VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) (OTCQB: HGRAF) (“HydroGraph” or the “Company”) today announced that James Baker will join the Company’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB), bringing more than three decades of experience in advanced materials, aerospace, defence, and graphene commercialisation. For the last 12 years, Mr. Baker led business activities related to graphene and 2D materials at the University of Manchester, including serving as Chief ...

By Naomi Rovnick LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, expects AI to continue dominating markets in 2026 and anticipates ​a turbulent ride for investors as speculative trading and leverage raise ‌the risks of a repeat of last month's sharp selloff. Helen Jewell, BlackRock's CIO of fundamental equities ‌EMEA, said on Thursday returns from AI-linked investments would stay on an upward trend, with some periods of doubt over sector valuations or outlook that would keep stock ...

Core Viewpoint - European aerospace and defence stocks experienced a decline of over 3% on Wednesday, influenced by indications of a renewed U.S.-led initiative to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which concurrently boosted Ukraine's government bonds [1] Group 1: Market Reaction - The decline in European aerospace and defence stocks was more than 3% [1] - The U.S.-led push to end the Russia-Ukraine war is a significant factor affecting market sentiment [1] - Ukraine's government bonds saw an increase in value as a result of the geopolitical developments [1]

Core Insights - Blue-chip stocks are often perceived as safe investments, but this belief can lead to missed opportunities and unforeseen risks [1][2] Myth 1: Blue-Chips Are Always Safe and Risk-Free - Investors mistakenly believe that blue-chip stocks are immune to risks, but even established companies can face challenges [3] - Singtel's EBIT margin decreased from 32% in FY2015 to 19% in FY2021 due to competition and rising 5G costs, highlighting that blue-chip status does not guarantee stability [4] - CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust experienced pressure on unit prices despite high occupancy rates, demonstrating vulnerability to market changes [4] Myth 2: Blue-Chips Don't Deliver Growth, Only Stability - Contrary to the belief that blue-chips cannot grow, some companies continue to achieve significant growth [5] - ST Engineering reported a 7.2% revenue increase to S$5.9 billion and a nearly 20% rise in net profit to S$403 million in the first half of 2025 [6] - DBS Group's dividends increased nearly 15% annually from 2019 to 2024, showcasing the potential for growth among blue-chip companies [7] Myth 3: Blue-Chips Don't Need Monitoring - Continuous monitoring of blue-chip stocks is essential, as business conditions can change [8] - Mapletree Logistics Trust saw a 12.4% year-on-year decline in distribution per unit in Q1 FY25/26, despite previously being viewed as a reliable REIT [9] - Rising finance costs and underperforming portfolio segments can negatively impact cash flow and dividends, emphasizing the need for regular evaluation [10][11] Implications for Investors - Blue-chips should be treated as core holdings but require the same level of scrutiny as any other stock [13] - Investors should review fundamentals quarterly, compare dividend growth to earnings growth, and monitor competitive and economic conditions [14] - Identifying blue-chips that are still growing and rewarding shareholders can lead to valuable investment opportunities [15] Strategic Approach - Blue-chip status provides a strong foundation, but active monitoring and strategic position sizing are crucial for portfolio growth [16] - The combination of blue-chip stability with diligent oversight can enhance investment success [17]

Core Points - Saab has received an order valued at approximately SEK 2.6 billion from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for continued conceptual studies related to future fighter systems, with a contract period from 2025 to 2027 [1][2] - The order encompasses conceptual studies of both manned and unmanned solutions, focusing on technology development and demonstrators, and represents an extension and expansion of a previous contract signed in March 2024 [2][3] - Saab aims to deliver innovative solutions to meet the operational needs of the Swedish Armed Forces and other customers through this collaboration [3] Company Overview - Saab is a leading defense and security company with a mission to ensure the safety of nations and their societies, employing around 26,000 talented individuals [4] - The company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining advanced systems across various domains, including aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, and underwater systems [4]

Core Insights - Major investors are shifting focus from the AI boom to long-term government spending driven by geopolitical, technological, and demographic pressures [1] - Asset managers are diversifying investments into infrastructure, energy transition, healthcare, and defense to leverage fiscal stimulus from governments [1][2] Government Fiscal Policies - The U.S. tax-cut and spending bill is projected to add trillions to government debt, extending tax cuts, increasing funding for border security and defense, while reducing Medicare and Medicaid [3] - Europe is also significantly increasing fiscal support, highlighted by Germany's €500 billion ($586 billion) infrastructure fund and NATO members' commitments to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP [3] Market Performance and Trends - Fiscal stimulus is a critical factor influencing financial market performance, with unprecedented fiscal commitments expected to drive structural realignment in markets for years [4] - The S&P 500 index has risen nearly 14% this year, primarily due to AI-related momentum, while Europe's STOXX 600 has seen more modest gains of 9.5% [5] - The aerospace and defense index in Europe has surged almost 68%, indicating that fiscal priorities are boosting defense and industrial sectors despite the AI-dominated market [6]

Group 1 - US household net worth increased by over $7 trillion in Q2, reaching a record $176.3 trillion, primarily due to a $5.5 trillion rise in stock market holdings and a $1.2 trillion increase in real estate values [1][6] - The S&P 500 index gained 10.6% during the same period, reflecting a recovery in stock prices after concerns over tariffs [6] - Wall Street's main indexes reached record highs, with expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve contributing to market optimism [7][26] Group 2 - Inflation in the US rose to 2.9% in August from 2.7% in July, driven by higher beef and petrol prices, which adds pressure on the Federal Reserve [4][45] - Job growth in the US was weak, with only 22,000 jobs added in August and initial jobless claims rising to 263,000, the highest level since October 2021 [5][8] - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates three times this year, with market confidence in a third rate cut in December rising to 91.7% [2][11] Group 3 - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted strains in the US economy, citing moderating domestic demand and slowing job growth, while inflation is on track to meet the Fed's 2% target [16] - Analysts believe the Federal Reserve faces a challenging situation balancing the need to support the labor market while managing inflation risks from tariffs [31][46] - The ECB has maintained its interest rate at 2%, indicating a cautious approach amid economic uncertainties, particularly related to trade policies [49][50]

Investment Rating - The report identifies several European defence stocks as "Overweight" (OW) rated, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Rheinmetall, and Thales, indicating a positive outlook for these companies in the context of AI integration in defence [6][32][105]. Core Insights - The European Defence sector is increasingly intersecting with themes of sustainability and national security, leading to a narrative shift that may ease weapon exclusions in sustainability funds [2][27]. - NATO's AI military spending is projected to reach approximately $112 billion by 2030 under the base case scenario, with a potential sixfold increase to $306 billion in a bullish scenario [6][30]. - The report evaluates nine key AI applications that are reshaping the defence sector, with cybersecurity and unmanned systems identified as the most advanced areas [6][74]. Summary by Sections Investment Landscape - The European Commission has announced a rearmament plan with AI at its core, aiming to scale up defence spending in response to geopolitical tensions [28][64]. - The report highlights a lack of consensus among sustainability-focused asset managers regarding what constitutes acceptable investments in the defence sector, particularly concerning controversial weapons [27][42]. AI Integration in Defence - The Application Readiness Radar evaluates nine AI applications, indicating that cybersecurity and unmanned systems are leading in terms of corporate readiness and investment [6][74]. - The report emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI military applications, advocating for effective risk management frameworks and corporate engagement [6][37][74]. Corporate Readiness - The report assesses AI technology readiness among European Aerospace and Defence companies across six verticals, identifying Airbus as the most prepared company with readiness across all assessed areas [32][105]. - Companies such as Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, and Rheinmetall also demonstrate strong AI capabilities, offering an attractive bull-bear skew for investors [6][105]. Market Dynamics - The report notes a significant increase in venture capital funding for defence-related AI technologies, with European startups attracting $653 million in 2024, doubling year-on-year [66]. - The integration of AI in defence is seen as critical for enhancing operational efficiency and addressing emerging threats, with a focus on dual-use technologies that serve both military and civilian purposes [104][105].

Core Viewpoint - CAE Inc. has announced the appointment of Matthew Bromberg as President and CEO, effective August 13, 2025, marking a significant leadership transition for the company [1][3][4] Leadership Changes - Matthew Bromberg will lead CAE's strategic growth and evolution, and he will also be nominated for election to the Board at the upcoming Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders [1][3] - Calin Rovinescu will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board, while Sophie Brochu will be the Lead Independent Director, emphasizing CAE's commitment to strong governance [2][10] Transition Plan - The transition plan for Mr. Bromberg's appointment has been approved by CAE's Board of Directors and will take effect after the 2025 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders [3][10] - Mr. Bromberg will join CAE on June 16, 2025, to work closely with outgoing President and CEO Marc Parent during the transition [3] Leadership Experience - Mr. Bromberg has extensive experience in aerospace and defense, having previously led Global Operations for Northrop Grumman and held senior positions at RTX Corp. and Pratt & Whitney [6][7] - His educational background includes an MBA and a Master of Mechanical Engineering from MIT, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from UC Berkeley [8] Governance and Strategic Focus - Mr. Rovinescu, as Executive Chairman, will collaborate with Mr. Bromberg on strategic initiatives and ensure effective Board functioning [11] - Ms. Brochu's role as Lead Independent Director will enhance CAE's governance practices and oversight [13][14] Company Overview - CAE is a global leader in training solutions for civil aviation and defense, with approximately 13,000 employees across 240 sites in over 40 countries [15] - The company focuses on innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability, aiming to enhance safety and mission readiness in aviation and defense sectors [15]