Applied Materials (AMAT.O) plans to return 80–100% of free cash flow to shareholders by 2030.

The 2026 World New Energy & New Materials Conference opened in Ordos on Oct 12, drawing domestic and international academicians and industry leaders and attracting more than 300 companies and about 8,000 attendees. The event, themed "diverse collaboration, multi-energy complementarity to build a new global energy ecosystem," includes a 30,000 sqm exhibition with eight zones covering central state-owned enterprises, wind, solar PV, hydrogen, storage, new-energy vehicles, coal-based new materials and AI+energy. Organizers highlighted displays across five industry chains—wind, solar, hydrogen, storage and vehicles—plus coal-based new materials, showcasing technologies from silicon‑carbon anodes and long-duration storage to zero-carbon parks and smart grids.

Oct 12 — MOFCOM minister Raimondo met Danone CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique to discuss Danone’s China operations and China‑EU/China‑France trade ties. Raimondo reiterated China’s commitment to high‑level opening, an expanding and upgrading consumer market, and welcomed Danone to increase investment and R&D in China to supply more high‑quality products; he said the second China‑EU trade and investment consultations produced consensus outcomes that have stabilised market expectations and urged Danone to play a constructive role in bilateral economic ties.