Core Insights - Jabil, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Hanley Energy Group for $725 million, enhancing its capabilities in energy management and critical power solutions for data centers [1][9] Industry Trends - Organizations across various sectors are rapidly integrating AI to streamline operations and gain competitive advantages, leading to increased energy consumption in AI data centers compared to legacy systems [2] - The AI data center market is projected to grow from $13.62 billion in 2025 to $60.49 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.3% [4] Company Developments - Jabil's acquisition of Hanley Energy will strengthen its portfolio by integrating power management solutions with its existing data center expertise and global manufacturing capabilities [3] - The company is investing $500 million in the Southeast U.S. to expand manufacturing and workforce development for cloud and AI data center infrastructure [4] - Jabil's previous acquisition of Mikros Technologies highlights its commitment to enhancing capabilities in liquid cooling and thermal management within the AI data center sector [5] Competitive Landscape - Jabil faces competition from companies like Celestica and Flex, which are also expanding their presence in the AI data center market through partnerships and innovative solutions [6][7] - Flex has announced collaborations with LG Electronics and NVIDIA to develop advanced cooling systems and energy-efficient AI data centers, indicating its rapid growth in this space [6] Financial Performance - Jabil's stock has increased by 47% over the past year, while the Electronic-Manufacturing Services industry has grown by 97.6% [8] - Earnings estimates for Jabil have improved, with projections for 2025 rising by 4.52% to $11.55 per share and for 2026 increasing by 2.52% to $13.41 [11] - The company's shares currently trade at a price/earnings ratio of 18.31, which is lower than the industry average of 24.54 [10]

Core Insights - Flex Ltd. (FLEX) has experienced a significant stock surge of 79.9% over the past year, reaching a 52-week high of $70.37 before closing at $68.50, driven by strong execution and a shift towards higher-value, technology-intensive businesses [1][4][8] Price Performance - FLEX's performance outpaces the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry, the Zacks Computer and Technology sector, and the S&P 500 composite, which grew by 24.3%, 24.8%, and 14.6% respectively [4] Growth Drivers - Flex's revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased by 4% year-over-year to $6.8 billion, with the data center business identified as the primary growth engine [5][6] - The company is leveraging AI to drive infrastructure build-outs, enhancing its product portfolio with advanced manufacturing capabilities [6][8] - A new AI infrastructure platform has been introduced, allowing data center operators to deploy systems up to 30% faster while reducing execution risk [8] Partnerships and Innovations - Flex has partnered with NVIDIA on next-gen 800-volt DC AI factories, improving energy efficiency and reliability [9] - A collaboration with LG Electronics aims to develop integrated modular cooling systems to address thermal challenges in AI-driven data centers [9] Financial Performance - Flex's non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 80 basis points to 9.3%, and non-GAAP operating margin increased by 55 basis points to 6% [13] - The company reported a record $1.1 billion in free cash flow for fiscal 2025 and $305 million in adjusted free cash flow for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 [14] - Flex has repurchased $1.3 billion in stock in fiscal 2025 and $297 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 [16] Guidance and Outlook - Flex revised its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $26.7-$27.3 billion, expecting an adjusted operating margin of 6.2% to 6.3% and adjusted EPS of $3.09 to $3.17 [17][18] - Despite challenges such as tariffs and unfavorable forex movements, the company maintains a positive growth outlook [18] Valuation - FLEX trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.35, which is below the industry average of 24.99 [20] - Compared to peers like Jabil, Sanmina, and Celestica, FLEX's valuation appears attractive [22] Investment Opportunity - With strong cash flow, disciplined execution, and expanding margins, Flex presents an appealing investment opportunity even after its substantial stock appreciation [23]