Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Greenbrier achieved record full-year diluted earnings per share and record core EBITDA, with an aggregate gross margin of nearly 19% and over $265 million in operating cash flow [4][10] - Core diluted earnings per share for Q4 was $1.26, with core EBITDA at $115 million, representing 15% of revenue [17] - Operating income for Q4 was $72 million, nearly 10% of revenue, with an effective tax rate of 36.4% [17] - Return on invested capital was nearly 11%, within the long-term target range of 10% to 14% [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The leasing and fleet management business saw recurring revenue reach nearly $170 million, a 50% increase from $113 million two years ago [12] - The lease fleet grew by about 10% in Fiscal 2025 to just over 17,000 units, with high utilization rates at 98% [12] - New railcar orders in Q4 totaled approximately 2,400 units valued at over $300 million, bringing full-year orders to more than 13,000 units [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog at the end of the year stood at 16,600 units valued at $2.2 billion, reflecting a healthy mix of product types and customers [11] - In North America, freight trends and tariff dynamics are moderating new railcar demand, leading fleet owners to extend acquisition timelines [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Greenbrier is focused on operational excellence, innovation, and responsible growth, with a goal of doubling recurring revenues by Fiscal 2028 [7][9] - The company is undergoing footprint rationalization in Europe, expecting annualized savings of $20 million without impacting production capacity [6][12] - The integration of manufacturing and leasing is a key feature of Greenbrier's model, providing stability and efficiency [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the current market conditions as an opportunity to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs [10] - The company anticipates a stronger second half of Fiscal 2026, driven by backlog orders and customer needs [41] - Management expressed confidence in the near-term performance and long-term outlook, emphasizing the resilience of the business model [15] Other Important Information - Greenbrier's liquidity level was over $800 million, the highest in 10 quarters, with more than $305 million in cash [17] - The board declared a dividend of $0.32 per share, marking the 46th consecutive quarterly dividend [18] - Capital expenditures for Fiscal 2026 are expected to be approximately $80 million for manufacturing and roughly $240 million for leasing and fleet management [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook on car builds and market conditions - Management believes they are at the low point of the cycle, with inquiries increasing and a forecast for production ramp-up in the latter half of the year [24][25] Question: Impact of changes in Mexico - The insourcing project in Mexico has been completed, providing benefits to financial results and manufacturing margins [28][29] Question: Facility rationalization in Europe - Greenbrier will consolidate production into fewer facilities while maintaining the same production capacity [32][36] Question: First quarter outlook - Management expects Q1 and Q2 of Fiscal 2026 to have similar production rates as Q4 of Fiscal 2025, with a ramp-up anticipated in the second half [41][47] Question: Balance sheet and leasing business funding - The strategy remains to add about $300 million net each year to the lease fleet, with a robust secondary market for opportunities [54][55] Question: Competitive landscape in new car builds - Pricing pressure exists in commoditized markets, while specialty cars maintain good discipline in pricing [62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group-wide net revenue was ¥515.5 billion, down 2% from the previous quarter, while income before income taxes fell 15% to ¥136.6 billion and net income decreased 12% to ¥92.1 billion [3] - Excluding gains from real estate sales in the previous quarter, net revenue increased by 10% and net income rose by 40%, indicating steady growth [3] - Earnings per share for the quarter were ¥30.49, and return on equity was 10.6%, achieving the quantitative target for 2030 of 8 to 10% for the sixth consecutive quarter [3][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wealth Management net revenue increased 10% to ¥116.5 billion, with income before income taxes growing 17% to ¥45.5 billion, marking the highest income in about 10 years [8] - Investment Management net revenue reached ¥60.8 billion, up 20%, with income before income taxes amounting to ¥30.7 billion, up 43% [10] - Wholesale division net revenue was ¥279.2 billion, up 7%, with Global Markets net revenue increasing by 6% and Investment Banking net revenue rising by 15% [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The balance of recurring revenue assets in Wealth Management saw a net inflow for the 14th consecutive quarter, reaching an all-time high [8] - Assets under management in Investment Management topped ¥100 trillion, with stable business revenue growing steadily [10] - The overall trend in the market showed strong client activity and revenue growth, particularly in equities and investment banking [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform Japan into an asset management powerhouse by building trust with clients and providing tailored asset management services [24] - The focus remains on self-sustained growth in Wholesale, with a commitment to maintaining a balance between investment opportunities and shareholder returns [30][56] - The management is optimistic about the pipeline for corporate actions and advisory services, expecting continued strength in these areas [60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that stock indices in Japan and other major economies rose steeply, contributing to strong earnings [22] - The company expects the impact of phishing scams on profits to diminish, thanks to enhanced security measures [22] - The outlook for October indicates that net revenue in Wealth Management is above levels observed in the second quarter, with continued growth in investment products [24] Other Important Information - The company plans to pay a dividend of ¥27 per share, resulting in a dividend payout ratio of 40.3% [7] - Group-wide expenses increased by 4% to ¥378.8 billion, driven by higher compensation and benefits [17] - The CET1 ratio at the end of September was 12.9%, within the target range, but expected to decrease post-acquisition of Macquarie Group's U.S. asset management business [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding personnel expenses and CET1 ratio - The increase in compensation and benefits was attributed to bonuses linked to earnings and larger-than-usual retirement payments [29] - The CET1 ratio is expected to decline post-Macquarie acquisition, but the company remains committed to a 40% dividend payout and a total payout ratio of 50% or above [30] Question: Market revenue and risk-taking - The company is seeing strong performance in credit trading and has interesting deals in the pipeline, while being mindful of concentration risks [34] - The impact from the First Brands case was negligible, and the company conducts regular stress tests to assess risk [36] Question: October revenue environment and tax burden - Fixed income trends are strong, with expectations for continued revenue growth, while Wholesale division revenue is expected to be at similar levels to Q2 [44][47] - The increase in tax burden is due to various technical issues, with no specific details provided [46] Question: Equity product business trends and risk capacity - Equities performance has been strong across regions, with expectations for some normalization in the future [52] - The CET1 ratio post-Macquarie acquisition will allow for increased risk-taking capacity, with a focus on self-funding growth in Wholesale [56]

Core Insights - C3.ai, Inc. emphasizes the significance of its Initial Production Deployment (IPD) model as a key driver for enterprise adoption and recurring revenue growth, having closed 28 new IPDs in Q1 FY26, totaling 374 active deployments [1][9] Summary by Sections IPD Model and Revenue - The IPD framework serves as a 3-6 month trial for clients to assess the C3 Agentic AI Platform's real-world performance before full-scale deployment, with subscription and prioritized engineering services (PES) constituting 98% of total sales in Q1 FY26 [2][9] - The model is expected to create long-term customer retention, although it incurs transitional costs, leading to a decrease in non-GAAP gross margin to 52% from 59% year-over-year due to increased upfront support and implementation costs [3] Customer Engagement and Partnerships - C3.ai's customer engagement is expanding, with partnerships with Nucor, HII, and Qemetica showcasing the platform's integration into critical operations, including supply chain optimization and defense readiness [4] - Collaborations with major cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud accounted for approximately 90% of deal activity in Q1 FY26, highlighting the platform's growing market presence [4] Future Growth and Financial Guidance - The conversion rate from IPDs to recurring subscriptions is anticipated to be pivotal for C3.ai's next growth phase, with Q2 FY26 revenue guidance set between $72 million and $80 million, indicating a modest recovery [5] - The company currently has over 260 active IPDs and aims to convert pilot projects into long-term enterprise contracts, which could enhance sustainable growth if conversion rates improve [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - C3.ai's shares have decreased by 30.2% over the past three months, contrasting with a 4.4% decline in the industry, while other competitors like TaskUs and ServiceNow have also seen declines [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 8.28X, significantly lower than the industry average of 17.05X, with other industry players showing varying P/S ratios [10]

Core Insights - ECGI Holdings, Inc. has secured a multi-million-dollar, five-year facility services agreement in Los Angeles, marking a significant transition from restructuring to generating recurring revenue [1][2][3] - The agreement is part of ECGI's strategy to enhance financial strength and support scalable, technology-integrated growth initiatives [2][4] Financial Impact - The long-term contract establishes a stable income stream, contributing to a predictable monthly cash flow that strengthens the company's balance sheet [1][3] - This recurring revenue model aligns with ECGI's goal of building sustainable value across its diversified portfolio [3] Strategic Growth Initiatives - The agreement is viewed as a foundational step for ECGI's next growth phase, emphasizing operational self-sufficiency and the ability to execute multi-year contracts with institutional partners [4] - ECGI plans to unveil additional initiatives this quarter aimed at sustainable growth and technology-focused expansion [2][4] Company Overview - ECGI Holdings is a technology-driven investment and development company focused on creating innovative businesses with sustainable revenue models across high-growth sectors such as AI, fintech, and experiential hospitality [5][6] - The company's current investments include various technology-driven platforms and brands, indicating a diverse portfolio aimed at unlocking new revenue opportunities [6][7]

Core Insights - Apple's business success is heavily reliant on its services segment, which is growing at a faster rate than its hardware sales [3][4]. Group 1: Hardware Performance - Apple's iPhone continues to be a significant revenue driver, generating $44.6 billion in the third quarter [1]. - The hardware segment remains crucial to Apple's overall success, but it is not the only focus for investors [2]. Group 2: Services Segment - The services segment generated $27.4 billion in sales during the third quarter, reflecting a 13% year-over-year growth and a 108% increase compared to five years ago [3]. - Services provide recurring revenue, reducing reliance on the more volatile hardware sales [4]. - The services segment boasts a gross margin exceeding 70%, indicating higher profitability compared to hardware [4]. Group 3: Subscription Growth - Apple has over 1 billion paid subscriptions across its services, highlighting the strength of its ecosystem and user engagement [5].

Core Viewpoint - General Electric has transformed into GE Aerospace, a promising business focused on jet engines and services, following a significant corporate restructuring after the Great Recession [1] Group 1: Business Model - GE Aerospace operates a recurring revenue business model, where maintenance services for jet engines contribute significantly to revenue [2] - Approximately 70% of GE Aerospace's overall revenue comes from services, with nearly three-quarters from commercial sales and just over half from military sales [3][4] Group 2: Current Performance - In Q2 2025, GE Aerospace reported a 23% increase in adjusted revenue, a 38% rise in adjusted earnings, and a remarkable 92% growth in free cash flow [5] - The company has raised its full-year guidance for 2025 and extended its outlook through 2028, indicating stronger fundamental business health than previously anticipated [7] Group 3: Future Prospects - GE Aerospace has a substantial backlog of $175 billion, representing contracted work yet to be completed, which includes both jet engine sales and services [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 2025 revenue declined 7.3% to $5.88 million compared to $6.35 million in Q4 2024 due to reduced customer project activity [14] - Fiscal year 2025 revenue decreased 9.9% to $18.15 million from $20.14 million in 2024, primarily due to reduced customer project activity [16] - Q4 2025 gross profit decreased to $1.2 million from $1.43 million in Q4 2024, with a gross margin of 20.4% compared to 22.5% in Q4 2024 [14] - Fiscal year 2025 gross margin improved to 25.2% from 23.3% in 2024, benefiting from a focus on higher margin products [16] - Q4 2025 operating loss improved to $187,000 from a loss of $462,000 in Q4 2024 [15] - Net loss for fiscal year 2025 was $948,000 or -$0.10 per share, an improvement from a net loss of $1.372 million or -$0.13 per share in 2024 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on enhancing customer experience through technology upgrades, with a positive outlook for new business opportunities driven by box office strength [4][5] - The company’s marketing plan emphasizes brand visibility and driving qualified sales leads through industry trade shows [8] - The company is actively pursuing international channels for long-term growth and evaluating complementary products or services [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The domestic box office revenue saw a 37% increase year-over-year, reaching approximately $2.6 billion in the June quarter [5] - Total domestic revenue for 2025 is expected to be approximately $9.4 billion, supported by major year-end releases [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reduce exposure to business cycles in the cinema equipment industry and build a base of more predictable and recurring business [7] - The company is committed to ongoing cost management and cash preservation to navigate the evolving marketplace [12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about new business opportunities due to a rebound in consumer demand and box office momentum [4] - The company anticipates stronger revenue in the second half of 2026 compared to the first half, largely due to customer project timing [17] Other Important Information - The company’s net cash position grew to $5.7 million at the close of 2025, with no long-term debt [16] - The company is in dialogue with large regional exhibitors for premium cinema equipment over the next 12-24 months [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Size of the funnel of new opportunities compared to the beginning of the year - The funnel of new opportunities continues to grow and evolve, with a positive outlook as customer activity increases [20][21] Question: Update on LEA professional power amplifiers - The company remains optimistic about LEA professional power amplifiers, with ongoing testing processes in larger organizations [22] Question: Status on bids for large sports venues - The company is still actively bidding on various projects related to large sports venues [23] Question: Recurring revenue base and growth expectations - The recurring revenue base of $8 million - $9 million consists of operational items and is expected to grow as the customer base expands [25] Question: Margins on recurring revenue - Margins on recurring revenue are generally in the middle range, providing a predictable revenue and margin stream [27] Question: Opportunities outside the U.S. - The company is actively pursuing international opportunities but cannot provide specific timing for revenue generation from outside the U.S. [28][29]

Group 1 - Chewy is focusing on market share and customer loyalty for long-term success, despite short-term earnings dips [1][2] - The company's strategy has shifted from rapid growth to nurturing loyalty and recurring purchases, with Chewy+ and autoship programs showing steady growth [1][5] - Chewy reported net sales of $3.1 billion in Q2 2025, an 8.6% increase year-over-year, with autoship accounting for 83% of total net sales and growing 15% year-over-year [4][6] Group 2 - Chewy's customer base has grown to 21 million active customers, spending an average of $591 per year, capturing 41% of the online pet supply market [6] - The company stands out due to its early adoption of autoship and e-commerce, outperforming brick-and-mortar competitors like Petco and PetSmart [7] - Recent quarterly reports showed a decline in earnings due to a one-time tax break in 2024, but other metrics like gross margin improved, growing 90 basis points to 30.4% [10]

Group 1 - Joseph Shaposhnik believes that many investors have lost faith in actively managed funds, which he considers "broken" but fixable [1][2] - Shaposhnik launched the Rainwater Equity ETF RW this summer, with a significant contribution from Bill Miller, a renowned value investor [3] - His experience at TCW highlighted that predictable-growth businesses tend to outperform, leading him to focus on companies with recurring revenue [4] Group 2 - The fund's strategy includes investing in companies with secured revenue through subscriptions or contracts, which supports management's growth investments [5] - Major holdings include Microsoft, which benefits from its Office 365 subscription model, and Broadcom, which has seen a 46% stock gain this year due to new AI customers and large orders [5][6] - GE Aerospace is identified as a top pick, benefiting from its dominant position in commercial aerospace propulsion and expected steady growth in the sector [6][7] Group 3 - Larry Culp, CEO of GE Aerospace, is recognized for his strong leadership and track record, which is expected to drive the company's turnaround [7] - GE Aerospace is viewed as a pure-play investment in the long-term growth of commercial aerospace and defense, with projected free cash flow and earnings growth of 20% over an extended period [7]

Company Overview - Brown & Brown, Inc. is a leading insurance brokerage with a focus on risk management and insurance solutions, operating across four core segments: Retail, Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services [2] - The company serves a diverse clientele, including businesses, families, and organizations, addressing evolving coverage needs and shifting regulations [2] Business Model and Growth Drivers - Brown & Brown's business model is durable, characterized by stable client relationships supported by annual policy renewals and trust built through expertise [3] - Growth is driven by recurring commission and fee revenues, cross-selling opportunities, acquisitions of independent agencies, and the expansion of specialty and wholesale offerings [3] - The company has demonstrated strong execution, leveraging scale and long-term relationships to enhance its market position [3] Financial Performance and Valuation - The company generates significant free cash flow, reinforcing its status as a resilient compounder in a stable industry [4] - Current valuations indicate that the stock is trading around fair value, suggesting limited margin of safety, yet its cash flow strength and long-term compounding potential make it appealing for investors seeking durable growth [4] - The stock price has depreciated approximately 21.3% since previous coverage, primarily due to valuation headwinds, but the bullish thesis remains intact as the company continues to show durable execution [5]