Group 1 - Pool Corporation (NASDAQ: POOL) has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% for more than 30 years, indicating its strong performance as a long-term investment [1] Group 2 - Triba Research aims to identify high-quality businesses that can provide sustainable, double-digit returns over the long term, focusing on companies with competitive advantages, low debt levels, and effective management [2]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett continues to invest in industry-leading companies with strong capital-return programs, despite selling off a significant portion of his holdings in Bank of America [2][5][6] Group 1: Bank of America (BofA) - Buffett has sold over 427 million shares of Bank of America, reducing his stake by 41% over the past year, with the current holding exceeding 1.03 billion shares [6][9] - The selling may be influenced by a favorable corporate income tax rate, as indicated by Buffett's comments during the 2024 annual shareholder meeting [7][10] - BofA's stock is currently trading at a 36% premium to its book value, which may lead Buffett to reassess its attractiveness as a value investment [9] Group 2: Domino's Pizza - Buffett has consistently purchased shares of Domino's Pizza for four consecutive quarters, building a 7.8% stake in the company [12][14] - Domino's has a strong capital-return program, with a history of growing dividends and share repurchases, having retired over half of its outstanding shares since going public [15][16] - The company's innovative initiatives, such as the "Hungry for MORE" program leveraging artificial intelligence, contribute to its growth potential and customer loyalty [16] Group 3: Pool Corp. - Buffett has also increased his stake in Pool Corp. for four consecutive quarters, now holding a 9.3% stake, benefiting from its strong operating cash flow predictability [17][18] - Pool Corp. has seen significant growth since its public debut, with a nearly 47,000% gain including dividends [17] - The company has doubled its share buyback spending in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year and has consistently raised its dividend for two decades [21]

Group 1 - Warren Buffett is purchasing shares of Pool Corp. due to its attractive pricing and long-term growth potential [1][11] - Pool Corp. operates in two segments: pool construction, which is cyclical, and pool maintenance products, which are essential for pool owners [7][9] - The pandemic significantly boosted new pool construction, leading to a temporary surge in Pool Corp.'s stock price, followed by a decline as the market corrected [8][11] Group 2 - The maintenance segment, which constitutes about two-thirds of Pool Corp.'s business, provides a steady income stream as pool maintenance is a necessity [9][10] - Buffett's investment strategy emphasizes buying well-run companies at attractive prices and holding them for the long term to benefit from their growth [6][12] - The long-term outlook for Pool Corp. suggests a gradual increase in value, making it a potential wealth-building investment for those willing to hold [12][14]

Group 1 - Berkshire Hathaway has reduced its stake in Bank of America, now holding over 605 million shares, which represents an 8.2% stake in the bank and 9.8% of Berkshire's total stock portfolio [3][5] - From July 2024 through the second quarter of the current year, Berkshire has sold approximately 427 million shares of Bank of America, equating to around 41% of its previous position [5] - Berkshire's cash reserves have reached a record $344 billion, attributed to selling shares in Bank of America and other stocks, including Apple [6][10] Group 2 - Berkshire's decision to sell shares may be influenced by the expectation of an increase in the marginal corporate tax rate, allowing for lower tax payments now [7] - The price-to-book ratio of Bank of America was around 1.29 at the start of August, indicating the stock was trading at a 29% premium [7][9] Group 3 - In the second quarter, Berkshire increased its stake in Pool by approximately 136%, now owning over 3.4 million shares valued at over $1 billion [10] - Pool is the largest wholesaler of swimming pool equipment and has seen a stock price return of nearly 47,000% since its IPO in October 1995 [11] - Pool possesses characteristics that align with Buffett's investment criteria, including a competitive moat, consistent profits, shareholder-friendly leadership, and an attractive dividend [13]

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett is reducing his stake in Apple while increasing investment in a company that has delivered a nearly 48,000% total return since its IPO, reflecting a strategic shift in his investment approach [1][5]. Investment Activity - Berkshire Hathaway's second-quarter 13F filing indicates Buffett has sold over 635 million shares of Apple since mid-2023, representing 69% of Berkshire's position in the company [6][7]. - Despite selling Apple shares, Buffett has consistently purchased shares in Pool Corp. for four consecutive quarters, indicating a shift in focus towards companies with strong recurring revenue streams [13][14]. Company Performance - Apple has seen its shares skyrocket almost 48,000% since its IPO, but its growth has stalled for three years, particularly in physical device sales, which may have influenced Buffett's decision to sell [5][9]. - Pool Corp. benefits from a steady demand for maintenance and repair products, which aligns with Buffett's long-term investment strategy [15]. Valuation Considerations - Apple's trailing-12-month earnings multiple has increased to approximately 35, making it challenging for value investors like Buffett to justify holding the stock given the lack of growth in physical device sales [10]. - Pool Corp. is trading at nearly 28 times forward-year earnings, which is higher than the S&P 500's forward P/E ratio, raising questions about the potential upside for investors [17]. Capital Return Programs - Apple has initiated a significant capital-return program, spending $796.3 billion on stock buybacks since 2013, which has reduced its outstanding share count by 43.6% [12]. - Pool Corp. is also engaging in a capital-return program, having spent over $252 million on stock repurchases and dividends in the first half of 2025 [16].

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway disclosed its Q2 holdings report, revealing a reduction in Apple and Bank of America shares, while also unveiling new investments in healthcare, steel, and real estate sectors [2][5]. Group 1: New Investments - Berkshire initiated positions in six new stocks during Q2, including UnitedHealth (UNH), Nucor Steel (NUE), Lennar (LEN), D.R. Horton (DHI), Lamar Advertising (LAMR), and Allegion (ALLE) [2][6]. - The total market value of these new positions at the end of Q2 was approximately $3.65 billion [6]. Group 2: Reduction in Holdings - In Q2, Berkshire reduced its stake in Apple by 20 million shares, a decrease of about 6.67%, while still maintaining it as the largest holding [9]. - Additionally, Berkshire sold over 26.3 million shares of Bank of America, representing a reduction of approximately 4.17% [9]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement of new positions, stocks like UnitedHealth and Nucor Steel saw significant after-hours gains, with increases exceeding 8% [3]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - The new investments are viewed as defensive positions with potential for valuation recovery, aligning with Buffett's investment philosophy of seeking companies with a "moat" [7].

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Leisure and Recreation Products sector should consider Yeti (YETI) as a more attractive option compared to Pool Corp. (POOL) due to its better valuation metrics and earnings outlook [1]. Valuation Metrics - YETI has a forward P/E ratio of 15.11, significantly lower than POOL's forward P/E of 28.01, indicating that YETI may be undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for YETI is 2.17, while POOL's PEG ratio is 4.21, suggesting that YETI has a more favorable earnings growth outlook relative to its price [5]. - YETI's P/B ratio stands at 3.29, compared to POOL's P/B of 8.81, further supporting the notion that YETI is undervalued [6]. Analyst Outlook - YETI currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while POOL has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), indicating a less favorable outlook [3]. - The solid earnings outlook for YETI, combined with its superior valuation metrics, positions it as the better value option in the sector [7].

Group 1: Bank of America (BofA) - Warren Buffett has sold over 401 million shares of Bank of America, representing approximately 39% of his position, which was originally over 1.03 billion shares [8] - The selling activity is part of a broader trend where Buffett has been a net seller of equities, with $174.4 billion more in stocks sold than purchased since October 2022 [6] - Profit-taking may explain the aggressive selling, as Buffett indicated concerns about rising corporate income tax rates, which could impact BofA's sizable unrealized gains [9] - BofA is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, benefiting from rate increases during inflation but facing risks as the Federal Reserve enters an easing cycle [11] - The valuation of BofA has changed significantly since Berkshire first invested, with the stock now trading at a 31% premium to book value, compared to a 62% discount at the time of initial investment [13] Group 2: Pool Corporation - Berkshire Hathaway has been purchasing shares of Pool Corporation for three consecutive quarters, with a total stake now at 1,464,000 shares [16] - Pool Corporation has shown remarkable long-term performance, with shares gaining over 35,000% since its IPO, and nearly 48,000% when including dividends [16] - The company's business model is characterized by recurring revenue streams from maintenance products, making sales and cash flow highly predictable [18] - Pool Corporation is investing in digitization through its software platform, Pool360, which has increased its contribution to net sales from over 12% to more than 16% [19] - The company has a strong capital-return program, spending significantly on share repurchases and dividends, which aligns with Buffett's investment philosophy [20] - Pool Corporation is currently valued at nearly 28 times forward-year earnings, suggesting that its stock may not be considered a bargain by Buffett's standards [21]

Financial Performance - Net sales for Q2 2025 were $1.78 billion, a 1% increase from $1.77 billion in Q2 2024, driven by growth in maintenance-related products[85]. - Gross profit increased by $5.0 million to $535.2 million, with a consistent gross margin of 30.0% compared to Q2 2024[64][88]. - Operating income rose by $1.2 million, maintaining an operating margin of 15.3% for both Q2 2025 and Q2 2024[66]. - Net income for Q2 2025 was $194.3 million, up from $192.4 million in Q2 2024, with diluted earnings per share increasing 4% to $5.17[66]. - Net income for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $194.3 million, up from $192.4 million in the same period of 2024, representing a growth of 1%[92]. - Earnings per diluted share rose 4% to $5.17 in Q2 2025, compared to $4.99 in Q2 2024[92]. - Net income for the first six months of 2025 decreased by 9% to $247.8 million, down from $271.3 million in the same period of 2024[101]. - Adjusted diluted EPS for the first six months of 2025 was $6.47, a decrease of 5% from $6.83 in the same period of 2024[106]. Expenses and Costs - Selling and administrative expenses increased by 1% to $262.5 million, representing 14.7% of net sales, reflecting effective cost management[65][89]. - Operating expenses increased by 2% to $497.3 million for the first six months of 2025, compared to $488.5 million in the same period of 2024, raising the operating expenses as a percentage of net sales to 17.4%[97]. - The effective income tax rate increased to 24.2% for the first half of 2025, compared to 23.1% for the same period in 2024[100]. - Interest and other non-operating expenses decreased by $4.1 million in the first half of 2025, with a weighted average effective interest rate of 4.5%[99]. Debt and Financing - Total debt outstanding increased by $113.4 million to $1.2 billion, primarily due to share repurchases of $156.4 million in the first half of 2025[71]. - Net cash provided by financing activities was $33.1 million for the first six months of 2025, compared to net cash used of $100.0 million in the same period of 2024, reflecting $279.2 million of net debt proceeds[125]. - As of June 30, 2025, the average total leverage ratio was 1.47, well below the maximum limit of 3.25[138]. - The fixed charge coverage ratio was 4.90 as of June 30, 2025, exceeding the minimum requirement of 2.25[138]. - At June 30, 2025, there was $354.8 million of revolving borrowings outstanding and $430.1 million available for borrowing under the Credit Facility[128]. - The Receivables Facility allows borrowing up to $375.0 million during certain months, with $320.1 million outstanding at June 30, 2025[134]. - The company plans to continue utilizing its three major credit facilities to supplement cash from operations for working capital needs[126]. - As of July 24, 2025, $515.7 million remained available for share repurchases under the current program[142]. Inventory and Sales Projections - Inventory levels rose by $34.6 million, or 3%, to $1.3 billion, with inventory turns improving to 2.8 times from 2.7 times year-over-year[70]. - The company expects full-year 2025 sales to be relatively flat compared to 2024, with an estimated price contribution of approximately 2% from tariffs[73]. - Net sales for the first six months of 2025 decreased by 1% to $2,856.1 million, down from $2,890.6 million in the same period of 2024[94]. Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures were 1.1% of net sales in 2024 and 2023, with projections for 2025 to be approximately 1.0% to 1.5% of net sales[120]. - Capital expenditures primarily focus on maintenance and growth of the sales center network, technology investments, and vehicle fleet[122]. Seasonal Trends - Seasonal fluctuations are expected to continue, with approximately 60% of net sales and 73% of operating income generated in the second and third quarters[107]. Cash Flow - Net cash used in operations was $1.5 million in the first six months of 2025 compared to net cash provided by operations of $172.1 million in the first six months of 2024, primarily due to a $68.5 million federal tax payment and increased inventory investments[123].

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's investment in Pool Corporation (POOL) suggests confidence in the long-term potential of the swimming pool industry despite current market challenges [1][2][3] Investment History - Berkshire Hathaway initiated a position in Pool in Q3 2024 with approximately 404,000 shares at an average price of $342 [3] - The investment was increased significantly in Q1 2025, with Berkshire holding 1,464,000 shares, a 145% increase from the previous quarter [5] - As of July 28, Pool shares traded at $321, indicating that the investment opportunity identified by Berkshire remains available [5][6] Financial Performance - Pool's Q2 sales were reported at $1.78 billion, reflecting a growth rate of just under 1% [6] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 came in at $5.17, exceeding expectations of 2.8% growth with an actual growth rate of approximately 3.8% [6][7] - The company adjusted its full-year EPS guidance down by 2.2% to $11.05, indicating challenges in demand management [7][8] Market Conditions - The pool construction market is currently experiencing a downturn, with expectations for no rebound in 2025 due to high interest rates affecting housing turnover [8][9] - New pool construction accounts for only about 15% of Pool's sales, but it is essential for long-term growth as it expands the customer base for maintenance products [10][11] Long-Term Trends - Scientists predict a significant increase in average global temperatures by 2100, which may drive a long-term trend toward increased swimming pool ownership [9][13] - Population migration to warmer Southern U.S. states is identified as a long-term growth driver for the company [11] - Analysts see limited short-term upside for Pool shares, but there is potential for significant appreciation over the long term if favorable trends materialize [13]