Core Insights - Inflationary pressures are moderating, leading to a return of price stability in markets, which is beneficial for many companies as they face lower input costs and improving profit margins heading into 2026 [1][2] Sector Analysis Consumer Staples - The consumer staples sector is poised for growth as key commodity input costs related to agricultural products, such as dairy, sugar, vegetable oils, and grains, decline [3] - Food processors and packaged-goods manufacturers are regaining margins that were previously compressed due to high input inflation [4] Capital Goods and Manufacturing - Capital goods and manufacturing companies are expected to benefit from easing inflation, particularly those that consume energy and commodities, such as chemical and heavy machinery producers [5] - Lower prices for petroleum-based inputs and industrial metals are reducing project costs and improving returns on new capital investments [5] Airlines and Logistics - Airlines and logistics companies are classic beneficiaries of easing price pressures, as fuel costs, a major operating expense, are declining [6] - Companies like Delta Air Lines and FedEx are well-positioned for margin expansion as economic activity normalizes, with fuel savings directly impacting their bottom lines [7] Company Highlights United Natural Foods (UNFI) - UNFI is regaining margins as inflation cools, with a projected revenue increase of 1% and a significant EPS increase of 187.3% for fiscal 2026 compared to the previous year [10] - The company has improved its gross margin by approximately 20 basis points year over year due to better procurement conditions [9] FedEx Corp. (FDX) - FedEx is undergoing a cost realignment initiative that resulted in $2.2 billion in annual cost savings, positioning it for margin recovery as inflation pressures fade [11] - The company is expected to see a revenue increase of 4.6% for fiscal 2026, with operating margin expansion driven by lower fuel expenses and structural cost reductions [12] LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) - LATAM Airlines is benefiting from a lean cost structure and improved air travel demand, with a projected revenue increase of 10.1% and EPS increase of 17.8% for 2026 [16] - The company achieved an adjusted operating margin of 18.1% in Q3 2025, supported by a decline in jet fuel expenses [15] Conclusion - The analysis indicates that companies in consumer staples, logistics, and transportation sectors are well-positioned to leverage declining input costs to restore margins and enhance financial performance as inflation eases [19]

The Canadian dealer of Caterpillar’s massive earth movers and bulldozers is benefiting from a construction boom that’s powered its stock into an epic rally https://t.co/Bw92kzAyJi ...

This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. Construction activity across the Federal Reserve’s Ninth District declined slightly over the past six months, with nearly half of the firms surveyed reporting lower activity compared with the same period in 2024, according to results from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve’s fall construction sector survey.  The results, which were presented during a Dec. 12 ...

Core Insights - The construction sector is expected to benefit from moderating monetary policy, easing inflation, and improved economic visibility as it approaches 2026 [2][4] Economic Environment - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points for the third time in 2025, lowering the benchmark range to 3.5%-3.75%, with an additional cut projected for 2026 [3] - Inflation is expected to decrease to 2.5% in 2026, GDP growth is revised to 2.3%, and the unemployment rate is projected to decline to 4.4% [4] Construction Demand Drivers - Construction demand is increasingly driven by multi-year, non-discretionary investment cycles, including digital infrastructure, public works, and water management [5] - Federal infrastructure funding and private-sector investments provide longer-duration visibility that is less sensitive to short-term economic fluctuations [5] Investment Opportunities - Wall Street favors construction companies with multi-year backlog visibility, exposure to structurally funded spend categories, and strong operating discipline [6] - Notable companies include Dycom Industries, Sterling Infrastructure, Comfort Systems USA, Tutor Perini, and Advanced Drainage Systems, which are well-positioned for growth into 2026 [7] Company Performance Highlights - Dycom Industries (DY) has a projected EPS growth of 35% and a stock surge of 95.3% YTD, with strong demand for digital infrastructure [10][13] - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has gained 89.4% YTD, with a projected EPS growth of 14.6% [10][15] - Comfort Systems USA (FIX) has surged 108.4% YTD, with a projected EPS growth of 16.4% [10][17] - Tutor Perini (TPC) has gained 172.8% YTD, with a projected EPS growth of 17.7% [10][19] - Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) has gained 25.2% YTD, with a projected EPS growth of 17.7% [10][21]

CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a seat on the U.S. Air Force Comprehensive Construction & Engineering Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Managed by the Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC), this $15 billion ceiling value contract will ensure the readiness and resilience of U.S. Air Force and Department of War facilities. Work will be performed globally, with an initial five-year ordering period and ...

Core Insights - The commercial real estate sector is showing signs of improvement as analysts and industry executives express optimism for 2026, driven by positive economic growth and easing trade concerns [2][3]. Market Outlook - Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) reports a more positive outlook for 2026, citing improving market fundamentals such as positive economic growth, moderating inflation, and lower interest rates contributing to a stable operating environment [2]. - The real estate capital markets have strengthened significantly in the second half of 2025, with expectations for continued activity in 2026 as lender appetite broadens across property sectors [3]. Sector Performance - Office and industrial space leasing is projected to increase globally, particularly in major markets like the U.S., India, and the UK, indicating a recovery in demand [5]. - JLL's CEO noted that both occupier and investor clients are motivated to transact, reflecting broad-based activity across capital markets and improvements in large deal activity [6]. Technology Impact - The AI infrastructure boom is expected to drive demand for data centers, with leasing demand strengthening across various markets and property types in 2026 [4]. - American Tower and Equinix reported strong quarterly results, with American Tower benefiting from increased demand for mobile data and Equinix closing over 4,400 deals, reflecting continued demand for latency-sensitive workloads [7][8]. Construction Trends - Deloitte's 2026 Commercial Real Estate Outlook indicates cautious optimism, noting that global investment volume declines have reduced for six consecutive quarters, with the first year-over-year increase since mid-2022 observed in early 2025 [9]. - Construction activity outside of data centers is expected to remain soft into early 2026, but easing policy uncertainty and federal tax incentives may encourage a rebound in construction spending later in the year [10].

The U.S. unemployment rate is the highest it's been since the Covid pandemic, despite employers hiring more people than expected in November, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The economy added 64,000 non-farm payroll jobs in November, well ahead of the 45,000 jobs economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected. Worst layoff years through November 2020: 2.23 million 2001: 1.96 million 2002: 1.37 million 2009: 1.24 million 2025: 1.17 million 2003: 1.14 million ...

Nanterre, 16 December 2025 VINCI Autoroutes and VINCI Airports traffic in November 2025 I- Change in VINCI Autoroutes’ intercity networks traffic NovemberYTD at the end of November (11 months) % change 2025/2024% change 2025/2024VINCI Autoroutes−3.4%+1.1% Light vehicles−3.7%+1.2% Heavy vehicles<td style="width:26. ...

Problem Statement & Initial Solution - The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces severe housing crisis, with families living in dilapidated conditions and lacking adequate shelter [1] - "In our Hands" charity was founded to address this need, initially focusing on clean energy solutions like solar power for the Lakota radio station [1] - The community's primary need was identified as affordable and durable housing suitable for the harsh climate [1][2][3] Innovation & Development - The organization explored alternative building materials and discovered high-performance structural cellular concrete [5] - They developed a dome-shaped home design using nested pneumatic forms, aiming for affordability and rapid construction [6][7] - Prototypes were tested and refined, leading to the construction of three domes in Iowa within three weeks [7][8][9] - The domes proved resilient, withstanding a direct hit from a tornado [10] Implementation & Scaling - The first dome on the Pine Ridge reservation faced challenges during construction but was ultimately successful [11][12][13] - The domes demonstrated excellent insulation, requiring only a 700W space heater to maintain warmth during extreme cold [14] - The design has been implemented in multiple states, meeting code requirements and receiving certifications of occupancy [16] - The organization is transitioning to modular, traditionally shaped homes for larger scale and cost-effectiveness [18][19] Future Goals & Systemic Change - The goal is to create a pathway for families to access affordable, energy-efficient homes and build generational wealth [20][21] - The organization aims to scale the solution by training contractors and partnering with universities, community lenders, and government entities [20][22] - The long-term vision is to redesign the housing system to prioritize people over profit and promote inclusion [22][23] - The call to action is for individuals to challenge existing systems and actively participate in building a better world [23][24][25]

Italy's Caltagirone construction group, a leading investor in bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena and insurer Generali , said on Monday it was beefing up governance controls relating to the two investments... ...