Company Overview - EPAM Systems, Inc. is a global technology services provider with a market capitalization of $11.41 billion and over 60,000 employees, focusing on digital transformation projects and maintaining a diversified client base [4][7] - The company reported a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $5.30 billion and a net income of $371.62 million [4] Recent Developments - Wishbone Management initiated a new position in EPAM Systems by acquiring 100,000 shares valued at $15.08 million, representing 8.11% of the fund's 13F reportable assets under management as of September 30 [2][3] - EPAM shares are currently priced at $204.88, down 12% over the past year, while the S&P 500 gained approximately 16% during the same period [3] Financial Performance - EPAM reported $1.394 billion in third-quarter revenue, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 19.4%, and raised its full-year revenue outlook for 2025 to approximately $5.43 billion to $5.45 billion [5][8] - The company has also repurchased $82.1 million of its stock during the quarter and authorized an additional $1 billion buyback program [8] Strategic Positioning - EPAM stands out as the only pure-play digital engineering name in Wishbone Management's portfolio, which includes exposure to industrial distribution, airlines, and payments infrastructure [9] - The company's services span AI, automation, and digital design, serving clients across various industries including financial services, travel, software, media, and healthcare [7]

Core Insights - HoldCo Asset Management has established a new position in Comerica, acquiring 2.29 million shares valued at $156.94 million, making it the largest holding in the fund's portfolio [2][6] - Comerica's shares have increased by 41% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which rose by about 16% during the same period [3][8] - The new position in Comerica accounts for 16.56% of HoldCo's 13F assets under management [3][6] Company Overview - Comerica is a leading regional financial institution with a diversified business model that includes commercial banking, retail banking, and wealth management [5][7] - The company serves a wide range of clients, including small and middle-market businesses, multinational corporations, government entities, and individual consumers [7] - As of the latest report, Comerica's market capitalization is $11.11 billion, with a revenue of $3.34 billion and a net income of $717 million for the trailing twelve months [4] Financial Performance - In the latest quarter, Comerica reported a net income of $176 million, or $1.35 per share, which is a decrease from $184 million a year ago [9] - The bank's net interest income remained stable at $574 million, with average deposits rising to $62.7 billion [9] - Comerica's common equity tier 1 ratio is at 11.9%, exceeding management's long-term target, and the bank executed $150 million in share repurchases during the quarter [9] Market Position - Comerica's performance is notable within the regional banking sector, as the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index is up about 9% over the past year, still 18% below 2022 highs [8] - The fund's top holdings are concentrated around regional banks, indicating a strategic overweight in this sector rather than a one-off investment in Comerica [10]

Core Points - The Social Security program will undergo several changes in 2026 that will impact beneficiaries, including an increase in benefits and adjustments to eligibility criteria [1] Group 1: Benefit Adjustments - Benefits will increase by 2.8%, raising the average monthly benefit from $2,015 to $2,071, which is a $56 increase [3] - The maximum monthly benefit for the wealthiest beneficiaries will rise to $5,251 from $5,108, requiring maximum taxable earnings for at least 35 years [5] Group 2: Retirement Age and Claiming Benefits - The full retirement age (FRA) has increased to 67 for individuals born in 1960 or later, with no further increases planned at this time [6][7] - Early claimers turning 62 in 2026 will see a maximum benefit of $2,969 per month, although this is 30% less than what they would receive at FRA [8][9] Group 3: Earnings Test Adjustments - The earnings test thresholds have increased, allowing beneficiaries under FRA to earn up to $24,480 before losing $1 for every $2 earned, up from $23,400 in 2025 [10][11] - For those reaching FRA in 2026, the threshold will be $65,160, allowing them to lose $1 for every $3 earned over this limit [11] Group 4: Disability Benefits - The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits for disabled beneficiaries have increased, allowing blind individuals to earn up to $2,830 and non-blind individuals up to $1,690 without losing benefits [13]

Core Insights - Columbia Banking System is experiencing a strategic shift with a focus on capital accumulation, margin expansion, and significant share buybacks despite slowing headline profits [1][12] Company Overview - Columbia Banking System operates as a regional financial institution with a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and California, offering a diversified banking model that includes both lending and non-interest income streams [6][9] - The company has recently completed a transformative acquisition, increasing total assets to approximately $67.5 billion and achieving a net interest margin of 3.84%, up from 3.56% a year earlier [10] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Columbia Banking System reported revenue of $2.07 billion and net income of $478.68 million, with a dividend yield of 5% [4] - The company’s GAAP EPS fell to $0.40 from $0.73 in the prior quarter due to merger and restructuring costs, but the operating EPS was reported at $0.85, indicating strong normalized earnings power [11] Investment Activity - HoldCo Asset Management increased its stake in Columbia Banking System by purchasing 1.24 million shares valued at $31.48 million, bringing its total holdings to 5.72 million shares worth $147.30 million as of September 30 [2][3] - Columbia Banking System now represents 15.55% of HoldCo's $947.56 million assets under management (AUM) [3] Strategic Initiatives - The management has authorized a $700 million share repurchase program through late 2026, reflecting confidence in the bank's ability to generate excess capital even after a major acquisition [12] - The bank's core deposit growth increased by approximately $14 billion quarter over quarter, reaching $55.8 billion, largely attributed to the recent acquisition [10]

Company Overview - BankUnited is a regional banking institution with a significant presence in Florida and the New York metropolitan area, focusing on commercial banking and technology-enabled services to drive stable earnings and maintain a competitive position among regional banks [5][8] - The bank offers a comprehensive suite of deposit products, commercial and consumer loans, and treasury management services, primarily serving commercial businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individual consumers [8] Financial Performance - For the latest quarter, BankUnited reported a net income of $71.9 million, or $0.95 per share, with a net interest margin of 3.00%, up from 2.93% in the prior quarter [6] - Year-to-date earnings reached $199.1 million, reflecting a 22% increase year over year, despite flat deposits and easing funding costs [6] - The bank's revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is $1.07 billion, with a net income of $268.40 million and a dividend yield of 3% [4] Investment Activity - HoldCo Asset Management disclosed a new stake in BankUnited, purchasing 936,900 shares valued at approximately $35.75 million, which represents 3.77% of its $947.56 million in reportable U.S. equity assets [2][3] - As of the latest filing, BankUnited shares were priced at $44.57, reflecting a 17% increase over the past year, slightly outperforming the S&P 500's 16% gain during the same period [3] Capital Strength - BankUnited ended the quarter with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 12.5%, and its tangible book value increased by 8% year over year to $39.27 per share, indicating strong capital strength [9]

Core Insights - HoldCo Asset Management has increased its stake in Eastern Bankshares by acquiring 1.2 million shares, raising its total investment to $116.32 million, making it the fund's fourth-largest equity holding [2][6] - Eastern Bankshares has shown strong financial performance with a net income of $106.1 million for the latest quarter, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year, and steady loan growth of 1.3% quarter-over-quarter [8] Company Overview - Eastern Bankshares is a regional financial institution with a market capitalization of $4.15 billion and a revenue of $651.22 million over the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4][5] - The company offers a diverse range of services including traditional banking, insurance, and wealth management, primarily serving retail customers, small businesses, and commercial clients in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire [5][7] Financial Performance - The stock price of Eastern Bankshares is currently $18.43, which is up approximately 7% over the past year, although it has underperformed compared to the S&P 500, which is up about 16% [3] - Wealth management assets have reached a record high of $9.2 billion, indicating strong growth in this segment [8] Investment Context - The increase in HoldCo's investment during a period of earnings momentum suggests confidence in Eastern Bankshares' fundamentals, which are expected to perform well despite sector volatility [6][8] - The portfolio of HoldCo Asset Management is heavily weighted towards regional banks, indicating a thematic investment strategy focused on the potential for value compounding in select banks [8]

Company Overview - Figma and UiPath both leverage artificial intelligence to enhance workflows and automate repetitive tasks, with Figma focusing on UI/UX design tools and UiPath specializing in robotic process automation [1] - Figma went public at $33 and currently trades at approximately $37, while UiPath went public at $56 and now trades around $16 [2] Figma's Growth and Financials - Figma's cloud-based tools are lightweight and scalable, allowing for collaborative work among multiple users [4] - The company offers a free tier for individuals and small teams, and a paid tier for larger organizations, with 95% of Fortune 500 companies using its services [5] - In 2024, Figma's revenue increased by 48% to $749 million, with a net loss of $732 million, compared to a net profit of $738 million in 2023 [7] - The number of customers generating over $10,000 in annual recurring revenue grew by 45% to 10,517, and the net dollar retention rate for this cohort increased by 12 percentage points to 134% [7] - Analysts project Figma's revenue to grow at a CAGR of 27% from 2024 to 2027, reaching $1.53 billion, while narrowing its net loss to $331 million [9] UiPath's Growth and Financials - UiPath serves over 60% of Fortune 500 companies and is the leading company in robotic process automation [10] - From fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2025, UiPath's revenue grew at a CAGR of 24%, reaching $1.4 billion, but growth slowed to just 9% in recent fiscal years [11] - Analysts expect UiPath's revenue to grow at a steady CAGR of 10% from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028, reaching $1.88 billion, with profitability anticipated in fiscal 2026 [14] - UiPath is focusing on cost-cutting and streamlining operations to stabilize margins and profits, while the RPA market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 43.9% from 2025 to 2030 [15] Investment Considerations - UiPath is viewed as a more compelling investment due to its rising profits and lower valuation compared to Figma, which faces challenges in balancing growth and spending [17] - Figma's enterprise value is nearly $17 billion, trading at 13 times this year's sales, while UiPath's enterprise value is $7.34 billion, trading at four times its fiscal 2026 sales [9][16]

Core Insights - Caterpillar (CAT) has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 index over the past year, three years, and five years, with a notable 58.6% increase compared to the S&P's 15.7% over the last year [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Caterpillar's earnings, measured by EBITDA, are highly cyclical, influenced by global economic conditions and infrastructure spending for construction machinery, as well as mining commodity prices for mining machinery [2] - The company's valuation, as indicated by the EV/EBITDA ratio, tends to peak when EBITDA is about to rise and trough when EBITDA is about to decline, reflecting typical cyclical stock behavior [4] - Currently, Caterpillar's valuation is near a historical high, suggesting market expectations for improved earnings in the coming years [6] Group 2: Business Segments - The growth in Caterpillar's power generation equipment business, which includes diesel and natural gas-powered equipment for data centers, is a key driver of optimism [7] - In the third quarter, the power generation business accounted for 15.7% of total equipment sales, growing by $623 million, or 31%, compared to the same quarter in 2024, while overall equipment sales increased by $872 million [8] Group 3: Market Sentiment - Investors are likely considering substantial growth from Caterpillar's exposure to AI and data center spending, alongside potential lower interest rates that could stimulate construction spending and ongoing infrastructure development [10]

Company Overview - New Oriental Education & Technology Group operates a wide range of private education services in China, including K-12 after-school tutoring, test preparation, language training, and online education programs [5][8] - The company reported a market capitalization of $9.17 billion and a revenue of $4.99 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] - Net income for the TTM was $367 million, indicating a slight year-over-year decline of 2% [4][10] Financial Performance - For the fiscal first quarter, revenue increased by 6.1% year-over-year to $1.52 billion, while operating income rose to $310.8 million [9] - Non-GAAP operating income grew by 11.3% to $335.5 million, supported by improved cost discipline and a 100-basis-point expansion in non-GAAP operating margin [9] - The company generated nearly $192 million in operating cash flow for the quarter and maintained over $1.28 billion in cash on its balance sheet [9] Investment Activity - First Beijing Investment Ltd increased its stake in New Oriental by 2.23 million shares, bringing its total position to 9.35 million shares valued at $496.02 million as of September 30 [2][6] - New Oriental now represents 19.15% of First Beijing Investment's U.S. equity portfolio, indicating a significant commitment to the education sector [2][6] Market Context - As of the latest data, New Oriental shares were priced at $55.03, reflecting a 13% decline over the past year, contrasting with the S&P 500's increase of approximately 16% [3] - The investor's decision to increase its stake in New Oriental suggests a belief that the market is undervaluing the company's resilience despite the challenges faced by the education sector in recent years [6][10]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its robust growth, strategic execution, and expansion into various sectors, outperforming the S&P 500 both year-to-date and over the past five years [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Market Position - Walmart's stock has increased over 24% year-to-date, indicating strong market performance [1]. - The company is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of over 36, nearing its 52-week high of $117, yet still presents growth potential [2]. - Walmart's market capitalization stands at $888 billion, with a current stock price of $111.45 [8]. Group 2: E-commerce and Advertising Growth - Walmart's e-commerce business has shown impressive growth, with a 27% increase in the latest quarter, leveraging its physical stores as distribution hubs [5]. - The advertising segment, Walmart Connect, has grown by 33% in the U.S. and is expected to become a significant profit center, similar to Amazon Ads [6]. Group 3: Grocery and Essentials Dominance - Over 50% of Walmart's revenue is derived from its grocery business, which generated more than $276 billion in sales in fiscal 2025, making it the largest grocery seller in the U.S. [7]. - The grocery segment remains resilient, particularly during inflationary periods, driving consistent customer traffic [4]. Group 4: Global Expansion and Diversification - Walmart operates over 3,000 stores in Mexico and 400 in Canada, and holds a majority stake in India's Flipkart, which may go public soon, enhancing shareholder value [8]. - The company is expanding into high-margin sectors such as healthcare and financial services, creating new revenue streams [9]. Group 5: Operational Excellence - Walmart has a history of raising dividends for over 50 consecutive years and reported a free cash flow of $8.8 billion in its latest earnings report, showcasing strong operational cash flow [12]. - The company is recognized for its effective management and execution of strategic plans, evolving into an ecosystem beyond traditional retail [13].