Core Viewpoint - Harris Associates L.P. emphasizes a consistent investment philosophy focused on value investing, believing that stock prices will eventually reflect the underlying value of companies [1] Company Philosophy - The company was founded in 1976 by investment professionals committed to superior investment research and customer service [1] - Harris Associates identifies companies trading at significant discounts to their intrinsic value, aiming for substantial profit potential [1] - The investment approach is framed as owning a piece of a business for the long term, highlighting the importance of intensive, fundamental research [1] Research Process - The research process involves a disciplined quantitative and qualitative screening method [1] - Analysts at Harris Associates are independent thinkers who evaluate companies based on fundamental characteristics rather than relying on Wall Street [1] - The team consists of generalists who apply their expertise across various sectors [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 value of companies [1] Company Philosophy - The company was founded in 1976 by investment professionals committed to superior investment research and customer service [1] - Harris Associates identifies companies trading at significant discounts to their intrinsic value, aiming for substantial profit potential [1] - The investment approach is framed as owning a piece of a business for the long term, highlighting the importance of intensive, fundamental research [1] Research Process - The research process involves a disciplined quantitative and qualitative screening method [1] - Analysts at Harris Associates are independent thinkers who evaluate companies based on fundamental characteristics rather than relying on Wall Street [1] - The firm employs generalist analysts who assess each company holistically [1]

Core Viewpoint - Harris Associates L.P. emphasizes a consistent investment philosophy focused on value investing, aiming for long-term capital appreciation through fundamental research and client service [1] Company Philosophy - The company was founded in 1976 by investment professionals committed to delivering successful investment results [1] - It believes that the price of a stock will eventually reflect the underlying value of the company [1] - The investment process is framed as owning a piece of a business for the long term [1] Investment Strategy - Harris Associates seeks companies trading at significant discounts to their underlying value, with substantial profit potential [1] - The management of these companies is expected to think and act like owners [1] Research Process - The research process is characterized by a disciplined quantitative and qualitative screening approach [1] - Analysts are independent thinkers who do not rely on Wall Street for insights [1] - The team consists of generalists who evaluate companies based on fundamental characteristics [1]

Market Overview - The Russell 2000 Index increased by 12.4% in Q3 2025, achieving a new all-time high after nearly three years, driven by improved earnings revisions, optimism around Federal Reserve rate cuts, and a strong appetite for speculative growth stocks [2] - Retail investors played a significant role in this rally, focusing on a narrow set of stocks, which led to both breadth and concentration in returns [2] - Despite the gains, volatility remained low, and valuations were stretched, creating a sense of complacency amid ongoing policy and macroeconomic risks [3] Portfolio Performance - The ClearBridge Small Cap Strategy had positive absolute performance but slightly underperformed the benchmark [4] - The materials sector was a key contributor, with MP Materials benefiting from new supply agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense and government support for rare earth production [5] - Information technology also performed well, with TeraWulf gaining from a rebound in cryptocurrency prices and a significant investment from Google [6] Sector Performance - Communication services was the leading detractor, with companies like Criteo and Gambling.com facing sector-specific challenges despite positive earnings [7] - Consumer discretionary also showed weakness, particularly with Murphy USA reporting lower-than-expected earnings due to various operational challenges [8] Portfolio Positioning - New positions were initiated in Quaker Houghton and Avidity Biosciences, with the former expected to improve margins and returns, and the latter having a promising pipeline for RNA-based therapeutics [9][10] - The position in Vivid Seats was exited due to increasing competitive pressures in the secondary ticketing market [11] Outlook - The environment remains challenging for active small cap investors, with a focus on speculative stocks making it difficult for fundamentally driven strategies to perform [13] - However, there are signs of improvement in earnings revisions and a potential shift back towards companies with sustainable business models [14] - The strategy emphasizes high-quality businesses and strong balance sheets, with a belief that patience and discipline will ultimately yield value [15] Portfolio Highlights - The ClearBridge Small Cap Strategy underperformed the Russell 2000 Index, with gains in 10 of 11 sectors, while stock selection in communication services and consumer discretionary weighed on performance [16][17] - Key contributors included MP Materials and TeraWulf, while Murphy USA and Gambling.com were among the largest detractors [18] - New positions were also established in various sectors, including healthcare and consumer staples, while exiting positions in several companies across different sectors [19]

Core Insights - The investment approach emphasizes fundamental, valuation-driven strategies focusing on businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value [1] Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The company prioritizes understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The focus is on sectors that exhibit strong secular tailwinds, indicating a preference for industries likely to experience sustained growth [1] Group 2: Professional Background - The analyst has a decade of self-education in investing and currently manages personal funds sourced from friends and family [1] - The motivation for sharing insights on platforms like Seeking Alpha is to provide valuable investment analysis and receive feedback from the investment community [1] Group 3: Analytical Approach - The analysis aims to highlight factors that drive long-term equity value, advocating for a blend of analytical rigor and accessibility in investment research [1]

Core Insights - The investment approach emphasizes fundamental, valuation-driven strategies focusing on businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value [1] Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The company prioritizes understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The focus is on sectors that exhibit strong secular tailwinds, indicating a preference for industries poised for sustained growth [1] Group 2: Research and Analysis - The company aims to provide analytical and accessible investment insights, helping readers identify long-term equity value drivers [1] - The intention is to share investment insights and gather feedback from the investment community, fostering a collaborative environment for analysis [1]

Group 1 - The analyst has a strong interest in equity investment in global markets, inspired by successful investors like Warren Buffett [1] - A long-term investment horizon is emphasized, with a high tolerance for short-term volatility, which can present opportunities [1] - The approach combines detailed financial analysis, industry research, and macroeconomic trend evaluation to identify overlooked investment opportunities [1] Group 2 - The focus is on uncovering unique business models, products, and emerging opportunities in global markets [1] - A disciplined investment approach is employed to help navigate complex markets and build diversified portfolios with sustainable growth [1]

Group 1 - The investment approach focuses on identifying businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value [1] - Emphasis is placed on understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The analyst aims to provide insights that help readers concentrate on factors driving long-term equity value [1] Group 2 - The analyst has been self-educated in investment for 10 years and currently manages personal funds sourced from friends and family [1] - The motivation for sharing insights on Seeking Alpha is to engage with fellow investors and enhance the quality of investment analysis [1]

Core Insights - The investment approach focuses on identifying businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value generation [1] - Emphasis is placed on understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The goal is to generate long-term free cash flow and create shareholder value through fundamental research in sectors with strong secular tailwinds [1] Investment Philosophy - The investor is self-educated and has been active in the investment field for 10 years, currently managing personal funds sourced from friends and family [1] - The motivation for sharing insights on platforms like Seeking Alpha is to provide valuable analysis and receive feedback from other investors [1] - The focus is on helping readers understand the drivers of long-term equity value and ensuring that analysis is both analytical and accessible [1]

Core Insights - The investment approach focuses on identifying businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value generation [1] - Emphasis is placed on understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The goal is to generate long-term free cash flow and create shareholder value through fundamental research in sectors with strong secular tailwinds [1] Investment Philosophy - The investor is self-educated with a decade of experience in managing personal funds, primarily sourced from friends and family [1] - The motivation for sharing insights is to provide value to readers and receive feedback from the investment community [1] - The analysis aims to be both analytical and accessible, focusing on what drives long-term equity value [1]