Harris Associates L.P. was founded in 1976 by dedicated investment professionals who believed that delivering successful investment results for clients requires a consistent investment philosophy, a commitment to superior investment research and a high level of customer service. Our roster of clients has grown over the years, but these basic beliefs remain unchanged. We are value investors who believe that, over time, the price of a stock will rise to reflect the value of the underlying company. In construc ...

Group 1: Market Overview - The Stoxx 600 index in Europe is near record highs, having recorded its 7th positive week in eight, contrasting with the significant declines in U.S. tech stocks [1] - The S&P 500 has dropped nearly 30% from its peak in October 2025, while European stocks appear more resilient [2] Group 2: Corporate Earnings and M&A Activity - UniCredit is a significant player in European M&A, with minority stakes in Commerzbank and Alpha Bank yielding around 20% returns on investment [3] - Commerzbank's CEO indicated that a deal with UniCredit is "not sensible" due to the high valuation of the German bank [4] - L'Oreal is reporting earnings and may pursue acquisitions, having raised 3 billion euros for M&A financing, and recently increased its stake in Galderma [9] Group 3: Healthcare Sector Developments - AstraZeneca is focusing on the Chinese market for weight-loss drugs, while Philips aims to maintain a positive performance with new AI tools [7] - There are concerns following a sell-off in Novo Nordisk shares, which may impact investor sentiment towards AstraZeneca and Philips [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Illumina reported Q4 2025 revenue of $1.16 billion, a 5% increase year-over-year on a reported basis and 4% on a constant currency basis [20][22] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q4 was $1.35, reflecting a 42% year-over-year growth [26] - Non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 23.7%, up 400 basis points year-over-year [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Clinical consumables revenue grew 20% in Q4 2025, excluding China, driven by increased adoption of sequencing-based diagnostic tests [5][8] - Sequencing consumables revenue reached $755 million, an 8% increase year-over-year [22] - Research and applied markets consumable sales were roughly flat year-over-year, indicating a stabilization compared to previous quarters [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Greater China revenue was $55 million, down $25 million from Q4 2024, reflecting ongoing export restrictions [22] - Clinical market growth outside of China was 20%, driven by broader adoption of NGS-based testing [22] - Total sequencing GB output grew over 30% year-over-year, primarily from clinical applications [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Illumina's strategy focuses on three pillars: core sequencing, scaling multi-omics, and expanding service data and software capabilities [10][12] - The acquisition of SomaLogic is expected to enhance Illumina's position in the proteomics market, integrating capabilities for deeper biological insights [11][12] - The company aims to introduce new technologies, including spatial transcriptomics and constellation map read technology, in the first half of 2026 [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the momentum built in 2025, expecting organic revenue growth of 2%-4% in 2026, excluding China [17][30] - Clinical consumables are projected to grow double-digit to mid-teens in 2026, while research consumables are expected to decline mid- to high-single digits [30][31] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to the evolving funding environment in the research sector [44] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $740 million to shareholders through share repurchases in 2025 [7] - Illumina ended Q4 with approximately $1.63 billion in cash and cash equivalents [28] - The company plans to continue share repurchases opportunistically, with $643 million remaining on its authorization [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Operating margin guidance and capital deployment - Management confirmed that the guidance includes an assumption of ending the year at 26%-27% operating margin and remains committed to long-term margin targets despite the SomaLogic acquisition [36][38] Question: Clinical performance guidance for 2026 - Management explained that the guidance reflects a cautious approach, considering uncertainties in the research environment, but remains optimistic about clinical growth momentum [42][45] Question: Instrumentation split between research and clinical - Management indicated that over 60% of Q4 instrument placements were clinical, with expectations for this trend to continue into 2026 [50][52] Question: Growth drivers in oncology and genetic applications - Management noted that oncology remains the main growth driver, with increasing use of genetic profiling for various applications [66] Question: Competitive landscape and pricing strategies - Management expressed confidence in Illumina's competitive position and highlighted ongoing discussions with customers regarding pricing and workflow efficiencies [74][76]

Core Insights - AstraZeneca (AZN) is set to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on February 10, with a consensus estimate for quarterly sales at $15.71 billion and earnings at $2.18 per share [1][8] Group 1: Sales Drivers - Key medicines, particularly cancer drugs Calquence, Lynparza, Tagrisso, and Imfinzi, along with diabetes medication Farxiga/Forxiga, are expected to significantly contribute to fourth-quarter sales, driven by strong demand [2][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimates for the key drugs are as follows: Calquence at $916 million, Lynparza at $881 million, Tagrisso at $1.88 billion, Imfinzi at $1.67 billion, and Farxiga/Forxiga at $2.01 billion [2] Group 2: Additional Contributions - Other drugs, including asthma medication Fasenra, COPD treatment Breztri, and lupus drug Saphnelo, are also anticipated to support sales growth, with estimates for Symbicort and Fasenra at $696 million and $544 million, respectively [4] - Sales from AstraZeneca's Rare Disease drugs, particularly Ultomiris and Strensiq, have shown significant growth and are expected to continue this trend in the upcoming quarter [5] Group 3: Financial Performance and Costs - The company is expected to see a rise in core operating costs due to investments in recent product launches and increased expenses for new clinical studies [6] - AstraZeneca has a history of decent performance, beating earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.81% [7] Group 4: Earnings Prediction - The current Earnings ESP for AstraZeneca stands at -4.59%, indicating that an earnings beat is not predicted this time [10][11] - The Most Accurate Estimate for earnings is $2.08 per share, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate remains at $2.18 [11]

Industry Overview - The global oncology market is undergoing rapid transformation due to increasing cancer incidence, demographic changes, and scientific advancements, with an estimated 2.1 million new cancer diagnoses and over 626,000 cancer-related deaths expected in the U.S. in 2026 [2] - Lifestyle-related risk factors and demographic shifts are contributing to a rise in cancer prevalence, leading to sustained growth in oncology healthcare spending [2] Innovation in Cancer Treatment - Advances in immunotherapies, targeted medicines, and personalized vaccines are reshaping cancer treatment, moving beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation [3] - Immune-based approaches, such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies, utilize the immune system to target tumors, while targeted therapies focus on specific molecular and genetic disease drivers [3] - Technologies like genomic sequencing and AI are enhancing biomarker discovery and patient stratification, leading to earlier diagnoses and improved survival rates across various cancer types [4] Pharmaceutical Investment - Major pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, are investing heavily in oncology pipelines, developing new therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates and next-generation immuno-oncology treatments [5] - Smaller biotech firms are also crucial in driving innovation through partnerships, licensing deals, and acquisitions [5] Market Resilience - The oncology sector is viewed as one of the most resilient and attractive segments of the global healthcare market for long-term investors, supported by ongoing innovation and favorable reimbursement trends [6] Company Highlights - **ImmunityBio**: Its lead drug, Anktiva, approved in April 2024, generated $113 million in preliminary sales in 2025, with a 750% increase in volumes. The drug is under review in the EU and is being evaluated for expanded use in various cancers [8][9] - **Arcus Biosciences**: Developing casdatifan, a potential best-in-class HIF-2a inhibitor for treating clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with a market opportunity of over $5 billion. Multiple data readouts are expected in 2026 [10] - **Allogene Therapeutics**: Focused on genetically engineered T-cell therapies, with lead candidate cema-cel in a pivotal phase II study for large B-cell lymphoma. Another candidate, ALLO-316, shows early anti-tumor activity in advanced renal cell carcinoma [12][13]

Core Insights - AIM ImmunoTech Inc. reported positive data from the ongoing Phase 2 clinical study of Ampligen combined with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer, showing median survival of 19.7 months compared to 8.6 months with standard care [1][2] - The study aims to assess the clinical benefit rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, immune monitoring, and quality of life for patients [2][3] Group 1: Clinical Study Details - The DURIPANC study is an exploratory, open-label trial expected to enroll up to 25 subjects, with 18 patients already enrolled [3] - The study has shown promising results in progression-free survival and overall survival, with no significant toxicity reported, indicating a favorable safety profile [3][4] - The combination therapy appears to enhance the body's immune response, suggesting a coordinated activation of both innate and adaptive immune systems [5] Group 2: Market Potential and Intellectual Property - AIM holds a U.S. patent for Ampligen as an oncology treatment in combination with anti-PD-L1 therapies, extending protection until August 9, 2039 [7] - The company has received orphan drug designations in pancreatic cancer from both the U.S. and EU, providing market exclusivity post-commercial approval [7][8] - AIM believes that advancing Ampligen to Phase 3 clinical trials could present significant financial opportunities for the company and its shareholders [5][8]

Core Insights - IonQ, a leading quantum computing company, is facing scrutiny over its revenue quality and insider stock sales following allegations from short-seller Wolfpack Research, which claims IonQ misled investors about organic demand for its technology [2][14] - The report highlights that a significant portion of IonQ's reported revenues was derived from Pentagon research grants, which were not disclosed as being dependent on congressional earmarks that have since been eliminated [7][11] - Despite challenges in producing a scalable quantum computer, IonQ has engaged in multiple acquisitions to bolster its revenue, raising questions about the organic growth of its quantum computing business [3][16] Company Overview - IonQ's market value was over $13.8 billion before the Wolfpack report, but shares dropped more than 11% following the allegations, closing down about 8% [2] - The company reported a 222% increase in revenues to $39.9 million in its most recent quarter, but also posted a net loss of $1 billion [23] - IonQ has $3.5 billion in cash and equivalents, having raised $4.4 billion in investments historically [23] Revenue Sources - Wolfpack claims that up to 86% of IonQ's reported revenues from 2022 to 2024 came from Pentagon research grants rather than commercial customers [7][11] - The report alleges that IonQ inflated its revenue figures by including total potential awards from contracts, rather than the actual funded amounts [10] - IonQ's recent acquisitions, including Capella Space and Vector Atomic, are seen as attempts to acquire revenue rather than grow its core quantum computing business [19][20] Market Position and Competition - IonQ's CEO, Niccolo de Masi, has expressed confidence in the company's position as a leader in quantum computing, citing partnerships with major firms like Nvidia and Amazon Web Services [5][6] - The company has faced criticism from short-sellers and competitors, with claims that other quantum firms are not as advanced as IonQ [6][24] - The technology sector is still in the early stages of commercial adoption for quantum computing, despite significant breakthroughs from major tech companies [2]

Core Viewpoint - Shell's shift away from green energy towards more profitable oil and gas operations is reflected in the proposed significant pay increase for its CEO, Wael Sawan, potentially making him one of the highest-paid executives in the UK [1][3]. Executive Compensation - Wael Sawan's total pay could increase by £4.5 million to a maximum of £19 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid executives on the London Stock Exchange [1][2]. - His base salary is just over £1.5 million, with potential long-term performance pay increasing from a maximum of six times to nine times his base salary [2][3]. - Proposed stock awards for Sawan could rise to £13.8 million from £9 million, alongside a maximum annual bonus of £3.8 million [3]. Strategic Shift - Shell has decided to abandon its only two UK wind farm projects, focusing instead on gas-fired power plants and grid-scale batteries, while reducing the share of wind and solar in its power generation portfolio from 50% to 20% by 2030 [4][5]. - The company aims to maintain oil and gas output at current levels through the end of the decade, which has been positively received by investors [5]. Market Performance - Since Wael Sawan took over in January 2023, Shell's shares have increased by 22%, contrasting with minimal increases at BP (0.1%) and modest gains at ExxonMobil (33%) and Chevron (1.2%) during the same period [6]. - Despite the proposed pay increase, Sawan's compensation would still be lower than that of his US counterparts, such as Exxon’s Darren Woods, who earned $44.1 million last year [6]. Shareholder Approval Process - Shell seeks shareholder approval for its executive director remuneration policy every three years, with the last vote occurring in 2023; final proposals will be published in the 2025 annual report [7].

Key Takeaways FDA granted priority review to AZN's Datroway sBLA for unresectable or metastatic TNBC, with a Q2 2026 target.AZN's Datroway already has approvals in breast and lung cancer and is being studied across multiple cancers.The FDA issued a CRL for AZN's Saphnelo SC. AZN has resubmitted data and expects a U.S. decision in H1 2026.AstraZeneca (AZN) and its Japan-based partner Daiichi Sankyo announced that the FDA has accepted and granted priority review to their supplemental biologics license applica ...

Wednesday kicks off with significant healthcare and financials earnings, including Eli Lilly and Company pre-market, leading into tech giant Alphabet Inc.'s report after close, with over 40 companies reporting. Thursday also sees over 40 reports, highlighted by Amazon.com Inc.'s after-close report, amidst a busy day for energy and financials. Next Monday and Tuesday continue with a strong presence from financials, real estate, and healthcare, featuring Coca-Cola Company and AstraZeneca PLC reporting pre-mar ...