Core Viewpoint - The opening of the Hong Kong section of the He Tao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong's innovation and technology development, aiming to create a world-class platform for industry-academia-research collaboration and a hub for global innovation resources [2][3]. Group 1: Development Goals and Structure - The Hong Kong government plans to develop the He Tao Hong Kong Park into a "world-class industry-academia-research platform," a "globally competitive industrial pilot transformation base," and a "testing ground for institutional and policy innovation" [2]. - The He Tao Hong Kong Park covers an area of approximately 0.87 square kilometers, while the Shenzhen Park spans 3.02 square kilometers, making it a natural intersection for the Hong Kong metropolitan area and the Greater Bay Area [3]. Group 2: Business Involvement and Industry Focus - Over 60 companies have signed agreements to settle in the park, including leading enterprises in fields such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, new energy, and high-end intelligent manufacturing [3]. - Notable companies entering the park include a tech unicorn ranked second globally in energy storage product shipments and a Hong Kong brand with core components for orthopedic surgical robots [3]. Group 3: Strategic Advantages - The unique location of the He Tao Hong Kong Park allows for deep collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, leveraging Hong Kong's internationalization and talent advantages while facilitating access to the Greater Bay Area market [4]. - More than 60% of the companies in the park are from mainland China, with about 25% being overseas companies, indicating a strong interest in utilizing Hong Kong as a platform for international expansion [4]. Group 4: Future Development and Collaboration - The cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen aims to establish a high-efficiency innovation collaboration mechanism by 2030, with a comprehensive development framework by 2035, positioning the He Tao area as a leader in international competitiveness [6]. - The establishment of over 10 innovation research platforms by top universities in the Shenzhen Park exemplifies the effective collaboration model between the two regions, enhancing their international technological innovation capabilities [6]. Group 5: Strengthening Hong Kong's Innovation Landscape - The opening of the He Tao Hong Kong Park further solidifies Hong Kong's positioning as an international innovation and technology center, complementing existing innovation hubs like Science Park and Cyberport [7]. - The recent development plans, including the New Tin Shui Wai Technology City, aim to enhance the overall innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong [7].

how we set up here for the day basically flat. Let's bring in our first guest though to help me break down these markets. That's Kevin Green senior markets correspondent here on the network.K. G. I wanted to get your take here on just the market action.I noticed yesterday, and I wrote it up in my morning note that the VIX settled at the lowest level in 12 months. As you know, equities are at or near all time highs. But it seems like, you know, maybe protection or hedging is pretty cheap right now as far as ...

Overview - Forbes 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry 2026 highlights young entrepreneurs building a better future [1] Focus Areas - The entrepreneurs are developing new tools, materials, and technologies [1] Impact - The innovations aim to create a sustainable and safe world [1]

Core Insights - Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is positioned to benefit from its operational excellence, diversified business structure, and strategic acquisitions, focusing on growth opportunities to strengthen its market position [1] Business Performance - The company is experiencing a strong recovery in its Medical and Fluid Solutions segment, with organic sales increasing by 7.4% year over year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 [2][8] - Demand for medical interventional products and fluid components is driving performance in the Medical segment, while the Advanced Technology Solutions segment benefits from healthy demand in electronic processing and optical sensors [3] Acquisition Impact - Nordson's acquisition of Atrion Corp in August 2024 has expanded its medical offerings, contributing to a 6% increase in total revenues for fiscal 2025 [4] Stock Performance - Over the past year, NDSN shares have increased by 14.8%, outperforming the industry growth of 7.3% [6] Shareholder Returns - The company is committed to enhancing shareholder value, having paid out $179.1 million in dividends (up 11% year over year) and repurchased $306.4 million in treasury shares in fiscal 2025 [6][9] - In August 2025, Nordson raised its dividend by 5% to 82 cents per share [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordson's fiscal 2026 earnings has risen from $10.94 to $11.19, with four upward revisions and no downward revisions [9]

坚定深化"四贷联动"服务模式 工行苏州分行坚持"金融为民"，以满足小微企业需求为服务宗旨，做好首贷、信用贷、无还本续贷、转 贷"四贷联动"，深化支付结算、经营流水、知识产权等大数据应用，完善行内信用评价模型，构建大数 据模型科学测算授信额度，推动风险控制前移，为广大小微企业提供预授信。创新推出挖机e贷、国网 电力贷、太仓农贸贷、科创企业贷等产品，降低小微企业融资对抵押担保的过度依赖，显著扩大服务覆 盖面。今年以来，该行服务小微企业首贷户近1500户，较上年同期多增350余户。信用贷款发放金额和 户数显著增长，截至2025年11月末，该行小微企业信用贷款余额超350亿元，较年初增长超100亿元，增 幅达40%。 坚定秉持"政策+服务"双轮驱动 转自：新华财经 近年来，苏州市延续"工业立市"传统，着力打造1030现代产业体系，通过智转数改网联和绿色发展，推 动制造业向高端化、智能化、绿色化转型，赋能新质生产力发展。 在此进程中，工商银行苏州分行始终秉持金融服务实体经济的宗旨，以金融为笔墨，提升服务能力，做 到"五个坚定"，重点加大民营企业、制造业等领域信贷支持，当好服务实体经济主力军，为民营企业稳 健发展注入信心 ...

Core Insights - The efficiency ratio serves as an indicator of a company's financial health, reflecting how effectively it utilizes its assets and liabilities internally [1] - Companies that have passed the screening process for efficiency ratios include Owlet (OWLT), Proto Labs (PRLB), and Las Vegas Sands (LVS) [1][8] Efficiency Ratios to Consider - **Receivables Turnover**: This ratio measures a company's ability to extend credit and collect debts, with a higher ratio indicating better performance [2] - **Asset Utilization**: This ratio assesses how well a company converts its assets into sales, with higher values suggesting greater efficiency [3] - **Inventory Turnover**: This ratio indicates a company's ability to manage inventory relative to its cost of goods sold, with higher values reflecting better inventory management [4] - **Operating Margin**: This ratio measures the efficiency of a company in controlling operating expenses, with higher values indicating better expense management [5] Screening Criteria - The screening process utilized efficiency ratios that are above industry averages, narrowing down a universe of over 7,906 stocks to 14 potential candidates [7] - A favorable Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) was also included in the screening criteria to enhance profitability [6] Top Stocks Identified - **Owlet (OWLT)**: Achieved a positive earnings surprise of 87.8% over the last four quarters, indicating strong performance [9] - **Proto Labs (PRLB)**: Known for its quick-turn custom parts manufacturing, with an average earnings surprise of 18.6% [10] - **Las Vegas Sands (LVS)**: Operates integrated resorts in the U.S. and Asia, with a 14.5% average earnings surprise [11]

Core Viewpoint - Small-cap stocks, defined as those with market capitalizations between $300 million and $2 billion, are considered higher-risk but can offer significant growth potential, as evidenced by historical examples like Nvidia [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Preformed Line Products (PLPC) is identified as a promising small-cap stock with potential for long-term growth, currently valued at approximately $1.05 billion [4][14]. - The company specializes in designing and manufacturing products for energy, communications, and broadband networks, operating globally with a presence in 20 countries [9]. Financial Performance - In Q3, PLPC reported a revenue increase of 21% year-over-year, reaching $178.1 million, driven by strong performance in both energy and communications sectors [15]. - The net income for Q3, adjusted for one-time items, was $10.3 million, or $2.09 per share, reflecting a 36% year-over-year increase, indicating an expanding profit margin [16]. - Cash generated from operations was $18.9 million, up 102% year-over-year, with free cash flow at $8.5 million, supporting ongoing investments in a new facility in Poland [17]. Growth Drivers - The company is expected to benefit from AI-driven electric grid upgrades and global expansion, as the demand for energy infrastructure grows [8][10]. - The recent acquisition of JAP Telecom enhances PLPC's ability to serve telecommunications needs in South America, contributing to its growth strategy [16]. Insider Ownership - Significant insider ownership, with the Ruhlman family holding between 31% to 48% of shares, aligns the interests of management with those of shareholders [12][11]. Dividend and Tariff Management - PLPC offers a modest dividend yield of approximately 0.39%, which can enhance long-term returns when reinvested [19]. - The company has implemented price increases to mitigate the impact of tariffs, with expectations for full mitigation over time [19].

former Treasury official. Morning Joe economic analyst Steve Ratner. Steve, good morning.We've got your charts in just a moment, but first you were watching the speech last night along with us and you had a couple of more fact checks. Yeah, look, I think you guys did a great job on the factchecking things like his inability to do percentages no matter how many times we point out to him you can't have 500% declines, but whatever. But yeah, a couple other things.First on the deficit, he said that Congress had ...

Core Insights - Siemens announced a keynote at CES 2026 featuring industry and technology leaders [1] - The keynote will include discussions on how AI is transforming manufacturing, infrastructure, and transportation [1] - Executives from NVIDIA, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems will participate in the event [1] Company and Industry Summary - Siemens' President and CEO Roland Busch will lead the keynote session [1] - The focus of the conversations will be on the impact of AI on the physical world [1] - The event aims to highlight the collaboration between major companies in advancing technology [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported consolidated net sales of $1.07 billion for Q4, a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year, primarily due to lower shipments and prior-year divestitures, partially offset by net price realization [21] - For the full year, total consolidated net sales were $4.5 billion, down 1.6% from fiscal 2024, largely due to strategic divestitures [7] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q4 were $0.91, compared to $0.95 in the prior year, reflecting higher expenses related to employee incentive compensation [23] - Full-year adjusted earnings per diluted share were $4.20, slightly up from $4.17 in fiscal 2024 [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Professional segment net sales for Q4 were $910 million, virtually unchanged from the previous year, with earnings margin at 19.2%, up 60 basis points year-over-year [17] - Residential segment net sales for Q4 were $147 million, down 5.1% from the prior year, but exceeded expectations due to net price realization [20] - Full-year professional segment net sales rose 1.9% to $3.62 billion, with earnings margin improving to 19.4% from 18% in fiscal 2024 [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on key growth markets, particularly in golf, grounds, and underground specialty construction, anticipating a multi-year growth trajectory [8] - The acquisition of Tornado Infrastructure Equipment is expected to enhance the company's position in the underground construction market [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance customer productivity through investments in technology and innovation, with a focus on operational excellence and cost savings [5][10] - The AMP program has been expanded, with a new savings target of $125 million by the end of 2026, up from the previous target of $100 million [11] - The company is committed to maintaining strong profit margins and market competitiveness through productivity improvements and selective price increases [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the macroeconomic environment, noting potential pressures from inflation and interest rates on consumer confidence [29] - For fiscal 2026, the company expects total net sales to rise by 2%-5%, with professional segment sales anticipated to grow mid-single digits and residential segment sales expected to decline low to mid-single digits [30] - The company is confident in its ability to navigate cost pressures while continuing to invest in innovation [31] Other Important Information - The company achieved record free cash flow of $578 million for the year, with a conversion rate of 146% [12] - A quarterly dividend increase from $0.38 to $0.39 was announced, along with a share repurchase authorization of up to six million shares [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on sales growth and volume expectations - Management acknowledged that a portion of the sales growth is attributed to the Tornado acquisition and indicated continued strength in the professional segment, particularly in underground construction [52][54] Question: Improvement expectations in residential segment - Management expects some recovery in the residential segment, influenced by macroeconomic factors and potential restocking in the channel [57][60] Question: Details on the AMP program and additional savings - Management confirmed that the additional $25 million in savings is achievable through ongoing operational efficiency initiatives without needing volume growth [61][62] Question: Raw material cost expectations for 2026 - Management anticipates some inflation in raw material costs early in the year, with expectations of stabilization by mid-year [66] Question: Channel inventory status - Management reported that channel inventories are in good shape, with improved lead times contributing to customer confidence [73][80] Question: Margin guidance for professional segment - Management indicated that while some benefits from the AMP program will continue, the addition of Tornado may not be fully accretive to operating margin in the first year [81][82]