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.

FedEx Corp. is a leading international provider of package delivery, e-commerce and related services. The company's business segments are FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight. The company has approximately 725 aircraft, more than 82,000 motorized vehicles, and nearly 300,000 employees. The shares are a component of the S&P 500.

The economic calendar is full this week, with inflation and GDP data due and a lot of Fedspeak, including from Chairman Jerome Powell. Wall Street will continue to absorb the supersized interest-rate cut last week and the debate over the next cut likely will heat up. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended last week higher by 1.6%, the S&P 500 gained 1.4%, and the Nasdaq was up 1.5%. For the year, the DJIA is higher by 12%, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have both popped by 20%. On the economic calendar, inflation data is due out on Friday. For July, PCE printed at 2.5%. Forecasts call for the pace to slow to 2.2% in August. Core PCE was 2.6% in July. Economists expect a tick higher to 2.7% for August. Meanwhile, Tuesday brings news on Consumer Confidence; Wednesday features New Home Sales; and GDP and Durable Goods Orders hit the tape on Thursday. In addition to PCE, Friday offers updates on Personal Income and Personal Spending. Finally, about 10 Fed officials speak publicly this week, including Chairman Powell, with pre-recorded remarks at a U.S. Treasury conference. On the earnings calendar, Tuesday brings reports from AutoZone and KB Home. On Wednesday, Micron Technology. And on Thursday, Costco, Accenture, and Jabil. Earnings last quarter were 13% higher than in the same quarter last year, which was better than expected. The next reporting season kicks off in mid-October, when the big banks announce results. Last week, mortgage rates dropped again, hitting 6.09% for the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Gas prices fell six cents to $3.18 per gallon for the average price of regular gas. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow indicator is forecasting for 3Q and calls for expansion of 2.9%. The Cleveland Fed CPINow indicator for September is at 2.3%, down from last month's actual print. Looking ahead, the next Fed rate decisions are on November 7 and then on December 18. For November, odds are 100% for another rate cut and 50%-50% between a 25-basis-point or 50-basis-point cut, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Argus now forecasts two more rate cuts by the end of 2024 and three more in 2025 -- all by 25 basis points.

FedEx pioneered overnight delivery in 1973 and remains the world's largest express package provider. In its fiscal 2024, which ended in May, FedEx derived 47% of revenue from its express division, 37% from ground, and 10% from freight, its asset-based less-than-truckload shipping segment. The remainder came from other services, including FedEx Office, which provides document production/shipping, and FedEx Logistics, which provides global forwarding. FedEx acquired Dutch parcel delivery firm TNT Express in 2016, boosting its presence across Europe. TNT was previously the fourth-largest global parcel delivery provider.