CABOT CORPORATION EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE FIRST QUARTER - FISCAL 2026 Q1 Fiscal 2026 1 Forward Looking Statements This presentation contains forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including with respect to our expectations for our performance in the second quarter of and fiscal year 2026, including our expectations for performance in our businesses, cash flow generation, our growth in battery materials, for cost savings we will recognize and for ...

Core Viewpoint - Ford Motor Company is pivoting away from full electric vehicles (EVs) due to unprofitability and declining demand, resulting in a significant $19.5 billion charge related to business restructuring and reduced EV investments [1][4][10] Financial Impact - Ford expects to record a $19.5 billion charge primarily in the fourth quarter, with a subsequent $5.5 billion cash charge spread through 2027, mostly in the next year [4] - Despite the charge, Ford increased its adjusted EBIT guidance to approximately $7 billion for the year, aligning with earlier targets before a previous reduction [5] Strategic Shift - The company is refocusing investments from full EVs to hybrids and plug-in models, canceling plans for the next generation of large all-electric trucks in favor of smaller, more affordable EVs [6][7] - Ford anticipates that by the end of the decade, around 50% of its global volume will consist of hybrids, extended range EVs, and full EVs, a significant increase from 17% in 2025 [8] New Business Ventures - Ford is launching a new business focused on battery energy storage systems (BESS) to meet growing demand, repurposing its Kentucky battery factory and investing about $2 billion over the next two years [9] Market Position - The company is adapting its strategy to align with current market demands, moving away from high-end EVs that are not selling well, which is seen as a positive shift for the business [6][10]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Lithium Market in China - **Key Drivers**: Strong demand for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) both in China and globally is driving the lithium market dynamics Price Forecasts - **Lithium Price Increases**: - Average spot prices for lithium carbonate (including VAT) are raised by 35%/122%/100% to Rmb135k/200k/180k per ton for 2026/27/28, respectively, which is 56%/79%/52% above consensus estimates [1][7] - **Market Transition**: The lithium market is expected to shift from a surplus in 2025 to a deficit during 2026-28 [1][7] Demand and Supply Dynamics - **Demand Growth**: Global lithium demand forecast is increased by 10% up to 2030, driven by BESS demand [1][7] - **Supply Adjustments**: Global lithium supply forecast is raised by 5% up to 2028, reflecting higher price expectations [1][7] - **Short-term Balance**: Monthly lithium supply and demand in China are expected to be balanced in early 2026, with a shift to a monthly deficit from March 2026 due to demand growth outpacing supply [2][7] Company-Specific Insights Tianqi Lithium - **Earnings Forecast**: Net profits for 2026/27/28 are raised by 90%/325%/269% due to higher lithium price expectations [17][28] - **Price Target**: Price target increased from Rmb54.72 to Rmb84.22, maintaining a Buy rating [17][28] Ganfeng Lithium - **Earnings Forecast**: Net profits for Ganfeng-A are raised by 56%/328%/256% for 2026/27/28 [28][40] - **Price Target**: Price target increased from Rmb49.62 to Rmb72.41, maintaining a Buy rating [28][40] - **Ganfeng-H**: Price target raised from HK$32.75 to HK$63.26, upgraded from Neutral to Buy [40][47] Qinghai Salt Lake Industry (QSLI) - **Earnings Forecast**: Net profits for 2026/27/28 are raised by 32%/55%/41% [51] - **Price Target**: Price target increased from Rmb23.40 to Rmb30.11, maintaining a Buy rating [51] Financial Metrics - **Earnings Estimates**: Overall earnings estimates for China's lithium companies are raised by 32-328% for 2026-28, now 39-474% above consensus [3][7] - **EPS Changes**: Significant increases in EPS for Tianqi, Ganfeng-A, Ganfeng-H, and QSLI due to higher price forecasts [3][28][51] Risks and Considerations - **Market Risks**: Potential conflicts of interest noted due to UBS's business relationships with covered companies [5] - **Price Sensitivity**: Current share prices are skewed to the upside, indicating potential for further growth based on market dynamics [24][37][47] Conclusion - The lithium market in China is poised for significant growth driven by BESS demand, with substantial upward revisions in price targets and earnings forecasts for key players in the industry. The transition from surplus to deficit in the lithium market is a critical factor influencing these projections.

Core Insights - Eos Energy Enterprises (NASDAQ: EOSE) has seen a significant stock price increase of 104% since September 1, with a 65.1% rise in September alone, driven by a partnership and multiple analyst price upgrades [1][3][5] Company Overview - Eos Energy designs and manufactures battery energy storage systems (BESS), focusing on zinc battery systems that are fully recyclable, nonflammable, and scalable for utilities, commercial, and industrial applications [3][4] Production and Revenue Growth - The company commenced commercial production at its Turtle Creek facility in Pennsylvania in early 2024 and is implementing automation to double production throughput [4][6] - Eos Energy anticipates ramping production to 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by Q4 2025, up from a current capacity of approximately 1.25 GWh [6] - The company projects revenue between $150 million to $190 million for 2025, representing over 10x growth from the previous year, with a backlog of $672.5 million equivalent to roughly 2.6 GWh of capacity [7] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have recently raised their price targets for Eos Energy, with Guggenheim increasing it from $6 to $10 per share and Stifel raising it from $8 to $10, reflecting positive sentiment based on discussions with management and quarterly results [5][9] Partnerships and Innovations - Eos Energy launched a battery management system and software platform called DawnOS in September and established a multiyear partnership with Unico in October for integrated converters with its Z3 batteries [8][9]

Core Insights - Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SHLS) is considered one of the most undervalued solar stocks, with Jefferies maintaining a 'Buy' rating and increasing the price target from $6.00 to $9.00, indicating a potential increase of approximately 30.63% from the current price [1][2] Company Performance - The company's confidence is bolstered by the rising demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS), improved performance in its core OEM segment, and expansion efforts into Australia and Latin America [2] Intellectual Property and Market Position - On September 11, 2025, Shoals Technologies Group received a new U.S. patent ('295 patent') for its Big Lead Assembly (BLA) wiring solution, which enhances its intellectual property portfolio and supports an ongoing infringement lawsuit against Voltage, LLC [3] - The CEO of Shoals Technologies Group emphasized that this patent not only protects their proprietary technology but also strengthens their leadership position in the U.S. solar market, ensuring fair market dynamics for customers [3] Company Background - Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. is based in Tennessee and specializes in EBOS solutions and components, serving a diverse range of clients including charge point operators, independent power producers, and construction firms [3]

Summary of Shoals Technologies Group (SHLS) Update / Briefing Company Overview - Shoals Technologies Group specializes in electrical balance of system (eBOS) solutions for the solar energy market, particularly focusing on battery energy storage systems (BESS) [6][7] - The company is diversifying its offerings beyond utility-scale solar, investing in new growth opportunities including OEM, commercial and industrial (C&I), international markets, and BESS [7] Industry Insights - The BESS market is a critical component of renewable energy, providing energy storage using rechargeable batteries [9] - Key battery technologies include lithium-ion and lithium iron phosphate, which dominate the market [10] - The BESS market is expected to grow at an annual rate of nearly 30% over the next ten years, increasing from approximately 24 gigawatts to over 200 gigawatts by 2034 [12] - The market value is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2034, with significant growth in long-duration energy storage technologies [13] Product Offerings - Shoals does not sell batteries but focuses on interconnection solutions between batteries and inverters, including combiners, recombiners, and multi-load break disconnect switches [14][15] - Products are designed for high efficiency in DC coupled applications, which consolidate and distribute DC power from battery containers [18] - The company emphasizes high-quality, custom-engineered solutions that are integral to solar plus storage and standalone storage systems [17] Customer Base - Shoals serves a diverse customer base including EPCs, integrators, OEMs, and data centers, with a focus on solar plus storage projects [20] - Long-standing relationships with customers in the solar space provide a competitive advantage, allowing the company to introduce its new eBOS solutions [24] Competitive Advantages - The company highlights its innovative product offerings, customizable solutions, and ongoing investment in product development as key differentiators in the market [22][24] - Shoals is scaling operations with a new mega plant of over 630,000 square feet dedicated to BESS production [23] Market Strategy - The company aims to educate design engineers, EPCs, and contractors about its solutions to penetrate the market further [31] - Shoals intends to cast a wide net in its marketing strategy, focusing on various customer segments rather than just a few large names [30] Additional Insights - The BESS market is essential for managing intermittent renewable energy sources, ensuring grid reliability, and supporting peak power demand [11] - The company is positioned to meet the growing energy demands driven by sectors such as AI and data centers [11]

Renewable Energy Challenges - Renewable energy sources like wind and solar lack inherent rotational inertia, a key component for grid stability traditionally provided by conventional power plants [2][6] - The increasing reliance on renewables without sufficient grid infrastructure upgrades can heighten the risk of widespread blackouts [5][6] Solutions for Grid Resilience - Grid-forming inverters can provide synthetic inertia to renewable energy sources, enabling them to operate independently and support the grid during disruptions [7][8] - Synchronous condensers, large spinning machines, can add rotational inertia to the grid, improving stability, ideally paired with grid-forming inverters [12][13] - Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can store excess energy and deploy it to stabilize the grid during outages, with declining battery costs making them a more viable solution [14][15][16] Grid Modernization and Considerations - Implementing grid-forming inverters requires additional measurements like voltage, frequency, and temperature, necessitating comprehensive grid instrumentation [11] - Balancing the trade-offs of different energy sources and designing infrastructure that optimizes these trade-offs is crucial for a reliable and resilient grid [17] - While grid-forming inverters are effective for microgrids, managing synchronization across large, interconnected regions presents new challenges [9][10]