Core Insights - A significant demand for critical minerals is emerging, essential for electric vehicles, batteries, and clean energy systems, with two U.S.-listed ETFs, VanEck Rare Earth And Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) and Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT), positioned at the forefront of this trend [1][2] ETF Overview - REMX focuses on rare earth and strategic metal miners, tracking the MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index, and includes companies like MP Materials Corp, Lynas Rare Earths, and Pilbara Minerals, which are crucial in the U.S.-China supply chain dynamics [3] - BATT tracks the EQM Lithium & Battery Technology Index, combining miners such as Albemarle Corp and Glencore with downstream manufacturers like Panasonic and Samsung SDI, thus capturing both extraction and downstream demand from the EV and energy storage sectors [4] Performance Metrics - Both ETFs have expense ratios between 0.58% and 0.59%, with REMX managing approximately $1.3 billion in assets and BATT around $91 million; REMX has shown a 79% year-to-date return, while BATT has returned 55% year-to-date, reflecting differing investor interests and market conditions [5] - REMX's performance is heavily influenced by Chinese policy risks, while BATT's broader focus ties its performance to EV adoption and battery margins [6] Investment Implications - For investors interested in mining geopolitics, REMX offers a concentrated investment in supply scarcity, while BATT may appeal to those seeking a more diversified exposure to the clean energy sector [7]

Financial Performance - Net revenues reached US$764 million, an increase of 8% compared to both 2Q25 and 3Q24[14] - Adjusted EBITDA was US$186 million, up 16% from 2Q25 and 2% from 3Q24[14] - Free cash flow was US$52 million, an increase of US$35 million compared to 2Q25, but an decrease of US$1 million compared to 3Q24[14] - Net leverage stood at 22x, a decrease of 01x compared to 2Q25 and remained the same compared to 3Q24[14] Operational Highlights - Zinc production from mining reached 84kt, a 14% increase compared to 2Q25 and a 1% increase compared to 3Q24[14] - Total zinc sales from smelting amounted to 150kt, a 3% increase compared to 2Q25 but a 2% decrease compared to 3Q24[14] - Aripuanã achieved a new quarterly record with 104kt of zinc production, a 39% increase compared to 2Q25[24] Strategic Initiatives - Cerro Pasco Integration Project is progressing, aiming for a potential 15+ years LoM extension and a 20-30% NSR uplift[33] - The company is actively seeking accretive value-generating opportunities in mining-friendly jurisdictions[11] Market Overview - Zinc prices are consolidating near US$3,000/t, with a 2026 benchmark treatment charge expected at approximately US$130-180/t[73] - Silver prices increased by 58% from July 2024 to September 2025, reaching US$46/oz[67]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Energy Transition** and the **power market** in China, projecting a significant increase in power demand growth to **8% by 2028-30E**, which is double the previous estimate of **4%** [2][3][15]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Power Demand Growth Drivers**: - The forecast of **8% power demand growth** is driven by three main structural factors: 1. **AI Infrastructure**: Expected to contribute **2.3 percentage points (ppt)** to growth, up from **0.5ppt** previously [3][14][16]. 2. **Exports**: Contribution raised from **0ppt to 1.4ppt**, with a long-term export growth assumption of **4% annually** [3][24]. 3. **Electrification**: Increased contribution from **0.6ppt to 1.2ppt**, driven by the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and power-intensive manufacturing [3][27]. - **Investment and Capacity Forecast**: - The **15th Five-Year Plan** capacity addition target is revised up by **14% to 438GW**, with significant increases in thermal (from **32GW to 61GW**), wind (from **105GW to 128GW**), and nuclear (from **12GW to 16GW**) approvals [4][35][39][41]. - **Earnings Upgrades**: - Earnings per share (EPS) forecasts for preferred companies are raised by **2-18%** for **2025-27E**, reflecting stronger volumes and improved pricing [5][47]. Stock Recommendations - **Upgrades**: - Dajin and CGN Power upgraded from **Neutral to Buy** due to stronger volume growth and improved margin forecasts [5][9]. - **Top Picks**: - Harbin Electric and CGN Power are highlighted as top investment choices, along with Dongfang, Sieyuan, Yingliu, Goldwind, and Dajin [2][9]. Additional Important Insights - **Valuation Metrics**: - Preferred stocks are trading at **15.6x 2026E PE**, below historical averages of **22x** and **21x** during previous high growth cycles [2][9]. - **Market Dynamics**: - Despite a **116% YTD rally**, the current valuations do not fully reflect the anticipated demand upcycle, indicating potential for re-rating as consensus aligns with the **8% demand growth thesis** [2][9][54]. - **Grid Capex**: - Grid capital expenditure (capex) growth is expected to accelerate to **9% CAGR** for **2025-30E**, reflecting the need to connect additional power supply to demand [47][48]. Conclusion - The report presents a bullish outlook on China's power market, driven by structural changes in demand from AI, exports, and electrification, alongside significant upgrades in capacity and earnings forecasts for key players in the industry. The anticipated demand growth and necessary investments in infrastructure suggest a favorable environment for power equipment and independent power producers (IPPs) moving forward.

Core Points - Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation are contributing $100,000 to the One SC Fund to support food banks in South Carolina [1] - The initiative is part of a broader campaign to address food insecurity, with over $500,000 allocated to more than 60 feeding programs leading up to Thanksgiving [4][10] - Duke Energy has dedicated more than $2.6 million since 2021 to support food assistance agencies [10] Company Contributions - Duke Energy's annual campaign will kick off next week, focusing on organizations that combat hunger in South Carolina [4] - The campaign will highlight community partners such as Harvest Hope Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina [5] - Duke Energy employees will volunteer their time to assist these organizations throughout the month [5] Community Impact - As colder weather and holidays approach, many families in South Carolina rely on assistance programs, which are currently facing challenges [2] - The contribution to the One SC Fund is aimed at encouraging other corporate entities and citizens to support the fight against hunger [11] - Gov. Henry McMaster emphasized the importance of community support during uncertain times [11]

Core Insights - Crédit Agricole S.A. reported strong financial results for Q3 2025, with net income group share increasing by 10.2% year-on-year to €1,836 million, driven by high revenues and a controlled cost of risk [32][40][44] - The group achieved revenues of €9,731 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 5.6% increase compared to Q3 2024, with a gross operating income of €3,944 million, up 8.9% [18][33] - The cost/income ratio improved to 59.5%, down 1.2 percentage points from the previous year, indicating better operational efficiency [18][35] Financial Performance - For Q3 2025, Crédit Agricole S.A. reported revenues of €6,850 million, a 5.6% increase from Q3 2024, with operating expenses rising by 4.0% to €3,837 million [33][34] - The gross operating income for the quarter was €3,013 million, up 7.7% year-on-year, while the cost of risk increased by 13.0% to €489 million [35][37] - In the first nine months of 2025, net income group share reached €7,120 million, a 9.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [21][40] Business Lines and Activity - The group experienced sustained activity across all business lines, with significant growth in home loans (+18% year-on-year) and corporate loans (+14% year-on-year) [7][10] - Asset management saw record inflows of €15 billion in Q3 2025, contributing to a total of €2,317 billion in assets under management [11][52] - The insurance segment reported strong performance, with revenues reaching €11.8 billion, up 21.4% compared to Q3 2024 [46][62] Customer Growth and Market Position - Crédit Agricole Group gained 522,000 new customers in Retail Banking during Q3 2025, with total on-balance sheet deposits amounting to €835 billion, reflecting a 0.6% year-on-year increase [10][27] - The group maintained a strong market share in credit, standing at 22.6% as of June 2025, with buoyant loan production driven by home loans and specialized markets [27][10] Risk Management and Solvency - The phased-in CET1 ratio for Crédit Agricole S.A. was reported at 11.7%, while the group’s CET1 ratio stood at 17.6%, indicating strong solvency [3] - The cost of risk for the group was stable at 27 basis points over a rolling four-quarter period, reflecting prudent risk management practices [19][24]

Core Insights - Energy Vault is evolving as an integrated energy storage Independent Power Producer (IPP) and has introduced a new investment platform called Asset Vault to enhance deployment and value creation in the energy transition [2]. Group 1 - The company is hosting a Virtual Investor and Analyst Day Webcast to provide insights into its strategy, business performance, and growth trajectories [1]. - A presentation related to Energy Vault's strategy is available on the investor website, and a replay of the webcast will be accessible later [3].

October 29, 2025 Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This presentation, as well as other statements we make, contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which include any statements that are not historical facts. Such statements often contain words such as "expect," "may," "can," "believe," "predict," "plan," "potential," "projected," "projections," "forecast," "estimate," "intend," "anticipate," "ambitio ...

Summary of Energy Vault's 2025 Investor Day Company Overview - **Company**: Energy Vault (NYSE: NRGV) - **Event**: 2025 Virtual Investor and Analyst Day - **Focus**: Integrated energy storage Independent Power Producer (IPP) and introduction of Asset Vault, a new investment platform for energy transition [1][4] Key Points and Arguments Introduction of Asset Vault - Asset Vault is designed to accelerate deployment and value creation in energy transition [1][6] - It aims to enhance Energy Vault's role in operating critical energy storage infrastructure [6][10] Business Performance and Growth - Energy Vault has brought online 65 megawatts of projects and contracted an additional 275 megawatts [7] - Projects include the 125-megawatt Stony Creek project in Australia and the 150-megawatt Sosa Energy Center in Texas [8] - These projects are expected to generate approximately $40 million in annual recurring EBITDA over the next 24 months [9] Financial Outlook - A $300 million funding of non-dilutive preferred equity will enable up to 1.5 gigawatts of new deployments, equating to over $1 billion in capital expenditures [9] - Projected annual recurring EBITDA from Asset Vault alone is expected to reach $100 to $150 million within the next three to four years [9][21] Market Position and Strategy - Energy Vault's contract backlog has quadrupled to almost $1 billion, indicating strong demand for energy storage solutions [10][21] - The company is positioned to leverage its expertise in energy storage and grid management to support the growth of AI infrastructure [10][27] Collaboration with Crusoe Energy - Energy Vault is collaborating with Crusoe Energy to develop modular AI data center infrastructure projects [10][27] - This partnership aims to address the energy needs of large data centers, which are critical for the AI industry [27] Investment Strategy - Asset Vault will be capitalized through a combination of common stock issued to Energy Vault and preferred equity from Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC) [32] - The capital structure is designed to minimize dilution and maintain control while facilitating project financing [32][38] Project Evaluation Criteria - Projects are evaluated based on developer reputation, project economics, project risk, and geography [54][56] - A scoring matrix is used to objectively assess projects, ensuring only those that meet internal hurdle rates are pursued [59][63] Revenue Structure - The targeted revenue mix aims for 75% contracted revenue from investment-grade offtakes and 25% merchant exposure to capture upside [64] - This balance allows for stable cash flows while also taking advantage of market volatility [64][66] Additional Important Insights - Energy Vault's technology-agnostic software platform enables the deployment of various technologies tailored to specific applications [19] - The company has a strong focus on R&D and core technologies while shifting towards owning and operating energy storage assets [45] - The anticipated growth in energy storage demand is projected at a CAGR of approximately 28% through 2030, significantly outpacing electricity demand growth [12][13] Conclusion - Energy Vault is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for energy storage solutions, particularly in the context of the AI infrastructure boom [10][27] - The introduction of Asset Vault and collaborations with key partners like Crusoe Energy are expected to enhance the company's growth trajectory and shareholder value [10][27][21]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a third quarter adjusted EPS of $0.19, bringing the year-to-date total to $1.38, reaffirming the upper half of the 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.85-$1.89 [8][25] - The company introduced 2026 consolidated EPS guidance of $2.02-$2.07, reflecting a projected growth from the 2025 midpoint [28][34] - The adjusted EPS trajectory is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from $1.37 in 2021 to a projected $1.88 in 2025 [32][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured approval of the Genco model in Indiana and full ownership of the Templeton Wind asset, reinforcing its regulatory foundation [7][10] - The Genco investments are projected to enhance the value proposition for customers and shareholders, with an investment inventory of approximately $7 billion [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is advancing its tracker programs in Ohio and Indiana, with a Pennsylvania rate case expected to conclude by year-end [10][11] - Columbia Gas of Virginia's partnership with Eli Lilly for a $5 billion manufacturing facility is expected to create 650 permanent jobs and 1,800 construction jobs, showcasing economic development [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for a 6%-8% annual adjusted EPS growth rate through 2030 and an 8%-9% adjusted EPS CAGR through 2033, aligning financial plans with long-term stakeholder value [7][30] - The Genco strategy is designed to protect existing customers while serving new large load customers with speed and flexibility, enhancing the competitive position [12][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized the importance of customer affordability and the proactive approach to economic development, ensuring reliability and sustainability [11][12] - The company is confident in its ability to execute large-scale construction projects and is focused on operational excellence to meet growing customer needs [10][36] Other Important Information - The company has refreshed its five-year capital expenditure plan to $28 billion, which includes $7 billion for data center investments, marking one of the largest investment cycles in its history [26][27] - The partnership with Blackstone Infrastructure Partners will contribute $1.5 billion in equity, reinforcing the capital structure for Genco [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to the quality of the customer behind the agreement? - The customer is a large investment-grade data center customer, and the company has a clear path for executing future negotiations based on this model [39][41] Question: What are the downgrade thresholds as you become more integrated? - The company believes that the risk management provisions in the contract provide adequate protection, and no change in downgrade thresholds is expected [43][44] Question: Can you elaborate on the $0.25 versus the $0.45 range? - The $0.25-$0.45 range reflects contributions from the current customer, with potential upside from additional strategic negotiations [49][50] Question: What is the contribution from NiSource for Genco? - The guidance reflects the total cost of financing, including equity and debt, supporting the full $28 billion of capital expenditures [52][53] Question: Can you discuss the return profile or capital structure assumptions within Genco? - The targeted return for Genco is expected to be greater than NIPSCO's regulated rate of return, with a flexible capital structure to support development [77][79] Question: What is the timing differential of capital investment versus earnings realization? - Most capital expenditures will occur between 2025 and 2030, with earnings realization linked to the completion of construction cycles [81][82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a third quarter adjusted EPS of $0.19, bringing the year-to-date total to $1.38, reaffirming the upper half of the 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.85 to $1.89 [6][22] - The 2026 consolidated EPS guidance is announced to be $2.02 to $2.07, reflecting strong financial commitments and growth potential [6][26] - The adjusted EPS trajectory shows an increase from $1.37 in 2021 to a projected $1.88 in 2025, representing an 8.2% CAGR over five years [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has secured approval for the GenCo model in Indiana and full ownership of the Templeton Wind asset, reinforcing its regulatory foundation [5][8] - The GenCo investments are projected to enhance the value proposition for customers and shareholders, with an investment inventory of approximately $7 billion [19][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is advancing its regulatory agenda in Ohio and Indiana, with a Pennsylvania rate case expected to conclude by year-end [8][9] - Columbia Gas of Virginia's partnership with Eli Lilly for a $5 billion manufacturing facility is highlighted as a proactive economic development initiative [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for a 6% to 8% annual adjusted EPS growth rate through 2030 and an 8% to 9% CAGR for consolidated business through 2033 [5][27] - Investments in AI-driven operational efficiencies are emphasized to enhance customer affordability and service quality [7][10] - The GenCo strategy is designed to protect existing customers while serving new large load customers with speed and flexibility [10][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expresses confidence in the pipeline of projects and the ability to execute on new customer agreements, highlighting a robust growth strategy [33] - The focus remains on customer affordability and operational excellence, with a commitment to minimizing the financial impact of investments on customers [11][28] Other Important Information - The company has introduced a refreshed five-year capital expenditure plan of $28 billion, which includes $7 billion for data center investments [23][24] - The partnership with Blackstone Infrastructure Partners is expected to contribute $1.5 billion in equity, reinforcing the capital structure [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to the quality of the customer behind the agreement? - The customer is described as a very large investment-grade data center customer, with a new business model being unlocked for future negotiations [35][36] Question: What is the return profile or capital structure assumptions within the GenCo? - The targeted return for GenCo is expected to exceed NIPSCO's regulated rate of return, with a flexible capital structure to support customer needs [64][65] Question: Can you elaborate on the $0.25 versus the $0.45 range? - The range reflects contributions from multiple customers, with the current customer fitting within that range, and additional customers could push towards the higher end [43][44] Question: What protections are in place for the contracts? - The contracts include thoughtful risk management provisions, cost-sharing arrangements, and a fixed-rate structure to mitigate risks [60][61] Question: How does the timing of capital investment align with earnings realization? - Most capital expenditures occur between 2025 and 2030, with earnings ramping up as customers begin to utilize the infrastructure [66][67]