Gorman-Rupp Company (GRC) Conference Summary Company Overview - Gorman-Rupp Company is a manufacturer of pumps and pump-related systems, serving a wide range of end markets [2][4] - The company has a strong brand reputation and focuses on customer service [5][6] Industry Insights - The global pump industry is valued at approximately $80 billion annually [9] - The industry is highly fragmented, presenting numerous acquisition opportunities [9] Financial Performance - Significant growth in net sales and adjusted EPS over the last four years, driven by both organic growth and the Fill Rite acquisition [19][20] - Organic growth rates were 15% in 2022 and 16% in 2023 [20] - 2024 adjusted EPS reached a record of $1.75, with adjusted EBITDA nearly $125 million [23] - Incoming orders in 2024 increased by 6.8% compared to 2023, with a strong backlog of $218 million at the end of Q1 2025 [25][26] Capital Allocation and Debt Management - Historical capital expenditure of about $20 million annually, primarily for machinery and equipment [30] - The company has a long history of dividend payments, with 52 consecutive years of increases [33] - Debt has decreased by $43 million in 2024, with expectations for similar reductions in 2025 [28] Growth Strategy - Focus on customer service and maintaining a high-performing culture as key growth pillars [35][36] - Plans for strategic acquisitions once leverage is reduced to below two times EBITDA [58][63] - Continued emphasis on new product development, particularly in self-priming pump technology [65][66] Market Dynamics - The company benefits from a U.S.-centric supply chain, which has provided advantages during macroeconomic challenges [6][43] - Strong relationships with distributors and a diverse product offering help mitigate risks during economic cycles [16][17] Customer Relationships and Pricing Strategy - Customers prioritize reliability and value over price sensitivity, particularly for repair parts [54][55] - The company maintains a stable pricing model, mindful of inflationary pressures [56][57] Conclusion - Gorman-Rupp Company is well-positioned for continued growth through a combination of organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, supported by a strong financial foundation and commitment to customer service [41][42]

Core Insights - Uber Technologies Inc's stock price has increased by 37.53% in 2025, nearing its 52-week high of $93.60, supported by a partnership with Wayve and a dominant 68% market share in the U.S. rideshare sector [1] - The stock has outperformed the S&P 500, rising 26.65% over the past year, with a recent 4.64% increase in the last five days indicating renewed momentum [2] - Despite a slight 1.38% dip this month, user growth is driven by affordable products like UberX Share, and the Wayve partnership enhances its autonomous vehicle initiatives [3] Market Performance - Uber's stock trades above key moving averages, indicating upward momentum, with the eight-day SMA at $84.76, 50-day SMA at $80.77, and 200-day SMA at $74.13 [4] - The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) at 0.85 suggests continued strength, while the 20-day SMA at $87.62 indicates mild bearish pressure [5] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 55.86 is in neutral territory, suggesting potential for further gains before overheating [5] Investment Sentiment - The combination of Uber's price surge, Wayve partnership, and M&A speculation makes it an attractive investment, although caution is advised due to the 20-day SMA [6] - Investors may consider buying on pullbacks to $80 for a smoother entry, while conservative investors might wait for a breakout above $90 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Brown & Brown, Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire Accession Risk Management Group, Inc. for a gross purchase price of $9.825 billion, expected to close in Q3 2025, subject to regulatory approvals [2][3][4] Company Overview - Brown & Brown, Inc. is a leading insurance brokerage firm with over 17,000 professionals and a global presence across 500+ locations, providing customer-centric risk management solutions since 1939 [8] - Accession Risk Management Group, established in 1997, is the ninth largest privately held insurance brokerage in the U.S., with pro forma adjusted revenues of approximately $1.7 billion for 2024 and over 5,000 insurance professionals [3][9] Transaction Details - The acquisition will be executed on a cash and debt-free basis, with the waiting period for antitrust filings already expired [2] - Following the acquisition, Risk Strategies will integrate into Brown & Brown's Retail segment, while One80 Intermediaries will join the new Specialty Distribution segment [4] Strategic Benefits - The acquisition aims to combine two culturally aligned organizations, enhancing customer relationships and expanding market offerings [5] - It is expected to drive shareholder value through anticipated revenue and cash flow growth, with acquired operations estimated to be accretive to Brown & Brown's 2024 adjusted diluted net income per share [6]

PitchBook Data, Inc. Nizar Tarhuni Executive Vice President of Research and Market Intelligence Paul Condra Global Head of Private Markets Research Kaidi Gao Senior Research Analyst, Venture Capital kaidi.gao@pitchbook.com Data Collin Anderson Senior Data Analyst pbinstitutionalresearch@pitchbook.com Publishing Designed by Adriana Hansen and Josie Doan Published on May 28, 2025 Contents Kyle Stanford, CAIA Director of Research, US Venture Institutional Research Group Analysis | Key takeaways | 1 | | --- | - ...

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs (GS) reaffirmed its leading position in announced and completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Q1 2025, highlighting its strength in investment banking despite sector challenges [1][9] - The firm is strategically exiting non-core consumer banking to focus on high-margin investment banking and trading operations [1][9] Company Developments - Goldman Sachs received a proposal from Apple to end their consumer banking partnership, potentially concluding before the contract expiration in 2030 [2] - In 2024, Goldman transferred its GM credit card business to Barclays and sold its home-improvement lending platform, GreenSky, alongside divesting its Personal Financial Management unit in 2023 [2] Market Conditions - Anticipated resurgence in M&A for 2025 has been delayed due to market volatility from tariff proposals and persistent inflation, with recovery expectations pushed to the second half of 2025 [3] - Despite stabilizing interest rates and strong corporate cash positions, companies are adopting a cautious approach to deal activity amid economic uncertainty [3] Financial Performance - Goldman Sachs' investment banking revenues fell 8% year-over-year in Q1 2025, but a growing backlog of advisory work suggests a potential rebound when market conditions improve [4][9] - GS shares have increased by 5.7% year-to-date, compared to the industry's growth of 8.9% [7] Competitor Analysis - JPMorgan (JPM) remains a strong competitor, with its investment banking fees growing 12% year-over-year to $2.18 billion in Q1 2025, driven by advisory fees and debt underwriting income [5] - Morgan Stanley (MS) has seen an 8% increase in investment banking revenues in Q1 2025, while diversifying into more stable revenue sources [6] Valuation and Estimates - Goldman Sachs trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.78X, below the industry average of 13.61X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GS's earnings implies year-over-year growth of 9.6% for 2025 and 13.1% for 2026, with estimates remaining unchanged over the past 30 days [13]

Industry Overview - The Financial Transaction Services industry is part of the FinTech space, encompassing card and payment processing, ATM services, money remittance, and investment solutions for financial advisors [2] - The industry operates proprietary global payment networks that facilitate transactions in multiple currencies, benefiting from ongoing digitization accelerated by the pandemic [2] Key Trends - Digital transformation is driving the adoption of contactless payment methods, cryptocurrencies, biometric authentication, and BNPL services, enhancing market reach and revenue diversification [3] - Increased cross-border transactions are supported by rising international trade and travel, with advanced payment platforms enabling efficient currency exchange [4] - Resilient consumer spending is contributing to higher transaction volumes, although inflationary pressures may impact future spending patterns [5] - Companies are leveraging mergers and acquisitions to build comprehensive digital ecosystems, enhancing service portfolios and expanding international presence [6] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry has outperformed the Business Services sector and the S&P 500, growing 26.3% over the past year compared to 8.6% and 11.4% respectively [10] - The industry currently trades at a trailing 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 27.28X, slightly above the S&P 500's 24.14X and the sector's 27.38X [13] Company Highlights - **Visa**: A leading global digital payments company, expanding through strategic alliances and acquisitions, with a focus on technology investments [15] - **Mastercard**: Maintains a strong position through collaborations and strategic investments, with a 15% year-over-year increase in cross-border volumes [20] - **Fiserv**: Offers a broad suite of solutions with a focus on recurring revenue streams and strong margins, aiming for exceptional performance through client acquisition [22] - **Fidelity National**: Achieving revenue growth from its Banking Solutions and Capital Market Solutions divisions, with a strategic presence in international markets [26] - **Global Payments**: Positioned for growth with solid performances in Merchant and Issuer Solutions, supported by strategic acquisitions and technology investments [29]

Summary of Viper Energy Partners (VNOM) Merger Conference Call Company and Industry - **Company**: Viper Energy Partners (VNOM) - **Industry**: Minerals and Energy, specifically focused on oil and gas royalties Key Points and Arguments Merger Announcement - Viper Energy is merging with Sidio Royalties Corporation in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately **$4.1 billion**, including Sidio's net debt of **$1.1 billion** as of Q1 2025 [4][5] - The merger was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both companies and has received support from stockholders holding approximately **48%** of Sidio's voting power [5] Financial Implications - The transaction is expected to be **8% to 10% accretive** to cash available for distribution per share immediately upon closing, with further growth expected as synergies are realized [7] - A **10% increase** to Viper's base dividend was approved in conjunction with the merger, effective immediately [7] - The merger reduces Viper's base dividend breakeven by approximately **$2 per barrel** to below **$20 WTI** [8] - Total estimated synergies from the merger are projected to exceed **$50 million** annually, primarily from G&A and cost of capital savings [8] Production and Acreage - Post-merger, Viper will own approximately **85,700 net royalty acres** in the Permian Basin, producing about **66,000 barrels of oil per day** and over **125,000 BOEs** daily by Q4 2025 [6] - Viper's focus will remain on the Permian Basin, while also benefiting from additional acreage in the DJ, Eagle Ford, and Williston Basins [6] Debt Management and Financial Strategy - Viper aims to achieve a net debt target of **$1.5 billion** through free cash flow generation and potential non-core asset sales [9][33] - The company plans to execute a significant liability management exercise to reprice its debt stack, enhancing its investment-grade status [9][50] Market Position and Growth Potential - The merger positions Viper as a top **10 E&P** company in North America, enhancing its competitive edge in the minerals market [45] - The combined asset base increases Viper's growth potential, with a focus on per-share metrics to enhance shareholder value [41] Customer Base and Operator Relationships - Viper has a strong understanding of Sitio's operations, particularly in the Delaware Basin, which includes major operators like Conoco, Oxy, and EOG [14][15] - The merger is expected to strengthen Viper's relationships with key operators and enhance its operational efficiency [19] Return of Capital Strategy - Viper maintains a commitment to return **75%** of free cash flow to equity holders, with flexibility for buybacks if needed [21][43] - The company emphasizes a balanced approach to capital allocation, prioritizing debt reduction while also returning capital to shareholders [43] Additional Important Content - The merger is seen as a strategic move to enhance scale and inventory depth, supporting Viper's production profile and cash flow growth over the next decade [6][10] - The management team expressed confidence in the long-term growth trajectory of the combined entity, highlighting the importance of size and scale in the minerals business [56]

Core Viewpoint - Viper Energy, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Sitio Royalties Corp. in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion, which includes Sitio's net debt of about $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2025 [1] Transaction Details - The acquisition will involve the exchange of 0.4855 shares of Class A common stock of a new holding company for each share of Sitio Class A common stock, and 0.4855 units of Viper's operating subsidiary for each unit of Sitio's operating subsidiary, implying a value of $19.41 per Sitio share based on Viper's stock price on June 2, 2025 [1] - The transaction has received unanimous approval from the Boards of Directors of both companies and has the consent of Diamondback Energy, Viper's majority stockholder [1] - Approximately 48% of Sitio's voting power has agreed to support the transaction [1] - The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q3 2025 [1] Financial Highlights - Viper has approved a 10% increase in its base dividend to $1.32 per share annually, which represents approximately 45% of cash available for distribution at $50 WTI [2][6] - The acquisition is expected to be approximately 8-10% accretive to cash available for distribution per Class A share immediately upon closing [6] - The pro forma Viper's base dividend breakeven is expected to decrease by approximately $2 per barrel to below $20 WTI [6] - Estimated annual synergies from the merger are projected to exceed $50 million, primarily from administrative and capital cost savings [6] Strategic Rationale - The merger is expected to create a leader in the minerals industry with enhanced size, scale, liquidity, and access to investment-grade capital [7] - The combined company will have approximately 34,300 net royalty acres in the Permian Basin and an additional ~9,000 net royalty acres in other major basins [6][7] - The merger will position the combined entity to compete effectively for capital with mid and large-cap North American exploration and production companies, benefiting from higher margins and lower operating costs [7] Production and Operational Highlights - The average production for Q1 2025 was reported at 18.9 mbo/d (42.1 mboe/d), with Permian production at 14.5 mbo/d (31.9 mboe/d) [6] - The pro forma Viper is expected to have an average production of 64-68 mbo/d (122-130 mboe/d) by Q4 2025, with a mid-single-digit percentage increase expected for the full year 2026 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Lowe's Companies, Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of Artisan Design Group (ADG), enhancing its position in the home improvement market and expanding into a $50 billion market segment [1][2]. Company Overview - Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company with over 1,700 stores and approximately 300,000 employees, serving around 16 million customer transactions weekly [4]. - The company reported total sales exceeding $83 billion for the fiscal year 2024 [4]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition of ADG, a leading provider of design, distribution, and installation services for interior surface finishes, is expected to accelerate Lowe's growth in Pro planned spend and expand its distribution channels [2]. - ADG has established a strong reputation in the industry, achieving high customer satisfaction scores from top homebuilders [2]. Advisory Information - Centerview Partners LLC and Greenhill are acting as financial advisors to Lowe's, while RBC Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs, and Robert W. Baird are advising ADG [3].

Core Viewpoint - Stifel Financial Corp. has completed the acquisition of Bryan, Garnier & Co., enhancing its capabilities in the European technology and healthcare sectors, and aiming to establish a transatlantic advisory platform for long-term growth [1][2]. Company Overview - Stifel Financial Corp. is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, providing banking, securities, and financial services through various wholly owned subsidiaries [6]. - Stifel has approximately 10,000 professionals across around 400 offices globally, making it a leading M&A advisor and capital markets firm [5]. Acquisition Details - Bryan Garnier, founded in 1996, specializes in mergers & acquisitions advisory, equity capital markets, and private placement services for European growth companies and institutional investors [2]. - The acquisition allows Stifel to offer a broader array of solutions and deeper market expertise in Europe, with plans to rebrand Bryan Garnier under the Stifel name [2][4]. Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to enhance Stifel's European capabilities and move closer to its goal of becoming the premier global investment bank for the middle market [2]. - Stifel and Bryan Garnier have collectively led over 500 transactions in the European technology and healthcare sectors since 2020 [3]. Leadership Changes - Olivier Garnier, Co-Founder of Bryan Garnier, will become Chairman of Stifel Europe, focusing on expanding the firm's pan-European platform and client engagement [4].