Core Insights - Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (HMY) reported adjusted earnings of $1.29 per share for fiscal 2025, a 30% increase from the previous year's adjusted earnings of 99 cents [1][6] - Revenues for fiscal 2025 rose 24% year over year to $4,071 million, with average gold prices received increasing 31% to $2,620 per ounce [1][6] Production and Costs - Gold production for fiscal 2025 was 1,479,671 ounces, reflecting a 5% decrease year over year [2][6] - Cash operating costs per ounce increased by 19% year over year to $1,499, while all-in-sustaining costs rose 20% to $1,806 per ounce [2][6] Financial Overview - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents increased by 186% year over year to $738 million [3][6] - Total adjusted free cash flow surged 58% year over year to $614 million in fiscal 2025 [3][6] - Long-term debt at the end of fiscal 2025 was $107 million, up approximately 9% year over year [3][6] Outlook - Harmony Gold anticipates producing between 1.4 million and 1.5 million ounces of gold in fiscal 2026 [4] - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 are projected to rise to $699 million due to investments in high-quality ounces and long-term growth initiatives [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Harmony Gold have increased by 38.7% over the past year, compared to a 59.3% growth in the industry [5][6]

Group 1 - The article discusses the rising valuations in the market and highlights the quality factor as a focus for investors with lower risk appetites, particularly those with contrarian views on high-performing sectors like technology and AI capital expenditures [1] - Vasily Zyryanov, an individual investor, emphasizes the importance of identifying underpriced equities with strong upside potential and overappreciated companies with inflated valuations, particularly in the energy sector, including oil and gas supermajors and exploration companies [1] - Zyryanov advocates for a comprehensive analysis that includes Free Cash Flow and Return on Capital, suggesting that these metrics provide deeper insights beyond simple profit and sales analysis [1] Group 2 - The article acknowledges that while some growth stocks may warrant their premium valuations, it is crucial for investors to investigate whether the market's current opinions are justified [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the investment strategies of Vasily Zyryanov, focusing on identifying underpriced equities with strong upside potential and overappreciated companies with inflated valuations [1] - Zyryanov emphasizes the importance of analyzing Free Cash Flow and Return on Capital in addition to profit and sales to gain deeper insights into investment opportunities [1] - The research covers a wide range of industries, particularly the energy sector, including oil & gas supermajors, mid-cap, and small-cap exploration & production companies, as well as oilfield services firms [1] Group 2 - The article highlights that while Zyryanov favors underappreciated and misunderstood equities, he also recognizes that some growth stocks may warrant their premium valuations [1] - The primary goal for investors is to investigate whether the market's current opinions on valuations are accurate [1]

Core Insights - Microsoft is one of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, outperforming the NASDAQ with an 18.6% increase in 2025 compared to the tech index's 11.9% gain [1] - The company is positioned in rapidly growing sectors such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and gaming, effectively converting revenue into free cash flow (FCF) [2] Financial Performance - In Q4 of the 2025 fiscal year, Microsoft reported $25.6 billion in FCF, marking a 10% year-over-year increase and placing it above 99.8% of technology stocks [3] - The company returned $9.4 billion to shareholders in FY2025 through dividends and share repurchases, maintaining a dividend increase for 23 consecutive years [4] Business Strengths - Microsoft holds strong positions in hardware, software, and cloud computing, with its Office and Azure platforms creating a robust ecosystem [5] - The company is investing heavily in AI, planning to spend approximately $30 billion in the current quarter, with full-year investments estimated between $100 billion and $110 billion [6] Market Position - Microsoft has a high gross margin of 69%, which supports its recurring business model despite increased capital expenditures [7] - Cloud revenue grew by 23% to surpass $168 billion, with Azure revenue increasing by 34% to $75 billion [9] Stock Forecast - The 12-month stock price forecast for Microsoft is $612.54, indicating a 20.19% upside based on 32 analyst ratings [10] - Despite a current Moderate Buy rating, the stock is trading at a slight premium to its historical average, with recent performance showing a 1.9% decline over the last 30 days [10][11]

Core Insights - HP Inc. reported third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings of 75 cents per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but down from 84 cents per share a year ago [1][10] - The company has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 4.3% [1] Revenue Performance - HP's revenues for the quarter reached $13.93 billion, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.19%, compared to $13.52 billion in the same quarter last year [2][10] - Personal Systems (PS) revenues, which account for 71% of net revenues, were $9.9 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [3] - The Printing business, contributing 29% of net revenues, generated $4.0 billion, down 4% year over year [4] Segment Analysis - In the Personal Systems division, total PC units rose by 5%, with Consumer PS shipments increasing by 8% and Commercial PS shipments by 3% [3] - The Printing division saw declines in Consumer Printing revenues by 8%, Commercial Printing revenues by 3%, and Supplies revenues by 4% [4] - Revenue growth was observed in all geographic regions, with Asia Pacific & Japan growing by 11% year over year [5] Operating Results - The non-GAAP operating margin for Personal Systems was 5.4%, down 120 basis points year over year, while the Printing division maintained a non-GAAP operating margin of 17.3% [6] - Overall, HP's non-GAAP operating margin from continuing operations was 7.1%, contracting 110 basis points compared to the prior year [6] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - HP ended the fiscal third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 billion, up from $2.7 billion in the previous quarter [7] - The company generated $1.66 billion in cash from operating activities and delivered $1.47 billion in free cash flow, a significant improvement from negative free cash flow in the prior quarter [7][8] - During the quarter, HP returned $400 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [8] Future Guidance - For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, HP expects non-GAAP EPS between 87 cents and 97 cents, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues at 89 cents [11] - The company anticipates free cash flow for fiscal 2025 to be in the range of $2.6 billion to $3.0 billion [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q3 consolidated revenues increased by 5.7% year over year, reaching $1,060 million, with organic growth of 2% [7][26] - Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) grew by 15% to $1.1, with free cash flow reported at $165 million [7][28] - Gross margin improved by 70 basis points to 67.3%, driven by efficiency gains and favorable foreign exchange [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CooperVision reported revenues of $718 million, reflecting a 6.3% increase and 2.4% organic growth, although results were below expectations due to declines in Clarity and e-commerce weakness in Asia Pacific [8][10] - CooperSurgical posted revenues of $342 million, up 4.5% or 2% organically, with fertility revenues growing 6% [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA region grew by 14% or 6% organically, becoming CooperVision's largest revenue region globally [10] - The Americas grew by 2% or 3% organically, while Asia Pacific saw a 1% increase but a 5% organic decline [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage the strong momentum of MyDay and upcoming product launches to outpace the contact lens market and gain market share [24] - Focus on operational excellence and disciplined cost management to support sustainable revenue growth [7][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged headwinds from Clarity and e-commerce challenges in Asia Pacific but expressed confidence in the long-term outlook for both CooperVision and CooperSurgical [20][24] - The company expects to generate approximately $2 billion in free cash flow over the next three fiscal years, with a focus on debt reduction and share repurchases [30][31] Other Important Information - The company is implementing mitigation strategies for tariffs, expecting a $24 million lower impact than previously anticipated [30] - Significant progress has been made in IT upgrades and organizational efficiency initiatives [30][71] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the core CVI portfolio compare to the market for fiscal 2026? - Management indicated that the core portfolio is expected to be at least in line with the market, with additional growth from MiSight [37][38] Question: Why is MyDay's success impacting Clarity? - Management noted that in some markets, Clarity and MyDay were viewed similarly, leading to a shift in customer preference towards MyDay [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for the contact lens market? - Management acknowledged a slowdown in market growth but remains optimistic about future performance driven by silicone hydrogel lenses and multifocal products [19][50] Question: What are the expectations for the fertility market? - Management expects a rebound in the fertility market as clinics begin investing again, despite near-term pressures [20][110] Question: What is the situation with PARAGARD? - Management reported declining volumes for PARAGARD but offsetting revenue through pricing strategies [114][116]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q3 consolidated revenues increased by 5.7% year over year, reaching $1,060 million, with organic growth of 2% [5][25] - Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) grew by 15% year over year to $1.1, with free cash flow reported at $165 million [5][28] - Gross margin improved by 70 basis points to 67.3%, driven by efficiency gains and favorable foreign exchange [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CooperVision reported revenues of $718 million, reflecting a 6.3% increase and 2.4% organic growth, although results were below expectations due to declines in Clarity orders [6][9] - CooperSurgical posted revenues of $342 million, up 4.5% year over year, with fertility revenues growing 6% [20][21] - MyDay lenses showed double-digit growth, with MyDay Multifocal growing 20% [11][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMEA region grew 14% or 6% organically, becoming CooperVision's largest revenue region globally [9] - The Americas grew 2% or 3% organically, while Asia Pac grew 1% but declined 5% organically due to Clarity pressure [9][10] - The overall contact lens market is expected to continue mid-single-digit growth, driven by a shift towards silicone hydrogel lenses [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage strong MyDay momentum and upcoming product launches to gain market share [23][30] - Focus on operational excellence and disciplined cost management to support sustainable revenue growth [5][28] - Ongoing restructuring efforts to enhance efficiency and leverage IT upgrades [73][74] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in the contact lens market, particularly in Asia Pac, but remains optimistic about long-term growth in fertility and contact lenses [20][50] - Guidance for Q4 indicates expected organic growth of 2% to 4% for both CooperVision and CooperSurgical, factoring in potential headwinds [22][23] - Confidence in achieving $2 billion in free cash flow over the next three fiscal years, supported by improved operating margins [30][102] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $52 million worth of stock during the quarter, with approximately $164 million remaining under the repurchase plan [28] - Tariff impacts are expected to be lower than previously anticipated, with mitigation strategies in place [29][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the core CVI portfolio compare to market growth for fiscal 2026? - Management indicated that the core portfolio has lagged the market but expects to be at least in line with market growth, with additional contributions from MySight [36][40] Question: Why is MyDay's success impacting Clarity? - Management noted that in some markets, Clarity and MyDay were viewed similarly, leading to a shift in orders towards MyDay [41][45] Question: What is the outlook for the contact lens market's growth? - Management acknowledged a slowdown in market growth but remains confident in the long-term fundamentals, including pricing and consumer trends [50][52] Question: What are the drivers for expected Q4 rebound in fertility? - Management highlighted improvements in genomics and consumables, along with anticipated investments from fertility clinics [110][114] Question: What is the situation with PARAGARD and market dynamics? - Management confirmed no new competitive launches but acknowledged declining volumes, offset by pricing strategies [117][119]

Vitesse Energy (VTS) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - Vitesse Energy operates primarily as a non-operated participant in oil and gas development, focusing on the Bakken Play in North Dakota, with over 95% of production from this region [3][4] - The company has a diversified asset base with interests in over 7,000 wells, averaging 2.5% to 3% ownership [4] Key Financial Metrics - Vitesse currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 9%, with an annual dividend of $2.25 per share [6][29] - The company has a conservative balance sheet, targeting a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of less than 1, currently at 0.6 [10] Recent Developments - Vitesse completed the acquisition of Lucero Energy for $200 million, which included operated properties and enhanced free cash flow, allowing for increased dividends [9][10] - The company has engaged in over 200 small acquisitions, investing more than $750 million to build its asset base [8] Operational Insights - Vitesse's assets are primarily undeveloped, with 80% still available for future drilling, indicating long-term growth potential [7] - The company has benefited from advancements in drilling technology, such as longer lateral wells, which have improved production efficiency [8][21] Production and Cost Efficiency - In Q2 2025, Vitesse reported a production increase of 46% year-over-year, averaging 19 Mboe per day [26] - The average cost to drill a well has decreased by 26% since 2014, from $973 to $716 per lateral foot, adjusted for inflation, representing a 46% decline [18][19] Strategic Focus - Vitesse prioritizes returning capital to shareholders through dividends rather than share buybacks or variable dividends [29] - The company employs a robust database for analyzing acquisitions, integrating public data with proprietary information to assess investment opportunities [12][38] Risk Management - Vitesse maintains a strong hedging strategy, with 70% of its oil production hedged for 2025 at an average price of $70 [43] - The company uses a combination of swaps for oil and natural gas callers to optimize its hedging strategy [44] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - The non-operated model has gained popularity, with increased competition from private equity and family offices, but Vitesse believes it retains a competitive edge due to its deep knowledge of the Bakken region [54][56] Long-term Outlook - Vitesse aims to leverage technological advancements and its extensive undeveloped acreage to sustain growth over the next 30 years [22][24] - The company is focused on maintaining a long-term annuitized cash flow stream, positioning itself favorably against inflation [47] Conclusion - Vitesse Energy's strategic focus on dividends, conservative financial management, and technological innovation positions it well for future growth in the oil and gas sector, particularly within the Bakken Play [48][56]

Core Viewpoint - Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S reported a decline in net sales and EBITDA margin for the second quarter of 2025, while reaffirming its full-year expectations despite challenging market conditions [1][5][8]. Financial Performance - Reported net sales for Q2 2025 were DKK 2.4 billion, reflecting an organic net sales growth of -4% [1][7]. - EBITDA before special items was DKK 499 million, with an EBITDA margin of 21.1%, down from 24.5% in the previous year [1][7]. - Free cash flow before acquisitions was DKK 119 million, compared to DKK 177 million in the same quarter last year [7]. - Adjusted EPS for Q2 2025 was DKK 3.3, down from DKK 4.1 year-on-year [7]. Market Dynamics - The addition of the Mac Baren business positively impacted reported net sales, while exchange rate fluctuations had a negative effect [2]. - Organic net sales growth was flat when excluding the discontinuation of ZYN distribution in the US, which contributed to a -3% decline [2]. - The product categories Handmade Cigars and Machine-Rolled Cigars & Smoking Tobacco showed recovery, and the nicotine pouch brand XQS continued to deliver double-digit growth [2]. Strategic Outlook - The EBITDA margin for the first half of 2025 was 18.8%, down from 21.2% in the previous year, influenced by product mix, market conditions, and investments to regain market share [3][5]. - The company aims to deliver free cash flow of DKK 800-1,000 million before acquisitions for the full year [5]. - The financial expectations for the full year 2025 remain unchanged, with reported net sales projected between DKK 9.1-9.5 billion and an EBITDA margin of 18-22% [8].

Today I would like to initiate coverage of the Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (BATS: HFGO ), an actively managed, information technology-heavy exchange-traded fund focused on the growth factor. After reviewing its past performance dating back to November 2021 and current factor mix (includingVasily Zyryanov is an individual investor and writer.He uses various techniques to find both relatively underpriced equities with strong upside potential and relatively overappreciated companies that have inflated valuat ...