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Gates Industrial Corporation plc (NYSE:GTES) is one of the 10 most undervalued industrial stocks to buy according to analysts. On January 15, RBC Capital reiterated its Buy rating on Gates Industrial Corporation plc (NYSE:GTES) and set a price target of $29. On January 9, Citi had also reiterated its Buy rating on the stock. However, Andrew Kaplowitz, the analyst at Citi, cut the firm’s price target for the shares from $28 to $27. This target price adjustment reflects broader changes the firm made to its p ...

Core Insights - Japan's manufacturing activity expanded in January for the first time in seven months, driven by a significant rise in new export orders, marking a return to expansionary territory with a PMI of 51.5 [1][2] Manufacturing Sector - The S&P Global flash Japan Manufacturing PMI increased from 50.0 in December to 51.5 in January, indicating growth [1] - Key sub-indexes showed that factory output and new orders ended their contraction streaks, with new export orders climbing at the fastest rate since November 2021 [2] - Input price inflation for manufacturers reached a nine-month high, while they raised prices charged to customers at a faster rate in January [5] Services Sector - The flash Japan services PMI improved from 51.6 in December to 53.4 in January, indicating the steepest increase in services activity since last July [3] - The flash composite PMI rose to 52.8 from 51.1 in December, reflecting overall growth in both manufacturing and services [3] Employment and Capacity - Growing customer demand led to increased pressure on capacity, with outstanding business rising at the fastest rate since late 2007 [4] - Employment across Japan increased at the steepest rate since April 2019, driven by the need for more staff [4] Future Outlook - Both manufacturers and service firms forecast growth in future output, although optimism has slightly decreased due to concerns about rising costs, global economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and an aging population [4] - The Bank of Japan is expected to raise its growth forecast and signal readiness for the next rate hike, influenced by recent yen falls and a solid wage outlook [5]

Financial Performance - Q2FY26 sales were $147 million, successfully offsetting the non-recurring demand surge in Q2FY25[13, 19] - Adjusted EBITDA margin for Q2FY26 was 91%, a slight increase of 10 bps compared to the previous year[13, 18, 23] - The company generated $233 million in free cash flow in Q2FY26, resulting in a net debt to trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA ratio of 04x[14] - Adjusted net income increased by 6% year-over-year[18] Segment Performance - The Lighting Segment experienced 15% organic revenue growth year-over-year, driven by market share gains and increased large project activity[14, 26] - Lighting Segment adjusted gross margin rate improved by 190 bps[14, 26] - Display Solutions Segment sales were $803 million, impacted by elevated prior-year levels, but order activity improved, supporting increased demand in the second half of fiscal 2026[15, 36, 38] Outlook and Strategy - The company anticipates year-over-year growth in Q3FY26, with Lighting segment orders up 10% above prior-year levels[15] - Grocery vertical orders in the Display Solutions segment increased 20% above the prior year, supporting improved segment backlog[15] - The company maintains over $103 million in cash and available liquidity under its credit facility[54, 55]

Proto Labs ( PRLB ) has pioneered the field of manufacturing-as-a-service. The firm helps its customers deliver on-demand manufacturing (avoiding overstocking or shortages on the other end), reduced lead time (rapid production and delivery), and, finally, design complexity (thanks to itsHello readers! Passionate about technology, my focus will be on finding and analyzing companies that can play a relevant role in today's geopolitics, leverage their IP, and eventually, with time, become new leaders. Therefor ...

Company Overview - Stella-Jones Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer focused on infrastructure products essential for electrical distribution and transmission, as well as railway transportation systems [3] - The company supplies treated wood poles, crossarms, steel poles, and lattice towers to major electrical utilities, and treated wood railway ties and timbers to North America's Class 1, short line, and commercial railroad operators [3] - Stella-Jones also manufactures industrial products such as timbers for railway bridges, crossings, construction, marine and foundation pilings, and coal tar-based products [3] - The company distributes premium treated residential lumber and accessories to Canadian and American retailers, with a significant focus on servicing Canadian customers through its national manufacturing and distribution network [3] Conference Call Details - A conference call is scheduled for February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) [1] - The press release will be published before market opens on the day of the conference call through Globe Newswire [2] - A web recording of the meeting will be available from 1:00 PM EST on February 26, 2026, until 11:59 PM EST on March 2, 2026 [2]

2025年，四川经济运行稳中有进，生产供给稳定增长，经济结构持续优化，新兴动能加快释放， 高质量发展取得新成效。分产业看，第一产业增加值5751.35亿元，比上年增长3.7%；第二产业增 加值23260.22亿元，增长 4.9%；第三产业增加值38653.77亿元，增长6.1%。 本报讯（四川日报全媒体记者 史晓露 寇敏芳）1月21日，记者从省政府新闻办召开的2025年四川 经济形势新闻发布会上获悉，根据地区生产总值统一核算结果，2025年四川地区生产总值为 67665.34亿元，按不变价格计算，比上年增长5.5%。 农业生产形势向好。全年粮食总产量3662.5万吨，比上年增长0.8%。初步统计，全年生猪出栏 6248.0万头，比上年增长1.6%。 服务业较快发展。全年服务业增加值比上年增长6.1%。其中，租赁和商务服务业增加值增长 14.4%，信息传输、软件和信息技术服务业增长9.8%，批发和零售业增长7.0%，金融业增长 6.2%，住宿和餐饮业增长5.3%。 投资比上年下降。全年固定资产投资（不含农户）比上年下降2.4%，其中工业投资增长7.3%。 消费品市场增势稳定。全年实现社会消费品零售总额29135 ...

Ampco-Pittsburgh Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company Name**: Ampco-Pittsburgh - **Ticker**: AP - **Founded**: 1929 - **Segments**: - Forged and cast engineered products - Air and liquid processing - **2024 Revenue**: Approximately $400 million - **Employees**: About 1,500 [1][2] Core Business Insights Forged and Cast Engineered Products - **Market Position**: Global leader in forged and cast rolls for steel and aluminum rolling mills, primarily in North America and Europe [2][4] - **Revenue Contribution**: Revenue from rolling mill rolls is estimated at $250-$300 million, with the global market for rolling mill rolls around $2 billion annually [8][9] - **Customer Base**: Major customers include U.S. Steel, Steel Dynamics, and Cleveland-Cliffs [5][11] - **Production Facilities**: Operations in the U.S., Sweden, and Slovenia, with a joint venture in China [6][10] - **Market Dynamics**: The company expects $7-$8 million annual EBITDA improvement from the business reset, focusing on operational efficiencies and growth [3][16] Air and Liquid Processing - **Business Segments**: - Aerofin: Heat exchange products for nuclear power and industrial processes - Buffalo Air Handling: Custom air handling units for specialized environments - Buffalo Pumps: Centrifugal pumps primarily for the U.S. Navy and power generation [17][18] - **Growth**: 55% revenue growth over the last three years, with continued expansion expected [18][19] - **Strategic Importance**: Long-term supplier to the U.S. Navy, with significant investments to modernize facilities [20][21] Financial Performance - **EBITDA Improvement**: Anticipated annualized improvement of $7-$8 million from exiting underperforming assets [23][24] - **Debt Leverage**: Expected to improve as the company modernizes plants and exits unprofitable operations [23][24] - **Pension Plan**: Moving towards a fully funded status, which will positively impact financial health [24] Market Trends and Opportunities - **End Market Growth**: Major end markets projected to grow 3-5% over the next five years, contrasting with previous years of flat or declining growth [15][24] - **Tariff Impact**: Anticipated increase in demand due to tariff changes in Europe, potentially increasing demand by 10%-15% [14][28] - **Nuclear and Navy Markets**: Significant growth opportunities in the nuclear sector and U.S. Navy contracts, with barriers to entry providing competitive advantages [19][21] Risks and Challenges - **Market Demand Fluctuations**: Previous delays in roll purchases due to tariffs and market conditions, but signs of improvement are noted [28][29] - **Competitive Landscape**: Limited competition in the U.S. for rolling mill rolls, but ongoing monitoring of competitors like Villares is necessary [9][34] Conclusion - **Future Outlook**: Positive growth trajectory anticipated, with a focus on improving performance, reducing debt, and capitalizing on market opportunities in both segments [36]

Key Points 3M's output of new product launches tumbled in the years before CEO Bill Brown took the helm. Brown set a strategy of boosting new product launches, and the results have been impressive. In 2025, 3M launched twice as many new products compared to 2023, and another increase is planned for 2026. 10 stocks we like better than 3M › In August 2024, 3M (NYSE: MMM) CEO Bill Brown diagnosed one of the industrial giant's core problems just a few months after taking the helm. A years-long slide ...

This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded $3.65 billion in government-backed 7(a) and 504 loans to the manufacturing sector in fiscal year 2025, according to agency data. That was up 16.7% compared with the previous year. The agency delivered 4,456 total loans valued at nearly $2.8 billion to manufacturing borrowers through its 7(a) pro ...