Core Thesis - StandardAero, Inc. (SARO) presents a nuanced investment opportunity despite recent market underperformance, with strong revenue and EBITDA growth, and raised guidance [2][4] Financial Performance - As of October 8th, SARO's share was trading at $27.17, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 67.62 and 23.81 respectively [1] - The company has experienced weak free cash flow conversion, which has contributed to its stock lagging behind [2] Growth Drivers - SARO benefits from long-term growth visibility, driven by high single-digit to low double-digit expansion in LEAP engine MRO demand, share gains in the mature CFM56 platform, and growth in its component repair business [3] - The company's margin profile is expected to outperform expectations due to efficiency improvements and a favorable mix from higher-margin LEAP work [3] Market Position and Outlook - SARO is positioned to benefit from both structural and cyclical growth in aerospace maintenance, supported by robust secular tailwinds and operational leverage [4] - As MRO visibility strengthens and secondary share overhang diminishes, SARO's stock has potential for rerating, making it a compelling long-term opportunity in the aerospace maintenance sector [4]

Core Viewpoint - StandardAero has been selected by Mauritania Airlines to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for CFM56-7B and LEAP-1B engines, enhancing their existing partnership and supporting the airline's fleet of Boeing 737NG and 737 MAX 8 aircraft [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - StandardAero is a leading independent provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, including MRO and engine component repair, and is listed on NYSE under the ticker SARO [10] - The company has been an authorized MRO provider for the CFM56-7B engine since 2010 and has expanded its capabilities to include support from its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport location [3][10] - StandardAero has industrialized over 350 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines through its Component Repair Services team [6] Group 2: Partnership with Mauritania Airlines - Mauritania Airlines operates a fleet that includes Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8, and Embraer E175 aircraft, serving 14 destinations across Africa and Europe [8] - The partnership with StandardAero extends to previous auxiliary power unit (APU) repair services provided for the airline's Embraer E175 fleet [2][3] - StandardAero's support is critical for smaller fleet operators like Mauritania Airlines, ensuring responsive and timely MRO services [3] Group 3: Industry Context - CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, is a leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, with a focus on efficiency and reliability [9] - The LEAP and CFM56 engine families are widely used by over 600 operators globally, setting industry standards for cost of ownership and performance [9]

Group 1 - StandardAero, Inc. has appointed Michael L. Kaplan as Chief Legal Officer, effective October 6, 2025, succeeding Steve Sinquefield who is retiring after over 40 years in aviation [1][2] - Kaplan has over 25 years of legal and executive leadership experience, previously serving as Senior Counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright, and has a history with StandardAero in various legal roles [3] - The company is a leading provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, catering to commercial, business aviation, and military markets [3] Group 2 - Chairman and CEO Russell Ford expressed confidence in Kaplan's return, highlighting his legal and compliance expertise and the value he brings to support StandardAero's strategic growth plan [3]

Group 1: Fund Performance - Parnassus Mid Cap Growth Fund returned 13.29% (net of fees) in Q2 2025, underperforming the Russell Midcap Growth Index which returned 18.20% [1] - Stock selection in the Industrials and Information Technology sectors negatively impacted the fund's performance, while holdings in the Financials sector contributed positively [1] Group 2: StandardAero, Inc. Overview - StandardAero, Inc. (NYSE:SARO) is an aerospace engine aftermarket services provider, with a one-month return of -4.15% and a year-to-date gain of 4.36% as of September 24, 2025, when its stock closed at $25.84 per share and had a market capitalization of $8.643 billion [2] - The fund initiated a position in StandardAero due to its resilient business model, which provides strong recurring revenue from non-discretionary services [3] Group 3: Investment Sentiment - StandardAero, Inc. was held by 48 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, a slight decrease from 50 in the previous quarter [4] - While StandardAero is recognized for its potential, certain AI stocks are considered to offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]

Group 1 - B. Riley Securities analyst Mayank Mamtani initiated coverage on Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (TBPH) with a Buy rating and a price target of $28, while shares closed at $13.70 [3] - Leerink Partners analyst Faisal Khurshid initiated coverage on Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX) with an Outperform rating and a price target of $73, with shares closing at $59.68 [3] - Barclays analyst David Strauss initiated coverage on StandardAero, Inc. (SARO) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $32, while shares closed at $27.35 [3]

Company Overview - StandardAero Inc. (NYSE:SARO) specializes in aerospace engine aftermarket services for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft on a global scale [4] - The company operates through two segments: Engine Services and Component Repair Services [4] Expansion Details - On August 28, StandardAero celebrated the grand opening of a major expansion at its business aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility located at Augusta Regional Airport in Georgia [1] - The expansion represents a 60% increase in size, adding 80,500 square feet to the existing campus, bringing the total facility size to 210,000 square feet [1][2] Capacity and Job Creation - The expansion is expected to enhance the company's capacity to serve business aviation operators in North America and beyond, while creating approximately 100 new technically skilled jobs in the region [2] - New features of the facility include additional hangar and engine shop space, advanced avionics capabilities, and improved customer amenities [2] Operational Timeline - Airframe maintenance services are already being conducted in the new hangar, while the new engine shop is anticipated to be fully operational in the first half of 2026 [3] - StandardAero is actively hiring to support its expanded operations, currently employing around 175 people at the Augusta facility and approximately 7,700 worldwide [3]

Group 1 - The aerospace industry ecosystem is broader than commonly understood, encompassing more than just the commercial sector [1] - The public perception of the aerospace industry may not fully capture its complexity and various components [1]

Summary of StandardAero FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: StandardAero (NYSE: SARO) - **Industry**: Aerospace and Defense - **Key Executives**: Russell Ford (CEO), Dan Satterfield (CFO) Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Ecosystem Understanding**: StandardAero operates across various subsectors of the aerospace industry, including commercial, military, and private aviation, which is not well understood by the investment community [5][6] 2. **MRO Demand**: The demand for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services is unprecedented across all segments, driven by increased flying activity post-COVID and an aging fleet [7][13] 3. **Investment in Capacity**: StandardAero has invested in capacity ahead of expected increases in demand, positioning itself to handle the growing MRO needs effectively [14][15] 4. **Long-term Contracts**: The company is seeing airlines approaching them earlier for long-term contracts, indicating strong demand and stability in revenue [17][19] 5. **Component Repair Services (CRS)**: The CRS segment has shown strong organic growth of 25% with margins improving by 360 basis points, highlighting its importance in the overall business strategy [28][30] 6. **Fragmented Market**: The component repair market is highly fragmented, providing opportunities for acquisitions to enhance capabilities and capacity [30][31] 7. **Technological Advancements**: StandardAero is focusing on developing new repair processes, particularly in thermal coatings and composite parts, to stay ahead in the competitive landscape [32][33] 8. **Growth Potential**: The CRS business has grown significantly, from $100 million to a projected $700 million, indicating strong future growth potential [38][47] 9. **LEAP Engine Maintenance**: The LEAP engine is still new, and StandardAero is developing maintenance offerings based on early experiences, which will evolve as more data becomes available [51][52] 10. **Market Position**: StandardAero holds a strong market position with a significant share in various platforms, including CFM56 and turboprop engines, which are driving revenue growth [54][55] Additional Important Insights 1. **Supply Chain Constraints**: The aerospace industry faces ongoing supply chain constraints, particularly for specialized materials used in engine components, which could impact growth [64][65] 2. **Strategic Focus**: The company is focused on managing source-controlled parts and ensuring that its capacity and labor situation remain stable, with no current concerns in these areas [68] 3. **Capital Deployment**: Post-IPO, StandardAero has improved its cash flow by reducing its interest burden, allowing for continued investment in growth opportunities [69][70] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the StandardAero FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's strategic positioning, growth potential, and the dynamics of the aerospace industry.

Company Overview - StandardAero is a leading provider of engine aerospace aftermarket services with a pure-play focus on the aero engine aftermarket [3] - 80% of StandardAero's revenue comes from platforms that hold either the 1 or 2 market position, providing strong market visibility [3] - 77% of the company's revenue is derived from customers with long-term agreements, enhancing revenue predictability [3] Business Segments - The company is organized into two main segments: Engine Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and Component Repair Services, which create synergies through partnerships with OEMs and airlines [4] - The engine aftermarket represents the largest portion of the aerospace aftermarket, valued at $111 billion, with engines accounting for 48% of this market [5] Market Characteristics - The engine aftermarket is characterized as the highest growing and most profitable segment within the aerospace aftermarket, with significant regulatory oversight and high barriers to entry [5]

Core Insights - Gabelli Funds, LLC is hosting the annual Aerospace & Defense Symposium on September 4, 2025, at The Harvard Club in New York City, focusing on strong demand outlook and high barriers to entry in the Aerospace and Defense industry [1] - The symposium will feature top executives from over ten companies, discussing themes such as defense spending, aftermarket opportunities, and M&A potential [1] Agenda Highlights - The event will start at 7:30 AM with a welcome and introduction by the Gabelli Funds Team [2] - Notable companies participating include Astronics Corporation, Textron Inc., Moog Inc., HEICO Corporation, and Elbit Systems Ltd., among others, with scheduled presentations throughout the day [2][3] - The agenda includes one-on-one meetings with management, providing attendees with networking opportunities [1]