Core Insights - Crystal International is advancing its strategy to integrate cutting-edge technology across its operations, focusing on digitalization and automation to enhance efficiency and sustainability [1][4]. Group 1: New Facility and Technology Integration - A new facility is being constructed by the company's knits division in its lifestyle wear factory in China, featuring an automated cutting workshop and a centralized smart warehouse with an advanced storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) [2]. - The logistics center, powered by a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, is expected to commence full operations in the first quarter of 2026, aiming to reduce fabric transfer times by up to 75% [3]. - The AS/RS will facilitate the autonomous flow of fabric materials and finished goods, while Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) will enhance the movement of sewn parts, contributing to a fully closed-looped auto-material flow system [3]. Group 2: Strategic Goals and Sustainability - The initiative aligns with Crystal International's Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030, which aims to transform all facilities into smart factories through innovative technology, thereby improving operational efficiency and sustainability performance [4]. - In October 2025, Crystal International became a partner member of Textile Exchange, a global non-profit organization promoting sustainability in the fashion and textile industries, which will help the company increase its use of eco-friendly options [6]. Group 3: Company Overview - Founded in 1970, Crystal International operates over 20 production sites across five countries, including Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, producing a diverse range of apparel products [5]. - The company employs a "Co-creation" business model, collaborating with leading global brands to deliver high-quality and innovative manufacturing solutions [5].

Core Insights - The article discusses the best long-term low volatility stocks to invest in, highlighting the importance of adapting to a changing economic landscape characterized by increased volatility and the emergence of new investment themes [1][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - Sherry Paul from Morgan Stanley emphasizes a shift from globalization to a "new world order," indicating a need for reimagining supply chains and partnerships, particularly in AI and automation manufacturing in the U.S. [2] - The current economic environment suggests increased volatility ahead, which is seen as a natural part of investing rather than a negative indicator [3]. Group 2: Investment Methodology - The selection of stocks is based on a methodology that identifies long-term stocks with stable fundamentals and a beta below 1, focusing on those with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q3 2025 [6]. - The rationale for focusing on hedge fund favorites is that imitating top stock picks can lead to market outperformance, as evidenced by a quarterly newsletter's significant returns since May 2014 [7]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)**: - The company is enhancing its weight management portfolio through a collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals, focusing on next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes [9]. - AstraZeneca will gain exclusive global rights outside of China to CSPC's weight management portfolio, which includes a clinical-ready asset and several preclinical programs [10][11]. - **International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)**: - The company received a price target increase from Argus to $360, driven by strong Q4 performance attributed to GenAI and hybrid cloud momentum [13]. - RBC Capital also raised its price target to $361, citing solid free cash flow performance and exposure to secular themes, particularly from the z17 mainframe refresh cycle [14].

The consensus price target for Teradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ:TER) has increased by 4.8% over the past quarter, indicating analyst confidence.Despite high expectations, Goldman Sachs sets a conservative price target of $149, suggesting the current market valuation might be overly optimistic.Teradyne's strategic focus on semiconductor test equipment and AI-enabled robotics positions it for long-term growth, although its stock trades at a premium.Teradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ:TER) is a prominent player in the automatic test ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. is recognized as one of the 12 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term [1] - Tigress Financial has raised Walmart's price target to $135 from $130, citing the company's increased use of AI and automation to enhance customer experience and revenue growth [2] Group 1: Technology and Operations - Walmart is enhancing its digital and pharmacy-based healthcare services by promoting approximately 3,000 pharmacy technicians to operations team lead positions, increasing their average hourly pay from $22 to $28 [3] - The new team leads will manage daily pharmacy operations and support pharmacy managers, with total pay potential reaching $42 an hour, excluding bonuses [4] - Walmart's technology-driven approach includes a vast network of retail and wholesale stores, e-commerce platforms, and mobile apps, contributing to a significant increase in online sales [5] Group 2: Financial Performance - Walmart raised its full-year outlook for the second time in November, driven by strong quarterly performance and a notable increase in online sales [5]

Amazon’s job cuts announced this week delivered another blow to the tech labor force in the company’s headquarters city of Seattle, which was already losing jobs, Bloomberg reported Friday (Jan. 30).By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content ...

Core Insights - Affirm has become the exclusive provider of buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment options for Expedia Group brands in the U.S. [1] - The partnership will soon extend to Canadian travelers, enhancing payment flexibility for customers [2][3] Partnership Details - The collaboration between Affirm and Expedia Group is part of a multi-year expansion [2] - Affirm is now among nearly 420,000 merchants globally that offer flexible payment options [4] Customer Experience - Affirm's BNPL offerings are designed to provide clarity and confidence in payment selection for customers [3] - The partnership aims to enhance the travel planning experience by integrating payment considerations with travel choices [5] Recent Developments - Affirm reported record volumes and profitable growth in Q1 of fiscal 2026, supported by demand for transparent credit options [5] - Recent partnerships include collaborations with Bolt, Esusu, and Gr4vy to expand BNPL services and flexible payment options [6] Technology and Innovation - Expedia Group is leveraging AI, automation, and partner connectivity to meet growing travel demand [7] - The company's technology systems are designed to create a connected experience for travelers and supply partners [7]

Core Insights - Brookfield Business Partners is undergoing a corporate reorganization to create a single, newly listed corporation, which is expected to enhance trading liquidity and broaden investor access [3][4] Market Conditions - In Europe, conditions are challenging with slower activity in cyclical and industrial markets, but early signs of improvement are noted due to fiscal spending increases, stabilizing energy prices, and accommodative monetary policy [1] - North America shows relatively stable conditions with easing rates, steady consumer spending, and resilient labor markets, although near-term growth remains difficult in some end markets [2] Financial Performance - Brookfield Business Partners reported full-year adjusted EBITDA of $2.4 billion, down from $2.6 billion in 2024, attributed to lower ownership in three businesses following partial sales [10] - Adjusted EFO for the year was $1.2 billion, including $161 million of net gains [11] Capital Management - The company generated over $2 billion from capital recycling, repaid approximately $1 billion of corporate borrowings, and invested $700 million in growth acquisitions [4] - Brookfield has repurchased about $235 million of units and shares at an average price of about $26, with a commitment to complete its $250 million buyback program [13] Operational Highlights - Clarios has seen a 40% increase in underlying annual EBITDA since Brookfield's acquisition, with expectations for similar growth over the next five years [5] - Nielsen executed about $800 million in cost savings since acquisition, with EBITDA margins increasing by over 350 basis points [7] - DexKo managed to maintain low single-digit EBITDA growth despite weak end-market conditions [8] Segment Performance - Industrial segment adjusted EBITDA rose to $1.3 billion, up from $1.2 billion, with a 10% increase in performance excluding acquisitions and dispositions [16] - Business services segment adjusted EBITDA was $823 million, reflecting a slight decrease, while the infrastructure services segment saw a decline to $436 million [16] Future Outlook - The company anticipates continued momentum in 2026, with multiple opportunities aligned with its strategy, suggesting it could be a very active year [19]

Core Insights - Automation and robotics are transitioning from experimentation to real-world applications, driven by advancements in AI and labor constraints, with Serve Robotics and Teradyne representing different investment opportunities within this megatrend [1][2] Group 1: Serve Robotics - Serve Robotics is focused on deploying autonomous delivery robots in urban areas, benefiting from increased engagement with delivery platforms and restaurant partners as automation acceptance grows [4] - The company reported significant growth in delivery volumes, deploying over 2,000 autonomous robots and achieving operational milestones, while maintaining reliability and safety [5] - Despite rapid expansion, Serve Robotics faces financial pressures, reporting a GAAP net loss of $33 million in Q3 2025 and $67 million for the first nine months of the year, indicating a challenging path to breakeven [6] - Future growth is expected to be driven by an expanding fleet, improved autonomy, and partnerships with companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash, aiming for increased revenue through urban adoption [7] Group 2: Teradyne - Teradyne is experiencing increased demand for AI-driven semiconductor and automation workloads, with Q3 2025 revenues rising 4.3% year-over-year, primarily due to strength in semiconductor testing [8][10] - The company is leveraging its scale and engineering capabilities to align with long-term technology transitions, positioning itself as a key player in advanced semiconductor production [9] - However, Teradyne's robotics revenues have been flat and declined year-over-year, reflecting challenges in industrial automation and variability in AI project timing [11] - Looking ahead, Teradyne anticipates that AI-related demand will continue to drive growth through 2026, supported by investments in differentiated test platforms [12] Group 3: Stock Performance & Valuation - Serve Robotics' share price performance has lagged behind Teradyne's over the past six months, with Serve currently trading at a premium on a forward price-to-sales ratio [13][14] - EPS estimates for Serve Robotics have widened to a projected loss of $1.83 per share for 2026, while Teradyne's estimates have declined to $5.09 per share, indicating expected earnings growth of 43.9% year-over-year [16][18] - The comparative analysis suggests that Serve Robotics offers a stronger growth outlook, while Teradyne presents a more established cash-generating model, leading to differing investment profiles [20]

Energy Partnership with the US - Indian oil and gas companies are exploring investments in natural gas liquefaction facilities in the US to deepen energy partnership amid geopolitical volatility [1] - Indian firms are evaluating equity infusion in US gas liquefaction projects that are under construction or nearing final investment decision [2] - The US is India's sixth largest energy trade partner, with hydrocarbon trade exceeding $13.7 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, and both countries aim to increase bilateral energy trade to $20 billion [5] Collaboration with Japan - Indian oil and gas producers are exploring collaborations with Japanese E&P companies for joint bidding under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) [4] - India invited Japanese oil companies to participate in the ongoing tenth round of auctions under the OALP, with ethanol and biofuels identified as key areas for partnership [6] - Major Japanese E&P companies such as INPEX Corporation, JAPEX, and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Corp are involved in these discussions [7] Technological Advancements - India and Japan discussed collaboration opportunities in automation, digitalization, AI-enabled predictive analytics, SCADA systems, and advanced instrumentation to enhance efficiency in oil and gas and new energy segments [8] - Yokogawa Electric Corporation has shown strong interest in enhancing investment in India [8] Investor Confidence - Global and domestic companies have expressed strong confidence in India's growth trajectory and are keen to expand their business presence in the country [9] - Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with CEOs of about 27 global and domestic energy giants, indicating strong engagement in the energy sector [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a core return on assets (ROA) of 1.62% for the quarter and an adjusted ROA of 1.35% with an adjusted efficiency ratio of 64.45% [3][4] - Net interest income increased by 4.7% over the prior quarter, while adjusted non-interest income rose by 8.3% [17] - The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio improved to 8.72%, up from 8.24% in the prior quarter [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The retirement division generated total revenue of $17.3 million, a 4.6% increase over the prior quarter, driven by growth in asset and transaction-based fees [22] - The wealth management business saw revenues increase by 13.4% to $7.4 million, with end-of-quarter assets under management rising by 0.8% [24] - Core revenues from fee income grew by 7% year-over-year, maintaining over 40% of total revenues [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in loans by 1.3% over the previous quarter due to strategic downsizing of the loan portfolio [19] - Deposits decreased by 5%, primarily due to the calling in of broker deposits and other wholesale funding [20] - The loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 96.6%, with a deposit retention rate close to 95% since the acquisition of Home Federal [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for sustainable organic growth and a return to top-tier profitability, focusing on enhancing its commercial bank and improving returns [5][6] - A strategic entry into the mid-market commercial and industrial (C&I) space is expected to drive growth, with strong pipelines entering 2026 [7] - The company plans to double the number of wealth management advisors and invest in technology and AI to enhance scalability and improve margins [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic position and momentum as it enters 2026, highlighting strong core financial performance and successful execution of strategic initiatives [3][4] - The company anticipates loan growth in the mid-single digits and deposit growth in the low single digits for 2026, with a projected net interest margin of around 3.5% to 3.6% [26][27] - Management noted that the competitive environment for deposits is expected to remain strong, impacting net interest margin [79] Other Important Information - The company successfully converted its entire wealth business onto a new system, achieving 100% client retention [11] - The allowance for loan losses remained robust at 1.53% of total loans, with net recoveries reported [9] - The company has close to $2.8 billion in liquidity to support loan growth and other liquidity events [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Balancing dynamics for 2026 regarding loan and deposit growth - Management aims to maintain a loan-to-deposit ratio around 95% to 96%, acknowledging potential seasonal fluctuations [34] Question: Insights on expenses and technology investments - Guidance includes team additions and variable costs related to technology investments [36][37] Question: Loan growth expectations and credit trimming - A significant portion of loan runoff was intentional, focusing on reducing marginal credits and enhancing C&I relationships [42] Question: Non-performing loans and resolution expectations - An increase in non-performing loans was related to a multifamily loan, with expectations for resolution in the first half of the year [45] Question: Margin trajectory and expectations for 2026 - Management expects gradual improvement in net interest margin, influenced by deposit flows [46] Question: Update on capital and acquisition opportunities - The company continues to explore potential acquisitions in the retirement and HSA space while prioritizing organic growth [54] Question: Competition in deposit pricing - The deposit market remains competitive, with rational pricing generally observed [79]