Core Insights - The investment landscape for 2026 is perceived as offering deeper and wider opportunities despite high market valuations and indices [2] - Current equity markets are characterized by greed and impatience, leading to a focus on short-term performance rather than long-term value [3] - Investor psychology is shifting towards perceived risk aversion, which may actually be driving them away from areas with genuine mispricing [4] Performance and Net Asset Value - Dynasty Trust reported a quarterly return of -2.29% and a net asset value per unit of $1.3030 as of December 31, 2025 [5] - Over the rolling 12 months, the return was 8.19%, and over two years, it was 12.93% [5] - The inception return of Dynasty Trust stands at 36.74% [5] Market Dynamics - The S&P 500 index saw a significant concentration of performance in its top 10 stocks, which now account for 39.2% of the index [6] - Smaller companies and controlled entities have recently fallen out of favor, impacting the performance of Dynasty Trust [6] Currency Impact - The Australian dollar's fluctuations against the euro and US dollar affected returns, with a 5.5% decline against the euro and a 6% rise against the US dollar in 2025 [7] - The overall impact of currency changes on performance was minimal, costing only 11 basis points [7] Positive Contributors to Performance - Seven securities contributed positively to Dynasty Trust, with Sportradar (SRAD) showing a 68% gain and Catapult International a 54% gain [8] - Other notable contributors included Viel et Cie (48% gain) and Avolta (30% gain) [8] Negative Contributors to Performance - Six securities detracted from returns, with Novo Nordisk (NVO) down 28% due to drug pricing uncertainties [9] - Other significant detractors included Bolloré (19% decline) and EuroEyes International (24% decline) [9] Investment Strategy - The company emphasizes investing in controlled public companies, which historically have shown long-term benefits [11] - The focus is on avoiding dilution of investment skills by steering clear of extraneous factors like stock or currency hedging [11] Market Trends - The technology sector has seen a significant rerating, while other sectors have experienced derating from already pessimistic valuations [13] - A bifurcation in the market is evident, with technology stocks performing well while other sectors lag behind [17] Valuation Insights - Many European holding companies are trading at significant discounts to NAV, with an average discount increasing from 30% to 30.6% over three years [14] - The high pricing of privately held technology companies has widened discounts for European firms, leading to investor skepticism [19] Specific Company Analysis: Hansa Investment Company - Hansa trades at a 44% discount to NAV, with a pro-forma cash exposure of approximately 35% of NAV [32] - The company has initiated share repurchases post-merger with Ocean Wilson, which is expected to enhance NAV [38] Specific Company Analysis: D'leteren - D'leteren is facing challenges due to increased leverage and cyclical pressures, impacting reported profits [41] - The company has initiated a €100 million stock buyback program to manage its capital structure [44] - The valuation of D'leteren's stake in Belron is under scrutiny, with significant skepticism regarding private equity valuations [60]

Core Viewpoint - The recent non-binding takeout offer for Plymouth Industrial signifies a growing trend in M&A activity within the real estate sector, driven by favorable market conditions and significant valuation disparities among REITs [1][6]. Group 1: M&A Activity Drivers - The median REIT is currently trading at 81.8% of NAV, with some REITs as low as 46% and others at 198%, creating opportunities for accretive M&A transactions [1][6]. - Strong fundamentals in REITs are evident, with 60.7% of REITs beating earnings in Q2 2025, indicating robust performance in the sector [5][6]. - There is ample capital available for acquisitions, with private equity firms and publicly traded REITs well-capitalized following the reopening of equity and debt markets post-pandemic [6][7]. Group 2: Sector-Specific Transaction Volume - Industrial REITs have been particularly active, acquiring 90 properties in 2025 for a total of $3.94 billion [8]. - In the shopping center sector, Blackstone's buyout of ROIC and 86 individual property purchases by shopping center REITs totaling $2.39 billion highlight increased M&A interest [9]. - The multifamily sector has seen significant activity, with Equity Residential acquiring a portfolio from Blackstone for $964 million and BSR REIT selling to Avalon Bay for $618 million, alongside $2.7 billion in individual asset purchases [10]. Group 3: Targeted REITs for Acquisition - Whitestone REIT is a potential target due to its trading at $12.91, significantly below its NAV of $17.88, despite strong asset performance [12][17]. - Centerspace is trading at 73.9% of NAV, with a unique portfolio that is outperforming in its markets, making it an attractive acquisition target [18][19]. - Kite Realty is noted for its large discount to NAV and strong cash flows, presenting an opportunity for accretive acquisitions [21][23]. - Farmland Partners is strategically selling assets to buy back stock, potentially leading to a full company sale in the future [24][25]. - Armada Hoffler is trading at a substantial discount to NAV, with a market price of $7.15 compared to an NAV of $12.49, indicating a significant acquisition opportunity [25][30].