"Patience is a Super Power" - "The Money is in the waiting"
Showing posts with label Government contracts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government contracts. Show all posts

Monday, February 24, 2025

ATI Inc., is a growing supplier of specialty metals and additives to the Defense and Areospace Sectors!

 


As of February 24, 2025, ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) stands as a prominent producer of high-performance materials and solutions, primarily serving the aerospace, defense, electronics, medical, and specialty energy markets.

Financial Overview:

  • Fourth Quarter 2024: ATI reported sales of $1.17 billion, marking a 10% increase year-over-year. Net income attributable to ATI was $137.1 million, or $0.94 per share.

  • Full Year 2024: The company achieved sales of $4.4 billion, the highest since 2012, representing a 5% increase from 2023. Operating cash flow for 2024 was $407 million, a significant rise from $86 million in 2023. Free cash flow increased by 50% to $248 million.

  • Cash Position: ATI maintained a strong cash position with $721 million at year-end 2024.

Technological Advancements:

In 2024, ATI commissioned a state-of-the-art Additive Manufacturing Products facility in Margate, Florida. This 132,000-square-foot facility enhances ATI's metal additive manufacturing capabilities, featuring large-format printing capable of producing parts up to 1.5 meters tall with complex geometries. The facility integrates design, printing, heat treating, machining, and inspection processes under one roof, streamlining production for aerospace, defense, and space markets.

Clients and Partnerships:

ATI has secured significant contracts, including a notable agreement with Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. (BPMI) for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This partnership underscores ATI's commitment to delivering high-quality, specialized materials for critical defense applications.

Stock Performance:

As of February 24, 2025, ATI's stock is trading at $57.15 per share. The company has demonstrated a robust financial trajectory, with a 10% year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter sales and a 5% rise in annual sales for 2024. ATI's strategic focus on the aerospace and defense sectors, combined with its technological advancements and strong financial management, positions it favorably for sustained growth in the high-performance materials market.

ATI Inc (ATI)
$57.15
+$41.66(+268.95%)Past 5 years


ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) continues to focus on its primary sectors, notably aerospace and defense, where it has made significant investments to enhance its titanium production capabilities.

Key Investments in Titanium Production:

  • Richland, Washington Expansion: In July 2023, ATI announced an expansion of its titanium melting operations in Richland, Washington. This initiative aims to increase the company's production of aerospace and defense-grade titanium by approximately 35% over 2022 levels, addressing the growing demand in these sectors.

  • Bakers, North Carolina Forging Press: By March 2024, ATI commissioned a state-of-the-art 12,500-ton billet forging press in Bakers, North Carolina. This facility is critical for producing high-performance titanium components, particularly for aerospace applications.

ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) maintains a diverse portfolio of contracts with both the U.S. government and various commercial entities, reflecting its extensive capabilities in specialty materials and services.

U.S. Government Contracts:

  • Department of Defense (DoD): ATI Defense collaborates closely with U.S. defense departments and contractors, supplying specialty materials and armor products essential for applications such as airframes, jet engines, hypersonics, land vehicles, naval systems, and weaponry.

  • Department of State (DoS): Since 2014, ATI has been under a six-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide preventive maintenance, upgrades, and repair services for Building Automation Systems (BAS) at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

  • Department of the Treasury: In December 2024, ATI Government Solutions LLC secured a contract valued at approximately $19.84 million to provide engineering support for the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Direct File program.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): ATI Specialty Alloys & Components, LLC, a subsidiary of ATI, has been awarded contracts by NASA, including one in 2021, underscoring ATI's role in supplying specialized materials for aerospace applications.

Commercial Contracts:

  • Aerospace and Defense Sector: In June 2023, ATI announced securing approximately $1.2 billion in new sales commitments from leading aerospace and defense companies. These agreements, spanning from 2024 to 2029, involve the supply of nickel and titanium materials critical for commercial engine and airframe manufacturing, as well as ground-vehicle armor.

These contracts and partnerships highlight ATI's strategic engagements across various sectors, emphasizing its commitment to delivering high-performance materials and services to both governmental and commercial clients.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

As we enter 2025, we compare C3 Ai and Palantir in the fast growing market of Ai Software! (CAGR of 35% through 2030)


 Investment Report on C3.ai and Comparison with Palantir

Introduction C3.ai and Palantir are two key players in the burgeoning AI software market, which is witnessing exponential growth due to increased adoption of AI solutions across industries. This report evaluates C3.ai's current business and future prospects, its customers, partnerships, financials, and growth trajectory. Additionally, it includes a comparative analysis of C3.ai and Palantir on valuation, growth metrics, and positioning in the AI market.

Business Overview

  • C3.ai: C3.ai offers enterprise AI solutions tailored to sectors such as energy, manufacturing, utilities, financial services, and defense. It provides a comprehensive suite of applications that enable predictive analytics, optimization, and operational efficiency. C3.ai recently transitioned to a consumption-based pricing model, aligning costs with customer usage, which has driven market adoption and improved revenue growth.

  • Palantir: Palantir specializes in data integration, big data analytics, and AI-driven insights, primarily serving government agencies and large enterprises. Its flagship platforms, Palantir Gotham and Foundry, are widely recognized for their applications in national security, supply chain optimization, and predictive maintenance.

Financial Performance (2024)

  • C3.ai:

    • Fiscal year revenue grew by 16% to $310.6 million.

    • Q4 FY2024 revenue increased by 20% year-over-year, reaching $86.6 million.

    • Strong federal segment growth, with revenue doubling year-over-year.

  • Palantir:

    • Achieved profitability with net income of $302 million in 2024.

    • Revenue grew by 24% year-over-year to $2.2 billion.

    • Significant expansion in commercial revenue and sustained growth in government contracts.

Key Customers and Partnerships




  • C3.ai Customers:

    • Energy: Shell, ExxonMobil, Baker Hughes.

    • Utilities: Con Edison.

    • Government: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.

  • Palantir Customers:


    • Government: U.S. Department of Defense, NHS (UK).

    • Commercial: BP, Airbus, Ferrari.

  • Strategic Partnerships:

    • C3.ai has a strategic alliance with Microsoft, leveraging Azure to scale AI applications. This partnership could expand its sales reach significantly.

    • Palantir’s partnerships with IBM and AWS bolster its AI and cloud capabilities, enhancing its data integration offerings.

Market Valuation and Metrics

  • C3.ai:

    • Price-to-Sales (P/S) Ratio: 9.4x. 

    • Becoming profitable, focused on scaling and investing in growth.

  • Palantir:

    • Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: 80x, reflecting premium valuation due to profitability and market leadership.

    • Price-to-Sales (P/S) Ratio: 13.2x.

AI Software Market Expansion 2024-2030



The AI software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% through 2030, driven by:

  • Increased AI adoption across industries such as healthcare, defense, and finance.

  • Rising demand for generative AI and machine learning platforms.

  • Growing investments in AI infrastructure and R&D.

Comparison: Growth Prospects

  • C3.ai:

    • Positioned to benefit from its diverse customer base and generative AI solutions.

    • Adoption of the consumption-based model aligns with market demand for flexibility.

  • Palantir:

    • Well-established in government and defense, expanding into commercial sectors.

    • Focus on AI/ML advancements and leveraging its proprietary platforms for scalable solutions.

Forrester Research predicts Ai Software spending in 2025 of $64 Billion

Conclusion 

While C3.ai is growing its presence in the AI market through innovation and partnerships, it remains unprofitable, which could impact investor sentiment in the short term, however, it's forward earnings valuation under 10% indicates it may be a buying opportunity.

Palantir, with its profitability and established customer base, commands a higher valuation but also faces challenges in maintaining its growth rate and valuation now looks extended.

As the AI software market expands, both companies are poised to capture significant opportunities, though their trajectories differ based on strategic focus and market dynamics.

ED Note:

Currently we have no position in either Palantir and C3Ai, however, they are on our watch list!

update: Jan 6 2024

We purchased some shares in Ai