The following players span a variety of industries, so if you pick up more than one, you may gain in diversification.Soon, it will be countdown time, noting one by one the last minutes of 2025. But today, we can start early, counting down the last 12 investment days until the new year. The stock market will be closed on Dec. 25 for Christmas Day and opens for partial sessions on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. What should you do during this countdown? Consider possible stocks, companies with great long-term prospects, ...

Covington, Louisiana-based Pool Corporation (POOL) is the world's leading independent distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. With a market cap of $8.9 billion, Pool operates in hundreds of locations through its distribution networks and serves over 125,000 wholesale customers worldwide. Companies worth between $2 billion and $10 billion or more are generally described as “mid-cap stocks.” Pool fits this bill perfectly. Given its extensive operations and customer b ...

Core Insights - Warren Buffett is preparing Berkshire Hathaway for long-term success despite his impending retirement as CEO, with a planned transition to successor Greg Abel in 2025 [1][3] Investment Highlights - Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares have increased by approximately 6,118,000% since Buffett took over, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of less than 46,000% during the same period [2] - Buffett has made substantial investments in five key stocks for 2026, indicating confidence in their future performance [5] Alphabet (GOOGL) - Berkshire purchased 17,846,142 shares of Alphabet during the September-ended quarter, marking a significant investment in the company [6] - Alphabet holds a dominant position in the global internet search market, with a share of 89% to 93%, and is also a major player in cloud services, with Google Cloud's sales growing over 30% year-over-year [8][9] Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI) - Berkshire has acquired 7,338,544 shares of Sirius XM, holding over 37% of the company's outstanding shares [10] - Sirius XM operates as a legal monopoly in satellite radio, with 76% of its net sales coming from subscriptions, providing stability during economic downturns [11][12] Domino's Pizza (DPZ) - Berkshire has consistently purchased Domino's stock, acquiring 599,945 additional shares in 2025 [15] - Domino's has successfully rebuilt customer trust and is leveraging technology to enhance its operations, contributing to steady growth [16][17] UnitedHealth Group (UNH) - Berkshire purchased 5,039,564 shares of UnitedHealth Group, capitalizing on a price dislocation caused by management's warnings of higher costs [20][21] - The company's health insurance operations are predictable and profitable, with a focus on mitigating costs in its Medicare Advantage segment [22] Pool Corp. (POOL) - Berkshire has added 2,860,196 shares of Pool Corp over four consecutive quarters, benefiting from the cyclical nature of the pool and spa industry [26][27] - Pool Corp generates recurring revenue from maintenance and accessories, providing cash flow stability, and has a strong capital-return program [28][29]

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's recent investment in Pool Corp. has underperformed significantly, raising questions about the long-term potential of this stock [1][2]. Performance Analysis - Over the past year, Pool Corp.'s stock has declined from approximately $400 to around $245, representing a 33% loss for investors who bought in around the same time as Berkshire Hathaway [3]. - In contrast, the S&P 500 has increased by about 14% during the same period, indicating that Pool has underperformed the broader market by approximately 47 percentage points [4]. - Over the medium term, Pool's stock has decreased by about 26% over the last three years and 25% over the last five years, which is still poor when compared to the S&P 500's nearly 75% and 100% growth, respectively [5][7]. - The opportunity cost of investing in Pool has been substantial, with losses of about 100 percentage points over three years and 125 percentage points over five years compared to the S&P 500 [7]. Dividend Impact - Pool Corp.'s small dividend has had minimal impact on mitigating losses, with reinvesting dividends only reducing five-year losses by approximately 1.75% [8]. Future Outlook - While Pool's stock is currently struggling, there is potential for recovery if the real estate market improves, although the timing of such a recovery is uncertain [9]. - The situation serves as a reminder that even for long-term investors, continuous monitoring of investments is essential to ensure alignment with investment goals [9].

Core Viewpoint - There is a strong long-term Buy thesis for Pool Corporation (POOL) at current valuations, indicating good value despite being near 5-year lows [1] Company Analysis - Pool Corporation is recognized for its effective execution in the market, suggesting a solid operational performance [1] - The analysis emphasizes a long-term perspective on value creation, indicating confidence in the company's future growth potential [1] Investment Strategy - The approach combines rigorous risk management with a focus on macroeconomic trends, corporate earnings, and financial statement analysis, aiming to provide actionable investment ideas [1]

Core Viewpoint - There is a strong long-term Buy thesis for Pool Corporation (POOL) at current valuations, indicating good value despite being near 5-year lows [1]. Group 1: Company Analysis - Pool Corporation is recognized for its effective execution, suggesting strong operational performance [1]. - The analysis emphasizes a long-term perspective on value creation, indicating confidence in the company's future growth potential [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, highlighting a robust background in equity valuation and market trends [1]. - The analyst's previous role as Vice President at Barclays involved leading teams in model validation and stress testing, showcasing expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis [1]. - The research approach combines rigorous risk management with a focus on macroeconomic trends and corporate earnings, aiming to provide actionable investment ideas [1].

Airlines around the world cancelled and delayed flights heading into the weekend after Airbus announced on Friday that it had ordered immediate repairs to 6,000 of its A320 family of jets in a recall affecting more than half of the global fleet.The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the main certifying authority for A320 aircraft, issued the instruction on Friday night as a precautionary action, saying that “safety is paramount”.The US Federal Aviation Administration also issued an emerg ...

Core Insights - Warren Buffett continues to invest in value stocks through Berkshire Hathaway, focusing on both existing and new holdings in 2025 [1][2] Group 1: Notable Investments - Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ) has seen Buffett increase his holdings to over $1 billion, as the company diversifies into non-alcoholic options to meet rising demand [3][4] - Pool Corp. (POOL) benefits from increased demand for pool maintenance, with Buffett's holdings nearing $450 million [5] - Domino's Pizza Inc. (DPZ) remains a focus for Buffett despite recent struggles, with a price-to-earnings ratio around 24, indicating potential value [6] - Sirius XM (SIRI) has over $2.7 billion in holdings from Buffett, who views the stock as a value opportunity despite recent price drops [7] - HEICO Corp (HEI) is positioned for growth due to increased defensive spending and government contracts, with Buffett continuing to invest since 2025 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Pool Corporation (POOL) has experienced a significant decline in share value, losing 37% over the past year due to a weak pool construction market and consumers postponing expensive discretionary purchases [1] Company Performance - The company's stock performance has been poor, with a 37% decrease in value over the last year [1] Market Conditions - The pool construction market remains persistently weak, impacting consumer spending on discretionary items [1]

Covington, Louisiana-based Pool Corporation (POOL) distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products. Valued at $8.9 billion by market cap, the company offers a diverse range of products from construction materials, replacement parts, and fencing to pool care products and spas. Shares of this world’s leading distributor of pool supplies have underperformed the broader market over the past year. POOL has declined 34.1% over this time frame, while ...