens as buyers race tariff deadlines

The Q2 2026 A1 Solar Index report by distributor A1 SolarStore says U.S. solar hardware inventory rose close to historic highs as importers rushed to beat incoming tariff deadlines and federal tax credit milestones, with average daily listed inventory reaching 932,000 units (491 MW), up 126% from Q1.

OPIS reports China and U.S. TOPCon module prices hold ahead of Section 232 minimum import prices

OPIS's Global Solar Markets Report of Sept. 22 assessed the Chinese Module Marker for TOPCon modules below 645W from China unchanged at $0.108/W FOB China, and U.S. delivered duty paid prices for TOPCon modules 645W and below unchanged at $0.290/W, with Southeast Asian cargoes at $0.277/W and Indian cargoes at $0.332/W. Section 232 minimum import prices are set to take effect Dec. 4, and OPIS reports uncertainty over whether the proclamation's "first arm's-length sale" rule would subject U.S.-assembled modules using imported cells to the $0.38/W module MIP.