Summary of UL Solutions Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) - **Industry**: Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Key Points Business Segments and Revenue - UL Solutions operates in two main segments: industrial tech and consumer tech, with 33% of revenue being recurring from inspection and certification services [4][8][11] - Industrial tech is identified as the core focus, with historical roots in electrical safety [11][12] - Industrial segment has experienced high single-digit revenue growth, driven by mega trends such as energy transition and the proliferation of devices connected to the electrical grid [14][15] Growth Drivers - The industrial segment has seen double-digit revenue growth in 2023 and 2024, attributed to trends in energy generation and innovative uses of electrical energy [14] - Data centers and renewable energy are significant growth drivers, although specific revenue percentages tied to these sectors have not been disclosed [16][17][38] Margin Expansion - EBITDA margin expansion in the industrial segment is attributed to operational efficiencies and pricing initiatives [23][28] - Consumer segment margins have improved but are inherently lower due to higher labor intensity in testing processes [36][37] Market Position and Competitive Advantage - UL Solutions has a strong reputation in the U.S. market, benefiting from its involvement in crafting safety standards and regulations [38][39] - The company has historically outperformed industry growth rates and expects to continue this trend [39][41] Future Investments and Innovations - Plans for new laboratory facilities, including a Fire Research Center of Excellence, are set to enhance UL's capabilities in fire safety [50][72] - The company is focusing on expanding its software and advisory services, particularly in supply chain traceability and ESG reporting [51][75] Challenges and Adaptations - The consumer product division faced challenges due to tariff uncertainties, but clients have adapted to the new normal [33][34] - The company is continuously looking for ways to optimize its lab utilization and operational efficiency [31][32] Conclusion - UL Solutions is positioned for continued growth in the TIC industry, with a strong focus on industrial tech and a commitment to innovation and operational efficiency. The company is adapting to market changes and investing in future capabilities to maintain its competitive edge.

Group 1 - The company *ST Yushun (002289.SZ) has signed a conditional equity transfer agreement with its controlling shareholder Shanghai Fengwang Industrial Co., Ltd. to purchase 6% equity of Hebei Aihua Data Technology Co., Ltd. for 3 million yuan [1] - The equity corresponds to a capital contribution of 3 million yuan, which has already been fully paid by Shanghai Fengwang [1] - Hebei Aihua Data has not yet commenced operations and plans to build a smart computing center project in Huailai County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province [1] Group 2 - The project has completed the enterprise investment project filing and has obtained the energy-saving review opinion from the Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission [1] - According to the filing documents, the total investment for the project is 3 billion yuan, with a total construction area of approximately 122,000 square meters [1] - The project includes six 4-story digital center buildings totaling 100,000 square meters, one 5-story research office building of 12,000 square meters, and two 3-story auxiliary facility buildings of 10,000 square meters, with a production scale of approximately 12,000 cabinets and 180,000 servers [1]

Core Viewpoint - Company *ST Yushun (002289.SZ) has signed a conditional equity transfer agreement with its controlling shareholder Shanghai Fengwang Industrial Co., Ltd. to acquire a 6% stake in Hebei Aihua Data Technology Co., Ltd. for 3 million yuan [1] Group 1: Equity Acquisition - The company plans to use its own or raised funds of 3 million yuan to purchase the 6% equity stake from Shanghai Fengwang, which has already completed the capital contribution [1] - The corresponding capital contribution for the acquired stake is 3 million yuan [1] Group 2: Business Operations - Hebei Aihua Data has not yet commenced actual operations [1] - The company intends to construct an intelligent computing center project in Huailai County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province [1] Group 3: Project Details - The project has completed the enterprise investment project filing and has received energy-saving review opinions from the Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission [1] - The total investment for the project is 3 billion yuan, with a total construction area of approximately 122,000 square meters, including six 4-story digital center buildings of 100,000 square meters, one 5-story research office building of 12,000 square meters, and two 3-story auxiliary facility buildings of 10,000 square meters [1] - The production scale is expected to include 12,000 cabinets with a capacity of approximately 8KW each, 180,000 servers, and related auxiliary IT and electromechanical equipment [1]

Core Viewpoint - Company plans to acquire 6% equity in Hebei Aihua Data Technology Co., Ltd. for 3 million yuan to enhance its strategic development goals and strengthen its position in the IDC industry [1][2] Group 1: Investment Details - The acquisition involves purchasing 6% equity from the controlling shareholder Shanghai Fengwang Industrial Co., Ltd. for a total investment of 3 million yuan [1] - Hebei Aihua Data has not yet commenced operations and is in the process of establishing a smart computing center project in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province [1] - The total investment for the smart computing center project is 3 billion yuan, with a total construction area of approximately 122,000 square meters [1] Group 2: Strategic Implications - This investment will enhance the company's influence and competitiveness in the IDC industry, while also improving its sustainable development capabilities [2] - The investment is strategically driven and aligns with the company's actual business development needs, allowing for a lower-cost entry into a quality project [2] - The project is currently in the planning stage and is progressing as scheduled, which provides the company with an opportunity to secure a proactive position [2]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley's report highlights the significant role of AI infrastructure in the U.S. economy, indicating that data center construction is a key driver of non-residential building investment in 2023 [1][2] - The report emphasizes the challenges in scaling up electricity supply to meet the growing demand from AI data centers, with a projected need for substantial new power generation capacity [3][11] - The financial landscape for tech giants is shifting towards debt financing to support their capital expenditures in AI, with notable increases in bond issuance among major companies [22][25] Group 1: AI Infrastructure and Economic Impact - The construction of data centers is expanding from tech giants to a broader range of companies, significantly contributing to non-residential building investment in the U.S. [2][10] - Although over 300 GW of data center capacity is planned, only 175-200 GW is realistically expected to materialize, with annual additions projected to be five times higher than previous years [2][10] - Data centers are becoming a critical component of the U.S. economy, with their spending accounting for 6% of non-residential construction, despite overall declines in other sectors [7][10] Group 2: Electricity Supply Challenges - The U.S. electricity grid is currently unable to support the simultaneous operation of 300 GW of data centers, making power supply the primary constraint on AI expansion [11][20] - New power generation projects, particularly natural gas, are being prioritized, with a 158% increase in planned capacity to 147 GW [16][20] - The annual electricity consumption of data centers is expected to rise significantly, necessitating the addition of at least 100 GW of new generation capacity [13][14] Group 3: Financial Strategies of Tech Giants - Major tech companies are increasingly turning to debt financing to support their capital expenditures, with Oracle, Meta, and Alphabet leading in bond issuance [22][25] - The total capital expenditure for global data centers has reached $450 billion annually, prompting companies to seek external financing options [22][23] - Oracle faces significant debt pressures, with total debt exceeding $100 billion, while other companies like Microsoft maintain a more stable financial position [25][26] Group 4: Revenue Generation and Investment Returns - To achieve a reasonable investment return of 10%, the AI industry must generate approximately $650 billion in annual revenue, equating to 0.6% of global GDP [3][34] - The potential increase in costs for consumers, such as an additional $35 per month for iPhone users, highlights the need for effective monetization strategies in the AI sector [3][35] - Historical parallels with the telecom industry suggest that the success of AI investments will depend on viable business models rather than just technological advancements [31][32]

Core Viewpoint - The rapid construction of data centers in the United States is raising concerns about electricity supply shortages, which may impact various industries, particularly aluminum production [4]. Group 1: Electricity Supply and Demand - In 2024, the United States is projected to generate approximately 4.3 trillion kWh of electricity, which is about 42.5% of China's expected generation of 10.1 trillion kWh [5]. - The industrial sector accounts for 26% of the total electricity consumption in the U.S., with total electricity consumption expected to reach 4.1 trillion kWh in 2024 [5]. Group 2: Data Center Electricity Consumption - Data centers in the U.S. are expected to consume around 178 TWh of electricity in 2024, representing about 4% of the total electricity consumption, and this is projected to increase to 606 TWh by 2030, accounting for 12% of total consumption [6]. - The increase in electricity consumption by data centers is expected to account for approximately 41% of the total increase in electricity demand in the U.S. from 2024 to 2030 [10]. Group 3: Aluminum Production and Costs - The U.S. is projected to produce 670,000 tons of electrolytic aluminum in 2024, which is about 0.9% of global production and 1.6% of China's production [7]. - The electricity cost for producing electrolytic aluminum in the U.S. is approximately 1.9 times higher than in China, with U.S. industrial electricity prices averaging 9.06 cents/kWh compared to China's average of 0.386 yuan/kWh [8][9]. - The high electricity costs and supply constraints are likely to accelerate the exit of high-cost aluminum production capacity in the U.S. and delay the construction of new capacity [10].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Increase" rating for the non-ferrous metals industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector [6]. Core Insights - The rapid development of data centers in the United States is causing concerns over electricity supply, which presents investment opportunities in the aluminum sector [1]. - In 2024, U.S. electricity generation is projected to be approximately 42.5% of China's, with industrial electricity consumption accounting for 26% of total usage [1]. - The electricity consumption of data centers in the U.S. is expected to rise from 4% of total electricity usage in 2024 to 12% by 2030, indicating significant growth in demand [1]. - U.S. electrolytic aluminum production in 2024 is estimated at 670,000 tons, representing 0.9% of global production, and is significantly lower than the 3.67 million tons produced in 2000 [2][3]. - The electricity cost for producing aluminum in the U.S. is approximately 1.9 times higher than in China, which poses economic challenges for U.S. aluminum producers [3]. Summary by Sections Data Center Electricity Demand - The electricity consumption of data centers in the U.S. is projected to increase significantly, with an estimated 178 TWh in 2024 and 606 TWh by 2030, which will account for 41% of the increase in U.S. electricity demand from 2024 to 2030 [1][3]. U.S. Aluminum Production - The U.S. electrolytic aluminum production capacity is concentrated in a few plants, with total production expected to be 670,000 tons in 2024, a drastic decline from 3.67 million tons in 2000 due to rising electricity costs [2]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends investing in companies such as Yun Aluminum, China Hongqiao, and Shenhuo Co., while keeping an eye on China Aluminum and Zhongfu Industrial, as the demand for aluminum is expected to rise due to data center growth [4].

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley's report highlights the significant role of AI infrastructure in the U.S. economy, indicating that data center construction is a key driver of non-residential building investment in 2023 [1][2] - The report emphasizes the need for substantial revenue generation to achieve reasonable investment returns in the AI sector, estimating that the industry must generate approximately $650 billion annually to reach a 10% return on investment [3][31] Group 1: AI Infrastructure and Economic Impact - The construction of data centers is expanding from tech giants to a broader range of companies, significantly contributing to non-residential building investment in the U.S. [2][11] - Although over 300 GW of data center capacity is planned, only 175-200 GW is expected to be realized, with an annual addition of 18-20 GW over the next decade [2][12] - The U.S. power grid is under pressure, with over 100 GW of new power projects queued for connection, primarily relying on natural gas, which has seen a 158% increase in planned capacity [2][16] Group 2: Financial Dynamics of Tech Giants - Major tech companies are shifting from self-funding to debt financing due to rising capital expenditures, with Oracle, Meta, and Alphabet issuing significant bonds to support AI investments [18][21] - The market for data center-related securities is rapidly growing, with $21.2 billion issued this year, nearly doubling from the previous year [26] - The total debt of Oracle has surpassed $100 billion, raising concerns about its financial flexibility in the face of increasing capital expenditures [21][24] Group 3: Revenue Generation and Market Viability - To achieve a 10% return on investment, the AI industry must generate around $650 billion in revenue, equating to 0.6% of global GDP [3][31] - The potential increase in costs for consumers, such as an additional $35 per month for iPhone users, raises questions about the market's ability to absorb these expenses [3][32] - The historical context of the telecom industry serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of overestimating demand and the importance of sustainable business models in the AI sector [28][29]

Core Viewpoint - BlackRock (BLK.US) has agreed to invest up to €2 billion (approximately $2.33 billion) to form a joint venture with Spanish engineering and construction group ACS to develop data centers [1] Group 1: Investment Details - BlackRock's global infrastructure fund will make an initial payment of approximately €1 billion, with the remaining amount to be paid based on performance targets [1] - Both parties will hold a 50% stake in the new company [1] Group 2: Asset Transfer and Market Position - ACS will transfer assets capable of developing 1.7 gigawatts of data center capacity to the joint venture [1] - ACS, led by billionaire Florentino Pérez, is increasingly focusing on data center construction as a high-profit growth area [1] Group 3: Financial Performance - ACS's annual financial report indicates a 138% surge in order volume for data center projects in 2024 [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third quarter revenue reached $473.9 million, reflecting substantial year-over-year growth, primarily due to two months of NV5's contribution following the acquisition [13][15] - Year-to-date growth for the combined business was approximately 4.7%, with a quarter growth of about 2.4% if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2024 [13][19] - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $77.3 million, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.3%, compared to $51.3 million with a margin of 16.9% in the prior year [17][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The inspection and mitigation segment generated approximately $293 million in revenue, down about 3% year-over-year, while the consulting engineering segment contributed approximately $122 million during the two-month period, with a potential full quarter revenue of about $189 million, reflecting an 11% increase [15][16] - The geospatial segment contributed about $62 million during the same two-month period, with a potential full quarter revenue of approximately $90 million, up about 4% year-over-year [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported double-digit growth in the consulting engineering segment, driven by data center work for hyperscaler clients, which more than doubled over the trailing 12 months [8][9] - Infrastructure investments supporting grid modernization and energy transition are creating new opportunities across all three segments, indicating multi-year growth drivers [9][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand the markets served and services provided within the TIC and engineering space, focusing on a unified platform dedicated to reliability, innovation, and service excellence [5][6] - The integration of Acuren and NV5 is expected to create synergies and enhance capabilities, allowing the company to serve clients across the full lifecycle of critical assets and infrastructure [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the demand across core markets and reaffirmed full-year 2025 guidance, expecting revenue in the range of $1.530 billion to $1.565 billion [19][20] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 3% to 5% relative to the 2025 combined company baseline for the following year [19] Other Important Information - The company has increased its cost synergy target from $20 million to $25 million, expected to be fully realized by mid-2027 [21][22] - Total liquidity as of September 30, 2025, was $282.9 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $164.4 million [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the reasonable range for annual free cash flow after integration? - Management highlighted that the business is a high-free cash flow business with low CapEx and high margins, but specific guidance on free cash flow has not been provided [28][29] Question: Is the $400 million revenue target for data centers still in place? - Management confirmed that the data center business has seen over 100% growth year-to-date and remains a significant focus area [30][31] Question: What is the status of exiting lower-margin customer contracts? - Management indicated that the softness in the third quarter was primarily timing-related and that they continue to evaluate relationships for margin improvement [32] Question: How has the government shutdown impacted the geospatial segment? - Management noted limited impact from the government shutdown, with optimism for a quick reopening and resumption of work orders [35][36] Question: What is the outlook for the chemical market and its impact on guidance? - Management expects stabilization in the chemical space and is optimistic about delivering results in Q4 and next year [56][57] Question: What are the drivers for the increased synergy target? - Management clarified that the increased target is purely cost synergies, focusing on back-office support and organizational efficiency [43][44] Question: Where does the company see the most growth opportunities? - Management highlighted the potential in filling white space between segments and expanding in Canada as key growth areas [68][70]