Sound Shore Management, an investment management firm, has released its investor letter for the second quarter of 2025. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund’s Investor Class (SSHFX) and Institutional Class (SSHVX) delivered 3.06% and 3.10%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2025 compared to a 3.79% return for the Russell 1000 Value Index (Russell Value) and 10.94% return for the Standard & Poor 500 Index (S&P 500). Sound Shore’s 35-year annualized returns were 14.92% and 15.14% for SSH ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors are particularly attracted to high-yield dividend stocks due to their ability to provide a significant income stream and substantial total return potential [1] Group 1 - High-yield dividend stocks are favored by investors for their income generation capabilities [1] - These stocks also present considerable potential for total returns, making them an appealing investment choice [1]

Core Insights - Investors are increasingly looking to dividends for current income, especially during uncertain times, with ETFs providing efficient options for income generation [1] - The Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) has shown strong performance potential alongside its income stability, with a year-to-date return of 10.89% [2][3] ETF Performance - FDVV charges a low fee of 16 basis points and tracks the Fidelity High Dividend Index, focusing on a smaller group of large- and midcap dividend providers [2] - The fund has a distribution yield of 2.97% and a 30-day SEC Unsubsidized Yield of 2.78% as of August 25, indicating its ability to provide current income [3] Notable Stocks - The Hershey Co. (HSY) has delivered an 8.6% return year-to-date, with a return on equity of 34.6% and a year-over-year revenue growth of 26% [4] - AES Corp. (AES) has seen a significant return of 29.7% over the last three months, following a 5.6% year-to-date performance, highlighting its appeal in the utilities sector [5] - Citigroup (C) has achieved a 34.4% return year-to-date, supported by a five-year revenue growth of 10.55% [6] Investment Outlook - FDVV is positioned as a dividends ETF that offers more than just fixed income, making it a compelling option for investors seeking both income and growth potential [6]

Core Insights - The AES Corporation is expanding its renewable energy generation through solar, wind, and battery storage to meet long-term clean energy targets while also increasing its presence in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market [1][2] - The company is facing challenges due to a decline in wholesale electricity prices [1][6] Growth Catalysts for AES - AES completed the development of 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar and energy storage projects in Q2 2025 and aims to add 3.2 GW of renewable capacity by year-end [2][9] - In Q2 2025, AES secured long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 1.6 GW of renewables, increasing its total PPA backlog to 12 GW [3] - AES Indiana's acquisition of the 170-megawatt (MW) Crossvine solar-plus-storage project is set to begin operations in 2027 [3] - The company completed the construction of the 1,000 MW Bellefield 1 project, supported by a 15-year contract with Amazon, and plans to deploy up to 1,300 MW of solar, wind, and battery energy storage by 2027 [4][9] LNG Operations - AES operates LNG import terminals in the Dominican Republic with a storage capacity of 160,000 cubic meters, supplying re-gasified LNG to industrial users and third-party power plants [5][9] Headwinds for AES - The decline in wholesale electricity prices is attributed to the rising adoption of renewable energy, abundant natural gas, and demand-side management initiatives, with new PPAs being signed at lower rates [6] - This downward trend in electricity prices is expected to continue, potentially impacting AES's financial performance [6] Financial Overview - As of June 30, 2025, AES had a long-term debt of $26.55 billion and a current debt of $3.72 billion, with cash equivalents of $2.11 billion [7] Stock Performance - Over the past six months, AES shares have increased by 20.7%, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.7% [8]

Group 1 - In July, five best-performing S&P 500 stocks gained between 24% and 36%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 2% return [3][7] - The five stocks included Generac, Invesco, Norwegian Cruise Line, AES, and GE Vernova, with GE Vernova showing a 61% gain year-to-date in the first half of 2025 [3][7] - Stock performance over a single month is not a reliable indicator for future performance, as short time horizons diminish the correlation between business results and stock prices [8][12] Group 2 - A study by Boston Consulting Group indicates that stock valuation is a major factor in single-year performance, and short-term thinking increases the importance of valuation [9][10] - Investor sentiment plays a significant role in stock valuations, as demonstrated by Nvidia's fluctuating valuation based on market perception [10][12] - Companies should focus on business fundamentals rather than short-term stock movements, as these fundamentals are better indicators of future performance [14][16] Group 3 - Invesco's recent success is attributed to a strategic change in its ETF structure, which could enhance profitability and long-term stock performance [15][16] - Embracing market volatility is essential for long-term investment success, as it prevents investors from making impulsive decisions during market fluctuations [13][16]

There is increasing talk that SaaS Software is no longer “eating the world.” Instead, analysts point to the risk of AI native companies threatening the business models of enterprise software firms. I’m recommending investors protect their software-heavyDom received his MBA in Management and B.S. Finance (Manhattan College) and was credit trained at New York University. Dom received the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation from GARP.Areas of expertise are: Exponential Age & SaaS software and Blockchain.h ...

Market Overview - The overall market is considered expensive by historical metrics, with the S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio at 22.1, a level last seen during the COVID rebound and the dot-com bubble [3][4] Investment Opportunities Cheap Dividends - **AES Corp.**: Virginia-based electric utility with a 5.5% yield, trading at 5 times cash-flow estimates and a PEG of 0.6, indicating it is inexpensive compared to growth estimates [4][5] - **Edison International**: Offers a 5.9% yield, with shares down over 25% due to wildfire litigation, but expected to generate decent top-line growth and significant profit recovery in the coming years [6][8][9] - **Amcor**: A packaging specialist yielding 5.2%, acting defensively while being involved in various sectors, with a P/CF of roughly 6x [11][19] - **Kodiak Gas Services**: An energy services firm yielding 5.2%, well-positioned for growth with a young fleet and trading at 6 times cash flow estimates [12][14] - **Atlas Energy Solutions**: Yielding 8.4%, but shares have dropped 45% this year; however, it has sufficient free cash flow to cover dividends [15][17] - **United Parcel Service (UPS)**: A blue-chip stock yielding 7.5%, shares have lost nearly half their value in two years, trading at roughly 8 times cash-flow estimates [18][21][22] - **Western Union**: Yielding 11.3%, facing competition from payment apps, but has launched initiatives to improve operations and expand digital offerings [23][24]

Group 1 - The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is recommended for a speculative Buy for risk-aware investors willing to accept volatility [1] - Concerns exist regarding the company's debt load and operational underperformance [1] - The analysis is conducted by a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management [1] Group 2 - The analyst has a focus on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization to identify high-growth investment opportunities [1] - The research approach combines rigorous risk management with a long-term perspective on value creation [1] - There is a particular interest in macroeconomic trends, corporate earnings, and financial statement analysis [1]

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1] - The article discusses the potential of beaten down dividend stocks, which can be considered 'dead money' but may yield significant returns when market conditions improve [2] - The emphasis is on defensive stocks with a medium- to long-term investment horizon, appealing to enterprising investors looking for value [2] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific investment advice or recommendations, highlighting the importance of due diligence by readers [4][5] - It clarifies that past performance is not indicative of future results, and no guarantees are made regarding investment suitability [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses seven low beta stocks with dividend yields up to 8%, which are considered more stable during market downturns, providing a cushion against volatility [2][3]. Group 1: Low-Beta Dividend Stocks - Getty Realty (GTY) offers a 6.6% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.86 and a 1-year beta of 0.12, indicating lower volatility compared to the market. The company has a stable cash-flowing tenant base, primarily from convenience stores and car washes [5][7]. - AES Corp. (AES) has a 5.5% yield and operates with a 1-year beta of 0.88 and a 5-year beta of 0.96. It combines traditional utility services with renewable energy sales, providing growth potential [9][10]. - Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) offers a 6.8% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.69 and a 1-year beta of 0.80. The company has a solid balance sheet but faces challenges in consistent growth despite a recent merger [11][12]. - Conagra Brands (CAG) has a yield of 7.4% but faces significant challenges, including supply chain issues and food inflation, with a 1-year beta of -0.05 and a 5-year beta of 0.08 [17][21]. - Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) boasts an 8.0% yield and has seen a 60% increase year-to-date, with a 1-year beta of 0.67 and a 5-year beta of 0.19. The company has benefited from rising egg prices but faces income variability [23][24]. Group 2: Market Performance and Trends - The article highlights that low beta stocks tend to attract buyers during market downturns, which can help stabilize their share prices [3]. - The performance of low beta stocks like Kraft Heinz (KHC) and General Mills (GIS) has been disappointing, with low betas reflecting counter-market movements rather than stability [14][15]. - The overall trend indicates that while some low beta stocks have maintained dividends, their growth has been limited, and challenges remain in the current market environment [16][22].