Group 1 - Contrarius Global Equity Fund achieved a return of 30.9% in the September quarter, significantly outperforming the benchmark MSCI World Index which returned 7.3% and the Average Global Equity Fund at 5.5% [1] - The fund's investment strategy is independent of benchmark considerations, leading to portfolios that typically deviate from the benchmark World Index [1] - The fund's investor letter highlights its top five holdings, indicating its leading picks for 2025 [1] Group 2 - CRISPR Therapeutics AG (NASDAQ:CRSP) is a key stock highlighted by the Contrarius Global Equity Fund, specializing in gene-based medicines for serious human diseases [2] - CRISPR Therapeutics AG experienced a one-month return of 4.63% and a 52-week gain of 37.12%, with its stock closing at $53.97 per share on December 29, 2025, and a market capitalization of $5.143 billion [2] - The FDA approved the first CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing therapy for sickle cell disease in December 2023, after nearly six years of human clinical trials, marking a significant milestone for CRISPR Therapeutics AG [3]

Core Insights - Cathie Wood's investment strategy focuses on transformative technologies, particularly in the field of gene editing, which she views as a significant market-changing opportunity [1][3]. Company and Industry Summary - ARK Invest has been actively purchasing shares of CRISPR Therapeutics, indicating a strong commitment to the long-term potential of gene editing technology [2][4]. - CRISPR Therapeutics specializes in gene editing, a technology that is compared to the early days of the internet in terms of its potential to revolutionize industries [3][8]. - The recent trading activity included the acquisition of over 76,800 shares of CRISPR in just three trading days, demonstrating a significant investment in the company [6][8]. - The total investment in CRISPR during this period amounted to over $4.4 million, reflecting a strategic doubling down on a long-term vision for the biotech sector [5][7]. - CRISPR Therapeutics is still in an early-commercial phase, which presents a unique investment profile as it is not strictly pre-revenue but still not fully established in terms of profitability [10].

Core Viewpoint - The technology sector has driven market gains this year, while the healthcare industry has lagged, although some healthcare stocks have shown strong performance [1][2]. Group 1: CRISPR Therapeutics - CRISPR Therapeutics has seen a significant rise in stock price, increasing by 44% this year, driven by clinical and regulatory progress in its pipeline [2][4]. - The company is developing CTX310, a potential one-time treatment for lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which could be a breakthrough in cardiovascular health [5][6]. - Despite being unprofitable and generating minimal revenue, CRISPR Therapeutics has potential upside due to progress in its pipeline and expectations for commercial success with its approved product, Casgevy [8][9]. Group 2: HCA Healthcare - HCA Healthcare has outperformed the market with a stock increase of 58% this year, supported by strong financial results and recognition as one of the top hospital chains [2][10]. - The company is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16, which is below the healthcare sector average of 18.2, indicating potential value [11][12]. - There are uncertainties regarding federal policy changes that could impact patient demand for HCA's services, but the company maintains a strong competitive edge and is well-positioned for long-term growth [13][16].

Core Viewpoint - CRISPR Therapeutics has experienced significant stock volatility, with a notable decline of over 60% from its 2021 peak, despite the recent approval and commercialization of its first gene editing therapy, Casgevy, for blood disorders [2][10]. Group 1: Product Approval and Technology - Casgevy is the first CRISPR-based product approved for treating blood disorders, specifically sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia [4][7]. - The CRISPR technology utilized by the company involves precise DNA editing, which may provide a functional cure for the diseases it targets, potentially allowing patients to remain symptom-free over time [5][4]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Revenue Generation - Despite the approval of Casgevy, it has not yet generated significant revenue for CRISPR Therapeutics, as the treatment process is complex and requires establishing authorized treatment centers [7][8]. - Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a partner in the Casgevy project, anticipates that the product could generate over $100 million in revenue for the full year of 2025, but CRISPR Therapeutics will only retain 40% of the profits from this product [8][7]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - The stock performance of CRISPR Therapeutics has been negatively impacted by the time it takes for revenue growth to materialize post-approval, leading some investors to view the company as "yesterday's news" [10][2]. - The company has a pipeline of other candidates based on CRISPR technology, which may also take time to deliver revenue growth and profit [9][10].

Core Insights - CRISPR Therapeutics' shares increased by 3.7% following positive updates on its CAR-T therapy candidate, zugo-cel, aimed at treating autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies [1] Group 1: Autoimmune Disorder Studies - Zugo-cel is currently being evaluated in a phase I basket study for autoimmune rheumatologic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myositis [2] - As of December 17, 2025, patients treated with zugo-cel showed deep B-cell depletion sustained for at least 28 days, with initial efficacy data indicating significant clinical improvement at the 100-million-cell dose [3] - Zugo-cel was well tolerated in the study, with no serious side effects reported, and further updates are expected in the second half of 2026 [6] Group 2: Immuno-Oncology Program - Zugo-cel is also being studied for relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell malignancies, including large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and others [8] - The recommended phase II dose for zugo-cel was set at 600 million cells, with strong activity observed, achieving a 90% overall response rate and a 70% complete response rate in relapsed or refractory LBCL patients [10] - A collaboration with Eli Lilly has been established to evaluate zugo-cel in combination with Lilly's BTK inhibitor, Jaypirca, which was approved for treating adults with relapsed or refractory MCL in 2023 [11][12] Group 3: Market Performance - Over the past year, CRISPR Therapeutics' shares have increased by 41.5%, outperforming the industry average increase of 15.5% [4]

Tesla Trade - Ark Invest sold 60,715 shares of Tesla across multiple ETFs, with a total transaction value of approximately $29.7 million, as the stock closed at $488.73 [2] - Concerns regarding Tesla's financial prospects were raised by Gerber Kawasaki, particularly about achieving GAAP profitability, although the company's market share in the EV sector remains strong [3] Palantir Trade - Ark Invest reduced its position in Palantir by selling 47,309 shares, valued at approximately $9.2 million, with the stock closing at $193.98 [4] - BofA Securities expressed optimism about Palantir's growth, citing strong momentum in its U.S. commercial business and a recent two-year $448 million government order [5] Shopify Trade - Ark Invest sold 33,164 shares of Shopify, valued at approximately $5.6 million, with a closing price of $169.67 [6] - Shopify's recent Winter 2026 Edition showcased expanded capabilities in AI and merchant tools, reinforcing confidence in its long-term growth according to JPMorgan [7] WeRide Trade - Ark Invest purchased 520,697 shares of WeRide, valued at approximately $4.7 million, with the stock closing at $8.97 [8] - WeRide launched public Robotaxi rides in Dubai, marking progress towards a fully driverless rollout planned for early 2026 [9] Other Key Trades - Ark Invest acquired 78,793 shares of CRISPR Therapeutics across ARKG and ARKK [10] - Intellia Therapeutics saw an acquisition of 187,880 shares via ARKG and ARKK, while Rocket Lab sold 232,425 shares through ARKQ and ARKX [12]

Core Insights - CRISPR Therapeutics AG provided updates on its investigational allogeneic CAR T therapy, zugocaptagene geleucel (zugo-cel), targeting CD19 for autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies [1] Autoimmune Disease - Zugo-cel is currently in a Phase 1 basket trial for autoimmune rheumatologic diseases, with preliminary clinical data showing encouraging results and good tolerability [2] - As of December 17, four patients received a dose of 100 million cells, showing comparable cell expansion to that in B-cell lymphoma trials [3] - Rapid and deep B-cell depletion was observed within 1-2 days, maintained over the first month, with all patients showing significant clinical improvement by Day 28 [4] - No high-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or immune-effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was reported, and ongoing trials are expected to provide updates in the second half of 2026 [5] Immuno-Oncology - Zugo-cel was administered after lymphodepletion with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, with 39 patients treated across four dose levels [6] - At the recommended Phase 2 dose of 600 million cells, 10 patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL) showed an overall response rate of 90% and a complete response rate of 70% [7] - Among patients with 12 months of follow-up, 67% remained in complete response, with peak CAR T cell expansion observed at approximately 1,700 cells/µL, a four-fold increase compared to the 300 million cell dose [8] - No Grade 3 ICANS or CRS was observed at the 100 million cell dose currently being studied in autoimmune trials [9] - The Phase 1/2 trial in R/R B-cell malignancies is ongoing, with additional updates expected in the second half of 2026, and a new collaboration with Eli Lilly has been established to evaluate zugo-cel with pirtobrutinib in aggressive B-cell lymphomas [10] Market Reaction - CRISPR Therapeutics shares increased by 3.46% to $57.79 at the time of publication [11]

Core Insights - CRISPR Therapeutics has provided updates on zugocaptagene geleucel (zugo-cel), an investigational allogeneic CAR T therapy targeting CD19, showing promising results in both autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies [1][9] Autoimmune Disease - Zugo-cel is currently in a Phase 1 basket trial for autoimmune rheumatologic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and inflammatory myositis, with preliminary data indicating it has been well tolerated [3][4] - Four patients treated at a dose of 100 million cells showed deep B-cell depletion sustained for at least 28 days, with significant clinical improvement observed by Day 28 [4] - The first SLE patient, refractory to nine prior therapies, achieved DORIS remission through Month 6 post-treatment [4] Hematologic Malignancies - In a separate Phase 1/2 trial for relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell malignancies, zugo-cel demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 90% and a complete response rate (CRR) of 70% at the 600 million cell dose [11] - The recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) has been established at 600 million cells, with 39 patients treated across all dose levels [7][11] - A collaboration with Lilly has been initiated to evaluate zugo-cel in combination with pirtobrutinib for aggressive B-cell lymphomas, expanding the program's development [1][8] Future Developments - Additional updates across autoimmune diseases and hematological malignancies are expected in the second half of 2026, with ongoing clinical trials in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - The article presents a list of 12 stocks that are recommended for investment during the countdown to the new year, highlighting their long-term growth potential and current market conditions. Group 1: Recommended Stocks - **Apple**: Expected to achieve an 11% gain for the year, with a strong brand and growing AI integration across products, which may drive future revenue growth [5][6]. - **Costco**: Trading at 43x forward earnings estimates, down from over 58x, with a strong business model and high membership renewal rates above 90% in the U.S. and Canada [7][9]. - **Carnival**: The world's largest cruise operator has returned to profitability and is paying down debt, trading at only 11x forward earnings estimates [11][12]. - **Intuitive Surgical**: A leader in robotic surgery with a strong moat due to high costs of its systems and recurrent revenue from instruments and accessories [13][15]. - **Vertex Pharmaceuticals**: Leading in cystic fibrosis treatment with strong revenue and growth potential in new treatment areas [16][18]. - **Coca-Cola**: Strong brand and distribution network with a history of dividend increases for over 50 consecutive years, making it a solid choice for passive income [19][20]. - **Pool Corp.**: The largest supplier of pool equipment, trading at 22x forward earnings estimates, with consistent demand for maintenance services [21][22]. - **Amazon**: A leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, benefiting from AI growth, with AWS reporting a $132 billion annual revenue run rate [24][25]. - **Target**: Facing challenges but may recover in 2026, trading at 13x forward earnings estimates, presenting a potential buying opportunity [27][28]. - **CRISPR Therapeutics**: Recently approved a blood disorder treatment, with expected significant growth in the coming year [29][30]. - **Broadcom**: A networking giant emerging as a potential AI chip winner, with high demand for custom chips [31][32]. - **Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing**: A key player in chip production for AI, benefiting from multiple clients and significant investments in U.S. manufacturing [33][34].

Core Viewpoint - Healthcare stocks have underperformed compared to broader equities this year, but there are still attractive investment opportunities in the sector for long-term investors [1] Group 1: CRISPR Therapeutics - CRISPR Therapeutics is a gene-editing company with potential catalysts for stock price growth, particularly with its therapy Casgevy for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia [4] - The company has been enhancing third-party coverage and establishing treatment centers for Casgevy, which is expected to see significant growth next year [5] - CRISPR is also developing SRSD107, a potential anticoagulant with promising phase 1 results, and CTX112, which targets various cancers and autoimmune disorders, both of which could contribute to stock price increases [6][8] Group 2: Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex Pharmaceuticals has faced challenges this year, primarily due to its reliance on its cystic fibrosis (CF) treatments, but these continue to generate steady revenue [10] - In Q3, Vertex reported an 11% year-over-year revenue increase to $3.08 billion and a 4.7% increase in net earnings per share to $4.20, indicating strong performance in its core area [11] - The company is advancing new therapies, including zimislecel for Type 1 diabetes and candidates targeting kidney diseases, with regulatory submissions planned for next year [13][14]