Core Insights - The Madison Small Cap Fund experienced a challenging third quarter in 2025, with a decline of 1.3%, underperforming its benchmarks due to stock selection and a speculative market environment [1] Company Performance - Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL) reported a one-month return of -8.64% and a 52-week loss of 34.14%, closing at $309.35 per share with a market capitalization of $12.93 billion on November 21, 2025 [2] - In the third quarter of 2025, Carlisle Companies Incorporated generated $1.3 billion in revenues, reflecting a 1% year-over-year increase [4] Investment Outlook - The Madison Small Cap Fund highlighted that the underperformance in the industrial sector was primarily due to three large investments, including Carlisle Companies Incorporated [3] - Despite near-term risks in commercial roofing and normalizing inventory levels, Carlisle is expected to generate $40 per share in earnings by 2030, indicating strong long-term potential [3]

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. has shown strong performance, with a stock surge of over 6% following a positive earnings report, despite initial morning declines [1] - The company's valuation was noted to be around 40 times earnings, which raised concerns prior to the earnings announcement [1] - CEO Doug McMillon is set to retire in February, passing leadership to the head of Walmart US, which was initially a point of concern but ultimately did not affect the stock's performance [1] Company Overview - Walmart Inc. operates a diverse range of retail formats, including retail stores, warehouse clubs, and online platforms, offering products such as groceries, everyday essentials, home goods, apparel, and electronics [2]

Core Insights - Home Depot's recent performance is closely tied to the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts in the upcoming meeting [1] - The company reported a slight sales beat, but earnings and same-store sales were below expectations, leading to a 6% drop in stock price [1] - Home Depot has revised its full-year forecasts downward for both comparable sales growth and earnings [1] Company Overview - Home Depot, Inc. is a home improvement retailer that offers tools, building materials, decor, installation, and equipment rental services [2] Investment Perspective - While Home Depot shows potential as an investment, certain AI stocks are considered to have greater upside potential and lower downside risk [3]

Wall Street mistakenly thought blowout earnings from Nvidia would calm investors’ nerves about a bubble forming in AI stocks. So where does the AI trade stand now? As with all complex questions, it depends who you ask https://t.co/gD4VRr2ZzE ...

Group 1 - Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PEG) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] - PEG declared a quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share, with a record date of December 10, 2025, and payment scheduled for December 31, 2025 [2][3] - The company has a strong dividend history, maintaining dividends for 118 consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to shareholders [3] Group 2 - PEG reported better-than-expected third-quarter results, showing double-digit year-over-year growth in both revenue and profits, attributed to new electric and gas base distribution rates effective from October 2024 [4] - The company narrowed its FY 2025 earnings guidance to a range of $4 to $4.06 per share, up from a previous range of $3.94 to $4.06 per share [4] - PEG reaffirmed its adjusted operating earnings growth outlook of 5% to 7% through 2029, supported by a capital investment program of $22.5 billion to $26 billion over five years [5]

Group 1 - Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] - The company operates a diverse mix of regulated power plants, including hydro, coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and battery storage [2] - Morgan Stanley analyst David Arcaro lowered the price target for Duke Energy from $136 to $133 while maintaining an 'Equal Weight' rating, noting the utilities sector underperformed the wider market in October [3] Group 2 - Duke Energy is seeking approval from North Carolina regulators for a rate increase of approximately 15% over the next two years, which would result in residential customers paying an additional $20 to $30 per month by 2028 [4] - The company has also requested smaller rate increases for commercial and industrial customers as part of its strategy to propose new investments in North Carolina to enhance reliability and meet rising demand [4]

Core Insights - OGE Energy Corp. is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] - The company has launched a public offering of $345 million in common stock, with an additional option for underwriters to purchase up to $51.75 million [3] - Proceeds from the stock offering will be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including debt repayment [3] Company Overview - OGE Energy operates as an energy services provider in the United States, with a capacity of approximately 7,116 megawatts for generating, transmitting, distributing, and selling electric energy [2] Financial Ratings - Mizuho has reiterated a 'Buy' rating on OGE Energy with a target price of $47, indicating a potential upside of 6.5% [4] - Wells Fargo has maintained a 'Hold' rating on the stock [4]

Core Insights - Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Northwest Natural Holding Company operates natural gas distribution utilities in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, along with water and wastewater utilities across six states [2] - The company has a strong commitment to shareholders, having approved a dividend increase for the fourth quarter, marking the 70th consecutive year of annual dividend increases [4] Group 2: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Northwest Natural reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.73, which beat estimates by $0.1, while revenue was $164.7 million, missing expectations by over $10 million despite a 20% year-over-year increase [3] - The growth in revenue is attributed to a combined utility customer growth rate of 10.9% for the 12 months ending September 30, primarily due to gas utility acquisitions in Texas [3] - The company expects its FY 2025 results to be above the midpoint of its adjusted earnings range of $2.75 to $2.95 per share [3] Group 3: Analyst Ratings - On November 12, Stifel analyst Selman Akyol raised the stock's price target from $50 to $52 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating after updating estimates post-quarter [2]

Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR) is included among the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Portland General Electric (POR) Downgraded at UBS Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR) is an integrated electric utility company, engaged in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. On November 19, Portland General Electric Company (NYSE:POR) was downgraded by UBS from ‘Buy’ to ‘Neutral’, while its price targe ...

Core Insights - The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP) experienced a significant share price increase of 8.24% to $24.96, driven by an improved growth outlook for full-year 2025 despite mixed earnings results in Q3 [1][3] - The company revised its net sales growth expectation to 1.7% to 2%, up from the previous guidance of 1% to 2% [1] - Operating margin guidance was also raised to 7.2%, compared to the earlier forecast of 6.7% to 7% [2] Financial Performance - In Q3, The Gap Inc. reported a 3% increase in net sales, totaling $3.9 billion, compared to $3.8 billion in the same quarter last year, supported by a 3% rise in store sales and a 2% increase in online sales [3] - Comparable sales rose by 5% year-on-year [3] - Net income fell by 13.9% to $236 million from $274 million year-on-year [4] Management Commentary - The President and CEO of The Gap Inc., Richard Dickson, expressed pride in exceeding net sales and margin expectations, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales [4] - The company highlighted the success of its three largest brands—Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic—in achieving strong comparable sales [5] - The management is optimistic about the holiday selling season and has confidence in the revised full-year net sales and operating margin outlooks [5]