The shares of Oklo Inc (NYSE:OKLO) and Vistra Corp (NYSE:VST) are surging this morning, after both nuclear energy companies announced a 20-year deal with Meta Platforms (META) to provide power for its hyperscaler data center campus in Ohio.OKLO was last seen up 14.5% to trade at $111.79, eyeing its best single-day percentage pop since Oct. 13. The equity earlier hit its highest level since November, with its 200-day moving average stepping up as support to start the year. Over the last nine months, Oklo sto ...

If you're bullish on the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers to process it, you will likely be bullish on this stock.If you're wondering which energy stock looks especially well positioned to profit over the coming decade, I recommend considering Vistra (VST 2.59%) as a promising stock to hold for many years.It's the largest power producer and seller in the U.S., with nuclear, coal, natural gas, solar, and energy storage assets. It's particularly attractive to many investors because as a ...

Core Viewpoint - Vertiv Holdings stock experienced a significant increase following an upgrade, indicating positive market sentiment towards the company and its role in the AI data center supply chain [1] Company Summary - Vertiv Holdings, based in Westerville, Ohio, specializes in providing power, cooling, and other infrastructure solutions for data centers, which are critical for the operation of artificial intelligence technologies [1] Industry Summary - The AI data center sector is witnessing growth, with companies like Caterpillar also benefiting from this trend, particularly in their power supply business for data centers [1]

Core Insights - The U.S. power sector narrative has shifted from a linear energy transition to a strategic constraint on economic growth due to the rapid demand from AI-driven data centers [2] - Data centers are projected to account for up to 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption by 2028, significantly increasing from approximately 4.4% in 2023 [2] - The demand growth from data centers is expected to drive a 5.7% annual energy demand growth in the U.S. over the next five years, contrasting sharply with the 0.2% annual average in the 2010s [2] Industry Dynamics - The demand for electricity is now concentrated, with data centers requiring high reliability and often needing to be located near power sources and fiber networks [3] - There is a scarcity of available firm power, as offtakers prioritize reliability over just energy attributes, leading to a market shift towards "reliability as a product" [3] - The investment logic has shifted from a focus on "cheap energy" to "deliverability + firmness," reflecting the need for assured service and stable capacity [3] Infrastructure Challenges - The U.S. power sector faces execution bottlenecks rather than capital constraints, with significant delays in interconnection and equipment lead times [3] - Approximately 2 terawatts of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are in interconnection queues, with only about 2% of queued capacity being built annually [3] - Lead times for critical equipment, such as generation step-up transformers, have extended to around 143 weeks, indicating a need for streamlined execution platforms to manage resources effectively [3] Policy and Geopolitical Context - The U.S. Department of Energy's "Speed to Power" initiative aims to accelerate large-scale generation and transmission development to enhance competitiveness in the AI race [2] - China's rapid expansion in thermal generation and solar capacity highlights the competitive advantage in building power plants, with China adding over 50 GW of thermal generation and 277 GW of utility-scale solar in 2024 compared to the U.S.'s much lower figures [2] - The evolving landscape of energy supply chains is increasingly influenced by national security interests, as reliance on certain China-linked energy inputs is being constrained [2]

Market Overview - The market and leading AI stocks are at an inflection point, with potential for near-term volatility or pullback, but long-term opportunities remain compelling, extending into 2026 and beyond [1] - AI capital spending is projected to reach approximately $571 billion by 2026, with Nvidia, Broadcom, and Vertiv positioned as critical enablers of this infrastructure buildout [2] Nvidia - Nvidia is a key player in the AI boom, leading in GPU technology, and has seen a 42% return in 2025 despite a subdued year [6] - The company has advanced its largest acquisition to date, acquiring assets from AI chip startup Groq for about $20 billion, which strengthens its competitive position in AI semiconductors [7][8] - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for Nvidia, leading to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with a consensus forecast of nearly 16% earnings growth for the next year and 46.3% annual EPS growth over the next three to five years [9] - The technical picture for Nvidia has improved, breaking out from a descending bullish wedge, indicating potential for further upside as 2026 approaches [10] Broadcom - Broadcom has become increasingly important in the AI ecosystem, particularly as Alphabet reasserts its leadership in AI and large language models [12] - The company plays a critical role in supporting Alphabet's AI infrastructure, providing expertise in ASIC design and networking, which is essential for scaling AI systems [13] - Broadcom currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), with consensus estimates projecting 35.7% annual EPS growth over the next three to five years, and trades at approximately 36x one-year forward earnings [14][15] - The stock has shown resilience, finding support after a selloff, and the technical outlook remains encouraging as long as that support holds [16] Vertiv - Vertiv supplies essential power, cooling, and thermal-management solutions for data centers, reinforcing its position in the AI infrastructure buildout [17] - The company has announced expanded partnerships and highlighted strong backlog growth tied to AI-driven capacity expansion, with consensus forecasts indicating 30.2% annual EPS growth over the next three to five years [18] - Vertiv trades at a 40.6x forward earnings multiple, which is justified by its growth rate and role in AI infrastructure [18] - The stock has been consolidating within a defined trading range, with a key resistance level around $180, indicating potential for further upside if that level is broken [19][23] Investment Consideration - Nvidia, Broadcom, and Vertiv collectively offer complementary exposure to the AI buildout, covering compute, custom silicon, networking, and physical infrastructure [24] - Despite potential near-term volatility, the fundamentals, earnings momentum, and long-term demand visibility for these companies remain strong, favoring opportunistic accumulation as the AI investment cycle extends into 2026 and beyond [24]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a significant focus for investors, particularly in the data center sector, with Vertiv (VRT) identified as a top-ranked stock benefiting from this trend [1][6] Company Performance - Vertiv, rated Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), specializes in services for data centers and communication networks, offering power, cooling, and IT infrastructure solutions [2] - Analysts have increased their EPS and sales expectations for Vertiv, with the current Zacks Consensus EPS estimate at $4.11, indicating a 45% year-over-year growth and a 15% increase over the past year [2] - The company reported a strong sales growth of 29% and has built a significant backlog, reflecting robust market demand and a strong competitive position [3][4] Financial Metrics - Vertiv has raised its full-year 2025 sales guidance, indicating a favorable operating environment [3] - The current PEG ratio for Vertiv is 1.2X, below the sector average of 1.4X, and the forward 12-month earnings multiple is 36.1X, significantly lower than the 2025 high of 43.9X [3] Market Context - The demand for Vertiv's products is closely tied to the AI infrastructure build, with strong quarterly results driven by increasing demand [4] - The excitement surrounding AI technology is attributed to its potential to enhance productivity and operational efficiencies for businesses in the long term [6]

Flex (NasdaqGS:FLEX) FY Conference December 09, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsRevathi Advaithi - CEOConference Call ParticipantsNone - AnalystNoneHere we go. Well, thank you all for joining us today. Excited to be spending time with you here, and we're fortunate to have our guest today for our conversation, the Chief Executive Officer of Flex Ltd, Revathi Advaithi.Revathi AdvaithiAdvaithi, but.Advaithi.Yes.God, sorry.Close enough.I know. I panicked right at the second. So maybe for those, not familia ...

Glencore's Strategic Priorities - Glencore aims to be among the world's largest copper producers, with approximately 1.4Mt of incremental long-life annual copper production progressing through planning and approval phases[20, 291] - The company focuses on long-term value creation for shareholders, with $25.3 billion in announced shareholder returns since 2021[23, 294] - Glencore is optimizing its operating structures to promote accountability and delivery[21, 292] Copper Production and Growth - Glencore targets approximately 1.6Mt of copper production by 2035[51] - The company's base copper portfolio aims to return to 1Mt by 2028[47] - The copper project pipeline includes projects with a total indicative capex of approximately $23.4 billion and an average LOM CuEq production of 1410ktpa[52] Financial Performance and Returns - Glencore has announced $25.3 billion in shareholder returns from 2021 to 2025, including base cash distributions, special cash distributions, and buybacks[241] - Approximately 1.6 billion shares have been repurchased, representing approximately 14% of current shares eligible for distributions[41, 243] - The company's copper business can self-fund its full indicative growth pipeline[234] Operational Efficiency and Portfolio Optimization - Glencore has sold or shut down approximately 35 assets since 2021[39] - The company has identified approximately $1 billion of recurring cost-saving opportunities across more than 300 initiatives, expected to be fully delivered by the end of 2026, with over 50% already locked in for 2025[41] - Glencore has streamlined its industrial operating structure, eliminating approximately 1000 roles[67]

Group 1 - The presentation features Amit Mehrotra from UBS Investment Bank and Paulo Ruiz, CEO of Eaton Corp, indicating a focus on Eaton's performance and future direction under Ruiz's leadership [1][2] - Discussion topics include Eaton's developments in data centers, power solutions, and liquid cooling technologies, highlighting the company's strategic initiatives [2] Group 2 - The event aims to be interactive, encouraging audience participation to discuss Eaton's trajectory and plans for 2026 [2]