River Oaks Capital H2 2025 Report

Performance Overview - River Oaks Capital's performance since inception shows a return of 73.7% compared to benchmarks like Russell 2000 TR at 61.2% and S&P 500 TR at 132.2% [2] Investment Philosophy - The investment strategy focuses on identifying small, underfollowed public companies that are undervalued and have strong management teams [7][10] - The approach emphasizes rigorous due diligence and active engagement with management to enhance shareholder value [11][12] Company Strategies - Ascent Industries (ACNT): A specialty chemical manufacturer with a market cap of $150 million, focusing on transforming into a 'Chemicals-as-a-Service' model to serve small to mid-size customers [60][88] - BuildDirect (BILD.V): A flooring company with a market cap of $90 million, pursuing a strategy to consolidate the professional flooring industry through acquisitions, aiming for 75+ centers [89][92] - Truxton Trust (TRUX): A financial institution maintaining low operational costs while generating consistent free cash flow, operating efficiently like a private company [40][42] Recent Developments - Ascent Industries has improved gross margins from 5% to ~30% by adjusting pricing and focusing on higher-margin product sales [74][86] - BuildDirect's recent acquisition of Greyn Custom Wood is expected to generate significant incremental revenue and cost savings, enhancing its market position [92][94] Capital Allocation - Ascent Industries plans to utilize its $60 million cash balance for growth investments, share buybacks, and disciplined acquisitions [83][88] - BuildDirect is positioned to grow revenue significantly through strategic acquisitions and operational improvements, targeting a revenue of ~$165 million in the next 2-3 years [110] Market Conditions - The flooring industry is currently experiencing a downturn, leading to lower acquisition prices for professional centers, which presents a favorable environment for strategic acquisitions [102][103]