Company Overview - The Trade Desk operates a buy-side ad platform that optimizes ad placements across various digital channels, including websites, podcasts, and connected TV [6] - The company has faced increased competition, particularly from Amazon, which has a growing advertising segment that offers high ROI for advertisers [8] Financial Performance - The Trade Desk's revenue increased by 18% last quarter, which, while slower than previous growth rates, still outpaces the market's average annual return of 10% [9] - For 2026, Wall Street analysts project a revenue growth of 16%, indicating continued market-beating performance [9] Valuation Metrics - The Trade Desk's stock is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 13, significantly lower than the S&P 500's forward P/E of 22.2 [11] - This presents a unique investment opportunity for growth investors, as it combines double-digit growth potential with a substantial discount to the broader market [11] Market Position - The advertising market is shifting towards programmatic advertising, which is gaining market share from traditional advertising methods [6] - Despite competitive pressures, The Trade Desk remains well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and is considered a strong investment opportunity at its current price [4][11]

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 ...

Berkshire Hathaway - Berkshire Hathaway's insurance business has shown strong performance, with underwriting earnings increasing by 3% in the first nine months of 2025 despite challenges from California wildfires [1] - The transition of leadership from Warren Buffett to Greg Abel is expected to maintain the operational excellence of the company, as Buffett has left Abel with a robust portfolio of businesses and equity stakes [2][3] Gates Foundation and Berkshire Shares - The Gates Foundation continues to hold a significant amount of Berkshire Hathaway shares, with 21.8 million shares valued at approximately $11 billion as of the end of the third quarter [3] - Buffett's annual donations to the Gates Foundation include substantial amounts of Berkshire shares, with last year's donation being 9.4 million Class B shares [4] Investment Strategy - The Gates Foundation's investment strategy is heavily focused on value stocks, with 59% of its marketable equity portfolio concentrated in just three stocks [5] - The foundation's holdings include WM (Waste Management) and Canadian National Railway, both of which are long-term investments that provide steady returns [9][13] WM (Waste Management) - WM holds a dominant position in the waste disposal industry with over 260 landfill locations, benefiting from regulatory barriers that limit competition [10] - The company reported an adjusted operating margin of 31.5% in 2025, an increase from 30% in 2024, and expects further margin expansion in 2026 [11] - Despite a disappointing revenue growth outlook of 5.2% for 2026, WM is focusing on operational improvements to enhance profitability [12] Canadian National Railway - Canadian National Railway is another key holding for the Gates Foundation, with 51.8 million shares valued at about $5.1 billion [13] - The company experienced a 2% revenue increase in 2025, driven by record grain transport volumes, despite challenges from tariffs affecting import volumes [14] - Management has authorized a share repurchase program and is reducing capital expenditures, which should support earnings growth and free cash flow [15][16] Investment Insights - The Gates Foundation's investment approach emphasizes owning a small number of high-quality companies, which can lead to significant long-term wealth accumulation [18] - Berkshire Hathaway shares are currently trading at around 1.55 times book value, which is considered a fair price, but not necessarily a bargain [8]

Core Insights - The iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) and iShares SP Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IJJ) were both launched 20 years ago but have diverged in performance and characteristics [1][2]. Cost & Size Comparison - IWN has an expense ratio of 0.24% and an AUM of $12.59 billion, while IJJ has a lower expense ratio of 0.18% and an AUM of $8.47 billion [3][4]. - The 1-year return for IWN is 18.44%, compared to IJJ's 10.84%, and IWN has a dividend yield of 1.53% versus IJJ's 1.7% [3]. Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, IWN experienced a maximum drawdown of 26.71%, while IJJ had a lower drawdown of 22.68% [5]. - A $1,000 investment in IWN would have grown to $1,338, whereas the same investment in IJJ would have grown to $1,528 [5]. Portfolio Composition - IJJ focuses on mid-cap value stocks, with significant holdings in financial services, industrials, and consumer cyclical sectors, totaling 311 holdings [6]. - IWN, in contrast, holds a broader array of 1,413 small-cap stocks, with top holdings including EchoStar Corp., Hecla Mining Company, and TTM Technologies, reflecting a wide diversification [7]. Investment Implications - Investors' choice between IWN and IJJ may hinge on their risk tolerance, as small-cap stocks (IWN) are generally more volatile than mid-cap stocks (IJJ) [8][10]. - IJJ has outperformed IWN by over 20% in both the last five years and since inception, making it a more stable option with potential for price gains [10].

Group 1 - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various companies across different sectors, including commodities like oil, natural gas, gold, and copper, as well as technology firms such as Google and Nokia [1] - The analyst has transitioned from writing a blog to creating a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where extensive research on hundreds of companies has been conducted [1] - The analyst expresses a particular interest in covering metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with other industries like consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Viewpoint - The investment strategy is informed by a background in the oil and gas sector, emphasizing efficiency, carefulness, and discipline in decision-making [1] Investment Focus - The company has a sustained interest in U.S. equity markets, particularly in technology, energy, and healthcare sectors [1] - The investment approach has evolved from growth investing to a blend of value and growth, focusing on the underlying economics of businesses [1] Competitive Advantage and Cash Flow - There is an emphasis on evaluating the durability of a company's competitive advantage, referred to as its "moat," and its ability to generate consistent free cash flow over time [1] Investment Philosophy - The philosophy includes a conservative orientation, seeking to minimize downside risk while looking for upside potential [1] - As retirement approaches, there is a shift towards prioritizing income-generating assets such as dividend-paying equities and REITs [1] Community Engagement - The company values participation in a community of investors to share insights on real-world business fundamentals and intelligent investing [1] - There is a commitment to investing in ecologically sensitive businesses, reflecting a broader concern for environmental impact [1]

Core Viewpoint - Harris Associates L.P. emphasizes a consistent investment philosophy focused on value investing, believing that stock prices will eventually reflect the underlying company's value [1] Company Philosophy - The company was founded in 1976 by investment professionals committed to delivering successful investment results through superior research and customer service [1] - Harris Associates identifies companies trading at significant discounts to their intrinsic value, aiming for those with substantial profit potential and management that acts as owners [1] Investment Process - The investment approach is framed as owning a piece of a business for the long term, highlighting the importance of intensive, fundamental research [1] - The research process involves a disciplined quantitative and qualitative screening, with analysts acting as independent thinkers rather than relying on Wall Street [1] - Analysts at Harris Associates are generalists who evaluate companies based on their fundamental characteristics [1]

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) is viewed positively with growth prospects highlighted, and the stock was priced around $53 in December of the previous year [1]. Company Analysis - The company is recognized for its diverse investment strategies, blending value and growth approaches, which allows for a comprehensive evaluation of its health beyond mere financial metrics [1]. - BAM is perceived as a solid investment opportunity, particularly for those looking for undervalued companies with potential for growth [1]. Investment Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on identifying companies that are undervalued due to negative market sentiment while also seeking out lesser-known businesses with significant potential [1].

Core Insights - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various industries, including commodities and technology, which aids in providing valuable insights for readers [1] Group 1: Industry Focus - The analyst specializes in metals and mining stocks but is also knowledgeable in consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1] Group 2: Research Methodology - The transition from a personal blog to a value investing-focused YouTube channel has allowed for extensive research on hundreds of companies [1]

Group 1 - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various companies across different sectors, including commodities like oil, natural gas, gold, and copper, as well as technology firms such as Google and Nokia [1] - The analyst has transitioned from writing a blog to creating a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where extensive research on hundreds of companies has been conducted [1] - The analyst expresses a particular interest in covering metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with other industries like consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1]