Company Overview - Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) net sales for Q1'26 were $669 million[23], while Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) net sales for Q1'26 were $948 million[28] - ABL Adjusted Operating Profit Margin for Q1'26 was 18.5%[23], and AIS Adjusted Operating Profit Margin for Q1'26 was 21.7%[28] Financial Performance - The company's net sales have grown from $1.7 billion in FY09 to $4.5 billion in LTM Q1'26[34] - Adjusted Operating Profit has increased from $186 million in FY10 to $806 million in LTM Q1'26[35] - Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share have risen from $2.42 in FY10 to $18.73 in LTM Q1'26[37] - Free Cash Flow generation has increased from $139 million in FY10 to $534 million in LTM Q1'26[38] Capital Allocation - The company has repurchased approximately $1.5 billion of its shares outstanding since the beginning of the 4th quarter of 2020, representing about 25% of the then-outstanding shares[31] Non-GAAP Measures - The company uses non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted operating profit, adjusted net income, and free cash flow to enhance the understanding of its financial performance and prospects[4] - These non-GAAP measures are used for internal reviews of performance, baseline comparative operational analysis, and decision-making[5]

Palm Valley Capital Management, an investment management firm, has released the “Palm Valley Capital Fund” fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here.  In the fourth quarter, Palm Valley Capital Fund appreciated 0.66% compared to a 1.70% gain for the S&P SmallCap 600 and a 3.12% rise in the Morningstar Small Cap Total Return Index. At the beginning of the quarter, the Fund allocated 74.1% to Treasury bills and increased to 76.3% by the end of the quarter. The equity ho ...

Core Viewpoint - The delay in tariff increases for upholstered furniture and related products is beneficial for RH, but the more significant factors are its strong free cash flow and ambitious international expansion plans [1][15]. Tariff Impact - The White House announced a delay in the planned increase of tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, maintaining the current 25% tariff [1][6]. - This delay alleviates some uncertainty for RH and other furniture companies, contributing to a rise in their stock prices [2][6]. - The volatile tariff environment has previously caused significant operational challenges for RH, including resource allocation issues and price negotiations [5][6]. Financial Performance - RH reported a 9% revenue growth in the most recent quarter, resulting in a third-quarter free cash flow of $83 million and a year-to-date total of $198 million [8]. - The company maintains a full-year free cash flow outlook of $250 million to $300 million, which is substantial given its market capitalization of $3.6 billion [8]. - Strong free cash flow indicates resilience in RH's business model, suggesting the company can manage its $2.4 billion net debt effectively [9]. International Expansion - RH has initiated international expansion with the opening of RH England in 2023 and plans to expand to Paris in 2025, positioning these locations as immersive brand experiences [11]. - The company aims to establish itself as a global brand through these international galleries, with additional openings planned in London and Milan in 2026 [11]. - Management has indicated that this expansion may temporarily impact operating margins by approximately 200 basis points due to associated costs [12]. Investment Considerations - RH's stock appears attractive at a valuation of 13 times the midpoint of its full-year 2025 free cash flow guidance [13]. - Investors should be aware of the company's debt levels and the unpredictable nature of the housing and furniture markets, which could affect sales [13][14].

Core Insights - US corporations are potentially underutilizing cash management strategies, with research indicating that a more dynamic cash allocation approach yields higher returns compared to static management [1][2]. Cash Management Trends - Cash allocations at US corporations have decreased by 50% since 2021, driven by higher interest rates leading firms to invest in higher-yielding Treasury bills [3]. - Median allocations to US Treasuries increased from 3% to 20% during the same period, indicating a shift towards prioritizing yield over idle cash [3]. Investment Recommendations - Morgan Stanley recommends focusing on companies with strong cash reserves, as these firms are better equipped to handle economic downturns [4]. - Free cash flow is highlighted as a significant advantage, allowing companies to fund growth, reduce debt, or support initiatives without heavy reliance on external financing [4]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The article utilized a stock screener to identify companies with a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio below 15 and a market capitalization of at least $10 billion, focusing on those with the highest trailing twelve-month operating cash flows [7]. - Hedge fund sentiment was also considered, as research shows that imitating top hedge fund stock picks can lead to market outperformance [8]. Company Highlights - **Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL)**: - Operating cash flow is reported at $1.1 billion, with 51 hedge fund holders [9]. - The company exceeded expectations in quarterly orders but provided lower full-year guidance for 2026 [11]. - CEO noted that the luxury market remains strong, with demand supported by a decline in mortgage rates [13]. - **DocuSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:DOCU)**: - Operating cash flow is also reported at $1.1 billion, with 60 hedge fund holders [15]. - The company experienced strong growth in Q3 2025, with revenue reaching $818 million, an 8% year-over-year increase [17]. - Free cash flow rose to $263 million, enabling a $215 million share repurchase, marking the largest quarterly buyback to date [17].

California Resources Corporation is a leading independent energy company focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in California. With significant mineral acreage and integrated operations, the company leverages its scale to efficiently serve regional energy demand. Its diversified revenue streams and strategic market positioning provide resilience and competitive advantage in the California energy sector.It serves marketers, California refineries, utilities, and other purchasers with access ...

Has the stock market gotten it wrong?The Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI) has been on a bull run in 2025, rising by over 21% year-to-date (YTD) as of 15 December 2025. Yet, three blue-chip stocks have seen their stock price languish, trailing the broader market.But it can also spell opportunity.Let’s examine what’s really happening beneath the surface.Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92): Total Returns -11.1% YTDThai Beverage, or ThaiBev, is one of Southeast Asia’s largest beverage companies, with a portfolio spanning s ...

I think for the near-term and near-term in this context, May being 2026, I think we should expect more M&A. And one of the reasons why I say that is because on one hand, you're seeing reasonably strong equity markets and some stability in rates. And, you know, you look at Treasury volatility, that's much lower.Rates may not be as low as some would like, but the rate volatility is lower. It sets a better platform. But I think the other sort of overarching theme here is that, you know, we have this k-shaped e ...

So, at the end of a week of wild swings, what have we learned about this trade. Or is this just sort of a blip in the bigger AI trade. Tim, what do you think.>> Uh, no. I look, I think the last month has been important in terms of evaluating free cash flow from companies that that were gold standard by looking at the debt markets by assessing the dynamics of does Oracle have funding. Are the the blue owls of the world sticking by.There's other folks that are uh you know, that's emblematic of a broader story ...

Core Viewpoint - The demand for chipsets, particularly from Micron, indicates that the AI trade is robust and continues to thrive, with significant growth potential in the memory sector [1][3][4]. Group 1: Micron and AI Demand - Micron's current demand and contractual obligations suggest that the fundamentals of the AI trade remain strong, alleviating concerns among traders [2][3]. - The company is projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 40% for the next few years, which is unprecedented in the memory industry, indicating exceptionally high demand [3]. Group 2: Free Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Free cash flow is highlighted as the most critical factor for funding capital expenditures (capex), with large-cap companies managing to cover 80-90% of their capex through operational cash flow [5][7]. - Companies that can fund their growth through free cash flow are likely to receive higher valuations compared to those that rely on debt [8]. Group 3: Market Position of Major Players - Major players in the tech industry, such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, are expected to continue experiencing strong demand due to their financial capabilities to support growth [9][10]. - The market currently favors companies with solid cash flow for funding expenditures, as opposed to those that need to incur debt, reflecting a preference for lower risk in the AI sector [9].

Key Points Sales and earnings per share rose by 9% and 11%, respectively, during the quarter. More importantly, management raised full-year 2026 guidance. Cintas' customer retention rates remain near all-time highs, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment. 10 stocks we like better than Cintas › Leading uniform rental and business essentials provider Cintas (NASDAQ: CTAS) saw its shares jump 4% higher as of 10 a.m. ET on Thursday. Cintas is a 92-bagger since 1994 and kept the good times ...