Core Insights - TE Connectivity plc (TEL) is recognized as a top long-term investment, particularly due to its strategic focus on AI-related sales growth and commitment to returning capital to shareholders through dividends [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Strategy - Truist Securities analyst William Stein maintained a Hold rating on TEL and raised the price target to $240 from $239, reflecting a stable outlook for the company [2]. - TEL's management aims to double AI-related sales over the next two years, indicating a strong positioning in the AI supply chain [2]. - The company has projected total sales growth of 6–8%, which is considered moderate [2]. Group 2: Dividend Policy - The board of TE Connectivity approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.71 per share, payable on March 13, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 20, 2026 [3]. - The ex-dividend date is also set for February 20, 2026, demonstrating TEL's ongoing commitment to returning capital to shareholders [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells connectivity and sensor solutions across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial automation, energy, medical devices, data centers, and communications infrastructure [4].

Group 1: Company Overview - TE Connectivity plc (NYSE:TEL) is an Ireland-based company specializing in connectivity and sensor solutions, founded in 1941, operating through two segments: Transportation Solutions and Industrial Solutions [4] Group 2: Investment Ratings and Price Targets - As of December 26, 65% of analysts covering TE Connectivity have a 'Buy' or equivalent rating, with a median price target of $280, indicating an upside potential of around 21% [1] - Jefferies reaffirmed its Buy rating on TE Connectivity with a price target of $280, highlighting the company's positioning in the Multi-Industrials sector based on three themes: exposure to power and data centers, margin expansion through internal productivity, and a cyclical recovery after two years of subdued volumes [3] Group 3: Market Insights - Truist updated price targets for the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors, noting that AI infrastructure semiconductor stocks remain cheap relative to their growth, despite challenges in securing power and funding [2]

Company Overview - TE Connectivity plc (TEL) has a market capitalization of $68.4 billion and specializes in connectivity and sensor solutions for data and power transmission in demanding environments [1] - The company is headquartered in Ireland and offers a wide range of products including connectors, sensors, relays, antennas, and electronic components for various markets such as automotive, industrial equipment, aerospace, defense, medical technology, energy, and communications [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts anticipate that TEL will report a profit of $2.54 per share for fiscal 2026 first-quarter earnings, reflecting a 30.3% increase from $1.95 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the entire fiscal 2026, the expected profit is projected to be $10.56 per share, which represents a 20.6% increase from $8.76 per share in fiscal 2025 [3] - EPS is expected to grow by 8.3% year over year to $11.44 in fiscal 2027 [3] Stock Performance - TEL's stock has increased by 58.9% over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index's return of 14.8% and the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund's increase of 21.8% during the same period [4] Dividend Announcement - On December 17, TE Connectivity announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.71 per ordinary share, payable on March 13, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 20, 2026 [5] - The market reacted positively to the dividend announcement, with TE Connectivity shares gaining 1.5% in the following trading session [5] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts have a moderately optimistic outlook on TEL's stock, with an overall "Strong Buy" rating [6] - Among 18 analysts covering the stock, 13 recommend "Strong Buy" and 5 suggest "Hold" [6] - The mean price target for TEL is $264.47, indicating a potential upside of 13.8% from current levels [6]

Price Increases in the Chip Industry - The chip industry is experiencing a significant price increase trend, with various manufacturers announcing price hikes due to rising raw material costs and supply chain pressures [3][4] - Major companies such as TSMC, SMIC, Samsung, and Micron have implemented or are expected to implement price increases across their product lines [12][13][14][19] Raw Material and PCB Price Increases - Jiantek announced a second price increase in December, raising prices for its copper-clad laminates by 5% to 10% due to escalating raw material costs [9] - Nanya Plastics raised prices for all CCL products and PP by 8% starting November 20, citing increases in copper prices and other raw materials [10] Semiconductor Price Adjustments - TSMC has informed clients of a price increase for advanced technology nodes (5nm to 2nm) over the next four years, with expected increases of 8% to 10% for 5nm and up to 50% for 2nm wafers [12] - SMIC has raised prices for some of its production capacity by approximately 10% [13] Memory Chip Price Surge - Samsung has notified clients of a price increase for DRAM and NAND Flash products, with increases of 15% to 30% for certain DRAM types and 5% to 10% for NAND products [14] - Micron has announced a price increase of 20% to 30% for its storage products, effective from September 12 [16] Passive Component Price Increases - Multiple passive component manufacturers have joined the price increase trend, with companies like KEMET and Yageo announcing price hikes of 20% to 30% due to raw material cost pressures [30][33] - Panasonic has raised prices for certain tantalum capacitor models by 15% to 30% [35] Power Device Price Adjustments - China Resources Microelectronics confirmed a price increase for some IGBT products, driven by rising raw material costs and strong order performance [45] - Jingdao Microelectronics has raised prices for certain product series by 10% to 15% due to the increase in raw material prices [46] End-User Impact - Major PC manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell, and HP are planning to raise prices by up to 20% due to ongoing storage price increases [66] - Several smartphone manufacturers have paused procurement of storage chips, facing challenges with rising prices from suppliers [68]

Group 1 - Impax Asset Management's "Impax Global Environmental Markets Fund" reported a portfolio return of 4.55% in Q3 2025, underperforming the MSCI ACWI index which returned 7.62% [1] - The strong performance of global equities in Q3 2025 was attributed to solid macroeconomic conditions, rising corporate earnings, fiscal stimulus, and banking deregulation [1] - The focus on hypergrowth, cyclical, and value stocks has led to increased market concentration, posing challenges for quality-focused investors [1] Group 2 - TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE:TEL) experienced a one-month return of 3.19% and a 52-week gain of 59.38%, closing at $231.90 per share with a market capitalization of $68.308 billion on December 24, 2025 [2] - TE Connectivity plc generated strong performance in Q3 2025 due to faster-than-expected revenue growth in data centers and energy utilities, along with margin expansion in their Industrial Solutions segment [3] - TE Connectivity plc was held by 60 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 47 in the previous quarter, although the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds [3]

Group 1 - Janus Henderson Investors reported a 2.95% return for its Global Sustainable Equity Fund in Q3 2025, underperforming the MSCI World Index which returned 7.27% [1] - The strong rally in global equities during Q3 2025 was attributed to loosening monetary policy and ongoing momentum in the AI growth sector [1] Group 2 - TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE:TEL) achieved a one-month return of 4.69% and a remarkable 59.92% increase in value over the past 52 weeks, closing at $232.69 per share with a market capitalization of $68.541 billion on December 23, 2025 [2] - TE Connectivity reported record net sales, operating margin, and cash generation, alongside a significant increase in orders, benefiting from AI strength and demand in renewables [3] - The company is a leader in the connectors and sensors industry, with a strong position to navigate tariffs due to 75% of its revenues coming from outside the U.S. [3] Group 3 - TE Connectivity was held by 60 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 47 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest among institutional investors [4] - Despite the potential of TE Connectivity as an investment, some analysts suggest that other AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]

Core Insights - The broader equity markets experienced a mini recovery, ending a four-day losing streak, driven by cooling inflation and strong performances from key blue-chip stocks [1][2] - The November consumer price index report indicated an annual inflation increase of 2.7%, lower than the expected 3.1%, while core consumer price inflation was at 2.6%, compared to a forecast of 3% [1] Investment Opportunities - Investors are encouraged to focus on "cash cow" stocks with high return on equity (ROE) to maximize returns, as high ROE indicates effective reinvestment of cash [2][3] - TE Connectivity plc (TEL), ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (ZTO), Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC), Assurant, Inc. (AIZ), and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) are highlighted as stocks with high ROE and favorable efficiency scores [2][7] Financial Metrics - ROE is defined as Net Income divided by Shareholders' Equity, serving as a key indicator of a company's profitability and financial health [3] - A higher ROE signifies better management efficiency in generating profits without new equity capital [4] Screening Parameters - Stocks were screened based on criteria including cash flow greater than $1 billion, ROE greater than the industry average, price/cash flow ratio lower than the industry average, return on assets (ROA) greater than the industry average, and a 5-year EPS historical growth greater than the industry average [5][6][7] - Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) was also considered, indicating stocks likely to outperform the market [7] Company Profiles - **TE Connectivity**: A global technology company focused on connectivity and sensor solutions, with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12.3% and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.5% [8][9] - **ZTO Express**: A leading express delivery service in China, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a long-term earnings growth expectation of 3.1% [10][11] - **Pilgrim's Pride**: Engaged in the production and distribution of chicken products, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11][12] - **Assurant**: A provider of risk management solutions, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [12][13] - **Host Hotels**: A leading lodging REIT with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **US Technology Equities** sector, particularly the **software and AI** landscape, highlighting the transition towards AI productization expected by **2026** [1][2]. Core Insights - **AI Productization Timeline**: 2026 is projected as the pivotal year for AI productization within enterprise software, moving from early-stage deployment to widespread enterprise integration [1][2]. - **Current AI Deployment Challenges**: Companies are still in the early stages of AI experimentation, facing challenges in hiring skilled talent and achieving meaningful results from initial projects [1][2]. - **Shift in Investment Focus**: There is a notable shift from hardware to software investments as companies begin embedding AI into their existing workflows, with significant advancements seen in companies like **Oracle, Microsoft, Salesforce, and ServiceNow** [1][2][5]. - **Monetization Visibility**: Vendors controlling structured enterprise processes are expected to have improved monetization visibility as AI becomes a value-added feature in their product suites [2]. Financial Performance Highlights - **Q3 Earnings Performance**: Most companies reported modest revenue beats but significant improvements in non-GAAP operating income and EPS, indicating early economic benefits from AI deployments [7][9]. - **Revenue Growth Constraints**: Despite increased interest in AI, enterprise budget expansions remain modest, limiting revenue growth [9]. - **Profitability Boost from AI**: AI-driven efficiencies are enhancing unit economics, leading to higher non-GAAP operating income and EPS, even without substantial revenue increases [9]. Company-Specific Insights - **Preferred AI Stocks**: The report identifies **Oracle (ORCL), Microsoft (MSFT), ServiceNow (NOW), and Salesforce (CRM)** as preferred stocks likely to benefit from their strategic positioning in the AI landscape by 2026 [2][5]. - **Earnings Revisions**: Companies like **Microsoft** and **Palantir** have seen significant upward revisions in revenue and EPS forecasts, reflecting strong AI-related demand [13][14]. - **CoreWeave's Performance**: CoreWeave reported revenue of **USD 1,365 million** for Q3, exceeding consensus but below estimates, with concerns about asset turnover and future guidance indicating potential revenue decline [18][19]. Market Dynamics - **AI Infrastructure Demand**: The demand for AI infrastructure and data workloads is solid, with companies like **Oracle and CoreWeave** aggressively scaling capacity [15]. - **Investor Sentiment**: There is a growing investor focus on how companies will deploy AI to solve business problems, with many still not fully recognizing the link between AI deployment and enterprise software [2]. Conclusion - The technology sector is on the brink of a significant transformation driven by AI, with 2026 expected to be a critical year for monetization and integration into enterprise workflows. Companies that are well-positioned in the software space are likely to capitalize on this trend, while challenges remain in the broader economic environment and enterprise budget constraints.

Core Viewpoint - TE Connectivity (TEL) has experienced a 7.5% decline in shares over the past week, but the formation of a hammer chart pattern suggests potential support and a possible trend reversal in the future [1][2]. Technical Analysis - The hammer chart pattern indicates a minor difference between opening and closing prices, with a long lower wick, suggesting that the stock may have found support after a downtrend [4][5]. - This pattern typically signals that bears may have lost control, indicating a potential trend reversal as buying interest emerges [5]. Fundamental Analysis - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for TEL, with a 1.5% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, indicating that analysts expect better earnings than previously predicted [7][8]. - TEL holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which historically outperform the market [9][10].

Market Overview - Major U.S. stock indices experienced a significant decline on December 12, 2025, primarily driven by sell-offs in technology stocks due to concerns over an AI bubble narrative [1] - Investors reacted negatively to news from Broadcom, which indicated expected margin pressure in its AI business for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, despite exceeding fiscal fourth-quarter earnings estimates [1] Investment Strategy - In the current market environment, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a history of raising dividends typically demonstrate strong financial health, providing a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty [2] - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are suggested to form a healthier portfolio with greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks or those with high yields [2] Selected Dividend Growth Stocks - Five dividend growth stocks have been identified as potential solid choices for investment: TE Connectivity (TEL), Enersys (ENS), Donaldson (DCI), Lam Research (LRCX), and Leidos Holdings (LDOS) [3][9] - These stocks exhibit positive sales and earnings per share (EPS) growth histories, consistent dividend increases, solid fundamentals, and favorable valuation metrics [9] Characteristics of Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of dividend growth are typically associated with mature companies that are less vulnerable to market volatility, thus providing a hedge against economic or political uncertainties [4] - These stocks are characterized by superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, long-term profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, strong balance sheets, and value characteristics [5] - Although these stocks may not have the highest yields, they have historically outperformed the broader stock market and other dividend-paying stocks [6] Performance Metrics - Selected stocks must meet specific criteria, including: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Additional metrics include a Price/Cash Flow ratio less than the industry median and a 52-Week Price Change greater than the S&P 500 [8] Individual Stock Insights - **TE Connectivity (TEL)**: Expected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 10.2%, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.3%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.23% [10][11] - **Enersys (ENS)**: Projected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.71% [11][12] - **Donaldson (DCI)**: Anticipated fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 3.4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.30% [12] - **Lam Research (LRCX)**: Expected fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 14.1%, long-term earnings growth rate of 20.3%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.65% [13] - **Leidos Holdings (LDOS)**: Projected fiscal 2025 revenue growth of 3.4%, long-term earnings growth rate of 11.6%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.84% [14]