AUSTIN, Texas, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) today announced that the company received a 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Award for its outstanding achievement in the Digital Supply Chains category. The awards, sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers, honor manufacturing companies and individual leaders who are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Flex receives a 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Award in the Digital Supply Chains category Flex Pulse® Network Design1, ...

Core Viewpoint - Value investing remains a preferred strategy for identifying strong stocks across various market conditions, utilizing established valuation metrics to uncover potential opportunities [2][3]. Company Summary: Virco Manufacturing (VIRC) - Virco Manufacturing holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an A grade for Value, indicating strong investment potential [4]. - The current P/E ratio for VIRC is 7.71, significantly lower than the industry average of 9.58, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - VIRC's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 6.52 and 11.62 over the past year, with a median of 8.04 [4]. - The P/B ratio for VIRC is 1.24, which is favorable compared to the industry average of 1.44, indicating solid valuation relative to its book value [5]. - Over the past 12 months, VIRC's P/B has ranged from 1.20 to 3.03, with a median of 1.70 [5]. - VIRC's P/CF ratio stands at 4.94, which is attractive compared to the industry average of 6.52, highlighting its strong cash flow outlook [6]. - The P/CF for VIRC has varied between 4.79 and 9.19 over the past year, with a median of 6.70 [6]. - Overall, the metrics suggest that Virco Manufacturing is likely undervalued, making it one of the strongest value stocks in the market [7].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Prysmian (PRY IM) with a target price of EUR74 and Emerson Electric (EMR US) with a target price of USD153, indicating positive investment opportunities in the capital goods sector [7][15][76][77]. Core Insights - The HSBC Global Composite Capex Lead Indicator declined to -30 in May 2025 from -7 in March 2025, reflecting a slowdown in global capital expenditure due to tariff volatility, although some sectors showed improvement [7][21]. - The FTSE World Industrials Index has shown resilience, increasing by 9% quarter-to-date despite geopolitical uncertainties and tariff-related challenges [7][14]. - The report highlights a potential for positive performance in the FTSE World Industrials over the next six months, supported by a reading of -30 in the lead indicator [7][21]. Summary by Sections Global Capex Outlook - The report forecasts global capex to reach approximately USD3.9 trillion in 2025, with sectors like Software, Airlines, and Computer Hardware expected to lead growth [23][24]. - The capital goods sector is experiencing varied performance across regions, with EMEA showing improvement while APAC and the Americas faced declines [7][31][35]. Regional Analysis - **Americas**: The capex lead indicator declined marginally to -36 in May 2025, with mixed performance across sectors; manufacturing improved while construction and utilities declined [31][32]. - **EMEA**: The capex lead indicator improved to -11 in May 2025, driven by early-cycle improvements in manufacturing and transport [33][34]. - **Asia Pacific**: The capex lead indicator fell to -40 in May 2025, primarily due to a significant decline in mainland China, although Japan showed some improvement [35][36]. Subsector Performance - **Manufacturing**: The lead indicator improved to +13 in May 2025, with positive trends in the Americas and EMEA, while mainland China declined [43][44]. - **Utilities**: The lead indicator rose significantly to +45 in May 2025, indicating strong growth in solar and gas generation investments [56][57]. - **Consumer**: The lead indicator improved slightly to -56 in May 2025, with low-level improvements in the Americas and EMEA, while Japan and mainland China saw declines [58][59]. Stock Recommendations - **Prysmian**: The company is well-positioned to benefit from US electrification trends and has a strong demand outlook in the T&D segment, justifying a Buy rating [68][69]. - **Emerson Electric**: The company is expected to benefit from a transformation towards automation and improved margins, leading to a Buy rating with a target price of USD153 [76][77].

Core Viewpoint - Huawei Cloud Stack aims to provide a hybrid cloud solution that better understands the needs of government and enterprise users in the era of intelligence, focusing on AI integration and data utilization [1][3]. Group 1: Huawei Cloud Stack Features - Huawei Cloud Stack will become the first hybrid cloud to adapt to CloudMatrix 384 super nodes, enabling enterprise customers to have their own cloud super nodes locally, enhancing AI computing power for intelligent transitions [3]. - Currently, Huawei Cloud Stack offers over 120 cloud services and more than 50 scenario-based solutions, maintaining the leading market share in the hybrid cloud sector across government, finance, and manufacturing for several consecutive years [3][4]. Group 2: User Segmentation and Solutions - Huawei Cloud Stack recognizes that government and enterprise users are not a monolithic group but can be categorized into four distinct roles: data center engineers, data engineers, AI algorithm model application engineers, and application development engineers [3][4]. - The platform supports users throughout the entire cloud lifecycle, from building to managing cloud resources, enabling efficient resource allocation, data governance, model training, and application development [4]. Group 3: Case Studies - In finance, Huawei Cloud Stack helped a state-owned bank establish a unified computing power platform, allowing data center engineers to deploy 106 DeepSeek R1 instances in just two days, improving efficiency by 70% compared to traditional bare-metal deployments [4][5]. - In manufacturing, Huawei Cloud collaborated with XCMG to create a robust big data platform, enhancing data analysis efficiency and enabling value extraction from operational data of construction machinery [4][5]. - In the steel industry, Xianggang utilized Huawei Cloud Stack to develop a one-stop AI development platform, achieving quality improvement and cost reduction through the deployment of a steel model across over 30 scenarios [5]. - In the energy sector, CNOOC implemented CodeArts to develop a digital platform, reducing development time by 30% and streamlining the deployment of intelligent oilfield management systems from one week to one day [5].

Core Insights - Alithya Group released its 2025 Industry Trends Reports focusing on manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services, providing insights into key trends, challenges, and opportunities for the next 12 months [1][7] Manufacturing Industry Trends - Manufacturers are increasingly adopting digital tools to enhance productivity, ensure continuity, and maintain a competitive edge, with AI, analytics, and cybersecurity becoming central to strategic planning [4][7] - Over 50% of respondents identified operational efficiency as their top innovation priority, and nearly half are utilizing AI for supplier diversification and demand forecasting [7] Healthcare Industry Trends - Healthcare leaders are addressing rising cyber risks, budget constraints, and the necessity for responsible AI use in patient care, with a focus on innovation driven by stability and security [5][7] - Cybersecurity is cited as the top challenge by 60% of respondents, an increase from its previous ranking in 2024 [7] Financial Services Industry Trends - Financial services firms are cautiously modernizing, balancing innovation with risk management, with cloud adoption, AI oversight, and automation shaping their future [6][7] - 75% of firms are progressing with secure cloud transformation, while 40% identify cybersecurity as a primary concern related to generative AI [7] Overall Industry Trends - The reports highlight a common trend of increased AI adoption across all sectors, with specific focus areas including AI governance, cybersecurity investments, and automation efficiency [2][7] - 60% of respondents are actively pursuing financial efficiency measures, and nearly 60% are investing in intelligent document processing to streamline operations [7]

What do you have with you. If you have multiple friends, new friends right now. They don't know about my personality, so they're staying sticking with me.No, there's a real convergence, obviously, of technologies. This is a guy bought obviously we saw him or her or it a few minutes ago. It can do a lot of different things for sure.But again, as I said, China is really advancing this. And, you know, the GSMA, which is the host of this Mobile World Congress, says that in China, mobile data is going to contrib ...

Group 1: Segment Performance - The Specialty Products segment is experiencing solid momentum, driven by ground support equipment, appliance, consumer packaging, and specialty films, with organic revenues increasing by 0.9% in Q1 2025 [1] - The Food Equipment segment benefits from growth in institutional end markets in North America and strong demand in the European warewashing equipment market, resulting in a 1.2% increase in organic revenues in Q1 [2] - The Polymers & Fluids segment is supported by strength in the polymers and fluids businesses, with organic revenues rising by 1.7% in Q1 [2] Group 2: Margin and Operational Efficiency - Enterprise initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing the supply chain contributed 120 basis points to the operating margin in Q1, with expectations for the operating margin to be between 26.5% and 27.5% for 2025, indicating a 20 basis point increase year over year at the midpoint [3] Group 3: Shareholder Returns - The company is committed to rewarding shareholders through substantial dividend payments and share buybacks, utilizing $441 million for dividends and $375 million for share repurchases in Q1 2025, and paying $1.7 billion in dividends and repurchasing approximately $1.5 billion in common stock in 2024 [4] Group 4: Challenges and Concerns - The company is facing softness in the MTS Test & Simulation business and the consumable semiconductor market in North America, with revenues in the Test & Measurement and Electronics segment declining by 5.4% year over year in Q1 [7] - The Construction Products segment also experienced a decline, with organic revenues down by 7.4% year over year in Q1 [9] - The company's long-term debt was reported at $7.3 billion, up 15.4% sequentially, raising concerns given cash and cash equivalents of $873 million [9]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For, marking the third consecutive year of receiving this accolade [1][2]. Company Overview - MKS Inc. is a global provider of enabling technologies that transform various industries, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, and specialty industrial applications [5]. - The company focuses on delivering foundational technology solutions, including instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions, and specialty chemicals technology [5]. - MKS's solutions are essential for addressing challenges related to miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing, enhancing power, speed, and connectivity [5]. Employee Recognition - The recognition from U.S. News reflects MKS's innovative work and supportive organizational climate, which helps attract and retain talented professionals [2]. - The U.S. News ratings consider various factors influencing employee decision-making, such as pay and benefits, work-life balance, job stability, and career development opportunities [2][3]. - The 2025-2026 list includes companies that excelled across multiple metrics contributing to a positive work environment [3]. Methodology - The U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list was calculated based on data from the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025, requiring a minimum of 75 Glassdoor reviews from 2021 to 2025 [3]. - Metrics used in the evaluation were derived from employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, gathered from partners like Revelio Labs and Good Jobs First's Violation Tracker [3].

Group 1: Smart City Development in Henan - Henan province is leveraging advanced technologies such as 5G-A, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital energy to enhance smart city construction and innovation practices [1][18] - The city of Hebi has established a comprehensive IoT perception system, deploying 27,000 sensing devices and 25,000 visual devices, integrating 33 types of AI algorithms for improved urban governance [4][6] - The smart streetlights in Hebi not only serve as aesthetic features but also function as core nodes for IoT perception, with over 9,000 installed in the main urban area [6][9] Group 2: Technological Innovations and Applications - The integration of 5G-A technology in Zhengzhou has significantly improved user experience, with an 80% increase in user speed and a 50% reduction in latency [12][13] - The establishment of a low-altitude regulatory service platform in Henan aims to enhance safety and promote the development of the low-altitude economy [13] - The digital transformation in heavy equipment manufacturing is exemplified by the transparent factory platform developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group in collaboration with Huawei [15] Group 3: Economic and Social Impact - The smart applications in Hebi, such as intelligent traffic lights and parking guidance systems, have reduced average parking search time by 60%, enhancing urban mobility [9][10] - The agricultural finance sector in Henan has seen significant improvements in risk management and operational efficiency through the implementation of a smart agricultural guarantee cloud platform [15] - The introduction of a high-power charging station in Zhengzhou represents a step towards green low-carbon transportation, featuring a charging speed of "one second per kilometer" [17]

Core Viewpoint - 2025 is projected to be the year of large-scale AI application, with significant integration of large models across various industries, particularly in manufacturing, which holds immense potential for intelligent transformation [2] Group 1: AI in Manufacturing - According to Accenture, by 2035, the application of AI technology in manufacturing is expected to generate nearly $4 trillion in total value, with an annual growth rate of 4.4% [2] - Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates that AI-reformed smart factories have reduced product development cycles by an average of 28.4%, improved production efficiency by 22.3%, and decreased carbon emissions by 20.4% [2] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology aims to promote AI-enabled new industrialization through a collaborative approach focusing on supply, application, and ecosystem development [2] Group 2: Nanjing's AI and Manufacturing Landscape - Nanjing is a hub for AI and manufacturing, hosting four national advanced manufacturing clusters and over 10,000 high-tech enterprises, ranking among the top in the country [3] - In 2024, Nanjing saw 69 funds complete new rounds of fundraising, totaling 17.868 billion RMB, with 295 investment cases amounting to 9.893 billion RMB [3] - The city benefits from abundant educational resources, with a high number of universities and research institutions, enhancing its unique advantages in AI supply, application, and ecosystem development [3] Group 3: AI Model Development and Events - Nanjing has established a large model industry cluster with over 20 vertical model enterprises across various sectors, including manufacturing, consumption, education, and finance [4] - The 2025 Nanjing AI Industry Development Matching Event will focus on the intersection of AI technology and manufacturing, featuring expert discussions, industry-academia collaboration, and project recruitment [4][6] - The event will showcase vertical AI models and innovative products from leading manufacturing companies, highlighting the practical applications of AI in manufacturing [8][9] Group 4: Educational and Research Collaborations - Nanjing's rich educational landscape includes over 50 universities and numerous research institutions, providing a strong foundation for innovation in intelligent manufacturing [11] - A partnership between Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications aims to establish an AI college and various specialized laboratories to enhance research and development [11] - The launch of a "Large Model Public Service Platform" will support the integration of projects, computing power, data, technology, talent, and application scenarios, facilitating comprehensive industrial services [12]