Key Takeaways U.S. indexes hover near record highs, with major averages up double digits year to date.CENX, DRD, GSAT, TATT and STRL have shown strong price gains over the past four weeks. Wall Street maintains northbound journey despite recent U.S. government shutdown.U.S. stock markets have continued their northward journey in 2025 following an impressive rally over the past two years. Year to date, all three major stock indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — are up 10.3%, 14.4% and 18. ...

RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluor Corporation (“Fluor”) (NYSE: FLR) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities between February 18, 2025, and July 31, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The lead plaintiff deadline is November 14, 2025. CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP: If you suffered Fluor losses, you ...

Spin-off Announcement - KBR plans to spin off its Mission Technology Solutions (MTS) segment to create two independent, pure-play public companies: "New KBR" comprising Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) and "SpinCo" comprising MTS [1, 7] - The transaction is intended to be tax-free to KBR and its shareholders and is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026 [7, 33] Portfolio Transformation - The spin-off is the culmination of a decade-long portfolio transformation to focus on differentiated and innovative science, technology, and engineering solutions [7, 9, 10] - KBR has acquired 13 businesses and divested 4 non-core businesses, exiting commoditized services and shifting away from lump sum turnkey-type contracts [13] New KBR (STS) - New KBR, comprising STS, has TTM Q2'25 revenues of $2.2 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 22% [15, 20] - STS backlog for Q2'25 is $3.7 billion [15] SpinCo (MTS) - SpinCo, comprising MTS, has TTM Q2'25 revenues of $5.8 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 10% [16, 27] - MTS backlog and options for Q2'25 is $17.8 billion [16] Financial Performance - KBR's adjusted EBITDA has grown by 180% from $334 million in 2015 to $935 million in TTM Q2'25 [11]

Core Insights - The current market presents a challenge for investors seeking safe places to allocate new capital, as the S&P 500 is experiencing record highs and significant rallies [1] - There are still opportunities to find relatively inexpensive stocks with above-average growth potential, particularly within the S&P 500 [2] Stock Selection - A screen identified 104 S&P 500 stocks with above-average growth and below-average price multiples, narrowing down to 86 after excluding energy and materials sectors [3][4] - T-Mobile is highlighted for its expected 19.4% earnings growth next year, trading at just over 18 times next year's earnings [4] - Royal Caribbean and Expedia are noted as strong travel stocks, with Expedia projected to grow earnings by 18% next year while trading at 13 times earnings, significantly cheaper than Booking Holdings [5] - Dollar Tree is identified as a consumer staples stock with a 15% growth rate, trading at less than 15 times next year's earnings, making it a favorable option [6] Financial Sector Opportunities - The financial sector is experiencing favorable conditions, with 34 of the 86 identified stocks coming from this sector [7] - Capital One Financial is projected to have nearly 14% earnings growth next year, trading at roughly 11 times next year's earnings [8] - American Express is expected to grow earnings by 12.6% next year, trading at less than 20 times earnings, which is cheaper than the overall S&P [9] - Citigroup is highlighted for its strong recovery under CEO Jane Fraser, with expected growth of 28% next year while trading at just 10.5 times earnings [10] - Keycorp, a regional bank, is expected to grow at 22% next year, trading at just under 11 times next year's earnings [11] Other Notable Stocks - Charles Schwab is recognized as a strong retail brokerage, while Apollo is noted for its leadership in private equity and private credit with projected earnings growth of 19% [12][13] - Insight, a biopharma company, stands out in the healthcare sector with expected earnings growth of 19% and trading at just under 12 times next year's earnings [14] - Caterpillar is noted for its strong performance, with an expected 18% earnings growth and trading at 22 times next year's earnings [15] - Dell Technologies is mentioned as a core player in AI infrastructure, while BXP, a real estate company, has rebounded after trimming its dividend to focus on growth projects [18][19] - Energy, a utility company, is highlighted for its growth potential due to infrastructure projects, including a $10 billion data center by Meta [20]

Group 1 - Artificial intelligence (AI) is a significant investment trend, with companies like Nvidia providing powerful AI hardware, Comfort Systems USA benefiting from data center construction, and Vistra gaining from increased electricity demand [1][2] - Nvidia, Comfort Systems USA, and Vistra have all seen stock prices increase by 1,000% or more over the last five years, indicating the real impact of the AI trend across various industries [2] - Build-A-Bear Workshop has outperformed these AI-related companies, with a return of 2,150% over the past five years, turning a $10,000 investment into $225,000 [3][5] Group 2 - Build-A-Bear Workshop's revenue grew from $339 million in February 2020 to $496 million by February 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8% [6] - The company has over 600 stores and offers a unique customer experience where patrons can customize plush toys, contributing to its growth [6][7] - Factors driving demand for Build-A-Bear include nostalgia from parents who were customers in the past, successful licensing of popular characters, and effective use of e-commerce [7][8]

Company Overview - Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a market cap of $17.6 billion and is a global leader in professional services, including consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery solutions [1] - The company operates across various sectors such as advanced manufacturing, cities and places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation, and water [1][2] Market Position - Jacobs Solutions is classified as a large-cap stock, emphasizing its size, influence, and dominance in the engineering and construction industry [2] - The company's diverse service offerings and focus on innovation position it well to tackle complex global challenges for its clients [2] Stock Performance - Jacobs shares have decreased by 1.8% from their 52-week high of $152.40, reached on August 13 [3] - Over the past three months, Jacobs stock has increased by 17.5%, outperforming the iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF's (IFRA) rise of 8.9% [3] - Year-to-date, Jacobs shares have surged by 12%, and over the past 52 weeks, they have climbed by 23.4%, compared to IFRA's YTD gains of 12.5% and 12.9% returns over the last year [4] Financial Performance - On August 5, Jacobs reported third-quarter earnings, with revenue increasing by 5.1% year-over-year to $3 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.2 billion [5] - The adjusted EPS rose by 24.6% to $1.62, surpassing Wall Street estimates [5] - The company also reported a 14% increase in its backlog, reaching a record high, indicating strong forward demand [5] Future Guidance - Following the positive earnings results, Jacobs management raised its fiscal 2025 guidance for the second time, now expecting adjusted net revenue growth of approximately 5.5% year-over-year and adjusted EPS in the range of $6.00 to $6.10 [6] - Key competitor TopBuild Corp. has shown resilience with a 34.5% return on a year-to-date basis, although it lagged behind Jacobs with a 5.2% gain over the past 52 weeks [6]

Group 1 - A securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluor Corporation on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Fluor securities between February 18, 2025, and July 31, 2025 [1] - The lead plaintiff deadline for the lawsuit is November 14, 2025 [1]

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Industry Overview - **Data Centers**: CBRE anticipates a pickup in data center investment volume in the second half of 2025, despite a more than 50% year-over-year decline in investment activity in the first half of 2025 due to economic uncertainty [2][6][36]. - **Construction and Machinery**: The construction sector is expected to see a re-acceleration in non-residential construction in 2026, driven by data centers and related power generation [3][19]. Core Insights - **Data Center Trends**: - Primary market supply reached a record 8,155 MW, up 17.6% from the second half of 2024 and 43.4% year-over-year, with vacancy rates dropping to a record low of 1.6% [6]. - Investment in data centers is shifting towards larger projects, with a focus on sites with 200 MW+ of power [6]. - Lease rates for requirements of 10 MW+ increased by as much as 19% regionally [6]. - Power availability remains a significant constraint, leading to investments in markets with better access to power [6]. - **Machinery and Equipment**: - Companies involved in engineering and planning (FLR, J, WSP) and those building supporting infrastructure (PWR, MTZ, PRIM, EME, DY) are expected to benefit from increased construction demand [4]. - Demand for machinery is driven by construction activities, benefiting rental companies (URI) and OEMs (DE, CNH) [4]. Additional Important Insights - **Truck Production Forecast**: ACT Research forecasts a 23% decline in Class 8 truck production for 2025, with a further 12% decline expected in 2026 [5][34]. - **Investor Sentiment**: Recent discussions indicate a shift in investor focus from construction to energy and tariffs, with concerns about whether data center strength can offset tariff headwinds [10]. - **Non-Residential Construction**: The forecast for non-residential construction has been revised downwards for 2025, with expectations of a 1% decline, but a growth forecast of 4% for 2026 remains intact [24]. - **Fiber Investment**: The BEAD program is expected to drive significant fiber investment, with estimates suggesting a market share of around 10% for certain companies, potentially leading to close to 10% growth in 2026 consensus revenue [27]. Market Trends - **Power and Infrastructure**: Positive trends in power and infrastructure sectors have been noted, with power increasing by 1.4% year-over-year from April to July [21]. - **Telecom Margins**: Telecom margins were slightly below expectations in Q2, with a focus on understanding the factors affecting margins moving forward [33]. Recommendations for Investors - Focus on companies with broad non-residential exposure such as MLM, VMC, OSK, and those with structural thematic exposure like DY, PWR, MTZ, and PRIM [25]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the current state and future outlook of the data center, construction, and machinery industries.

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) - **Market Dynamics**: The sector has experienced strong compression due to a widening offshore/onshore yield differential, leading to increased demand for China USD bonds and reduced supply from Chinese issuers turning to cheaper onshore funding [1][4][20]. Core Insights - **Credit Ratings**: China SOEs' credit ratings are anchored to China's sovereign rating, which is rated A1/A+/A by Moody's/S&P/Fitch. The outlooks are negative/stable/stable, respectively. The improving fundamentals from SOE reforms provide comfort against fallen angel risks [1][4][39][45]. - **US Sanctions Risk**: The primary risk for China SOEs remains US sanctions, particularly for companies like CNOOC and ChemChina. However, strong demand from Chinese investors is expected to absorb any potential spread widening due to sanctions [1][4][57][63]. - **Investment Recommendations**: J.P. Morgan recommends selective investments in COSL '30s, SINOCH '31s, and CNOOC '32s, highlighting their suitability for investors seeking low-beta exposure to Asia credit [1][4][26]. Financial Metrics - **Spread Compression**: The JACI China single-A Corporate Index has seen its z-spread tighten from z+220 in late 2022 to z+109, indicating strong technical support in the market [4][26]. - **Yield Differential**: The yield differential between offshore and onshore bonds has widened to approximately 290 basis points as of September 2025, influencing demand dynamics [14][20]. - **Profitability Metrics**: The average net profit margin for China SOEs improved from 11% to 13% from 2021 to 2024, while return on equity (ROE) rose from 6% to 8% during the same period, reflecting improving fundamentals [48][50][55]. Additional Insights - **Supply and Demand Imbalance**: The demand for China USD credit has increased, particularly from Chinese banks, while supply has decreased due to higher offshore borrowing costs. This has led to a significant reduction in dollar bond issuance by Chinese issuers [15][20]. - **Regulatory Focus**: The Chinese government is emphasizing SOE efficiency, with new assessment criteria focusing on stable profit growth and improvements in R&D expenditure intensity and labor productivity [48][49]. - **Sanction Lists**: The US has established multiple sanction lists relevant to China SOEs, including the NS-CMIC and CMC lists, which impose various restrictions on investment and business operations [58][61]. Conclusion - The China SOE sector presents a complex landscape characterized by improving fundamentals, strong technical support, and significant risks from US sanctions. Investors are advised to approach the sector selectively, focusing on specific bonds that offer better relative value while being mindful of the broader geopolitical context.

Market Overview - The market received a boost from Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech, indicating potential rate cuts as early as September, leading to a 1.5% rally in the S&P 500 [1][10] - Powell's acknowledgment of persistent inflation, coupled with a focus on job growth, reassured investors about the Fed's readiness to intervene if economic momentum slows [1][10] - By the end of the week, traders raised their bets on a September rate cut, with odds exceeding 90% [1] Investor Sentiment - Investors interpreted Powell's remarks as a sign that tariff-related inflation is viewed as temporary, not a long-term concern, which has fueled optimism in equities [2][10] - With falling treasury yields and a returning risk appetite, equities are expected to continue gaining in the upcoming weeks [2] Stock Recommendations - Recommended stocks based on relative price strength include Pediatrix Medical Group (MD), Enova International (ENVA), Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM), SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW), and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) [3][10] Stock Analysis Strategy - Investors should assess stocks based on earnings growth and valuation multiples, while also considering their performance relative to industry peers or benchmarks [4] - Underperforming stocks should be avoided, while those outperforming their sectors in price should be prioritized for potential returns [5] - Stocks that have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past 1 to 3 months and have solid fundamentals are ideal candidates for investment [6] Earnings Estimates - Positive estimate revisions for upcoming earnings are crucial; upward revisions typically lead to additional price gains [7] - Screening parameters include relative price changes over various time frames and positive current-quarter estimate revisions [8] Zacks Rank and Stock Performance - Only Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks, which have historically outperformed the S&P 500, are considered for investment [9] - Specific stocks highlighted include: - **Pediatrix Medical Group (MD)**: Market cap of $1.5 billion, 51.8% share price increase over the past year, and a 9.3% upward revision in earnings estimates [11][12] - **Enova International (ENVA)**: Market cap of $2.9 billion, 37.4% share price increase, and a 32.4% growth estimate for 2025 earnings [13][14] - **Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM)**: Market cap not specified, 107.7% share price increase, and a 20.7% growth estimate for 2025 earnings [15] - **SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW)**: Market cap of $4.8 billion, 60.4% share price increase, and a 28.1% growth estimate for 2025 earnings [16] - **Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM)**: Market cap of $69 billion, 66% share price increase, and a 62.2% growth estimate for 2025 earnings [17][18]