Economic Growth - U.S. GDP grew 4.3% in Q3, significantly surpassing the consensus estimate of 3.2% year-on-year, indicating strong economic performance [1] AI Investment Trends - Analysts express concern that the GDP growth is heavily reliant on AI-related spending, with private fixed investment rising primarily due to this sector, while other investments are declining [2] - Deutsche Bank highlights that without tech-related spending, particularly in AI, the U.S. economy would be close to recession, as other spending has stagnated post-Covid [3] Capital Expenditure in AI - Capital expenditure (capex) in AI is projected to be substantial, with estimates from Bank of America indicating that AI capex from five major tech companies will reach $399 billion this year and exceed $600 billion in subsequent years [4] - The funding for this AI capex is increasingly expected to come from debt, as major tech firms have strong cash flows and balance sheets, allowing them to take on additional debt without negatively impacting their financial health [5] Debt Market Dynamics - The net supply of new debt from AI-related issuers in the USD credit market has surpassed $200 billion in 2025, more than doubling the previous year's total, with 30% of this year's net supply being AI-related [6] - Companies are targeting $1 trillion in incremental revenues over the next five years, with significant contributions expected from cloud services, digital advertising, and AI subscriptions [7]

Core Viewpoint - Suncor Energy's 2026 corporate guidance emphasizes operational excellence and plans for significant shareholder returns through increased share buybacks, alongside robust production and refining targets [2][6][23]. Production Guidance - Total upstream production is projected to be between 840,000 to 870,000 barrels per day (bbls/d) in 2026, reflecting an increase of over 100,000 bbls/d compared to 2023 [2][5]. - Annual refining utilization is expected to average between 99% and 102%, indicating improved performance across the downstream portfolio [2][6]. Capital Expenditures - Total capital expenditures for 2026 are anticipated to be approximately C$5.7 billion, aligning with targets set during the 2024 Investor Day [3][9]. - Key investments include in situ well pads, Mildred Lake East, West White Rose, and the Petro-Canada retail network optimization plan [3][6]. Shareholder Returns - The company plans to return 100% of excess funds to shareholders through share buybacks, increasing the monthly repurchase amount by 10% to C$275 million, aiming for a total of C$3.3 billion in 2026 [2][6]. Operational Performance - The company is focused on maintaining high operational performance, with a commitment to delivering superior shareholder value in 2026 and beyond [4][6]. - An update on 2025 operational results and performance relative to the 2024 Investor Day targets will be provided in early January 2026 [4][6].

Core Viewpoint - American Water Works reported strong third-quarter earnings, beating estimates and showing significant revenue growth, while also announcing a merger with Essential Utilities, Inc. that is expected to enhance its market position. Financial Performance - The company reported Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $1.94, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.90 by 2.1% and improving 7.8% from $1.80 in the same quarter last year [2] - Total revenues for the quarter were $1.45 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32 billion by 19.6% and increasing 9.8% year-over-year [3] - Operating income reached $614 million, up 13.1% from $543 million in the previous year [5] Segment Performance - Net revenues from regulated businesses were $1.34 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 10.2% [4] - Other segment revenues amounted to $108 million, up 3.8% year-over-year [4] Operating Expenses - Total operating expenses for Q3 were $837 million, a 7.3% increase from $780 million in the prior year, driven by higher employee-related and technology costs [5] Merger Announcement - The company announced a merger agreement with Essential Utilities, Inc., projected to create a leading regulated U.S. water and wastewater utility with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $63 billion [8] - Essential shareholders will receive 0.305 shares of American Water for each share they own, representing a 10% premium [9] Long-Term Guidance - American Water reiterated its 2025 EPS guidance in the range of $5.70 to $5.75, with a 2026 EPS expectation of $6.02 to $6.12 [10] - The company plans to invest $3.7 billion in 2026 and anticipates long-term capital expenditures of $19-$20 billion from 2026-2030 and $46-$48 billion from 2026-2035 [11] Market Sentiment - Estimates for the stock have trended downward recently, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [12][14]

Core Insights - The AI industry is facing a potential financial bubble due to the staggering demand for electricity, with projections indicating a need for up to 250 GW by 2033, costing over half a trillion dollars to build [1] - Historical financial bubbles, such as the UK railway mania, illustrate the risks associated with new technologies and speculative investments, often leading to significant losses for investors [2][10] - The capital expenditures for AI and data centers are contributing more to US domestic growth than consumer spending, raising concerns about the ability to generate competitive returns on these investments [5] Group 1: AI Industry and Electricity Demand - The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) anticipates AI-related electricity demand to reach 50 GW by 2030, while a Deloitte study projects an increase from 4 GW to 123 GW by 2035 [1] - Sam Altman's Open AI Consortium estimates a requirement of approximately 250 GW by 2033, highlighting the substantial financial implications for the industry [1] Group 2: Historical Context of Financial Bubbles - The UK railway mania serves as a historical example of a financial bubble driven by new technology, characterized by speculative investments and a lack of regulatory intervention [2] - The dot-com bubble also illustrates the phenomenon of misvaluation, where viable companies like Amazon faced significant stock price declines despite their long-term potential [10] Group 3: Capital Expenditures and Economic Impact - AI-related capital expenditures are projected to contribute more to US economic growth than consumer spending in the first half of 2025, marking a significant shift in economic activity [5] - Concerns arise regarding whether the revenues generated from new AI facilities will be sufficient to cover the high capital investments and operational costs associated with data centers [5] Group 4: Risks and Competitive Landscape - The AI boom may be at risk due to competition from Chinese companies offering lower-cost AI solutions, which could undermine the profitability of American investments in the sector [9] - The financial ecosystem surrounding major tech players like Microsoft and Google creates dependencies among smaller vendors, raising concerns about the sustainability of this circular financing model [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported approximately $120 million in quarterly adjusted EBITDA, an increase from $102 million in the same period of 2024, indicating a year-over-year growth of approximately 17.6% [12] - Distributable cash flow as adjusted was $73 million, with a DCF coverage ratio of approximately 1.22 times, expected to rise as growth projects contribute to results [13] - The full-year EBITDA guidance remains between $480 million to $520 million [12][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the Gathering and Processing segment, adjusted EBITDA was $78 million compared to $55 million in 2024, primarily due to acquisitions [13] - Wholesale Marketing and Terminalling adjusted EBITDA decreased to $23 million from $30 million in the prior year, attributed to last summer's agreements [13] - Storage and transportation adjusted EBITDA remained stable at $17 million, while investments in pipeline joint ventures contributed $11 million, up from $8 million in 2024 [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on enhancing its competitive position in both Midland and Delaware Basins through water acquisitions and increased dedication [5] - The integration of two water gathering systems is progressing well, expected to enhance crude and water offerings in specific counties [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a premier full-service provider in the Permian Basin, with ongoing efforts in acid gas injection and sour gas handling capabilities [4][5] - The successful commissioning of the new Libbey plant is expected to fill to capacity in 2025, contributing to future growth [4][8] - The company intends to remain prudent in managing leverage and coverage while rewarding stakeholders through leading distributions, with a recent increase to $1.115 per unit [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the EBITDA guidance despite commodity price volatility, citing strong relationships with producers and low breakeven costs in the area [36][38] - The company is optimistic about the uptick in crude volumes for Q3, indicating a strong start to the second half of the year [37] Other Important Information - The capital expenditures for the second quarter were approximately $119 million, with $115 million allocated to growth projects, including the completion of the Libbey II gas processing plant [15] - The company has increased its liquidity by $700 million through a high-yield notes offering, bringing total availability to over $1 billion [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends in processing plant volumes and potential expansions - Management confirmed that the commissioning of the plant was completed on time and is currently flowing gas, expecting to reach full capacity by year-end [20][21] Question: Competitive environment for sour gas treating capacity - Management acknowledged the recent asset transactions in the Delaware Basin and emphasized their comprehensive strategy around natural gas, which includes gathering, treating, and processing [24][26] Question: M&A opportunities and market outlook - Management stated that any M&A activity would need to be free cash flow accretive and align with their strategy, while also being open to both acquisition and divestiture opportunities [32][34] Question: Producer plans and guidance outlook - Management reiterated confidence in their guidance, citing strong relationships with producers and favorable conditions in the Permian Basin [36][38]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $16 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the quarter [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $38.9 million, with total assets at $2.1 billion and total loans of $1.2 billion at a blended average interest rate of 7.1% [14][15] - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $80.2 million and announced a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.05 per share, equating to an annual yield of approximately 9.1% [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable RevPAR reached $318, reflecting a 1.5% increase year-over-year, marking the third consecutive quarter of RevPAR growth [7][8] - Comparable total hotel revenue increased by 3.3% year-over-year, with comparable hotel EBITDA at $47.8 million, a 3.7% increase [9] - The resort portfolio reported comparable RevPAR of $464, a 1.6% increase, and combined comparable hotel EBITDA of $25.7 million, a 6.9% increase [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Urban hotels delivered comparable RevPAR growth of 0.5%, with The Clancy in San Francisco achieving total revenue growth of 14% [10] - Group revenue for 2025 is up 8.6%, with 2026 showing continued growth at 3.6% [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on deleveraging the portfolio while sharpening its focus on the luxury hotel sector, as evidenced by the sale of the Marriott Seattle Waterfront for $145 million [12] - The company plans to continue capital expenditures between $75 million and $95 million for the full year 2025, emphasizing long-term value creation through portfolio quality and brand alignment [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong booking pace and performance of the portfolio, despite challenges from renovations and softness in the government segment [10][36] - The company anticipates continued growth in group revenue and strong demand across multiple key markets, reflecting the resilience of its high-quality portfolio [28] Other Important Information - The company has redeemed approximately $107 million of its non-traded preferred stock, representing about 23% of the original capital raise [13] - The transition of the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile to a franchise model is expected to enhance property value and operational performance [11][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there incremental focus on grouping up across properties? - Management confirmed that they are looking to group up broadly across the portfolio, focusing on groups that generate additional catering and banquet spend [31][32] Question: How did May and June perform compared to expectations? - Management indicated that May and June performed more in line with expectations, despite some headwinds from renovations and softness in the government segment [35][36] Question: Following the Seattle sale, will there be less urgency to sell more assets? - Management stated that the sale provides significant cash balance and flexibility, but they do not have further property sales planned for this year, with a reassessment for 2026 [38][39]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ryerson reported net sales of $1,170 million, an increase of 3% compared to the first quarter, with average selling prices up 2.8% and tons shipped up fractionally [16] - Gross margin during the quarter contracted by 10 basis points to 17.9%, influenced by a higher than anticipated LIFO expense of $13 million [16] - Adjusted EBITDA excluding LIFO achieved $45 million in Q2 2025, compared to $32.8 million in the prior quarter [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American shipments decreased by 1.2% quarter over quarter, generating incremental market share gains, particularly in carbon long, carbon plate, and stainless long products [7] - The consumer durable sector, especially in appliances and recreational vehicles, showed relative strength, while the construction equipment sector experienced sequential volume contraction [8] - Transactional sales accounted for approximately 46% of the business, with a focus on improving service levels and lead times to gain more transactional opportunities [31][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American industry volumes decreased by 2.1% relative to the first quarter, with Ryerson's performance slightly better than the industry average [7] - The company noted bright spots in subsector industries such as data centers and public infrastructure projects driven by federal investment spending [9] - The pricing environment is expected to remain supportive, leading to average selling price appreciation of 1% to 3% in the upcoming quarter [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Ryerson continues to operationalize its capital expenditures, having deployed over $650 million since 2021 to modernize its service center network [4] - The company is focused on managing non-value-added costs and precise working capital management to prepare for the next cyclical upturn [6] - Investments in processing capabilities and maintenance projects are ongoing, with a full-year capital expenditure target of $50 million [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about medium to long-term demand trends despite current industry downturn challenges, including high interest rates and tariff uncertainties [4] - The company anticipates a softening of volumes by 2% to 4% in the upcoming quarter, but expects pricing to remain supportive [10] - Management highlighted the importance of improving customer experience through operational efficiencies and better service models [26] Other Important Information - Ryerson ended the second quarter with $510 million of total debt and $479 million of net debt, resulting in a leverage ratio of 4.4 times, above the target range [13] - The company distributed $6 million in dividends during the second quarter and announced a similar cash dividend for the third quarter [14] - The Shelbyville facility is currently at about 67% of its volume ramp-up, with expectations for further improvements as investments mature [42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the North American market share growth in Carbon Long and Plate? - Management noted that investments have improved service models and reduced frictional costs, leading to better customer experiences and market share gains [24][26] Question: What was the tax benefit impact on EPS in the second quarter? - The tax benefit was due to reduced earnings and discrete state tax credits, with an expected effective tax rate of around 25% to 26% going forward [28][29] Question: What is the current split between transactional and contractual sales? - The current split is approximately 46% transactional and 54% contractual, with a focus on increasing transactional sales through improved service [31][32] Question: How is the CapEx trend compared to the $50 million target? - Management indicated that the CapEx is a function of timing, and they remain committed to the $50 million target for the year [36] Question: What are the expectations for second half cash flow and leverage ratio? - Management expects to generate cash through the balance of the year, with the leverage ratio anticipated to move back towards the target range [48]

Summary of Key Points from the Multi-Industry Capex Tracker Industry Overview - The report focuses on the multi-industry capital expenditure (capex) trends, analyzing approximately €3.1 trillion of capex across around 4,000 companies in 26 different end markets [1][7][43]. Core Insights - **Medium-term Capex Growth**: The medium-term capex growth has been revised upward slightly, now indicating a 5.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2024-2028, which is a 0.4 percentage point increase from the previous update in April [7][13]. - **2025 Capex Downgrade**: For 2025, the capex growth expectation has been downgraded by 0.4 percentage points to 4.9%, attributed to some spending being deferred to 2026 due to tariff and policy uncertainties [7][8][13]. - **Sector Performance**: - **Strong Growth Areas**: Technology (specifically Datacenters) and Utilities (Power grids, Renewables) are expected to see favorable capex environments, with companies like Legrand, Schneider, Siemens, Prysmian, and Nexans recommended for investment [7][26]. - **Weak Growth Areas**: Sectors such as Biotech, Pulp & Paper, and REITs are experiencing the largest cuts in capex growth [7][8]. Additional Insights - **Geographical Drivers**: The US remains the primary driver of strength in the capex tracker, despite uncertainties regarding tariffs and interest rates. Europe is also expected to see strong investments in grid and defense [8][9]. - **Capacity Utilization**: Capacity utilization is below historical median levels in Europe but aligns with historical medians in the US and China. Elevated asset age in sectors like Oil & Gas, Vehicles, Airlines, and Healthcare indicates a need for replacement capex [8][9][21]. - **Macro Risks**: Key risks to the capex estimates for 2025 include tariff-driven inflation, structural overcapacity in China, and competitiveness issues for core capex spenders in Europe [9][10]. Sector-Specific Capex Growth Projections - **Datacenters**: Expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.0% for 2024-2028, with a 36.5% growth forecast for 2025 [20]. - **Renewables and Transmission**: Projected CAGR of 16.3% for 2024-2028, with 25.5% growth in 2025 [20]. - **Semiconductors**: Anticipated CAGR of 12.9% for 2024-2028, with 11.2% growth in 2025 [20]. - **Biotech**: Expected to decline with a CAGR of -8.1% for 2024-2028, and a -10.7% growth forecast for 2025 [20]. Conclusion - The capex tracker indicates a mixed outlook for various sectors, with technology and utilities poised for growth while others like biotech and pulp & paper face challenges. The overall capex environment remains healthy, but macroeconomic uncertainties could impact future investments [7][9][10].

Core Insights - ConocoPhillips reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $2.09, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.06 and up from $2.03 in the prior year [1] - Quarterly revenues reached $17.1 billion, an increase from $14.48 billion year-over-year, and also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16.54 billion [1] Production - Total production averaged 2,389 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d), up from 1,902 MBoe/d in the same quarter last year, and exceeded the estimate of 2,340 MBoe/d [3] - Crude oil production rose to 1,166 thousand barrels per day (MBbls/d) from 944 MBbls/d year-over-year, also above the estimate of 1,119 MBbls/d [4] - Natural gas production increased to 4,070 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from 3,302 MMcf/d in the prior year [4] Realized Prices - The average realized oil equivalent price decreased to $53.34 per barrel from $56.60 a year ago [5] - The average realized crude oil price was $71.65 per barrel, down from $78.64 year-over-year [5] - The average realized natural gas price increased to $5.62 per thousand cubic feet from $5.02 in the prior year [6] Expenses - Total expenses rose to $12.6 billion from $10.7 billion in the same period of 2024, but were below the projection of $12.8 billion [7] - The cost of purchased commodities increased to $6.2 billion from $5.3 billion year-over-year [7] Balance Sheet & Capital Spending - As of March 31, 2025, ConocoPhillips had $6.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with total long-term debt of $23.2 billion and short-term debt of $608 million [8] - Capital expenditure and investments totaled $3.38 billion, with net cash provided by operating activities at $6.1 billion [8] Guidance - For Q2 2025, production is expected to be in the range of 2.34-2.38 MBoe/d, with full-year production guidance unchanged at 2.34-2.38 MBoe/d [10] - Full-year capital expenditure guidance has been lowered to $12.3-$12.6 billion from approximately $12.9 billion [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for the first quarter were $148.8 million, an increase of $10.2 million or 7.4% compared to the prior year quarter, with revenue growth in both divisions [10] - Operating loss for the quarter was $20.4 million, a decline of $3.7 million compared to the prior year quarter [10] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was a loss of $0.3 million, a decrease of $2.6 million over the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [11] - Cash flow from operations was a use of cash of $35.3 million in the first quarter, compared to cash used by operations of $15.1 million in the prior year quarter [20] - Total capital expenditures during the first quarter were $23 million, compared to $15.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes Theater Division - Total revenue for the first quarter was $87.4 million, an increase of 7.5% compared to the prior year first quarter [12] - Comparable theater admission revenue increased by 1.3% and comparable theater attendance increased by 6.9% compared to the prior year [12] - Theater division adjusted EBITDA was $3.7 million, compared to $6.2 million in the prior year quarter [17] Hotels and Resorts Division - Revenues were $61.3 million for the first quarter, an increase of 7.2% compared to the prior year [18] - RevPAR for comparable owned hotels grew by 1.1% during the first quarter, with an average daily rate (ADR) increase of 8% [18] - Hotels adjusted EBITDA increased by $1 million in the first quarter compared to the prior year quarter [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable competitive hotels in the markets experienced RevPAR growth of 6.7% for the first quarter, indicating that the company's hotels underperformed the competitive set by 5.6 percentage points [19] - The upper upscale segment experienced an increase in RevPAR of 2.8% during the first quarter, indicating that the company's hotels underperformed the industry by 1.7 percentage points [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to maintain a focus on long-term value creation while managing short-term dynamics, with expectations for growth in both theater and hotel divisions [25] - The company is investing in enhancing customer experience through new ScreenX auditoriums and additional concession stands at Dine-in Movie Tavern locations [30][32] - The company is optimistic about the film slate for the rest of the year and into 2026, with several major franchises expected to perform well [34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that the first quarter did not meet expectations but expressed optimism for the summer movie season and the overall outlook for the year [25][26] - The company is prepared to react quickly to any economic uncertainties that may arise, leveraging its diversified business model [26][40] - Management emphasized the importance of attendance and customer experience, indicating a thoughtful approach to pricing in a potentially slowing economy [29][46] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 424,000 shares of common stock for $7.1 million in cash during the quarter [23] - The Hilton Milwaukee renovation is progressing as planned, with 65% of the guest rooms completed and expected to be fully operational by June 30 [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of concessions per patron - Management indicated that the change in food and beverage per caps was primarily due to pricing, with no significant changes in incidence or basket size [45] Question: Ability to take price increases - Management expressed confidence in their ability to manage pricing, noting that they have successfully passed through price increases in the past [46] Question: Hilton Milwaukee renovation pricing strategy - Management views the renovation as an opportunity to hold or potentially increase prices, especially with the upcoming convention center demand [47][50] Question: Impact of Marcus Movie Club on ticket pricing - Management reported that the initial results of the subscription product are positive, but its impact is still minimal [56] Question: Group pace and market dynamics - Management noted that group business is performing well, particularly in recently renovated properties, and that bookings are solid across several markets [58] Question: Labor expense impact and staffing levels - Management indicated that higher labor costs were due to a return to normal operating hours and that there is room for improvement in labor efficiency [75][76]