Flex logo Small Names, Big Impact: The Stocks Behind NVIDIA’s Rubin Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results that exceeded its guidance across all metrics, driven by continued strength in data center-related demand and improving momentum in industrial and health end markets. Management also raised its full-year revenue and earnings outlook at the midpoint and said it expects to exit the fiscal year with “very good momentum.” Quarterly results topped guidance For the quarter, Fl ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders increased nearly 40%, building on a strong 16% growth from the previous year [5][21] - Revenue grew by 6%, with adjusted EBIT margins expanding by 190 basis points to 12.4% [5][20] - Adjusted EPS rose nearly 40%, exceeding guidance [5][21] - Record backlog increased by 20% to $18 billion, indicating strong demand visibility [20][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic revenue growth was led by service, which grew 9% year-over-year [23] - In the Americas, sales were up 6% organically, with solid double-digit growth in service [23] - EMEA grew 4%, driven by high single-digit growth in service [23] - APAC delivered 8% growth, led by strong system performance and steady demand in service [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment saw a 56% growth, primarily from large-scale data center projects [21] - EMEA experienced an 8% growth, with balanced high single-digit growth in both service and system [21] - APAC orders increased by 10%, driven by double-digit growth in systems and high single-digit growth in service [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on energy efficiency and decarbonization, particularly in data centers and advanced manufacturing [7][11] - A proprietary business system is being deployed to enhance operational efficiency and align goals across the organization [6][13] - The strategy emphasizes innovation in technology and service-based solutions to meet customer needs [12][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong start to the year and raised full-year guidance due to positive momentum [5][26] - The operating environment remains challenging, but the company is well-positioned to deliver on its commitments [20][25] - Management highlighted the importance of operational discipline and the ability to respond to customer needs quickly [74][107] Other Important Information - The company is investing in R&D to support future growth while maintaining cost control [92][93] - There is a focus on improving gross margins and reducing SG&A costs through operational efficiencies [89][90] Q&A Session Summary Question: Order strength and duration - Management confirmed record orders and highlighted strong demand not only from data centers but also from life sciences [28][30] Question: Backlog and organic growth - Management indicated that while backlog is strong, not all orders are shippable within the next nine months, affecting organic growth projections [32][33] Question: Market evolution and order growth - Management noted broad-based growth across different applications in the data center market and emphasized the importance of thermal management for life sciences [36][38] Question: North America margin trends - Management acknowledged a slight headwind in North America margins but expressed confidence in future improvements [50][51] Question: Data center lead times - Management reported good progress on lead times and emphasized the importance of reliable delivery for competitive advantage [72][74] Question: BMS growth and opportunities - Management characterized BMS growth as solid and highlighted the alignment with mission-critical solutions [78] Question: New product development and market readiness - Management discussed ongoing collaboration with customers to innovate and prepare for future market needs [81][82] Question: Portfolio review and strategic moves - Management confirmed ongoing strategic review of the portfolio to enhance shareholder value [85][87]

Core Idea - Cathie Wood, founder of Ark Invest, actively added to her portfolio by purchasing shares of Coreweave, Robinhood Markets, and Circle Internet Group, indicating a focus on companies with ties to the crypto sector [1][9] Group 1: Coreweave - Coreweave went public at $40 in March and saw its stock price peak at $187 in late June, but has since lost 60% of its value, still showing an 84% increase from its IPO price [4][5] - The company generated $1.9 billion in revenue last year and is projected to exceed $5 billion this year, with analysts forecasting revenue to double again to $12 billion by 2026 [7] - Despite significant revenue growth, Coreweave is currently unprofitable and is not expected to turn a profit until at least 2027, with a debt-heavy balance sheet [7][8] Group 2: Robinhood Markets - Robinhood Markets also experienced a doubling of revenue in its latest quarter, driven by increased crypto trading activity [9] Group 3: Circle Internet Group - The article does not provide specific details about Circle Internet Group, but it is included in the list of companies Cathie Wood invested in, suggesting a strategic interest in crypto-related businesses [1][9]

Core Insights - The company reported a 6% growth in sales, a 100 basis point expansion in segment margins, and a 17% increase in adjusted EPS, achieving a free cash flow conversion of 102% [1][22][23] - The backlog reached a record $15 billion, reflecting sustained demand for the company's solutions [1][24][27] - The proprietary business system is evolving as a growth engine, combining 80/20 and Lean principles with digital and AI approaches to enhance customer focus and operational efficiency [2][5][6] Financial Performance - Fiscal 2025 was marked by strong execution, with organic revenue growth of 4% and adjusted EPS of $1.26, a 14% year-over-year increase [22][23] - The company ended the quarter with $400 million in available cash and a net debt ratio of 2.4 times, within the long-term target range [23] - Adjusted free cash flow improved by approximately $700 million to $2.5 billion for the year [23] Segment Performance - Orders grew 6% in the quarter, with notable growth in The Americas (9%) and EMEA (3%), while APAC saw a slight decline of 1% [24][25] - The Americas experienced a 3% organic sales increase, while EMEA delivered 9% organic growth [25][27] - The backlog grew 13%, with system backlog increasing by 14% and service backlog by 9% [27] Strategic Initiatives - The company is updating its long-term growth algorithm to reflect improved mid-single-digit top-line growth and double-digit adjusted EPS growth [2][28] - The focus remains on investing in organic growth, returning capital to shareholders, and pursuing selective acquisitions [29] - The proprietary business system aims to identify and remove barriers to growth, with over 700 colleagues engaged in priority areas [6][9] Market Position and Innovations - The company is strengthening its leadership in advanced thermal management, particularly for data centers, with new product launches like the coolant distribution unit [13][14][15] - The transition to liquid cooling technologies is expected to enhance the company's competitive advantage in the data center vertical [14][15][56] - A significant project in Zurich will provide green heat to the city, showcasing the company's commitment to sustainable solutions [16][17][18] Future Outlook - The company anticipates organic sales growth of approximately 3% for the first quarter and mid-single-digit growth for the full year [30][31] - Adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $4.55 per share, reflecting over 20% growth [30] - The guidance for fiscal 2026 includes a target of 50% operating leverage and approximately 100% free cash flow conversion [30][31]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fiscal 2025 saw a sales growth of 6%, with segment margins expanding by 100 basis points and adjusted EPS increasing by 17% [6][20] - Free cash flow conversion reached 102%, reflecting disciplined execution and financial strength [6][21] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $400 million in available cash, and net debt declined to 2.4 times compared to the prior year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic revenue grew 4% in the fourth quarter, with segment margin expanding by 20 basis points to 18.8% [20] - Orders grew 6% in the quarter, with a notable 9% growth in the Americas, supported by strength in data centers [21] - In EMEA, orders increased by 3%, while APAC saw a small decline of 1% due to decreasing systems [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog expanded by 13% to a record $15 billion, with system backlog growing by 14% and service backlog by 9% [21][24] - In the Americas, sales were up 3% organically, while EMEA delivered 9% organic growth [22] - APAC experienced a 3% organic sales decline, primarily due to lower volumes in China [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is updating its long-term growth algorithm to reflect improved mid-single-digit top-line growth and double-digit adjusted EPS growth [6][24] - The proprietary business system is being developed as a growth engine, focusing on customer-centric and continuous improvement [5][8] - The company aims to leverage strengths in HVAC controls and digital solutions to capture significant opportunities in decarbonization and mission-critical systems [19][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate evolving market conditions and achieve long-term growth commitments [26] - The guidance for fiscal 2026 includes expectations for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth and approximately 100% free cash flow conversion [25][26] - Management highlighted the importance of operational efficiencies and a record backlog in supporting future growth [25][26] Other Important Information - The company is focusing on investments in organic growth, returning capital to shareholders, and pursuing selective acquisitions [24] - Recent leadership changes include the appointment of a new leader for the Americas segment to sharpen customer focus [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk through the 50% operating leverage target for 2026? - Management indicated that EMEA and APAC will be the main drivers of margin improvement, with a comfortable outlook for operating leverage in the 50s or above [28][29] Question: What are the opportunities for cost and portfolio improvements? - Management emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce G&A costs and improve productivity through the proprietary business system, with a vibrant acquisition pipeline [31][32] Question: Can you provide more detail on the $250 million benefits from operating leverage? - Management confirmed that the operating leverage will continue to improve over time, driven by productivity and responsible cost reductions [32][34] Question: What is the outlook for orders in the first quarter? - Management noted that the health of the pipeline continues to improve, with expectations for order growth despite tough comparisons [36] Question: How will the company achieve 100% cash flow conversion? - Management highlighted strong improvements in receivable management and inventory management as key drivers for free cash flow conversion [38][39] Question: What are the targeted actions for margin improvement in EMEA and APAC? - Management stated that margin improvement will come from a combination of pricing discipline, operational efficiency, and ongoing deployment of the business system [40] Question: How does the company view the content opportunity in data centers? - Management expressed confidence in the continued demand for both air and liquid cooling solutions, emphasizing the strength of their chiller offerings [41] Question: What is the impact of technology investments on aftermarket services? - Management indicated that technology investments are driving both share gain and margin improvement by lowering costs to serve [43] Question: Can you discuss the order growth from specific verticals? - Management noted strong growth in data centers, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing as key verticals driving backlog growth [45]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record quarterly sales of $6.2 billion, marking an 18% organic growth in Communications and Security Solutions, 12% in Electrical and Electronic Solutions, and a return to growth in Utility and Broadband Solutions [7][36] - Adjusted EPS grew 9.5% year over year and 16% sequentially, with both gross margin and EBITDA margin improving sequentially [8][36] - Organic sales growth accelerated to 12% in Q3, following 6% in Q1 and 7% in Q2, indicating four consecutive quarters of accelerating momentum [6][36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electrical and Electronic Solutions (EES) saw organic sales up 12% year over year, driven by growth across all operating groups, particularly in construction and OEM [15][16] - Communications and Security Solutions (CSS) delivered organic sales growth of 18%, supported by strong demand in data center solutions [16][17] - Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS) reported a 3% increase in organic sales, marking a return to growth after seven quarters of declines, driven by investor-owned utilities [23][36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total data center sales reached approximately $1.2 billion, up 60% year over year, representing 19% of total Q3 company sales on a trailing 12-month basis [7][19] - The broadband segment experienced over 20% year-over-year growth, indicating a significant improvement from previous quarters [23] - Backlog increased 11% year over year, reflecting stronger customer order rates across various segments [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on accelerating cross-selling initiatives and driving enterprise-wide margin improvement through technology-driven business transformation [8][10] - The strategic outlook includes capitalizing on secular growth trends such as digitalization, electrification, and supply chain resiliency, with expectations for continued market-leading growth into 2026 [10][36] - The company raised its full-year outlook for organic sales growth and adjusted EBITDA based on increasing business momentum [8][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to outperform markets due to strong portfolio strength and ongoing secular growth trends [10][36] - The outlook for 2026 includes expectations for mid-single-digit organic sales growth and continued strength in electrical markets, with a return to full-year growth in utility services [37] - Management acknowledged challenges related to working capital investments but emphasized the high quality of cash flow issues due to significant sales growth [71] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $540 million in Series A preferred stock, marking a significant milestone in capital structure optimization [27] - Free cash flow was a use of $89 million in Q3, attributed to increased working capital needs due to significant growth [24][25] - The company is experiencing a dynamic tariff environment, with supplier price increase notifications up over 100% in count, but the impact on results was limited [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: How much did price contribute to growth by segment? - Overall pricing benefit in Q3 was just under 3%, with EES at about 4%, CSS at about 2%, and UBS at about 1% [39] Question: Can you discuss the strength in EES outside of data centers? - EES saw growth across construction, industrial, and OEM sectors, with construction up mid-teens driven by infrastructure projects [42][44] Question: Is there a crowd-out effect from AI and tech spending? - There is no observed crowd-out effect; EES growth is attributed to overall market outperformance [51] Question: What is the outlook for public power in the utility segment? - Public power is expected to return to growth in 2026, with current softness attributed to inventory build issues [108]

Core Viewpoint - Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) is viewed positively by Jim Cramer, who believes the stock has significant upward potential and has been a topic of discussion due to its recent performance [1]. Company Overview - Vertiv Holdings Co provides power, thermal management, and digital infrastructure solutions, along with lifecycle and professional services specifically for data centers and critical industries [2]. - The company is noted for its role in manufacturing private label air conditioning units for various other companies in the industry [2]. Market Context - The stock's potential is highlighted in relation to data center performance, particularly referencing strong numbers from Oracle, which are seen as a positive indicator for Vertiv [2]. - Despite the positive outlook for Vertiv, there is a suggestion that certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential with less downside risk, indicating a competitive investment landscape [2].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales grew 7% in Q2 2025, following a 6% increase in Q1 2025, with preliminary July sales per workday up approximately 10% year over year [5][11][39] - Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 90 basis points sequentially, driven by strong operating cost leverage and stable gross margin [6][12] - Adjusted EPS was $3.39, reflecting a 6% increase compared to the prior year [7][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CSS (Communications and Security Solutions) achieved 17% organic growth, while EES (Electrical and Electronic Solutions) grew by 6% [5][12] - Data center sales surpassed $1 billion in Q2, marking a 65% year-over-year increase, indicating strong demand driven by AI trends [5][19] - UBS (Utility and Broadband Solutions) experienced a 4% decline in sales, although investor-owned utility sales returned to growth in Q2 [22][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The utility market faced challenges but showed signs of recovery, with investor-owned utilities growing low single digits in Q2 [22][56] - Backlog increased across all business units, with CSS backlog up 36% year over year, reflecting strong demand in data center projects [36][65] - The overall data center sales represented approximately 18% of total sales in Q2, up from 10% in the previous year [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company raised its full-year outlook for organic sales growth to 5% to 7%, up from a previous range of 2.5% to 6.5% [33][35] - Focus remains on executing cross-sell initiatives, managing margins, and delivering operational improvements through technology [9][38] - The company aims to prioritize deleveraging the balance sheet while remaining opportunistic regarding share repurchases and acquisitions [37][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth trajectory supported by trends in electrification, data center expansion, and infrastructure modernization [16][24] - The company acknowledged uncertainties related to tariffs and the overall economy but noted strong demand for data centers and improving electrical end markets [35][36] - Preliminary July sales indicate continued positive momentum, with expectations for mid to high single-digit growth in Q3 [39][41] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $540 million of Series A preferred stock, enhancing financial flexibility and stability [26][27] - Inventory management remains a focus, with a 60 basis point year-over-year improvement in networking capital intensity [25][37] - The company is actively managing tariff impacts and global trade uncertainties to protect margins [30][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on pricing and demand trends - Management confirmed that no tariff impacts are included in the second half outlook, and July sales show genuine demand increase rather than just easier comparisons [45][46] Question: Insights on UBS margins - UBS margins were impacted by customer mix and increased SG&A costs, but management expects significant operating leverage as utility sales return to growth [48][50] Question: Utility business performance - Investor-owned utilities returned to growth in Q2, while public power customers are expected to follow suit in the second half of the year [56][58] Question: Data center growth metrics - Management highlighted strong visibility into data center demand, with significant growth in both white space and gray space projects [60][62] Question: Inventory gains and pricing impacts - Management indicated that inventory gains from price increases are temporary and will be reflected in future financials, but specific impacts are difficult to project [78][89]