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PPG SIGMAGLIDE 2390 marine coating receives prestigious green chemistry award from the American Chemical Society

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has received a 2026 Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute. PPG was recognized in the Design of Safer Chemicals category for PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 coating, a biocide-free, silicone-based fouling release technology that helps vessel owners and operators improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and avoid the release of antifoulants into marine environments.

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The ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize technologies that advance sustainability through innovative chemistry and deliver environmental, economic and performance benefits.

“This recognition from ACS underscores the role innovative solutions can play in addressing complex sustainability challenges,” said David Bem, PPG senior vice president, science and technology, and chief technology officer. “With PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating, our scientists took a fundamentally different approach to marine fouling control, designing a solution that eliminates the need for biocides while delivering significant performance benefits. The coating is also suitable for electrostatic application, a method PPG introduced to the marine industry that helps reduce overspray and waste during dry dock applications. This award recognizes how material design can help address environmental challenges at their source.”

Marine biofouling on vessel hulls increases hydrodynamic drag, resulting in higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating incorporates PPG HYDRORESET™ technology, which senses the presence of water and reorganizes the coating surface at the nanoscale to create an ultrasmooth, ultra low-friction interface. Marine organisms do not recognize the surface as a suitable substrate for permanent attachment and are more readily released during vessel movement.

Third party evidence following ISO 19030 and the International Towing Tank Conference standards demonstrates that the coating can provide potential power savings of up to 20% and potential reductions in CO₂ emissions of up to 35%, with actual performance depending on vessel type and operating conditions.

“The marine industry is increasingly focused on solutions that improve operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact,” said Amy Ericson, PPG senior vice president, Protective and Marine Coatings. “PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating demonstrates that ship owners and operators do not have to choose between sustainability and performance. By helping reduce drag without relying on antifoulants, the technology delivers meaningful value for our customers while helping protect the marine environments in which they operate.”

The award reflects PPG’s commitment to developing innovative, sustainably advantaged solutions that solve customers’ biggest challenges. Through technologies such as the PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating, PPG combines high performance with responsible chemistry to help customers improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and advance their decarbonization goals.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD^®

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

The PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

HydroReset is a trademark and Sigmaglide is a registered trademark of PPG Coatings Nederland B.V.

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PPG Media Contact:
Tracy Gibson
Corporate Communications
+ 1 412 926 2522
[email protected]
www.ppg.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Pennsylvania

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Chemicals/Plastics Alternative Energy Green Technology Energy Manufacturing Travel Environment Maritime Transport Other Manufacturing Science Cruise Logistics/Supply Chain Management Other Energy Research Engineering

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Applicators electrostatically apply PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 marine coating to a vessel hull. The biocide-free fouling release technology helps improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions.

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Schwab Trading Activity Index™: STAX Score Reaches a Four-Year High in June

Schwab clients’ net buys outpaced net sells by more than two-to-one

Key Takeaways:

• The Schwab Trading Activity Index™ (STAX) increased to 59.12 in June, up from its score of 55.08 in May.

• Buying pressure was steady throughout June, and the STAX rose every week of the period after retreating slightly at the start of the month.

• At the sector level, Information Technology led the net-buy list in June, similarly to May, followed by Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary. Financials, Health Care and Consumer Staples were net-sold.

WESTLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Schwab Trading Activity Index™ (STAX) increased to 59.12 in June, up 7.33% from its score of 55.08 in May. The only index of its kind, the STAX is a proprietary, behavior-based index that analyzes retail investor stock positions and trading activity from Schwab’s millions of client accounts to illuminate what investors were actually doing and how they were positioned in the markets each month.

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“Though major market averages retreated slightly from recent all-time highs in June, closing the month with minor losses, there was no ‘June swoon’ to be found among Schwab clients,” said Joe Mazzola, Head Trading and Derivatives Strategist at Charles Schwab. “After retreating slightly in the first week of June, the STAX rose every subsequent week of the month, and net buys outpaced net sells by more than two-to-one.”

The STAX score rose roughly four points in June, hitting a new multi-year high. Retail investors continued to buy the dip, and the heaviest buying coincided with the mid-month market pullbacks during the weeks ended June 12 and 19. Economic data in June was familiar, with inflation ticking higher and jobs holding steady, and the Federal Reserve remained hawkish in Chairman Kevin Warsh’s debut. At the end of May, the CME FedWatch Tool reflected a 50% chance for a rate hike later this year, and by June those odds shifted to nearly 83%.

Client options activity was mixed in June, with net buying seen on popular broad-based index and ETF options as well as single-stock names. Elsewhere, options-trading clients appeared to take advantage of dispersion between index and single-stock volatility by selling elevated implied volatility. For some single-stock names, put selling outweighed call selling, suggesting a neutral-to-bullish market bias among those looking to generate income through short options strategies.

At the sector level, Information Technology again topped the net-buy list in June, followed by Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary. The top five buys were all components of these three sectors. Though selling activity was light, the other eight sectors were net-sold with Financials, Health Care and Consumer Staples bringing up the rear.

From a generational perspective, STAX scores continued to rise across every age group in June, building on May’s rebound. Generation X (1965–1980) remained the most bullish, continuing a recent trend and hitting a two-year high. Baby Boomers (1946–1964) trailed well behind and Millennials (1981–1996) were a close third. Generation Z (1997–2012) once again showed the most risk aversion.

Popular names bought by Schwab clients during the period included:

• Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX)

• NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA)

• Micron Technology Inc. (MU)

• Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)

• Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)

Names net sold by Schwab clients during the period included:

• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B)

• UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH)

• Snowflake Inc. (SNOW)

• IREN Ltd. (IREN)

• Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO)

About the STAX

The STAX value is calculated based on a complex proprietary formula. Each month, Schwab pulls a sample from its client base of millions of funded accounts, which includes accounts that completed a trade in the past month. The holdings and positions of this statistically significant sample are evaluated to calculate individual scores, and the median of those scores represents the monthly STAX.

For more information on the Schwab Trading Activity Index, please visit www.schwab.com/investment-research/stax. Additionally, Schwab clients can chart the STAX using the symbol $STAX in either the thinkorswim^® or thinkorswim Mobile platforms.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Content intended for educational/informational purposes only. Not investment advice, or a recommendation of any security, strategy, or account type.

Options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Please read the Options Disclosure Document titled “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” before considering any option transaction.

Historical data should not be used alone when making investment decisions. Please consult other sources of information and consider your individual financial position and goals before making an independent investment decision.

The STAX is not a tradable index. The STAX should not be used as an indicator or predictor of future client trading volume or financial performance for Schwab.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab, we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.

More information is available at aboutschwab.com. Follow us on X, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

0726-7JY0

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MEDIA:

Nicole Thorpe

Charles Schwab

Phone: 415-319-2607

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Consulting Personal Finance Asset Management Professional Services

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Schwab Trading Activity Index June 2026 (Graphic: Charles Schwab)

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Schwab Trading Activity Index vs. S&P 500 (Graphic: Charles Schwab)

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Liberty All-Star^® Equity Fund Declares Distribution

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Board of Trustees of Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE: USA) has declared a distribution of $0.17 per share payable on August 31, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 16, 2026. This distribution is in accordance with the Fund’s current distribution policy of paying distributions on its shares totaling approximately 10 percent of its net asset value per year, payable in four quarterly installments of 2.5 percent. A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2026 for tax reporting purposes, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end.

The distribution will be paid in newly issued shares to all shareholders except those who are not participating in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and who elect to receive the distribution in cash. Shares will be issued at the lower of the August 14, 2026 net asset value per share or market value per share (but not less than 95% of market value). The market value of the Fund’s shares for this purpose will be the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Fund does not continuously issue shares and trades in the secondary market, investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. The share price of a closed-end fund is based on the market’s value. The Fund’s shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol USA. ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment advisor of the Fund, a multi-managed, closed-end investment company with more than $2.0 billion in net assets as of July 2, 2026.

Past performance cannot predict future results.

An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal.

Secondary market support provided to the Fund by ALPS Fund Services, Inc.’s affiliate ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA Member.ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. are affiliated entities.

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For Information Contact:

Liberty All-Star^® Equity Fund

1-800-241-1850

www.all-starfunds.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Asset Management Professional Services Finance

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Liberty All-Star^® Growth Fund, Inc. Declares Distribution

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The Board of Directors of Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ASG) has declared a distribution of $0.12 per share payable on August 31, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 16, 2026. This distribution is in accordance with the Fund’s current distribution policy of paying distributions on its shares totaling approximately 8 percent of its net asset value per year, payable in four quarterly installments of 2 percent. A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2026 for tax reporting purposes, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end.

The distribution will be paid in newly issued shares to all shareholders except those who are not participating in Liberty All-Star Growth Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan and who elect to receive the distribution in cash. Shares will be issued at the lower of the August 14, 2026 net asset value per share or market value per share (but not less than 95% of market value). The market value of the Fund’s shares for this purpose will be the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Fund does not continuously issue shares and trades in the secondary market, investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. The share price of a closed-end fund is based on the market’s value. The Fund’s shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ASG. ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment advisor of the Fund, a multi-managed, closed-end investment company with more than $390 million in net assets as of July 2, 2026.

Past performance cannot predict future results.

An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal.

Secondary market support provided to the Fund by ALPS Fund Services, Inc.’s affiliate ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a FINRA Member.ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. are affiliated entities.

LAS001368

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260706624913/en/

For Information Contact:

Liberty All-Star^® Growth Fund, Inc.

1-800-241-1850

www.all-starfunds.com

KEYWORDS: Massachusetts United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Asset Management Professional Services Finance

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