Key TakeawaysModerna (MRNA) received a positive CHMP opinion for its mCOMBRIAX vaccine, the world’s first combination flu and COVID-19 shot recommended for authorization.Blackstone (BX) and Brookfield (BN) have emerged as lead bidders for a €8 billion unit of Volkswagen (VOW3), highlighting intense private equity interest in industrial divestments.Kazakhstan is significantly shifting its energy logistics, targeting 2.5 million tons of oil exports to Germany in 2026 while maintaining a 65 million ton flow vi ...

Core Insights - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is committing €60 million ($71.1 million) to launch a financing platform with Solas Capital to enhance energy savings among businesses in Europe [1] - The initiative aims to support energy efficiency projects for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are considered vital to the European economy [1] - The platform is expected to mobilize nearly €400 million ($474 million) for deploying energy-efficient technologies across various EU countries [1] Investment Details - The EIB's investment will be directed into Solas Sustainable Energy Fund II (SSEF II) to promote energy efficiency [1] - The new co-financing platform follows a previous €30 million ($36 million) commitment to Solas Sustainable Energy Fund (SSEF) in 2022 [1] - The partnership aims to expand energy as a service financing, allowing firms to purchase fixed energy services instead of physical equipment [1] Impact on SMEs and Economy - The initiative is designed to lower energy costs and carbon footprints for SMEs, making them more competitive and environmentally friendly [1] - The EIB's vice president emphasized the real impact of energy efficiency on reducing energy bills and strengthening the European economy [1] - The platform will facilitate access to advanced technologies that provide immediate and measurable energy savings for SMEs [1]

Gradient’s heat pumps get new smarts to enable old building retrofits https://t.co/QEOsnfQYbS ...

Core Insights - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) has a market capitalization of $8.9 billion and specializes in manufacturing and marketing water heating and treatment products under various brands [1] Performance Overview - AOS shares have underperformed the broader market, declining 11.9% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 Index has gained 10.5% [2] - Year-to-date, AOS stock is down 7.3%, compared to an 11.2% increase in the S&P 500 [2] - AOS has also lagged behind the Invesco Global Water ETF, which gained 6.4% over the past 52 weeks [3] Recent Earnings Report - Following the Q3 earnings release, AOS shares fell 2.6% despite better-than-expected performance [4] - Total revenue for the quarter increased 4.4% year-over-year to $942.5 million, slightly exceeding consensus estimates [4] - Earnings per share (EPS) rose 14.6% from the previous year to $0.94, surpassing analyst expectations of $0.89 [4] Market Challenges - Sales in China decreased by nearly 12% in local currency year-over-year, with expectations of continued challenges in this market [5] - The company anticipates that a weakening new home construction market will negatively impact residential water heating in North America [5] - AOS has lowered its fiscal 2025 sales outlook to a projection of flat to up 1%, and adjusted its EPS outlook to a range of $3.70 to $3.85, which has affected investor confidence [5] Analyst Expectations - For the current fiscal year ending in December, analysts expect AOS' EPS to grow 1.6% year-over-year to $3.79 [6] - AOS has a mixed earnings surprise history, beating consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [6] - Among 13 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," with four "Strong Buy," eight "Hold," and one "Strong Sell" rating [6]

Core Viewpoint - A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) is a significant player in the specialty industrial machinery industry, focusing on innovative and energy-efficient water heating solutions, but has faced recent challenges impacting its stock performance [1][2][5]. Company Overview - AOS is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has a market capitalization of $10.1 billion, categorizing it as a large-cap stock [1][2]. - The company specializes in residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, tanks, and water treatment products, emphasizing innovation and energy efficiency [1][2]. Financial Performance - AOS stock has experienced a decline of 21.6% from its 52-week high of $92.06, reached on September 27, 2024 [3]. - Over the past three months, AOS stock gained 12.5%, which is lower than the Nasdaq Composite's 15% increase during the same period [3]. - Year-to-date, AOS shares rose 5.8%, but over the past 52 weeks, they dipped 14.1%, underperforming the Nasdaq's year-to-date gains of 16.9% and 25.6% returns over the last year [4]. Market Position and Challenges - AOS's strengths include a diversified portfolio that mitigates market downturns, strong brand equity, and a focus on R&D and innovation, positioning the company well for trends in energy-efficient products [2]. - Recent underperformance is attributed to lower sales in China and North America, despite an increase in boiler sales, with challenges stemming from China's real estate market and a strong U.S. dollar affecting local revenues [5].

Quilt's software update unlocked an additional 20% heating and cooling capacity for all of its heat pumps, including those installed in customers' homes. https://t.co/u3zgre4UPf ...

Electric Vehicle Tax Credit - The electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500 is expiring on September 30th [2] - Consumers can still get the tax credit if they sign a contract and pay a deposit before the deadline, even if delivery takes place later [3] - Recommended EVs include Chevy Equinox EV (under $35,000), Tesla Model Y, and BMW iX (around $90,000) [5][6] Energy Efficient Home Upgrades Tax Breaks - Tax credits for solar panels and heat pumps are expiring at the end of the year, December 31st [8] - The solar panel tax credit covers 30% of the installation cost, which can be a saving of several thousand dollars on an average $20,000 installation [9] - Energy efficiency upgrades also cover 30% of the cost, up to $2,000 for heat pump installation, up to $1,200 for weatherization, up to $600 for electrical panels and exterior windows, and up to $150 for an energy efficiency audit [12]

Core Insights - Carrier Global (CARR) is set to report its second-quarter 2025 results on July 29, with earnings estimated at 91 cents per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.60% [1] - Revenue estimates for the same quarter are projected at $6.06 billion, indicating a decline of 9.4% year-over-year [1] Group 1: Performance Expectations - Carrier Global has consistently surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 5.69% [2] - Strong momentum in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and aftermarket services is expected to drive revenue growth in Q2 [3] - Rising demand for heating and cooling systems in residential and commercial applications is likely to support performance in the HVAC segment [3] Group 2: Growth Drivers - The integration of Viessmann Climate Solutions is anticipated to enhance heat pump volumes and expand sustainable energy solutions [4] - Growth in the Americas is projected in the mid-teens range for Q2, attributed to favorable market conditions and capacity additions [4] - Aftermarket services, which include repair, maintenance, and replacement, have been experiencing double-digit growth and are expected to continue this trend [5] Group 3: Market Dynamics - Increased demand for data centers, driven by AI-related heat loads, is likely to support commercial HVAC upgrades [6] - However, challenges such as softness in light commercial markets and macroeconomic pressures in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to pose headwinds [6] Group 4: Earnings Outlook - According to the Zacks model, Carrier Global has an Earnings ESP of +0.76% and a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a favorable outlook for an earnings beat [7] - The combination of positive earnings expectations and strong demand in HVAC and aftermarket services is likely to drive Q2 revenue growth [8]