Core Insights - Whirlpool is reinforcing its commitment to domestic manufacturing, claiming to be the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances [3][4] - Approximately 80% of Whirlpool's appliances sold in the U.S. are manufactured domestically, significantly higher than its competitors [4] - The company sources 96% of its steel from within the U.S., emphasizing its focus on American manufacturing [4] Competitive Advantage - Whirlpool views its domestic manufacturing footprint as a competitive edge, particularly in the context of recent tariffs and trade policies [5] - The company believes it is positioned as a net winner due to its strong U.S.-based manufacturing operations [5] Market Challenges - Despite its advantages, Whirlpool faces challenges such as a decline in consumer demand and a sluggish housing market impacting appliance sales [6] - The company has made workforce reductions, laying off 250 workers in Iowa and 25 in Michigan, although this is less than initially planned [6] Competitor Landscape - Competitors like LG and Samsung primarily manufacture appliances overseas, while GE Appliances, now owned by Haier, is investing over $3 billion in U.S. operations [7] - GE Appliances is also working to shift production back to the U.S. from Mexico and China [7] Investment Plans - Whirlpool plans to invest $300 million in two laundry manufacturing facilities in Ohio, expecting to create up to 600 new jobs [8] - The Clyde facility is noted as the largest washing machine plant globally, while the Marion factory specializes in dryer production [8] - The investment will be supported by financial assistance from JobsOhio and tax credits from the State of Ohio [8]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. federal officials found no evidence of widespread undervaluation of imported appliances, following Whirlpool's allegations against competitors regarding potential tariff evasion [1] Group 1: Import Valuation Concerns - Whirlpool accused competitors of possibly evading tariffs based on import data, particularly noting a significant drop in declared values for various appliances since June [1] - For instance, the average declared value of washing machines imported from South Korea fell from $838 in the first five months of the year to $73 starting in June, indicating lower tariffs [1] Group 2: Government Response - Whirlpool has communicated its concerns to the Trump administration and has confronted some competitors, including Samsung and LG, regarding the data [1] - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reviewed the situation and concluded that the drop in declared values might be due to data entry errors rather than intentional tariff evasion [1]

Core Viewpoint - Federal officials have found no evidence supporting Whirlpool's claims of widespread undervaluation of imported appliances, which were made in the context of potential tariff evasion by competitors [1] Group 1 - Whirlpool accused its rivals of possible tariff evasion last month [1] - The investigation by federal officials concluded without evidence of widespread undervaluation [1]

Core Insights - LVMH identified the U.S. as a strong market for luxury goods, with brands like Tiffany and BVLGARI gaining momentum despite a focus on value among consumers [2][4] - The company's U.S. revenue increased by 3% year-over-year in the third quarter, contrasting with negative sales in Europe and Asia [3][4] - Wealthy Americans, particularly the top 5%, are driving luxury spending due to significant gains from the stock market and rising incomes [5][8] Group 1: U.S. Market Performance - LVMH's brands performed well in the U.S. market, contributing positively to overall sales amid weaker performance in other regions [2][4] - The U.S. economy is increasingly reliant on affluent consumers, which is beneficial for luxury brands [3][5] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Research indicates that wealthy Americans are spending more freely, significantly impacting the luxury goods market [5][8] - The top 5% of earners are experiencing income growth at a faster rate than middle and low-income households, further supporting luxury spending [5] Group 3: Market Trends - Despite a general trend towards value-seeking among consumers, luxury brands like LVMH are seeing increased sales, highlighting a divergence in consumer behavior based on income levels [2][8] - LVMH's CFO noted a rebound in consumption linked to recent political events, suggesting external factors can influence luxury spending patterns [9]

Core Insights - Whirlpool Corp. announced a $300 million investment in its Ohio laundry manufacturing facilities to enhance its American manufacturing footprint and increase production of next-generation washers and dryers [1][2] - The investment is expected to create between 400 and 600 jobs in Ohio and support approximately 5,000 additional jobs outside the company [2] - CEO Marc Bitzer emphasized the company's commitment to American manufacturing, stating that tariffs will help level the playing field and improve competitive positioning [3][4] Investment and Economic Impact - The $300 million investment is part of a broader strategy, following $6 billion already invested in U.S. capital expenditures, R&D, and new product development, contributing to a total of $23 billion spent on U.S. operations [9] - Nearly 80% of Whirlpool's products are manufactured domestically, significantly higher than the 25% average of competitors, with 96% of steel used sourced from domestic suppliers [6] - The company views the current tariff policies as a positive factor for future investments, making the economic case for such investments more attractive [7][9] Company Background - Founded over 110 years ago, Whirlpool maintains the largest U.S. manufacturing operations in the home appliance industry, employing 20,000 people in the U.S., including over 14,000 at its 10 manufacturing plants [11] - The investment aims to reinforce the company's commitment to the communities and enhance manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the production of world-class appliances in America [13]

Whirlpool is investing $300 million to expand US production of washers and dryers, upping its domestic manufacturing as tariffs loom over foreign competitors https://t.co/DUBjvqgq8Q ...

Core Insights - Whirlpool Corporation announced a $300 million investment in its U.S. laundry manufacturing facilities, aiming to enhance its American manufacturing footprint and create 400 to 600 new jobs in Ohio [2][4] - The investment is part of Whirlpool's broader strategy to reinforce its commitment to U.S. manufacturing, which has been a core aspect of its identity since its founding over 110 years ago [3][4] - Whirlpool's U.S. operations are significant, with 80% of its major appliance sales coming from domestically produced products, far exceeding the industry average of 25% [5] Investment and Job Creation - The $300 million investment will be allocated to facilities in Clyde and Marion, Ohio, supporting the production of next-generation washers and dryers [2][4] - This investment is expected to indirectly support approximately 5,000 additional jobs outside the company [2] Manufacturing Legacy - Whirlpool's Clyde facility is the largest washing machine plant globally, operational since 1952, while the Marion dryer factory recently celebrated its 70th anniversary [4] - The company has invested $6 billion in U.S. capital expenditures over the past decade, contributing to a total of $23 billion spent on U.S. operations, logistics, and workforce [6] Supply Chain and Sourcing - Approximately 96% of the steel used in Whirlpool's U.S. plants is sourced domestically, highlighting the company's commitment to local supply chains [5] - Whirlpool collaborates with thousands of suppliers across the U.S., reinforcing its position as a leading manufacturer in the home appliance industry [5] Financial Support and Future Plans - Financial assistance from JobsOhio and state tax credits will support ongoing investments in workforce development and operations in Clyde and Marion [6] - The investments are pending final approval of the financial assistance, indicating a structured approach to growth and development [6]

Core Insights - Liberty Park Fund, LP's value increased by 1.13% in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000's 12.40% increase, with long positions contributing positively and shorts detracting significantly [2][4][21] - Liberty Park Select Opportunities, LP's value increased by 14.27% in the same period, indicating a strong performance in its investment strategy [3][21] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts are expected to stimulate the economy, but have also inflated a bubble in speculative stocks, reminiscent of the dot-com bubble [4][10] Performance Analysis - Long positions saw a 14.42% increase, contributing 12.38% on a weight-adjusted basis, while shorts increased by 18.60%, detracting 10.85% [2][4] - The gross exposure for Liberty Park Fund averaged 142.48%, while net exposure averaged 33.61% [2][21] - Gross Pure Alpha for the quarter was -3.11%, indicating challenges in stock selection [2] Long Performance - Best-performing long positions included Xometry Inc (61.20% return), BK Technologies Corp (79.25% return), and Napco Security Technologies (45.13% return) [5] - Worst-performing long positions included Limbach Holdings Inc (-30.68% return), DMC Global Inc (-20.84% return), and Whirlpool Corp (-24.49% return) [6] Short Performance - The short portfolio faced significant pressure, with seven companies accounting for over half of the negative contribution, surging an average of 170% without fundamental changes [7] - These companies collectively have a market cap of $100 billion, reflecting unrealistic valuations based on 2026 revenue estimates [7] Portfolio Outlook - The investment environment is complex, with interest rate cuts expected to boost consumption while speculation in certain sectors has risen dramatically [10] - The fund's strategy is to remain invested in real economy, non-bubble names while being short on profitless hype [11] Adaptation and Strategy - The fund is considering single-name equity shorts as a core competency, but currently finds few attractive traditional economy shorts [12] - Options have been introduced for risk management, including long call and put positions to hedge against potential market corrections [13][14] Communication Changes - The fund will no longer disclose top positions or highlight individual investments in quarterly communications to protect proprietary research and focus on new initiatives [15][17]

The past few days have been tough for anything that was related to housing, since homebuilding stocks were downgraded by one analyst and also because the stock market had a significant down dayLong-time stock market investor focused on strategic buying opportunities with dividend and value stocks. This investment strategy has resulted in a near 5 star rating on Tipranks.com and over 9,000 followers on Seeking Alpha. Follow me on Twitter for my latest trading ideas: @Hawkinvest1Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have ...

The past few days have been tough for anything that was related to housing, since homebuilding stocks were downgraded by one analyst and also because the stock market had a significant down dayLong-time stock market investor focused on strategic buying opportunities with dividend and value stocks. This investment strategy has resulted in a near 5 star rating on Tipranks.com and over 9,000 followers on Seeking Alpha. Follow me on Twitter for my latest trading ideas: @Hawkinvest1Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have ...