Company Overview - Thermo-Tech Mechanical Insulation, Inc. is a leading provider of mechanical insulation services with a 40-year history in insulation contracting, offering advanced mechanical insulation products and installation services [3] - The company is headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin, and utilizes a proprietary ERP system that provides a competitive advantage in forecasting staffing needs and delivering high-quality work across various systems [3] Acquisition Details - Installed Building Products, Inc. (IBP) has acquired Thermo-Tech, with Angle Advisors serving as the exclusive investment banking advisor for the transaction [1][2] - Following the acquisition, IBP's operational capabilities extend to over 250 locations and a workforce of more than 10,000 employees [4] - IBP aims to leverage the acquisition of Thermo-Tech to enhance its growth in the commercial insulation space, building on its established leadership in residential insulation services [4] Angle Advisors' Role - Angle Advisors played a critical role in the successful sale of Thermo-Tech, demonstrating industry insight and effective transaction execution [2] - The firm has a strong track record, having completed over 310 transactions since 2009, focusing on mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising services in the industrials and services sectors [5]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Building Products - Miscellaneous sector should consider Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) and Installed Building Products (IBP) for potential value opportunities [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Rankings - Holcim Ltd (HCMLY) has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), while Installed Building Products (IBP) has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a more favorable earnings estimate revision for HCMLY [3] - The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and revisions, which are critical for value investors [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - HCMLY has a forward P/E ratio of 23.41, compared to IBP's forward P/E of 27.49, suggesting HCMLY may be undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for HCMLY is 2.22, while IBP's PEG ratio is significantly higher at 6.61, indicating better expected earnings growth relative to its price for HCMLY [5] - HCMLY's P/B ratio is 3.17, whereas IBP's P/B ratio is 12.12, further supporting HCMLY's more attractive valuation metrics [6] Group 3: Investment Conclusion - Given the stronger estimate revision activity and more favorable valuation metrics, HCMLY is positioned as the superior option for value investors at this time [7]

Company Overview - Installed Building Products (IBP) shares increased by 5.7% to close at $303.31, supported by strong trading volume, compared to a 4.7% gain over the past four weeks [1][2] Recent Developments - IBP announced three acquisitions: Thermo-Tech Mechanical Insulation, Biomax Spray Foam Insulation, and CKV Finished Products, which will enhance its national footprint and diversify revenues across attractive building product categories [2] Financial Performance Expectations - IBP is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.83 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 2.4%, with revenues projected at $739.72 million, down 1.4% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for IBP has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without trends in earnings estimate revisions [4] Industry Context - IBP holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) within the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry, while TopBuild (BLD), a peer in the same industry, closed 3.5% higher at $480.56 and has returned 4.9% over the past month [5]

Core Insights - Installed Building Products, Inc. (IBP) has announced three acquisitions: Thermo-Tech Mechanical Insulation, Inc., Biomax Spray Foam Insulation, LLC, and CKV Finished Products LLC, which will enhance its national presence and diversify revenue streams in the building products sector [1][2] Acquisition Details - Thermo-Tech was acquired on February 2, 2026, with annual revenue of approximately $13 million, providing mechanical insulation services for commercial and industrial applications across several states [2] - Biomax was acquired on January 19, 2026, with annual revenue of approximately $5 million, specializing in spray foam and fiberglass insulation for residential and commercial markets in Texas and surrounding states [2] - CKV was acquired on December 11, 2025, with annual revenue of approximately $4 million, focusing on installing complementary building products for residential markets in Indiana and neighboring states [2] Financial Impact - The three acquisitions collectively add over $22 million in annual revenue to IBP, further expanding its insulation installation services in key residential and commercial markets [2]

Core Insights - Giverny Capital Asset Management's portfolio returned 0.01% in Q4 2025, underperforming the S&P 500's 2.66% return, and YTD returns were 12.58% compared to the Index's 17.88% [1] - The firm faced challenges due to underweighting large technology companies and overweighting smaller niche leaders, despite strong earnings growth from portfolio companies [1] - The market's focus on AI investments has overshadowed the actual benefits of portfolio companies, which excel in earnings growth and capital returns [1] Company-Specific Insights - Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP) was highlighted as a leading performance contributor, with a one-month return of 5.09% and a 52-week gain of 53.58% [2] - As of January 30, 2026, IBP's stock closed at $288.14 per share, with a market capitalization of $7.773 billion [2] - Despite a weak housing market, IBP grew earnings modestly in 2025, exceeding expectations, and is noted for exceptional management and good returns over the past four years [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP) was held by 28 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 21 in the previous quarter [4] - While IBP shows potential as an investment, certain AI stocks are considered to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry is under pressure from tariffs, high input and labor costs, and persistent inflation, leading to slowed commercial activity and challenges in housing affordability [1][4][6] - Supply-chain disruptions and high energy expenses are contributing to these challenges, with mortgage rates remaining above 6%, which dampens demand for new construction [1][6] Long-term Prospects - Despite current challenges, long-term prospects are positive due to federal investments in infrastructure and global supply-chain reinvestment, which provide a strong growth backdrop [2][7] - Companies are focusing on efficiency through cost-saving initiatives, digital solutions, and acquisitions to capitalize on these trends [2][9] Key Trends - Tariff policies are reshaping the industry by increasing costs and disrupting supply chains, which is expected to slow commercial construction activity [4] - Rising costs related to transportation, materials, and labor are compressing margins and affecting operating performance [5] Market Performance - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry has underperformed the broader Zacks S&P 500 Composite and the Zacks Construction sector over the past year, gaining only 4.7% compared to the sector's 7.8% and the S&P 500's 22.1% [10][14] - The industry's Zacks Industry Rank is 159, placing it in the bottom 35% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating bleak near-term prospects [10][11] Earnings Outlook - Analysts have reduced the earnings estimates for the industry, with projections for 2026 decreasing from $4.67 to $4.50 per share [12] - The industry's earnings outlook is closely tied to the U.S. housing and renovation markets, which are facing challenges due to high mortgage rates and supply constraints [6] Company Highlights - **Argan, Inc. (AGX)**: Positioned for growth in power and renewable energy projects, with a 79% gain over the past year and upward earnings estimate revisions indicating strong future growth [20][21] - **Installed Building Products, Inc. (IBP)**: A leading installer of residential insulation, with a 60.3% gain over the past year and a focus on operational efficiency and market resilience [26][27] - **Frontdoor, Inc. (FTDR)**: Offers home warranties and is benefiting from a scalable platform, with a 6.6% gain over the past year and increasing earnings estimates [30][32] - **Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (ROCK)**: Focused on residential building products, with a long-term constructive outlook despite a 9.6% loss over the past year, and upward earnings estimate revisions [35][36]

Group 1: Company Overview - Installed Building Products (IBP) is a member of the Construction sector, which includes 93 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 16 [2] - IBP has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for IBP's full-year earnings has increased by 7.3%, reflecting improving analyst sentiment [4] - IBP has returned approximately 5.7% since the start of the calendar year, outperforming the average gain of 5.6% for stocks in the Construction group [4] - IBP belongs to the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry, which has gained an average of 2.9% this year, further indicating IBP's strong performance [6] Group 3: Comparison with Peers - MasTec (MTZ), another stock in the Construction sector, has a year-to-date return of 7% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - MasTec belongs to the Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, which has seen a significant increase of 52.5% this year, although it is ranked lower at 191 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The housing market remains soft, impacting the outlook for Installed Building Products (IBP), which has led to a hold rating recommendation due to lagging acquisition pace [1] Company Analysis - IBP's acquisition pace is currently lagging, indicating challenges in growth and expansion within the current housing market conditions [1] - The company is viewed through a fundamentals-based approach, focusing on long-term durability and affordability rather than just low multiples [1] Investment Perspective - There is a belief that investing in successful companies carries risks, particularly regarding valuation, as overpaying can diminish returns [1] - Despite the risks, there are scenarios where the potential for growth is significant enough that immediate price considerations may be less critical [1]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Installed Building Products (IBP) currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a favorable position in momentum investing [2] - IBP has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] Group 2: Price Performance - Over the past week, IBP shares increased by 1.6%, matching the performance of the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry [5] - The monthly price change for IBP is 8.77%, significantly outperforming the industry's 4.04% [5] - In the last quarter, IBP shares rose by 4.95%, and over the past year, they gained 37.26%, while the S&P 500 only increased by 4% and 14.09%, respectively [6] Group 3: Trading Volume - IBP's average 20-day trading volume is 304,213 shares, which serves as a baseline for price-to-volume analysis [7] Group 4: Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, four earnings estimates for IBP have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $10.16 to $11.03 [9] - For the next fiscal year, four estimates have also moved upwards without any downward revisions [9] Group 5: Conclusion - Considering all factors, IBP is positioned as a 1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a significant bull run in 2023, with major indexes near all-time highs [1] - Small-cap and mid-cap benchmarks have shown notable gains, with Russell 2000 up 14.3% and S&P 400 up 7.6% year to date [2] - Mid-cap stocks are seen as a good diversification strategy, combining benefits of both small and large-cap stocks [2][3] Mid-Cap Stocks Overview - Top-ranked mid-cap stocks have high potential for profitability and market share growth, with less exposure to international risks compared to large caps [3] - In a thriving economy, mid-cap stocks are expected to outperform small caps due to established management and access to capital [4] Recommended Mid-Cap Stocks - Five mid-cap stocks with favorable Zacks Ranks for 2026 are FirstCash Holdings Inc. (FCFS), Lyft Inc. (LYFT), Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP), Lumen Technologies Inc. (LUMN), and Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (AEIS) [5][9] - Each stock carries a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [5] Company-Specific Insights FirstCash Holdings Inc. (FCFS) - Operates pawn stores and payment solutions in the U.S. and Latin America, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 5.7% and 21.8% respectively for next year [8][10] Lyft Inc. (LYFT) - Engages in ridesharing in the U.S. and Canada, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 14.6% and 25.9% respectively for next year [11][13] - Aims to enter the robotaxi market through partnerships, avoiding high R&D costs [12] Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP) - Operates as a residential insulation installer, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 1.1% and 0.1% respectively for next year [14][15] Lumen Technologies Inc. (LUMN) - Focused on AI opportunities, with $10 billion in Private Connectivity Fabric deals and plans to eliminate $1 billion in costs [16][17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates of -5.2% and -71.9% respectively for next year [18] Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (AEIS) - Benefits from semiconductor and data center demand, with expected revenue growth of approximately 20% and earnings growth of 20.2% for next year [19][20][21]