Industry Overview - The global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by AI data centers, consumer electronics, IoT markets, 5G adoption, and automotive innovations, particularly electric vehicles. The EMS industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.95% from 2025 to 2034 [1]. Company Analysis: Flex Ltd (FLEX) - Flex is well-positioned for multi-year growth, with its data center business identified as the primary growth engine, significantly influenced by AI infrastructure developments [3][4]. - The company has introduced a new AI infrastructure platform that enhances data center deployment speed by up to 30% and reduces execution risk [4]. - Flex's revenue from the data center segment is expected to rise at least 35% in the current fiscal year, benefiting from partnerships with leading technology companies like NVIDIA [5][10]. - Despite strong performance in the power and cloud markets, Flex anticipates a slight decline in Agility Solutions revenues due to softer demand in consumer devices and challenges from the Ukraine facility shutdown [7][8]. - The diversified portfolio of Flex continues to provide stability, with steady demand in the Health Solutions segment and growth in the Communications and enterprise segment [6]. Company Analysis: Jabil Inc (JBL) - Jabil's growth is driven by its expanding opportunities in healthcare, cloud, data center, and energy infrastructure, with its Intelligent Infrastructure segment emerging as a key growth driver [9]. - The Intelligent Infrastructure segment generated $3.9 billion in revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting a 54% year-over-year increase and constituting 46% of total revenues [11]. - Jabil's cloud and data center business is projected to reach $9.8 billion for fiscal 2026, bolstered by new program wins and acquisitions [12]. - The healthcare segment is expected to remain a long-term growth catalyst, with strong visibility into program ramps across various medical technologies [13]. - Jabil's free cash flow was $1.3 billion in fiscal 2025, with expectations to maintain this level in fiscal 2026, allowing for share buybacks and continued investments [15]. Performance and Valuation - Over the past six months, FLEX and JBL have seen stock gains of 27.2% and 7.2%, respectively [16]. - FLEX is trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 18.22X, while JBL is at 19.02X, indicating a slightly more favorable valuation for FLEX [17]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts have maintained FLEX's earnings estimates for the current fiscal year, with no revisions over the past 60 days [19]. - In contrast, JBL has seen a 4.5% upward revision in its earnings estimates during the same period [20]. Investment Outlook - FLEX currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while JBL has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting that JBL may present a better investment opportunity at this time [21].

Core Insights - Flex has deployed an advanced rack-level liquid cooling solution at the Equinix Co-Innovation Facility in Ashburn, Virginia, showcasing scalable and sustainable cooling for next-generation compute environments [1][4][5] Group 1: Deployment Details - The deployment incorporates standalone and facility-integrated single-phase direct liquid cooling (DLC) capabilities from JetCool, a Flex company, into a single Open Compute Project (OCP) ORv3 rack [2][6] - The system is designed to address data center power, heat, and scale challenges globally, with Flex manufacturing the entire system [2][4] Group 2: Performance and Efficiency - JetCool's liquid cooling technology can cool up to 4kW in a single processor socket, leading to significant energy savings and supporting the industry's transition to sustainable computing [5][7] - The SmartPlate System for Dell PowerEdge R760 servers has shown a 15% reduction in total IT power consumption, while JetCool's solutions can reduce water usage by up to 90% and cooling power consumption by as much as 50% compared to other technologies [7][8] Group 3: Collaboration and Future Plans - Flex's collaboration with Equinix aims to accelerate data center deployment in response to increasing demand for AI and high-performance computing workloads [4][9] - Demonstrations of the liquid cooling solutions will also take place at other locations, including Telehouse and Dell Customer Solutions Centers, with additional demonstrations planned for Europe and Asia [8][10]

Core Insights - nVent Electric (NVT) is recognized as a leading AI infrastructure stock, achieving a strong performance with a beat-and-raise quarter on October 31, earning a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The company has experienced a remarkable 500% increase in stock value over the past five years, significantly outperforming the Tech sector's 120% growth [2] - nVent is well-positioned for long-term growth in various sectors, including AI data centers, power utilities, and energy storage solutions [5] Company Performance - nVent's revenue has accelerated in recent years, driven by the increasing demand from AI data centers, particularly influenced by major tech companies like Nvidia and Microsoft [6] - The stock is currently trading just below its all-time highs and is 20% below its average Zacks price target, indicating potential for further appreciation [2] Product and Market Position - nVent specializes in electrical connection and protection solutions, with a strong focus on liquid cooling technologies essential for AI data centers [4][7] - The company's liquid cooling solutions are integral to managing the heat generated by high-performance computing, supporting major players in the AI ecosystem [7] - nVent is also expanding its offerings in the power utility sector, addressing the growing energy demands from AI data centers and other industries [8]

Core Insights - nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT) is expanding its data center solutions capacity by leasing a new 117,000 square feet facility in Blaine, Minnesota, scheduled to commence operations in early 2026 [1][2] - The new facility will create over 175 jobs and focus on innovative solutions for data center customers, particularly in liquid cooling technologies [2][3] - nVent has already delivered over 1GW of liquid cooling solutions since 2020, collaborating with leading semiconductor firms to enhance this technology [2][3] Company Overview - nVent Electric plc manufactures and distributes electrical connection and protection products globally through two main segments: Enclosures and Electrical & Fastening Solutions [3] - The Blaine facility marks nVent's second data center manufacturing expansion in two years, following increased output at its Anoka, Minnesota site [2][3] - The combined efforts of the Blaine and Anoka facilities are expected to add more than 325 jobs [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record sales of $963 million, up 30% year-over-year, with organic growth of 9% driven by both volume and price [12] - Adjusted EPS grew 28% to $0.86, exceeding guidance [14] - Adjusted operating income increased 18% year-over-year, with a return on sales of nearly 21% [8][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Systems Protection sales increased 43% to $632 million, with organic growth of 10% [14][16] - Electrical Connections sales rose 11% to $331 million, with organic sales up 7% [16] - Infrastructure vertical led with organic sales growth over 20%, while commercial residential sales were up mid-single digits and industrial sales were down slightly [8][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - All key geographic regions experienced growth: Americas up 9%, Europe up 10%, and Asia Pacific up low single digits [9] - The backlog increased more than fourfold compared to the previous year, driven by strong demand in data centers and power utilities [6][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on becoming a higher growth electrical connection and protection company, with a significant shift towards the infrastructure vertical, which is expected to account for over 40% of sales [25][26] - Investments are being made in data solutions to support the AI build-out, with a focus on innovative power and cooling solutions [27][29] - The company is prioritizing growth initiatives, including new products and acquisitions, while maintaining a strong balance sheet [10][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong performance and growth outlook, particularly in data centers and power utilities [10][11] - The company raised its full-year sales guidance to reflect strong Q2 results, expecting reported sales growth of 24% to 26% [21] - Management acknowledged the dynamic tariff environment but emphasized their ability to manage pricing and productivity to offset impacts [10][87] Other Important Information - The company launched 50 new products in the first half of the year, contributing over three points to sales growth [8] - Free cash flow for the quarter was robust at $74 million, with a healthy balance sheet supporting disciplined capital allocation [18][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing of converting backlog and its duration - Management indicated that the backlog is expected to convert into sales through 2026 and beyond, driven by growth in the data center solutions business and recent acquisitions [36][37] Question: Concerns about disintermediation in liquid cooling - Management clarified that they partner with hyperscalers to provide complete system solutions or specific products, maintaining strong relationships despite market changes [38][41] Question: Performance of commercial residential segment - Management noted healthy performance in the commercial residential segment but remained cautious about the overall industry outlook, expecting it to be flattish for the year [47][49] Question: Backlog growth and expectations for the second half - Management confirmed that backlog has grown significantly, particularly in the systems protection business, which is expected to grow ahead of the electrical connections segment [54][55] Question: Price recovery from tariff impacts - Management stated that they expect to recover tariff impacts through pricing and productivity, with a focus on maintaining healthy margins [85][87] Question: Modular data centers and integration of other products - Management indicated that they are integrating other OEMs' equipment into their modular data center offerings, which will enhance their capabilities over time [90][91] Question: Growth opportunities in international markets - Management attributed outperformance in international markets to a focus on high-growth verticals and strong distribution partnerships [117] Question: Margin protection amid inflation and tariffs - Management confirmed that they have mechanisms in place to adjust pricing in response to tariffs and inflation, ensuring margin protection through long-term contracts [119]

Core Insights - Vertiv (VRT) is expanding its liquid cooling solutions to enhance AI infrastructure and support large-scale data center growth [1][10] - The company is focusing on product innovation and deeper AI integration as key growth drivers, particularly for high-density AI workloads [2] - Vertiv's modular deployments are gaining momentum, with increased production of factory-integrated liquid cooling systems [3] Company Performance - In Q1 2025, Vertiv's total orders rose by 13% year over year, and its backlog reached $7.9 billion, reflecting a 25% year-over-year increase [4][10] - Vertiv's share price has increased by 11.9% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which returned 6.1% [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vertiv's second-quarter earnings is 82 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 22.39% [14] Competitive Landscape - Vertiv faces increasing competition from nVent Electric and TE Connectivity, both of which are enhancing their offerings for high-density, AI-driven data center deployments [5] - nVent Electric is advancing with liquid cooling solutions and collaborations with NVIDIA to address thermal complexity in hyperscale AI workloads [6] - TE Connectivity is gaining traction with high-speed interconnects and thermal components tailored for AI infrastructure [7] Valuation Metrics - Vertiv's stock is trading at a trailing 12-month Price/Book ratio of 18.18X, compared to the sector's 10.1X, indicating a premium valuation [11] - The consensus estimate for Vertiv's 2025 earnings is $3.55 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 24.56% [14]