Core Viewpoint - Carvana (CVNA), Comfort Systems (FIX), and CRH (CRH) will be added to the S&P 500 index as part of S&P Global's quarterly rebalancing, leading to a positive market reaction for these stocks [1] Group 1 - Carvana's stock experienced a significant increase in after-hours trading following the announcement [1] - Comfort Systems and CRH also saw their stock prices rally after the news [1] - The three companies are set to emerge from periods of consolidation in the market [1] Group 2 - The trio of companies will replace LKQ (LKQ) and Solstice Advanced in the S&P 500 index [1]

Core Insights - The Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner & Heating industry is poised for growth driven by demand for energy-efficient systems and advanced climate-control technologies [1][2] - Companies are expanding through acquisitions and enhancing digital capabilities to align with fast-growing segments like data center cooling [1][4] Industry Overview - The industry includes designers, manufacturers, and marketers of products for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration [3] - Products range from rooftop units to thermostats and are sold in residential, commercial, and industrial markets [3] Demand Trends - Residential activity is strong as homeowners focus on comfort and efficiency, while commercial demand is rising due to data centers and green infrastructure [2] - The data center boom is increasing the need for specialized HVAC solutions, creating high-margin opportunities for companies [4] Technological Advancements - Companies are investing in technology upgrades and digital platforms to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [5][7] - Strategic acquisitions are broadening product lines and geographic reach, contributing to revenue stability [5][7] Regulatory Environment - U.S. administration's focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is driving demand for high-efficiency HVAC systems [6] - Federal and state incentives are accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient units, supporting market growth [6] Market Challenges - The industry faces risks from housing market volatility, macroeconomic uncertainties, and geopolitical pressures [8][9] - Labor shortages and supply chain constraints are impacting project timelines and increasing costs [11] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner & Heating industry has a Zacks Industry Rank of 77, indicating strong near-term prospects [12][13] - The industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, with a decline of 10.3% [14] Valuation Insights - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 24.24X, higher than the S&P 500's 23.53X and the sector's 19.44X [17] - Historical trading ranges for the industry have been between 15.87X and 30.37X over the past five years [17] Company Highlights - **Comfort Systems USA (FIX)**: The company has a strong backlog and is benefiting from demand in technology-driven projects, particularly in data centers. It has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a stock gain of 102.2% over the past year [23][24] - **SPX Technologies (SPXC)**: The company is experiencing strong organic growth and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), with a stock increase of 30.6% over the past year [26][27]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a continued upward trend in 2025, supported by expectations of further Federal Reserve rate cuts, strong third-quarter earnings, and optimism surrounding artificial intelligence [1] Recommended Growth Stocks - Five growth stocks are recommended for portfolio strengthening in December: Micron Technology Inc. (MU), Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX), Kinross Gold Corp. (KGC), On Holding AG (ONON), and MongoDB Inc. (MDB). Each stock has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of A [2] Micron Technology Inc. (MU) - Micron Technology is a leader in the AI infrastructure boom, driven by strong demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) solutions, with record sales in the data center market [6][10] - The growing adoption of AI servers is reshaping the DRAM market, increasing demand for high-capacity DIMMs and low-power server DRAM, which MU is well-positioned to capitalize on [7] - Micron's diversification strategy has created a more stable revenue base by shifting focus from consumer electronics to resilient sectors like automotive and enterprise IT [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Micron are 62% and over 100%, respectively, for the current year ending August 2026 [10] Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX) - Comfort Systems USA operates in the commercial and industrial HVAC markets, with a focus on manufacturing plants, office buildings, and healthcare facilities [11] - The data center boom, driven by AI and cloud computing, is increasing demand for specialized HVAC solutions, presenting high-margin opportunities for FIX [12][13] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Comfort Systems are 14.7% and 16.4%, respectively, for the next year [13] Kinross Gold Corp. (KGC) - Kinross Gold has a strong production profile and a promising pipeline of exploration projects, focusing on organic growth through its Tasiast mine [14] - The company expects higher output and cash flow from expansions at Tasiast, Manh Choh, and Great Bear, benefiting from rising gold prices [15][16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Kinross are 9.9% and 32.6%, respectively, for the next year [16] On Holding AG (ONON) - On Holding provides footwear and sports apparel products, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 21.1% and 79.3%, respectively, for the next year [17] MongoDB Inc. (MDB) - MongoDB has expanded its Atlas platform into analytics, focusing on developer-friendly interfaces and distributed architectures, targeting modern workloads [18] - The company has benefited from platform adoption across enterprises and startups, with a focus on larger enterprises supporting deal sizes and sales efficiency [19] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for MongoDB are 12.8% and 16.6%, respectively, for the next year ending January 2027 [21]

Core Insights - Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) has experienced a 29.3% increase in stock price over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry, the Construction sector, and the S&P 500 Index [1] Company Performance - The company is benefiting from increased opportunities in large-scale projects, particularly in data center and chip manufacturing, supported by favorable public spending and declining Federal interest rates [2][9] - FIX's backlog reached $9.38 billion, reflecting a 65% year-over-year growth from $5.68 billion and a 15.5% sequential increase, indicating strong demand across traditional construction and modular operations [5][8] - The Technology sector accounted for approximately 42% of revenues year-to-date, up from 32% the previous year, driven by hyperscale and AI-driven infrastructure projects [4] Market Trends - The favorable market environment, characterized by strong federal funding and falling interest rates, is expected to enhance long-term demand trends for FIX [8][10] - The company's management highlighted strong pipelines in technology and promising long-term opportunities in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing as key growth drivers [10] Financial Health - As of Q3 2025, FIX reported cash and cash equivalents of $860.5 million, an increase from $549.9 million in 2024, with operating cash flow of $717.8 million, up from $638.6 million year-over-year [11] - The company has maintained a stable liquidity position, with short-term obligations of $4.7 million, and has engaged in share repurchases and increased dividend payments [12] Return on Equity and Earnings Estimates - FIX's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 43.6%, significantly higher than the industry average, indicating strong efficiency in generating shareholder returns [13] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased to $26.31 and $30.61 per share, respectively, suggesting year-over-year growth of 80.2% and 16.4% [14] Investment Appeal - Despite trading at a premium with a forward P/E ratio of 30.9, FIX's strong project momentum and favorable macroeconomic conditions enhance its investment appeal [17][19] - Analysts show optimism towards FIX, with 77.8% of recommendations indicating a "Strong Buy" [19]

Core Insights - Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) has a strong track record of accretive acquisitions, averaging $93.9 million spent annually from 2007 to 2024, which constitutes about 75% of its capital allocation [1] - The company continued its expansion strategy into 2025 with five acquisitions, including Feyen Zylstra Holdings, LLC and Meisner Electric, Inc., which are expected to generate $200-$240 million in annual revenues and $15-$20 million in annual EBITDA [2] - FIX's revenues increased by 25.1% year-over-year to $6.46 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with acquisitions contributing approximately 2.3% to this growth [3] - The company is capitalizing on long-term opportunities in technology and industrial sectors, particularly in data center construction and electrification, which are expected to drive multi-year growth [4] Company Performance - FIX has accelerated growth through targeted acquisitions and a growing backlog, particularly in data centers and industrial HVAC projects, despite facing competition from major players like Carrier Global Corporation and AECOM [5][6] - The company's competitive advantage lies in its focus on M&A combined with deep execution capabilities in HVAC and electrical services, allowing it to secure projects more efficiently than larger engineering firms [7] - FIX's stock has risen 37.1% over the past three months, outperforming the broader construction sector and the S&P 500 Index [8] Financial Metrics - The 2025 acquisition strategy is expected to enhance revenues, EBITDA, and backlog visibility, positioning FIX for sustained high-margin growth amid rising demand for data centers and electrification [9] - FIX's stock is currently trading at a premium with a forward P/E ratio of 31.75, indicating strong market expectations [11] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased to $26.31 and $30.61 per share, reflecting year-over-year growth of 80.2% and 16.4%, respectively [12] Analyst Sentiment - The robust market fundamentals and strategic initiatives of FIX have led to positive analyst sentiments, with the stock currently holding a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [15]

Industry Overview - The artificial intelligence (AI) sector, bolstered by the growth of cloud computing and data centers, is experiencing robust demand, particularly for data center capacity to manage and store cloud-based data [1] - The "magnificent 7" stocks are projected to invest $380 billion in 2025 for AI infrastructure development, representing a 54% year-over-year increase in capital expenditure [2] Company Summaries Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX) - FIX operates in the HVAC markets, providing services primarily in commercial and industrial sectors [7] - The demand for specialized HVAC solutions is increasing due to the data center boom driven by AI and cloud computing [8] - FIX has an expected revenue growth rate of 14.7% and earnings growth rate of 16.4% for the next year, with earnings estimates improving by 21.1% in the last 60 days [11] Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) - VRT is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and services for data centers and communication networks [12] - The company is expanding capacity to meet the growing demand for AI-enabled solutions, supported by strategic acquisitions [13] - VRT has an expected revenue growth rate of 20.7% and earnings growth rate of 26.3% for the next year, with earnings estimates improving by 0.4% over the last 30 days [15] Sterling Infrastructure Inc. (STRL) - STRL is an engineering firm benefiting from strong momentum in its E-Infrastructure business, which is the primary growth driver [16] - In Q3 2025, STRL's revenues from E-Infrastructure reached $417.1 million, growing approximately 58% year-over-year, with AI-powered data center market revenues rising over 125% [17] - STRL has an expected revenue growth rate of 19.1% and earnings growth rate of 14.6% for the next year, with earnings estimates improving by 8.8% in the last 30 days [19] Dominion Energy Inc. (D) - D is focused on strengthening its electric and natural gas infrastructure while adding renewable assets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 [20] - The company is experiencing increased demand from large data centers, which is enhancing its service performance [21] - D has an expected revenue growth rate of 6% and earnings growth rate of 5.9% for the next year, with earnings estimates improving by 0.3% over the last 30 days [22] Alcoa Corp. (AA) - AA is positioned as a potential dark horse in the AI-driven data center boom, as aluminum is critical for various data center components [23] - The company is exploring opportunities to unlock value from its closed sites with large power capacities for conversion into data centers [24] - AA has an expected revenue growth rate of 3.1% and earnings growth rate of 3.1% for the next year, with earnings estimates improving by 17.8% in the last seven days [24]

Group 1 - Comfort Systems USA's stock rose to $976.00, increasing by $5.05 or 0.52%, and is currently in the buy range after rebounding from the 10-week line [1] - The stock's weekly volume increased by 126%, despite the short holiday week, indicating strong investor interest [1] - Comfort Systems USA has a Composite Rating of 99/99 and ranks 77 out of 197 in its industry group, showcasing its strong performance relative to peers [1] Group 2 - Broadcom's stock surged by 11%, leading 26 new stocks onto the best stock lists, indicating strong market interest in tech stocks [4] - The stock market reached record highs, driven by favorable CPI inflation data, with major indices like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq closing at new highs [4] - AI data center stocks saw significant gains, with one stock increasing by 19% as earnings doubled, reflecting robust growth in the AI sector [4]

Core Insights - The public infrastructure market and private non-residential market are experiencing favorable conditions, benefiting companies like Comfort Systems USA, Inc. and EMCOR Group, Inc. [2] - Recent Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected to further enhance growth prospects for companies in the commercial and industrial infrastructure sectors [3] Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) - Comfort Systems is capitalizing on large-scale project opportunities, with a significant revenue contribution from the Technology sector, which accounted for 42% of total revenues in 2025, up from 32% the previous year [5] - As of September 30, 2025, Comfort Systems reported a record backlog of $9.38 billion, reflecting year-over-year increases of 65.1% [6] - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including two electrical companies, expected to generate over $200 million in incremental annual revenues and $15-$20 million in EBITDA [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIX's 2025 EPS indicates an 80.2% year-over-year growth, with a 16.4% increase projected for 2026 [19] EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME) - EMCOR is focusing on its U.S. operations, divesting its U.K. Building Services segment, which is expected to generate proceeds of about $255 million [12] - As of September 30, 2025, EMCOR's Remaining Performance Obligations (RPOs) were $12.61 billion, indicating a 29% year-over-year growth [11] - The company’s U.S. Electrical Construction and Mechanical Construction segments reported year-over-year revenue growth of 54.1% and 7.6%, respectively [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EME's 2025 EPS implies a year-over-year growth of 17.3%, with an 8.6% increase for 2026 [20] Comparative Analysis - Comfort Systems shows a faster growth trajectory with a premium valuation, while EMCOR offers steadier execution at a relative valuation discount [9][15] - Comfort Systems has a trailing 12-month Return on Equity (ROE) of 43.6%, significantly higher than EMCOR's average, indicating better efficiency in generating shareholder returns [23] - Overall, Comfort Systems is viewed as a better investment option compared to EMCOR based on growth momentum and operational leverage [24][25]

Core Insights - The AI-driven bull run of 2023 and 2024 has continued into 2025, with stock prices of AI-centric companies increasing by 300-500% during this period [1] - Old economy stocks from sectors such as industrials, finance, auto, materials, and construction have also seen significant gains, indicating a broad-based market rally [2] Old Economy Stocks - Five old-economy stocks have rallied over 15% year to date and have favorable Zacks Ranks indicating further upside potential in 2026: Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX), The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV), General Motors Co. (GM), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), and Crane Co. (CR) [3][9] - Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3] Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX) - FIX operates primarily in the HVAC markets and is benefiting from the data center boom driven by AI and cloud computing [6][7] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 14.7% and earnings growth rate of 16.4% for the next year, with a 20.1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [8] The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) - TRV has a strong market presence in auto, homeowners' insurance, and commercial property-casualty insurance, with a high retention rate and positive renewal premium changes [10][11] - The expected revenue growth rate is 3.4% and earnings growth rate is 6.7% for the next year, with a 2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [12] General Motors Co. (GM) - GM holds a 17% market share in the U.S. automotive market, supported by strong demand for its brands and a 10% year-over-year sales increase in China [13][14] - The expected revenue growth rate is -0.8% and earnings growth rate is 11.5% for the next year, with a 6.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [15] JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) - JPM is expected to see net interest income growth driven by business expansion initiatives and high interest rates, with a projected CAGR of 3.3% by 2027 [16] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rate for the next year is 3.7%, with a slight improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings [18] Crane Co. (CR) - Crane manufactures engineered industrial products across various regions and has an expected revenue growth rate of 6.1% and earnings growth rate of 9.5% for the next year [19] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings has improved by 2.5% over the last 30 days [19]

Industry Overview - The artificial intelligence (AI) sector, bolstered by the growth of cloud computing and data centers, is experiencing a robust demand scenario, with a significant surge in data center capacity needed to manage and store cloud-based data [1] - AI infrastructure capital expenditure (capex) is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2028 according to Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, while JP Morgan and Citigroup forecast a cumulative total of $5 trillion by 2030. McKinsey & Co. estimates that global AI-powered data center infrastructure capex will reach around $7 trillion by 2030 [2] Company Recommendations - Investors are advised to buy and hold five non-technology U.S. companies that are expected to benefit from the AI-driven data center boom in 2026. These companies have shown significant stock performance in 2025 [3] - The recommended companies include Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX), Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT), Mirion Technologies Inc. (MIR), BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT), and EMCOR Group Inc. (EME), all of which currently hold a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [4] Company Insights Comfort Systems USA Inc. (FIX) - FIX operates primarily in the HVAC markets and is experiencing increased demand for specialized HVAC solutions due to the data center boom driven by AI and cloud computing [7][8] - The company is expanding its data center construction work, which is becoming a significant growth driver and attracting M&A activity [10] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for FIX are 14.7% and 16.4%, respectively, for the next year, with a 20.1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [11] Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT) - VRT is a leading provider of critical digital infrastructure for data centers and is benefiting from strong market demand and an extensive product portfolio [12][13] - The company is strategically expanding its capacity to meet the growing demand for AI-enabled solutions and has made acquisitions to enhance its service capabilities [13][14] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for VRT are 20.7% and 26.3%, respectively, for the next year, with a 6.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [15] Mirion Technologies Inc. (MIR) - MIR provides radiation detection and monitoring products and is focused on expanding its reach in the nuclear energy sector [16] - The company is integrating digital technologies into its radiation safety solutions and has recently partnered with Westinghouse Electric Company [17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for MIR are 24.7% and 26.5%, respectively, for the next year, with a 1.6% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [18] BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT) - BWXT manufactures nuclear components and is benefiting from strong bookings and government contracts, particularly in the nuclear sector [19][20] - The company's total backlog reached $7.4 billion, up 119% year over year, driven by robust federal demand and a growing pipeline [21] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for BWXT are 14.5% and 9.9%, respectively, for the next year, with a 0.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last seven days [24] EMCOR Group Inc. (EME) - EME is a leading provider of critical infrastructure to AI-powered data centers, focusing on electrical infrastructure and cooling systems [25] - The company is gaining traction in the data center construction market, which is contributing to its expanding performance obligations [26][27] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for EME are 5.9% and 8.6%, respectively, for the next year, with a 1.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings over the last 30 days [28]