The third quarter of 2024 has been rewarding for equity investors, as the S&P 500 increased another 5% and has gained almost 20% year to date. Surprise, surprise, though, as value was the segment leader in the quarter. The S&P 500 Value Index advanced approximately 7% in the period, while the S&P 500 Growth Index edged only 3% higher. Leading sectors included Real Estate, Utilities, Financial, Healthcare and Industrials, while lagging sectors for the past three months included Information Technology and Energy. The average stock in the Argus Universe of Coverage rose almost 8% during the quarter, while the median stock increased 9%. The average BUY-rated stock rose 8.3%, while the average HOLD-rated stock gained 6.7%. Here are the top-10 and bottom-five performers from the Argus Universe in 3Q24.

Artificial intelligence has redefined the way certain industries operate within the Industrial sector, leading to notable advances in aerospace & defense, construction & engineering, and manufacturing. Why does this matter for investors? It makes companies more efficient and allows management to focus on profits and company goals. In aerospace & defense, AI is used in flight operations to analyze weather and air traffic data. Sensors also run predictive analytics that identify potential problems with an aircraft. In defense, AI provides tools for strategic decision-making, threat monitoring, and cybersecurity. Indeed, when defending against cyber-attacks, technology can learn patterns and create improved layers of protection. In construction and engineering, AI can optimize the design process, using advanced algorithms and simulations to identify the best configurations and optimal product performance. AI also has capabilities to efficiently allocate resources on a construction site and anticipate potential risks. The technology can provide real-time insights that help in negotiations with suppliers, task organization, and risk prevention. In manufacturing, AI solutions are analyzing production data and demand forecasts to streamline production schedules and resources planning. It is also improving the effectiveness of order-management systems to decrease fulfilment lead times. Studies by McKinsey have concluded that machine downtime can be reduced by 30%-50% and quality costs can be decreased by 10%-20%. Others have predicted that AI in manufacturing will be a $21 billion market by 2028. The following is a list of Argus BUY-rated stocks in the Industrial sector that are leaders in the use of AI.

GE Vernova is a global leader in the electric power industry, with products and services that generate, transfer, convert, and store electricity. The company has three business segments: power, wind, and electrification. Power includes gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and steam technologies, providing dispatchable power. The wind segment includes wind generation technologies, inclusive of onshore and offshore wind turbines and blades. Electrification includes grid solutions, power conversion, electrification software, and solar and storage solutions technologies required for the transmission, distribution, conversion, and storage of electricity from the point of generation to point of consumption.

GE Vernova is a global leader in the electric power industry, with products and services that generate, transfer, convert, and store electricity. The company has three business segments: power, wind, and electrification. Power includes gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and steam technologies, providing dispatchable power. The wind segment includes wind generation technologies, inclusive of onshore and offshore wind turbines and blades. Electrification includes grid solutions, power conversion, electrification software, and solar and storage solutions technologies required for the transmission, distribution, conversion, and storage of electricity from the point of generation to point of consumption.