For fiscal 2025, Hayward reported net sales of $1.12 billion, up 7%, and Adjusted EBITDA of $299 million, up 8%. Management said both metrics exceeded the company’s most recent guidance. Gross margin rose to 48% for the year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 30 basis points to 26.7%.Adjusted diluted EPS increased 7% to $0.29. The effective tax rate in the quarter was 9%, down from 14% a year earlier, according to the company.Adjusted EBITDA rose 4% to $103 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 29.4%, do ...

Delivered 7% net sales growth in 2025 despite U.S. new pool construction approaching post-GFC lows, demonstrating the resilience of the 85% aftermarket-driven revenue model. Achieved record full-year gross margins of 48%, driven by a 700 basis point expansion over six years through productivity gains and a shift toward higher-margin technology products. Successfully mitigated 2025 tariff headwinds by reducing China-sourced U.S. cost of sales exposure from 10% to approximately 3% by year-end. Expande ...

Core Insights - The investment landscape in 2025 has been heavily influenced by the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies, leading to significant market gains across major indices, with the S&P 500 up 17.88% and the Russell 2000 up 12.81% [4] - There is a growing concern about a potential market bubble, as high-quality businesses have underperformed low-quality ones, particularly in the small-cap sector [6][7] - AI-related stocks have dramatically impacted the S&P 500, accounting for 45% of its market cap and 78% of its returns since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 [12][15] Investment Performance - FMI's portfolios have generated solid double-digit annual returns over the past three years but have lagged behind broader indices due to a focus on business quality and valuation [5] - The disparity in performance between high-quality and low-quality stocks has been stark, with low-quality stocks outperforming significantly in 2025 [6][7] Market Dynamics - The MSCI EAFE Quality Index has underperformed the MSCI EAFE by approximately 10% in both local and USD terms, indicating a broader trend of low-quality stocks outperforming in international markets as well [8] - The capital spending in the tech sector, particularly related to AI, has contributed significantly to U.S. GDP growth, accounting for 40%-45% through the first nine months of 2025, a stark increase from less than 5% in the same period of 2023 [18] Company Insights - Hayward Holdings Inc. is highlighted as a resilient small-cap company in the pool equipment market, with strong pricing power and a solid balance sheet, despite facing weak demand in the newly built and remodeled pool segments [26] - Accenture PLC is positioned to benefit from the AI boom, as its consulting services are increasingly in demand for enterprises adopting AI technologies, despite facing cyclical pressures [30] - Smiths Group PLC is transitioning to a more focused portfolio, improving its growth and profitability profile while maintaining a strong balance sheet [31] AI Impact - The concentration of AI-related stocks in the S&P 500 raises concerns about market sustainability, as these stocks have driven a significant portion of market returns and earnings growth [12][15] - The capital intensity of AI companies is increasing, with expectations that they will need to generate $2 trillion in revenue by 2030 to meet demand, which may not be achievable [21]

Company Overview - Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) is a leading global pool equipment manufacturer, primarily serving the residential pool market, with North America accounting for 85% of sales and over 90% of profits [3] - The company offers a range of products including Pumps, Automation and Sanitization, Heaters, Filters, Lighting and Water Features, and Cleaners [3] - Approximately 80% of total sales come from the existing installed base of pools, with 50% attributed to repair and replacement, making the business relatively resilient to economic cycles [3] Financial Performance - Hayward Holdings, Inc. has demonstrated strong margins and cash-generation potential, leading the fund to view the stock as undervalued relative to mid-cycle earnings [2] - The stock's one-month return was approximately 5.51%, and it gained about 11.59% over the last 12 months, closing at approximately $16.85 per share on January 16, 2026, with a market capitalization of about $3.65 billion [2] Market Dynamics - The pool industry experienced supercharged growth during the early stages of COVID-19, followed by a period of weak end-market demand exacerbated by destocking in the distribution channel [3] - Although the industry has stabilized, there is still lackluster demand for newly built and remodeled pools, but it is expected that the discretionary sides of the business will recover over time [3] - Hayward is positioned to continue raising prices and growing volumes within the installed base of pools due to strong pricing power, as purchase decisions are typically made by pool service professionals who are less sensitive to price [3]

Market Overview - The equity market experienced significant gains in 2025, with the Russell 2000, S&P 500, MSCI EAFE, and MSCI World increasing by 12.81%, 17.88%, 20.60%/31.22%, and 21.09% respectively, driven by a speculative "junk" rally and enthusiasm for AI-related companies [2] - Wall Street strategists are forecasting over 10% returns for the S&P 500 in 2026, which would mark four consecutive years of double-digit returns, a rare occurrence in market history [2] Investment Trends - FMI's portfolios have generated solid double-digit annual returns over the past three years but have not kept pace with broader indices due to a current market preference for low-quality investments [3] - High-quality businesses have underperformed low-quality ones sharply in the U.S. in 2025, despite long-term outperformance trends [4] - The small-cap sector has seen a significant outperformance of low-quality companies, with active managers struggling to keep pace during this "junk" rally [5] International Market Insights - The MSCI EAFE Quality Index has underperformed the MSCI EAFE by approximately 10% in both local and USD terms, indicating a global trend of low-quality stocks outperforming [6] - In Europe, the top-performing sectors in 2025 included Defense (+89.9%), Rate Sensitive Financials (+72.1%), and EU Miners (+55.5%), which are generally considered low-quality investments [6] AI Impact on Markets - AI-related stocks in the S&P 500 represent 45% of the index's market cap and have accounted for 78% of S&P 500 returns since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 [12] - The tech sector's capital spending has contributed 40%-45% of U.S. GDP growth in 2025, a significant increase from less than 5% in the same period of 2023 [15] - Major tech companies are expected to spend over $500 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, with a projected capex-to-revenue ratio of 29% in 2026 [21] Company-Specific Insights - Hayward Holdings Inc. is positioned well in the pool equipment market, with strong pricing power and a resilient business model, despite current weak demand [27] - Accenture Plc is adapting to the AI landscape, with expectations that AI adoption will drive demand for its consulting services, despite facing headwinds in IT spending [28] - Smiths Group PLC is transitioning to a more focused portfolio, with improvements in growth and profitability, supported by a strong balance sheet [29]

Core Insights - DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (DBRG) is a global digital infrastructure investment firm focusing on data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks [1] - DBRG's financial performance shows a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 9.30% and a Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 10.97%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.85, indicating inefficiencies in capital utilization [2][6] Comparative Analysis - BrightSpire Capital, Inc. (BRSP) exhibits strong capital efficiency with a ROIC of 26.94% and a WACC of 5.17%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of 5.21, indicating effective value creation [3][6] - Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) shows effective capital utilization with a ROIC of 8.93% and a WACC of 7.45%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 1.20, suggesting returns that exceed its cost of capital [4][6] Challenges in the Industry - Alignment Healthcare, Inc. (ALHC) has a ROIC of 0.60% and a WACC of 9.03%, resulting in a low ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.07, indicating significant inefficiencies [5] - Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW) has a ROIC of 6.59% and a WACC of 8.23%, leading to a ratio of 0.80, also indicating less efficient capital use [5]

Core Viewpoint - Hayward Holdings Inc. has demonstrated strong performance with a significant increase in net earnings and sales, leading to a new 52-week high in stock price, supported by a positive growth outlook for the full year [1][3]. Financial Performance - Net earnings for the third quarter rose by 45% to $24 million, compared to $16.5 million in the same period last year [3]. - Net sales increased by 7.4% to $244 million from $227 million year-on-year, driven by positive net pricing, increased volume, and favorable foreign currency translation [3]. Growth Outlook - For the full year, Hayward Holdings targets net sales between $1.095 billion to $1.11 billion, reflecting a growth of 4.5% to 5.5% from fiscal year 2024, an increase from previous guidance of $1.07 billion to $1.1 billion [4]. - The company expects adjusted EBITDA to range from $292 million to $297 million, indicating a year-on-year growth of 5% to 7%, up from the previous outlook of $280 million to $290 million [5]. Stock Performance - During intra-day trading, Hayward Holdings' stock reached a peak price of $17.65 before closing at $17.17, marking a 12% increase for the day [2]. - The stock's performance is attributed to the strong earnings report and optimistic future projections [1][3].

Core Insights - Hayward Holdings experienced a significant increase in stock price following the announcement of strong fiscal third-quarter results, with shares rising over 10% [1] Financial Performance - Sales increased by 7% year over year to $244 million for the quarter ending September 27, driven by price increases to counteract tariffs [3] - Gross profit rose by 11% to $125 million, with gross margin improving by 1.5 percentage points to 51.2% [3] - Adjusted net income surged by 26% to $32 million, while adjusted earnings per share increased by 27% to $0.14, supported by lower interest expenses and stock buybacks [4] Future Outlook - Management raised the full-year profit outlook, projecting adjusted EBITDA to rise by 5% to 7%, estimating between $292 million and $297 million for 2025, up from a previous forecast of $280 million to $290 million [5] - The company noted a growing installed base of pools, which presents opportunities for automation upgrades and accessory sales, indicating a focus on profitable growth and long-term shareholder value [6]

Core Insights - U.S. stocks experienced an upward trend, with the Dow Jones index increasing by approximately 200 points on Wednesday [1] Caterpillar Inc - Caterpillar Inc reported third-quarter financial results that exceeded expectations, with sales and revenues rising by 10% year-over-year to $17.64 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $16.77 billion [1] - Adjusted earnings per share were $4.95, exceeding the estimate of $4.52, although slightly lower than $5.17 from the previous year [2] - GAAP profit per share was reported at $4.88, down from $5.06 a year ago [2] - Following the positive results, Caterpillar shares surged by 13.2% to $593.56 [2] Other Notable Stocks - Propetro Holding Corp shares increased by 29.4% to $9.47 after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results [4] - Flowserve Corp gained 24.3% to $65.50 following strong quarterly earnings [4] - Bloom Energy Corp's shares rose by 20.5% to $136.54 after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and revenue [4] - Teradyne Inc's shares increased by 17.7% to $169.87 after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter financial results and providing strong fourth-quarter guidance [4] - United Therapeutics Corp gained 15.3% to $478.78 after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter EPS results [4]

Core Viewpoint - Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: LYV), urging shareholders to contact the firm to discuss their rights and possible legal actions [1][2]. Group 1: Shareholder Rights and Legal Options - Shareholders who acquired Live Nation stock on or before February 23, 2022, may seek corporate governance reforms, return of funds, court-approved financial incentives, or other benefits [2]. - The firm operates on a contingent fee basis, meaning shareholders would not incur out-of-pocket legal fees or expenses [2]. Group 2: Importance of Shareholder Participation - Shareholder involvement is crucial for improving company policies, practices, and oversight, which can lead to enhanced transparency, accountability, and ultimately, shareholder value [3]. Group 3: Firm's Background and Experience - Halper Sadeh LLC represents global investors affected by securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors [4].