What happened According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated Feb. 17, 2026, Ananym Capital Management, LP, liquidated its entire holding of 795,411 shares in Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE:FUN). The estimated transaction value for the sale was $18.07 million based on the quarterly average share price. The quarter-end value of the stake was reduced by $18.07 million, capturing both the sale and any price drift during the period. What else to know Ananym Capital fully sold out of Six ...

Core Business Overview - LKQ engages in the distribution of replacement parts, components, and systems for vehicle repair and maintenance, operating through four segments: wholesale-North America, Europe, specialty, and self-service [1] - The company offers a wide range of products including bumper covers, automotive body panels, mechanical parts, salvage products, and automotive fluids, serving collision and mechanical repair shops, dealerships, and retail customers [1] Activist Involvement - Ananym Capital Management, an activist investment firm, has called on LKQ to divest its European operations and refocus on its North American business [3][11] - Ananym Capital was established in September 2024 and manages $260 million across 10 positions, seeking undervalued companies [2] Financial Performance and Segmentation - The North America segment accounts for 40% of LKQ's revenue and 55% of its EBITDA, primarily supplying aftermarket collision parts [4] - The Europe segment represents 47% of revenue and 38% of EBITDA, focusing on mechanical and suspension products, but has lower margins compared to North America [5] - The specialty segment contributes 13% of revenue and 7% of EBITDA, providing aftermarket parts for the RV market [6] Strategic Recommendations - Ananym's plan includes halting major M&A, divesting the European business, and using proceeds for buybacks and reinvestment in North America [12] - Divesting Europe would allow LKQ to focus on a higher-margin business with a larger market share, reducing complexity from operating in multiple regulatory environments [13][14] Valuation Insights - LKQ currently trades at 7.3x forward EBITDA, significantly below the mid-teens multiples of its industrial distribution peers and its historical average of 10x EBITDA [15] - A potential sale of the European business could unlock value, allowing for a re-rating of the North American business and enabling share repurchases of up to 40% of outstanding shares, potentially leading to over 60% upside from the current share price [16] Historical Context - LKQ has a history of shareholder activism, with previous campaigns leading to operational discipline and a significant increase in share price during ValueAct Capital's involvement [8][9] - Following ValueAct's exit, LKQ shifted focus back to M&A, resulting in a decline in stock price, highlighting the need for a financially astute shareholder representative [10][19] Management and Future Outlook - Ananym has established a constructive relationship with LKQ's CEO, Justin Jude, who has initiated steps towards share repurchases and divesting non-core assets [18] - The potential for Ananym to place a representative on the board could enhance financial modeling and strategic execution for LKQ [20]

Core Insights - Ares Management has joined the S&P 500 index, resulting in a 7.27% increase in its stock price as investors reacted positively to its new status [1] - The S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that Ares would replace Kellanova, which is undergoing a $36 billion acquisition by Mars [1][2] - Ares has approximately $596 billion in assets under management and meets the criteria for S&P 500 inclusion, which requires a market capitalization of at least $22.7 billion [3] Company Performance - Following its inclusion in the S&P 500, Ares has reduced its year-to-date losses to 1.47%, while competitors KKR and Blackstone have seen losses closer to 9% and 10% respectively [4] - The inclusion in the index is expected to lead to increased demand for Ares shares from funds that track the S&P 500 [4] Industry Context - The private credit market is projected to grow from $2 trillion in 2020 to $3 trillion by the start of 2025, and is expected to reach $5 trillion by 2029 [5] - Larger players like Ares are anticipated to benefit from high customer demand for alternative assets and a trend towards limiting the number of providers used by investors [5] - Concerns remain regarding risks associated with illiquidity and opaque lending standards in private markets [5]

Core Viewpoint - Carvana has been selected to join the S&P 500 index, leading to a significant increase in its stock price by over 12% in a single trading session [1][2]. Group 1: Company Information - Carvana is an auto retailer that has recently been included in the S&P 500 index, which is considered one of the most influential equity indices [2][5]. - The company’s stock price rose to $48.21 following the announcement, reflecting a 12.06% increase [6]. - Carvana's market capitalization is currently $57 billion [6]. Group 2: Index Changes - Carvana is one of three companies added to the S&P 500 index, alongside CRH and Comfort Systems USA, replacing Mohawk Industries, LKQ, and Solstice Advanced Materials [4]. - The S&P Dow Jones Indices makes quarterly adjustments to the S&P 500, MidCap 400, and SmallCap 600 indices, with the S&P 500 being the most closely followed [5]. Group 3: Market Impact - The inclusion in the S&P 500 is expected to enhance the appeal of Carvana's stock, although it will not directly impact the company's operational and financial performance [7]. - Carvana's stock ascension to the S&P 500 will take effect before the market opens on December 22 [8].

Market Overview - The S&P 500 was approximately 0.3% below its all-time high set in October, while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.3% [4][6] - Trading across the broader market remained subdued, with most stocks lower [4][6] Company News - Warner Bros Discovery shares surged by 7.8% after Paramount made a direct bid to acquire the media group, offering $30 in cash per share [4][6] - Paramount's bid aims to displace Netflix's cash-and-stock offer for Warner Bros Discovery, which is under regulatory scrutiny [4][6] - Confluent's stock jumped by 28.7% following IBM's announcement of an $11 billion acquisition to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities [4][6] - Carvana's shares rose by 6.9% after it was announced that the company would join the S&P 500 index on December 22 [5][6] - CRH and Comfort Systems USA also saw stock increases of 5.3% and 0.8%, respectively, as they were named new entrants to the S&P 500 index [5][6] Economic Indicators - Markets are anticipating a third interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve, with a decision expected on Wednesday [5][6] - Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, leading to divided opinions among policymakers regarding economic risks [5][6] - US Treasury yields were steady, with the 10-year yield at 4.14% [5][6] International Markets - Overseas stock markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's index declining by 1.2% and South Korea's benchmark rising by 1.3% [5][6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings per share of $0.65, a $0.06 increase compared to Q1 2024, while adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.79, a decrease of $0.03 per share versus the prior year [18] - North America's organic revenue fell by 4.1% per day, which is less than the decline seen in the last three quarters of 2024 [8] - The overall segment EBITDA margin for North America was 15.7%, a 60 basis point decrease relative to last year [19] - Europe reported a segment EBITDA margin of 9.3%, a 60 basis point improvement over last year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Specialty's organic revenue declined by 4.9% on a per day basis, showing sequential improvement compared to Q4 2024 [12] - Self-service generated $20 million in segment EBITDA in Q1, an increase of $4 million and a 290 basis point improvement as a percentage of revenue [23] - North America benefited from a diversified portfolio, generating positive growth in lead tech calibration and diagnostics business [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Europe, organic revenue declined by 1.8% per day compared to a growth of 4.4% in Q1 2024, with noticeable softness in many markets impacted by consumer confidence [10] - The company experienced a relatively mild winter in Europe, affecting demand for certain products [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to a balanced capital allocation strategy, incorporating dividends, share repurchases, and maintaining an investment-grade rating [8] - The ongoing strategy to simplify the portfolio included divesting two operations, demonstrating a commitment to streamlining [7] - The company aims to grow above the market, simplify operations, and improve free cash flow while investing in growth organically and through small acquisitions [30][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the potential stabilization of repairable claims as market conditions improve [8] - The company established a global tariff task force to navigate the complexities of the current tariff situation [12] - Management believes that the current tariff environment could lead to increased demand for recycled products due to competitive pricing [14] Other Important Information - The company plans to publish its 2024 sustainability report in May, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability in operations [16] - Free cash flow during the quarter was a net outflow of $57 million, in line with expectations due to timing of payables [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends from insurance companies regarding used car pricing - Management noted a shift in market share with insurance carriers and indicated that used car pricing has plateaued and started to improve [36][38] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management stated that historically, tariffs have been beneficial for the industry and LKQ, and they are working with suppliers to mitigate impacts [39][40] Question: Impact of SKU reduction program in Europe - Management confirmed that there has been no negative impact on revenue from the SKU reduction program, and they are confident in maintaining market share [54][56] Question: Private label program percentage and future targets - The current private label revenue is in the 21% to 22% range, with a target of reaching around 30% by 2030 [57][68] Question: Clarification on aftermarket parts imports and tariffs - Management clarified that the tariff situation is complex, with some products subject to different tariff rates based on their origin [66][70]