Latest news with #WSPGlobal
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
How the technology industry is trying to meet its climate goals
A team of researchers from Microsoft and WSP Global has published a groundbreaking study in Nature demonstrating that advanced cooling methods like cold plates and immersion cooling can cut data centre emissions by 15-21%, energy use by 15-20%, and water consumption by 31-52% compared to traditional air cooling. The life cycle assessment, led by Husam Alissa of Microsoft, Mukunth Natarajan, and Praneet Arshi of WSP, among others, also provided actionable insights to help the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry meet its climate goals. 'Our [life cycle assessment] has shown that reducing data centre energy use through advanced liquid-cooling technologies will lead to marked reductions in data centre environmental impacts,' the authors wrote in their paper. Electronics versus rising temperatures Electronics heat up like crowded kitchens: billions of microscopic switches (transistors) are like cooks working nonstop, bumping into each other while flipping electrical dosas (data). The tighter they are packed — that is smaller the chips are — or the more tasks they handle, the more they collide and create heat, just like a packed kitchen gets hotter, needing fans and ACs to cool down. A laptop is like a kitchen with one burner: a simple fan suffices. A data centre is like a thousand laptops working at full speed in a single room, generating heat like a massive bonfire compared to a single candle. Without cooling, the intense heat will melt the hardware in minutes. Heat slows down electrons, like runners in thick mud. If the chips get too hot, they may malfunction or altogether fail. Cooling keeps them running smoothly, ensures a longer lifespan and fast and reliable performance, and prevents heat damage. Just like an athlete needs water to stay sharp in a race, electronics need efficient heat removal. Race to cut emissions In data centres, cooling consumes nearly as much power as computing, like an AC fighting oven heat in a busy kitchen. To curb climate change, the ICT industry needs to cut emissions by 42% by 2030 (from its 2015 levels). Data centres need greener designs that use less energy and water, and have lower greenhouse gas emissions to help meet global climate goals and keep warming below 1.5°C. Urgent upgrades to energy, efficiency, and cooling are critical. Chips are also getting smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient, like upgrading your phone every year without draining the battery faster. As the demand for cloud services increases, so must data centre capacities and heat mitigation strategies. Ice packs and oil baths Two prominent cooling techniques have emerged as viable alternatives. Cold plates, also known as direct-to-chip cooling, are small heat exchange modules equipped with microchannels to enhance heat transfer. Think of a cold plate like an ice pack strapped to a feverish forehead, but for computer chips. It sits directly on hot components, with small coolant-filled channels absorbing heat into tiny channels filled with coolant. When it becomes warmer, the coolant — such as 25% polyethylene glycol and 75% water — flows away and dumps the heat outside, while fresh coolant entering the veins keep the cycle going. This method is more efficient than fans the same way swapping a handheld fan for an ice-cold bath is better. In a cold-plate system, the liquid-to-air heat transfer ratio ranges from 50% to 80%, sometimes more. The second technique, immersion cooling, is like dunking a hot frying pan into a pool of heat-hungry oil instead of blowing air on it. The oil, which is good at dissipating heat within itself, soaks up 100% of the pan's heat and keeps it from overheating. In the one-phase cooling method, like swirling cold water around the pan, the oil stays liquid but carries heat away. In two-phase cooling, the technique works the way water cools in a mud pot: the coolant fluid bubbles into vapour at a low temperature, rises into a cooling coil, condenses, drips back down, and repeats. 'These techs cut corrosion, boost reliability, and slash carbon footprint — all while running silent without fans,' the researchers wrote. Pioneers like Microsoft and Alibaba are already deploying these systems at scale. Green or just less dirty? To truly lower the carbon footprint of cooling technologies, scientists, policymakers, and lawmakers need to weigh its full impact. While the new solutions are innovative, they face hurdles. Coolant fluids involve different regulations, and complex designs delay deployment. Using them is like swapping plastic straws for paper: they are greener, but not without trade-offs. The world could end up trading one ecological problem for a different, even worse, one. If the electricity for an electric car comes from a coal power plant, the car's carbon footprint is still high. Similarly, cooling gains can backfire if pollution is merely shifted elsewhere. The study team's cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment evaluated air-cooled, cold-plate, and immersion cooling across emissions, energy, and water use, proving that sustainability demands systemic thinking, not isolated fixes. Twin engines of a green data centre The assessment revealed that with grid electricity, cold plates and immersion cooling cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15%, energy use by more than 15%, and water consumption by more than 31% — making them superior to conventional cooling technologies in use today. With 100% renewable energy, the team found the cuts could jump to 13% for emissions, 15% for energy, and 50% for water. 'Switching to renewables slashes emissions by 85-90%, energy use by 6-7%, and water demand by 55–85%, regardless of cooling tech,' the researchers wrote. Thus, life cycle assessments can reveal sustainability trade-offs either within the same cooling technology or when comparing different technologies. Ultimately, the calculus is clear: ICT's climate future hinges on tackling how the industry cools its data centres. T.V. Venkateswaran is a science communicator and visiting faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Those who invested in WSP Global (TSE:WSP) five years ago are up 226%
The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But on the bright side, if you buy shares in a high quality company at the right price, you can gain well over 100%. For instance, the price of WSP Global Inc. (TSE:WSP) stock is up an impressive 210% over the last five years. In more good news, the share price has risen 14% in thirty days. We note that WSP Global reported its financial results recently; luckily, you can catch up on the latest revenue and profit numbers in our company report. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. Our free stock report includes 1 warning sign investors should be aware of before investing in WSP Global. Read for free now. To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, WSP Global achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 19% per year. This EPS growth is lower than the 25% average annual increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. This optimism is visible in its fairly high P/E ratio of 51.48. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on WSP Global's earnings, revenue and cash flow. It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for WSP Global the TSR over the last 5 years was 226%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. We're pleased to report that WSP Global shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 33% over one year. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 27% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand WSP Global better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for WSP Global you should know about. WSP Global is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of small cap companies at attractive valuations which insiders have been buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Those who invested in WSP Global (TSE:WSP) five years ago are up 226%
The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But on the bright side, if you buy shares in a high quality company at the right price, you can gain well over 100%. For instance, the price of WSP Global Inc. (TSE:WSP) stock is up an impressive 210% over the last five years. In more good news, the share price has risen 14% in thirty days. We note that WSP Global reported its financial results recently; luckily, you can catch up on the latest revenue and profit numbers in our company report. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. Our free stock report includes 1 warning sign investors should be aware of before investing in WSP Global. Read for free now. To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, WSP Global achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 19% per year. This EPS growth is lower than the 25% average annual increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. This optimism is visible in its fairly high P/E ratio of 51.48. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on WSP Global's earnings, revenue and cash flow. It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for WSP Global the TSR over the last 5 years was 226%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. We're pleased to report that WSP Global shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 33% over one year. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 27% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand WSP Global better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for WSP Global you should know about. WSP Global is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of small cap companies at attractive valuations which insiders have been buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Individual investors account for 53% of WSP Global Inc.'s (TSE:WSP) ownership, while institutions account for 47%
The considerable ownership by individual investors in WSP Global indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy A total of 25 investors have a majority stake in the company with 44% ownership Insiders have been buying lately AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. To get a sense of who is truly in control of WSP Global Inc. (TSE:WSP), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. We can see that individual investors own the lion's share in the company with 53% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Institutions, on the other hand, account for 47% of the company's stockholders. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of WSP Global, beginning with the chart below. See our latest analysis for WSP Global Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. We can see that WSP Global does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at WSP Global's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. WSP Global is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec with 16% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 10% and 3.4% of the stock. A deeper look at our ownership data shows that the top 25 shareholders collectively hold less than half of the register, suggesting a large group of small holders where no single shareholder has a majority. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our information suggests that WSP Global Inc. insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own CA$22m of stock. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling. The general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, collectively holds 53% of WSP Global shares. With this amount of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in decisions that affect shareholder returns, such as dividend policies and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to vote on acquisitions or mergers that may not improve profitability. It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand WSP Global better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with WSP Global , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Retirees: Worried About CPP and OAS? Protect it With These 2 Stocks
Written by Amy Legate-Wolfe at The Motley Fool Canada As 2025 ushers in significant changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), retirees might find themselves pondering the stability of their golden years. While government benefits are undergoing shifts, there's a silver lining. Investing in robust mid-cap stocks can offer a cushion against potential financial hiccups. Two Canadian companies, GFL Environmental (TSX:GFL) and WSP Global (TSX:WSP), stand out as promising candidates to bolster your retirement portfolio. GFL, a Vaughan, Ontario-based company, has been making waves in the waste management sector. Recently, GFL announced plans to sell its environmental services division to Apollo Global Management and BC Partners in a deal valued at approximately $8 billion. This strategic move is expected to generate cash proceeds of about $6.2 billion, which the company intends to use to repay debt and repurchase shares, thereby strengthening its financial position. A deal of this magnitude not only streamlines the company's focus but also provides a strong foundation for future growth. In the third quarter of 2024, GFL reported an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margin of 31.1%, marking the highest in the company's history and reflecting a 300 basis point increase over the prior year. This impressive performance underscores GFL's commitment to operational efficiency and profitability. With the waste management industry remaining an essential service, GFL's stability makes it an attractive investment for retirees seeking passive income. A strong dividend history and a disciplined approach to capital allocation add to its appeal as a long-term holding. Montreal-based WSP Global is a leading engineering and professional services firm with a global footprint. In 2023, WSP reported revenues of $14.44 billion, up from $11.93 billion in 2022, indicating significant growth. The company's adjusted EBITDA also saw an increase, reaching $1.92 billion in 2023 compared to $1.53 billion in the previous year. This kind of revenue expansion reflects a strong demand for WSP's engineering expertise in infrastructure, environmental solutions, and urban development, positioning the company for continued success. WSP's diversified services and international presence ensure that it is well-positioned for future growth. As more governments and corporations invest in sustainability and large-scale infrastructure projects, WSP is likely to benefit from long-term contracts and stable revenue streams. The company has been expanding its reach through acquisitions, further solidifying its place in the market. This level of growth, combined with a track record of consistent earnings, makes WSP an attractive choice for investors looking for both stability and capital appreciation. Investing in companies like GFL and WSP offers exposure to industries that are crucial regardless of economic conditions. Waste management is a necessity, ensuring that GFL will continue to have a stable stream of revenue. Meanwhile, infrastructure and engineering projects are long-term investments that keep WSP well insulated from market volatility. Both GFL and WSP have demonstrated resilience and strong financial performance, making them appealing options for those looking to supplement retirement income. While government benefits such as CPP and OAS will continue to provide a foundation, relying solely on them may not be enough in an inflationary environment. Owning dividend-paying and growth-oriented stocks can help ensure a more comfortable and financially secure retirement. Mid-cap stocks like GFL and WSP provide a balance between the stability of large-cap stocks and the high growth potential of smaller companies. While these may not have the same level of mainstream attention as some of the largest Canadian blue-chip stocks, each offers a compelling combination of reliable earnings and expansion opportunities. As CPP and OAS evolve, retirees need to think beyond government benefits and take control of their financial future. Investing in high-quality companies with strong fundamentals is one of the best ways to ensure financial stability. The landscape of retirement income is changing, but that doesn't mean retirees have to worry about their financial security. By staying informed and proactive, they can navigate these shifts with confidence and create a well-rounded investment strategy that supports them for years to come. The post Retirees: Worried About CPP and OAS? Protect it With These 2 Stocks appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. 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See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 1/22/25 More reading 10 Stocks Every Canadian Should Own in 2024 [PREMIUM PICKS] It's Time to Buy: 1 Canadian Stock That Hasn't Been This Cheap in Years Where to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution 3 No-Brainer TSX Stocks to Buy With $300 5 Years From Now, You'll Probably Wish You Grabbed These Stocks Subscribe to Motley Fool Canada on YouTube Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends WSP Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
