Key Takeaways U.S. stocks slipped on Dec. 26 as holiday-driven light volume snapped winning streaks across major indexes. Dividend-growth stocks like ENS offer defensive income, backed by consistent payouts.The screen highlights WWD, DCI, ROK, and VRT for positive revenue outlooks and long-term earnings growth. The U.S. stock market ended slightly lower on Dec. 26, 2025, primarily due to extremely light trading volume after the Christmas holiday, as many institutional investors were already out for the year ...

Company Overview - Standex International Corporation is a mid-cap industrial manufacturer with a global footprint, operating through five specialized segments that address diverse commercial and industrial needs [6] - The company emphasizes innovation in engineered products and customization to serve demanding end markets, differentiating itself within the industrial machinery sector [6] Financial Performance - Standex reported trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue of $837.07 million and net income of $52.62 million [4] - The adjusted operating margin expanded by 210 basis points year over year to 19.1%, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 38% to $47.1 million [11] - Sales jumped 27.6% year over year to $217.4 million, driven by acquisitions and accelerating demand in fast-growth end markets like electrical grid infrastructure, defense, aviation, and space [10] Market Position and Strategy - Standex's latest quarter saw record orders of $226 million, pushing the book-to-bill ratio above one, indicating strong forward revenue visibility [10] - The company generates revenue through the design, manufacture, and sale of specialized industrial products across five business segments, serving commercial and industrial customers globally [9] - Standex's broad product offering includes electronics sensors, custom transformers, mold texturizing, scientific refrigeration, engineered components for aerospace and defense, and specialty merchandising equipment [9] Investment Activity - Anchor Capital Management Company increased its position in Standex by 29,998 shares, bringing the total to 98,394 shares valued at $20.85 million as of September 30 [2][3] - Standex now constitutes 17.95% of Anchor Capital's 13F assets under management (AUM), making it the fund's second-largest position [3]

Company Overview - GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is an industrial machinery company primarily focused on power generation and nuclear power businesses [2]. Financial Outlook - Jefferies raised the share price target for GE Vernova Inc. to $815 from $736 and upgraded the rating to Buy, citing an impressive outlook for the power and electrification business [2]. - Recent share price declines were attributed to market sentiment regarding data centers [2]. Market Position - Jim Cramer highlighted GE Vernova as a leading company capable of delivering nuclear plants for data center construction, emphasizing its role in the power generation sector [2][3]. - GE Vernova is one of only three companies that manufacture natural gas generators, which are crucial for data center power needs [3]. Capacity and Supply Challenges - There are concerns regarding the capacity of natural gas generators, with current availability not expected until 2030, and a queue for orders extending to 2028 [3]. - The nuclear power situation is projected to be addressed by 2035, indicating a long-term timeline for expansion in this area [3].

Key Takeaways Ingersoll Rand posted higher orders across ITS and Precision segments, supporting revenue growth.IR's acquisitions boosted life sciences and air treatment portfolios, contributing to quarterly revenues.Strong cash flow enabled dividends and buybacks, even as higher costs and leverage remain headwinds.Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR) continues to witness higher orders across its product portfolio of industrial vacuums and blowers, which is driving the Industrial Technologies & Services (IT&S) segment. ...

Summary of Perimeter Solutions Conference Call on M&A Announcement Company and Industry - **Company**: Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) - **Acquisition Target**: Medical Manufacturing Technologies LLC (MMT) - **Industry**: Medical Device Manufacturing Core Points and Arguments 1. **Acquisition Details**: Perimeter Solutions is acquiring MMT for $685 million in cash, which includes certain tax benefits. MMT is a leader in precision machinery for minimally invasive medical devices, expected to generate approximately $140 million in revenue and $50 million in EBITDA in 2025 [4][12][10]. 2. **Funding Structure**: The acquisition will be funded through $500 million of new senior secured debt financing and approximately $185 million of cash on hand. Post-acquisition, total debt is expected to be around $1.2 billion, with net debt just over $1 billion [4][12][13]. 3. **Operational Fit**: MMT aligns with Perimeter's operational pillars, focusing on high-quality industrial businesses, value driver operating strategy, and a decentralized structure. MMT's strong margins and growth potential are highlighted [5][6][8]. 4. **Market Trends**: The growth of MMT is driven by increasing adoption of minimally invasive procedures, device complexity, and machinery outsourcing. The installed base of MMT has grown at a CAGR of approximately 5% since 2016 [11][10]. 5. **Aftermarket Revenue**: Approximately 50% of MMT's revenue comes from aftermarket consumables and services, which are critical for customer compliance and quality management systems [10][11]. 6. **Regulatory Compliance**: MMT's products are specified in regulatory filings with the FDA, creating a competitive moat around the business [17][10]. 7. **Future Growth Opportunities**: There is potential for further acquisitions to broaden MMT's product suite, with a focus on tuck-in M&A to enhance customer offerings [26][28]. Additional Important Content 1. **Financial Metrics**: The acquisition price implies a purchase price multiple of approximately 14 times Adjusted EBITDA, which is considered attractive given the expected growth [12]. 2. **Capital Intensity**: MMT is expected to fit into Perimeter's relatively low capital intensity model, requiring only a few million dollars of CapEx against the projected $50 million of EBITDA [16]. 3. **Customer Relationships**: MMT has long-standing relationships with top customers, averaging 15 years, which enhances customer loyalty and revenue stability [10]. 4. **Decentralized Management**: MMT will operate as a standalone business within Perimeter's decentralized structure, allowing for operational autonomy and accountability [7][5]. 5. **Market Stability**: The end market for MMT's products is relatively steady, driven by the number of medical procedures, which supports long-term growth [24]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call regarding Perimeter Solutions' acquisition of MMT, highlighting the strategic fit, financial implications, and market dynamics.

Financial Performance Highlights - Fourth quarter sales reached $752 million, a 1% increase year-over-year, inclusive of divestiture[7] - Adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter was $3.03, a 9% increase year-over-year, hitting the high-end of guidance[7] - Fiscal year 2025 saw record sales of $2.8 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year[9] - Adjusted EPS for fiscal year 2025 increased by 5% year-over-year, exceeding the midpoint of earnings targets[9] - Record EBITDA of $900 million was achieved in fiscal year 2025[9, 35] Cash Flow and Capital Allocation - Record fourth quarter Free Cash Flow (FCF) of $194 million, resulting in a strong FCF conversion of 128%[7] - Fiscal year 2025 free cash flow reached $661 million, with a conversion rate of 136%[9, 42] - Approximately $300 million was allocated to share repurchases in fiscal year 2025[9] Segment Performance - Medical and Fluid Solutions (MFS) sales increased by 10% in the fourth quarter, reaching $220 million[22] - Industrial Precision Solutions (IPS) sales were $362 million, a decrease of 2%[17] - Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) sales were $171 million, a decrease of 4%[28] Future Outlook - Fiscal year 2026 sales are projected to grow by 1% to 6%[53] - Adjusted earnings are expected to grow by 6% to 12% in fiscal year 2026[53]

Core Points - Graco Inc. has authorized a new plan to repurchase up to 15 million shares of its outstanding common stock [1] - The company currently has approximately 165.1 million shares outstanding [1] - The share repurchase will occur over an indefinite period or until the Board terminates the authorization [1]

Core Viewpoint - Flowserve (FLS) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [3][5]. - Institutional investors often adjust their valuations based on earnings estimates, leading to significant stock price movements when estimates are revised [3]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Flowserve suggests an improvement in the company's underlying business, which should encourage investors to drive the stock price higher [4]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Flowserve is expected to earn $3.47 per share, with a 2.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [7]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [6]. - Flowserve's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [9].

Core Insights - Three stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) List, indicating a negative outlook for these companies [1][2] Company Summaries - Alamo Group Inc. (ALG), an industrial machinery company, has seen its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 10% over the last 60 days [1] - Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), an agricultural supply chain company, has experienced a 14.5% downward revision in its current year earnings estimate over the past 60 days [1] - Associated British Foods plc (ASBFY), a food and retail company, has had its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 18.2% in the last 60 days [2]

Core Insights - CNH Industrial N.V. has experienced a significant decline in stock performance, dropping 3.29% to close at $9.40, nearing its 52-week low [1][2] - The company reported a substantial decrease in net income for Q3, falling 78% to $67 million compared to $310 million in the same quarter last year [3] - Consolidated revenues also decreased by 5% year-on-year, totaling $4.399 billion, with industrial net sales down 7% to $3.7 billion [3] Financial Developments - CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA announced plans to redeem all outstanding notes due January 19, 2026, with a coupon rate of 1.875%, set for redemption on December 29, 2025 [2] - The company provided a negative outlook for 2025, forecasting an 11-13% decline in net sales from agriculture operations and a 3-5% decline in the construction segment [4]