Summary of Eaton Corporation Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus of the conference call was on data center technologies, specifically power and thermal management within data centers [1] - Eaton Corporation is involved in the electrical businesses sector, with significant emphasis on data center build-outs in the US [1] Key Points and Arguments Data Center Build-Outs - Eaton estimates that the cumulative opportunity for data center build-outs in the US will reach approximately 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2028 [2] - As of the end of the previous year, there was an installed capacity of about 35 to 40 GW, with 17 GW planned for 2026 [2] - There is a backlog of over 165-200 GW planned through 2030 and beyond, indicating strong growth potential [2] - The visibility for future installations could extend up to 10 years due to the backlog, despite physical and labor constraints [3] Voltage and Power Management - The transition to 800-volt direct current (DC) in data centers is seen as a significant architectural change, with designs currently being developed [11] - Transitioning to DC power could yield a 5% efficiency gain, potentially providing an additional 5 GW of power from existing infrastructure [12] - Solid-state transformers are crucial for this transition, allowing for direct conversion from medium voltage to DC, thus simplifying the architecture and reducing losses [14][15] Eaton's Position and Technology Development - Eaton has been investing in next-generation power electronics for about 10 years, positioning itself well in the solid-state transformer market [16] - The company has initiated pilots for medium-voltage solid-state transformers and acquired Resilient Power for their technology [17] - Mass adoption of solid-state transformers is anticipated within the next 2 to 3 years, coinciding with advancements in chip technology [18] Circuit Protection and Safety - The shift to higher voltage systems necessitates new circuit protection devices, as direct current requires faster interruption methods compared to alternating current [21][22] - Eaton has been investing in solid-state and hybrid circuit protection to meet these new demands [22] Systems Approach in Data Centers - Customers are increasingly seeking a systems approach to data center design, integrating various components for optimal efficiency rather than selecting best-of-breed products individually [26] - This trend is likened to the Apple ecosystem, where components work seamlessly together [26] Gray Space vs. White Space - The distinction between Gray Space (power systems) and White Space (IT systems) is becoming less relevant as power demands increase and rack densities rise [30] - Eaton is becoming more involved in discussions about power flow from utility to rack, indicating a shift in design considerations [30] Distributed Power Generation - The trend towards bidirectional power flow, including on-site generation, aligns well with Eaton's technology, such as microgrid controllers and energy-aware UPS systems [32][33] Liquid Cooling Technology - Liquid cooling is becoming essential as chip power requirements increase, with advancements in cold plate technology for efficient heat dissipation [34][35] - Boyd Thermal, acquired by Eaton, is positioned well in the market due to its reliability and rapid development capabilities [40][41] Additional Important Insights - Eaton's strong historical performance in the Gray Space is complemented by its growing capabilities in the White Space [30] - The company is focused on maintaining reliability and speed in product development to meet the demands of rapidly evolving chip technologies [49] - There is a positive outlook on Eaton's EPS growth compared to peers, with ongoing M&A and organic investments to utilize excess cash effectively [50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 18% year-over-year, reaching $3.33, aligning with the midpoint of guidance [5][16] - Quarterly revenue was reported at $7.1 billion, with segment margins hitting a record of 24.9%, up 20 basis points year-over-year [5][16] - Organic growth for the quarter was 9%, driven by strength in aerospace and Electrical Americas, partially offset by weaknesses in vehicle and e-mobility [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electrical Americas segment achieved organic sales growth of 15%, primarily driven by data center demand, which was up about 40% [16][17] - Aerospace segment reported organic sales growth of 12%, with operating margin expanding by 120 basis points to 24.1% [19] - Vehicle segment experienced a decline of 13% on an organic basis, primarily due to weaknesses in the North America truck and light vehicle markets [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Orders in Electrical Americas increased by 16% on a trailing 12-month basis, with total quarterly orders up more than 50% [17][12] - Aerospace orders increased by 11% on a rolling 12-month basis, driven by defense OEM and aftermarket [19] - Data center orders accelerated approximately 200%, indicating strong demand in that market [4][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to spin off its mobility business into a separate publicly traded entity, aiming to sharpen strategic focus and optimize the portfolio [6][10] - Investments of $13 billion were announced for 2025, including acquisitions to enhance growth in key markets [5][6] - The company is focused on higher growth, higher margin businesses to improve earnings consistency and drive long-term value [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in double-digit growth in data center markets, supported by strong order trends and backlog [33][34] - The company anticipates a strong 2026, with guidance for organic growth between 7%-9% and segment margins of 24.6%-25% [24][23] - Management acknowledged the challenges of ramping up capacity but remains optimistic about long-term growth potential [54][56] Other Important Information - The backlog in Electrical Americas reached an all-time high of $15.3 billion, with a total backlog of $19.6 billion across segments [12][17] - The company is experiencing unprecedented demand, reflected in continued order acceleration and growing backlogs [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in double-digit growth in data center markets - Management highlighted strong market indicators, including a 200% year-over-year increase in industry announcements and backlog, supporting optimism for future growth [33][34] Question: Quarterly cadence of the 2026 EPS guide - Management explained that the first half of 2026 is expected to show lower growth due to ramp-up costs, with a stronger performance anticipated in the second half [47][48] Question: Challenges related to capacity expansion - Management acknowledged the challenges of ramping up capacity but emphasized that investments are necessary to meet strong market demand [51][52]

Summary of Flex Limited Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Flex Limited - **Industry**: Contract Manufacturing - **Revenue**: Approximately $26 billion - **Business Units**: Six, with participation in five major end markets: - Consumer (Lifestyle and Consumer Devices) - Cloud Enterprise Communication (CEC) - Healthcare (particularly devices) - Automotive - Industrial - **Global Presence**: Operates in 30 countries with around 100 manufacturing sites and approximately 140,000 employees [8][9] Core Business Insights - **Data Center and AI Infrastructure**: - 25% of revenue comes from AI data center utility space, growing at 35% - Revenue from this segment projected to reach $6.5 billion in the current fiscal year [9][17] - Focus on compute integration, cooling, and power solutions [17][18] - **Competitive Landscape**: - Flex competes with companies like Delta in embedded power and Eaton, Schneider in electrical distribution - The cooling market is fragmented with many small players [21][22] - **Power Pods**: - Integrated solutions that include power modules, infrastructure, and cooling systems, designed to improve installation speed and reduce labor costs [23][24] Recent Acquisitions - **Crown Technical Systems**: - Acquired to enhance presence in the fragmented U.S. utility market and expand power pod capabilities [25][27] - **JetCool**: - Acquired to strengthen liquid cooling portfolio, focusing on high-density cooling solutions for data centers [30][32] Financial Performance and Growth - **Operating Margin**: - Increased from 3% to 6% over the past seven years, with expectations for continued expansion driven by mix shift and productivity enhancements [15][39] - **Growth Areas**: - Data centers and utilities are identified as key growth sectors, with ongoing investments expected to yield significant returns [40][41] Market Trends and Challenges - **Regionalization Strategy**: - Flex is adapting its footprint to align with growth areas, particularly in North America and Europe, while reducing presence in less profitable regions [36][37] - **Supply Chain and Capacity**: - Capacity constraints are a constant consideration, with ongoing evaluations to meet growing demand [28][29] - **AI Investments**: - Anticipated growth in data center capacity driven by AI investments, with projections for significant infrastructure development in the coming years [41][42] Other Business Lines - **Healthcare**: - Strong performance in medical devices, particularly continuous glucose monitors [33] - **Industrial**: - Mixed performance with growth in infrastructure and energy sectors, while residential renewables have declined [34] - **Automotive**: - Clarity in platform investments is expected to drive growth, with Flex being platform agnostic [34] - **Consumer**: - Flat growth anticipated, with limited focus on this segment [35] Conclusion - Flex Limited is positioned as a leading contract manufacturer with a strong focus on data center and utility solutions, leveraging its global footprint and recent acquisitions to drive growth and enhance operational efficiency. The company is well-prepared to capitalize on emerging trends in AI and infrastructure development while maintaining a disciplined approach to portfolio management and margin expansion [45]

Summary of the Conference Call on China Electric Motor Suppliers Industry Overview - The report focuses on the electric motor supply industry in China, specifically covering **Johnson Electric** and **Wolong Electric** as key players in the sector [2][8][9]. Core Insights and Arguments Company Ratings and Price Targets - **Johnson Electric** is rated **Overweight (OW)** with a price target of **HK$67**, indicating an **82% potential upside** from current levels [3][31]. - **Wolong Electric** is rated **Neutral** with a price target of **Rmb43**, suggesting a **10% potential downside** [3][31]. Growth Drivers 1. **AI Data Centers**: - Johnson and Wolong are expanding into liquid cooling components, with a total addressable market (TAM) projected at **Rmb4 billion** for EC motors, **Rmb6 billion** for direct-to-chip cooling pumps, and **Rmb12 billion** for cold plates by 2026 [24][34]. - The shift from air to liquid cooling is driven by the increasing power density of AI servers, creating significant opportunities for both companies [34][35]. 2. **Humanoid Robotics**: - The global TAM for humanoid robotics is estimated at **5 billion units**. Johnson focuses on integrated actuators with higher content per humanoid, while Wolong has a broader reach with lighter-duty solutions [26][43][45]. - The dollar content per robot is approximately **Rmb106k** for Johnson and **Rmb76k** for Wolong, indicating substantial potential earnings upside [26][44]. 3. **eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing)**: - The domestic eVTOL market in China is expected to reach **5,000 units/year by 2035**. Wolong is more exposed in this area, partnering with Geely's AeroFugia [27][28]. Valuation Insights - Johnson is seen as undervalued, trading at **16x CY26E P/E** compared to Wolong's **52x CY26E P/E**, despite similar earnings growth projections [5][31]. - The report suggests that Johnson's growth potential in AI cooling and robotics remains underappreciated, while Wolong's valuation reflects its current growth trajectory [17][31]. Near-term Catalysts - For **Johnson Electric**: - Tesla Optimus pilot hand validation (1H26) - AI cooling architecture developments - Participation in humanoid forums [5]. - For **Wolong Electric**: - Humanoid targets from Zhiyuan/Lenovo (end-25) - AeroFugia eVTOL certification (1H26) - HKEX IPO filing (1Q26) [5]. Other Important Insights - The report emphasizes the structural opportunity driven by secular demand in the electric motor supply chain, with both companies emerging as critical partners in high-growth verticals [8][22]. - The competitive landscape is evolving, with both Johnson and Wolong positioned to capture significant market share as demand for high-performance motor solutions increases [22][39]. Conclusion - The analysis indicates a positive outlook for the electric motor supply industry in China, with Johnson Electric positioned for substantial upside due to its undervaluation and growth potential in emerging sectors like AI cooling and humanoid robotics, while Wolong Electric's valuation appears to already reflect its growth prospects.