Kreston FLS, a company providing public accounting and business consulting services, has integrated FCM Consultores based in Querétaro, Mexico. The move extends Kreston FLS’ footprint in the Bajío region, a key economic corridor in the country. The Querétaro team has more than two decades of experience and works across audit, tax, accounting and foreign trade. It specialises in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and construction sectors. Kreston FLS states that the integration supports international ...

The seasonal returns chart highlights recurring trends in asset performance over specific months of the year, offering insights into potential price movements. Investors use seasonality to identify patterns and inform their decisions, but it's essential to remember that these patterns reflect past data and may not predict future performance. By analyzing the percentage of positive months and average gains or losses, traders can identify above-average tendencies. Caution is advised, however, as relying solel ...

Core Insights - The article discusses how multipolarity, deglobalization, and nearshoring are expected to lead to a structural increase in inflation, as predicted by economists [1] Group 1: Economic Trends - Multipolarity is emerging as a significant trend, indicating a shift in global power dynamics that may affect economic stability and inflation rates [1] - Deglobalization is highlighted as a factor that could disrupt traditional supply chains, potentially leading to increased costs and inflationary pressures [1] - Nearshoring is becoming more prevalent as companies seek to relocate production closer to their consumer markets, which may also contribute to rising inflation due to higher operational costs [1] Group 2: Inflation Predictions - Economists predict that these trends will not only affect current inflation rates but may also lead to a long-term structural shift in how inflation behaves in the global economy [1] - The anticipated increase in inflation is expected to be driven by changes in trade patterns and production locations, which could alter pricing dynamics across various industries [1]

Core Insights - The article highlights the expertise of Michael Del Monte as a buy-side equity analyst specializing in technology, energy, industrials, and materials sectors [1] Group 1: Analyst Background - Michael Del Monte has over a decade of experience in professional services across various industries including Oil & Gas, Oilfield Services, Midstream, Industrials, Information Technology, EPC Services, and consumer discretionary [1]

Core Insights - Parnassus Investments reported that the S&P 500 Index increased by 8.12% in Q3 2025, driven by investor optimism regarding monetary easing, strong consumer demand, and solid corporate earnings [1] - The Parnassus Core Equity Fund (Investor Shares) returned 2.57% in Q3 2025, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, with a year-to-date return of 9.89% compared to the index's 14.83% [1] Company Highlights - W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) is highlighted as a key holding in the Parnassus Core Equity Fund, with a one-month return of 9.89% and a 52-week loss of 5.14% [2] - As of December 22, 2025, W.W. Grainger, Inc. shares closed at $1,034.87, with a market capitalization of $49.21 billion [2] - The company reported Q3 2025 sales of $4.7 billion, reflecting a 6.1% increase on a reported basis and a 5.4% increase on a daily constant currency basis [4] Investment Strategy - The Parnassus Core Equity Fund has reallocated assets by trimming IT holdings in Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom, and investing in W.W. Grainger, Inc. due to its economies of scale, network effects, and strong customer loyalty [3] - The management team of W.W. Grainger, Inc. is noted for its proven track record of outperforming industry peers, positioning the company to benefit from trends such as digitization and nearshoring [3]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the Latin American (LatAm) market, particularly regarding investment opportunities and risks in the region's economies and industries for 2026 [4][9][14]. Core Insights - **Investment Shift**: There is a significant potential for growth in LatAm markets after years of underperformance. Countries that transition from consumption and leverage to investment are expected to see the highest growth. Mexico is noted for its early advantage in nearshoring, while Brazil presents the best risk-reward scenario [4][9]. - **Policy Changes**: A shift away from populism towards fiscal responsibility is observed across several LatAm countries, which could lead to a new earnings cycle and improve the risk-reward balance for equity investors [13][14][17]. - **Equity Performance**: Brazilian equities have risen approximately 53% year-to-date and could increase another 20% while still being at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10x. A policy shift could further reduce the cost of capital by 2-3 turns [9][20]. - **Investment Cycle**: The key to revitalizing LatAm economies is reigniting an investment cycle, which is essential for developing a new investment narrative. The current consumer cycle is seen as nearing its end, necessitating a focus on investment-led growth [18][20]. Country-Specific Insights - **Brazil**: Currently experiencing fiscal consolidation and policy confidence, with a focus on investment growth. The country is running out of fiscal road, and the investment narrative is crucial for future growth [18][20]. - **Mexico**: The USMCA negotiations are critical for the nearshoring narrative. The market has rallied significantly, but earnings growth remains muted, and the investment narrative is closely tied to USMCA developments [25][28]. - **Argentina**: Faces significant challenges with a weaker capital market but has potential for growth if an investment cycle can be established [4][9]. Risks and Challenges - **Consumer Cycle Limitations**: The consensus view suggests that the consumer cycle may be reaching its limits, and without meaningful fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, equities may continue to underperform [16][20]. - **USMCA Uncertainty**: The negotiations surrounding the USMCA are complex, and there is a material probability of a bear case scenario that could delay the nearshoring narrative and investment growth in Mexico [25][28][37]. - **Fintech Disruption**: In the banking sector, fintech companies are challenging traditional banks in Mexico, potentially leading to a significant reduction in profitability for incumbents if they are forced to raise deposit yields [87][97]. Investment Recommendations - **Equity Strategy**: The recommendation is to remain overweight in Brazil and Argentina, equal-weight in Mexico, and focus on sectors such as financial services, digitalization, energy, and nearshoring [23][70]. - **Cautious Approach**: A cautious stance is advised for agribusiness in Brazil due to current pressures on commodity prices and farmer margins, with a preference for selective exposure [74][80]. Conclusion - The LatAm market is at a pivotal point with potential for significant growth driven by policy shifts and investment cycles. However, challenges remain, particularly in the context of USMCA negotiations and the rise of fintech in the banking sector. Investors are encouraged to focus on sectors poised for growth while remaining cautious of the broader economic landscape [4][9][20][87].

Nearshoring, Mexico investment and tightening truck capacity could reshape North American freight flows next year. Uber Freight’s latest market outlook points to a U.S. freight market that is quietly stabilizing and setting up for tighter conditions in 2026, with cross-border trade with Mexico emerging as one of the most important structural drivers. Uber Freight is a part of San Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER), which operates three platforms: Uber (ride-hailing), Uber Eats (food and ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the logistics industry, focusing on the implications of reshoring and the dynamics of a multipolar world on global supply chains and freight transport [2][20][65]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Reshoring Impact**: The reshoring of supply chains is leading to a structural shift in logistics, with a notable modal shift from ocean freight to truck freight, particularly benefiting short-haul trucking [9][38][58]. - **Container Throughput Trends**: Regression analysis indicates that ocean container throughput growth is expected to slow relative to GDP growth, with a projected decline in the multiplier effect of TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) trade to GDP [9][39][52]. - **Earnings Estimates**: Earnings estimates for global container liners are significantly below consensus, with projections of -18% and -24% for FY26 and FY27, respectively. In contrast, earnings for listed truck freight players are expected to outperform, with estimates of +18% and +20% [9][58]. - **Investment in Reindustrialization**: Total investment in reindustrialization in Europe and the US is projected to reach $4.7 trillion over the next three years, indicating a strong commitment to reshoring strategies [34][36]. - **Modal Shift Dynamics**: The shift towards road transport is evident, with trucks gaining market share over ocean freight, especially in high-frequency, short-haul lanes. Rail-road intermodal solutions are also expected to gain traction due to their ESG benefits [9][38][58]. Additional Important Insights - **Trade as a Share of GDP**: The share of trade in GDP is declining, exacerbated by efforts to nearshore supply chains. This trend reflects a broader structural shift towards services in global economies [20][44]. - **US-China Trade Relations**: The US is reducing its reliance on China, with China's share of US imports dropping from 22% in 2017 to 13% in 2024. This shift is influencing global supply chains and increasing the importance of alternative trading partners like Mexico and Vietnam [69][71]. - **Geopolitical Tensions**: Rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping trade routes and supply chain strategies, with disruptions in regions like the Middle East affecting logistics operations [98]. - **Technological Investments**: Companies are expected to invest in AI and data infrastructure to enhance supply chain resilience and efficiency, particularly in response to the complexities introduced by reshoring [60]. Conclusion - The logistics industry is undergoing significant changes driven by reshoring, geopolitical tensions, and evolving trade dynamics. The modal shift towards trucking and the decline in ocean freight volumes present both challenges and opportunities for various stakeholders in the logistics sector [9][20][58].

Core Insights - The global infrastructure sector is positioned favorably due to various macroeconomic factors, making it an attractive area for investment [1][3] - Infrastructure investing historically provides income and downside protection, which are key considerations for investors [3] - The BNY Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF (BKGI) offers a broader approach to infrastructure investing, looking beyond traditional sectors [4] Infrastructure Investment Rationale - Current favorable tailwinds for infrastructure include artificial intelligence, globalization, reshoring, and demographic changes [3] - Infrastructure is expected to play a significant role in addressing the upcoming demographic shifts [3] BKGI Fund Strategy - BKGI differentiates itself by defining infrastructure more broadly than traditional funds, which typically focus on utilities, industrials, and energy [4] - The fund targets companies with fixed assets that generate cash flow and have regulatory predictability, allowing it to capitalize on various secular themes [4] Portfolio Integration - BKGI is designed to deliver income and downside protection, making it suitable for investors seeking stability [5] - Infrastructure companies generally exhibit less sensitivity to economic fluctuations, potentially outperforming other sectors during economic downturns [6] - These companies can pass costs onto consumers more effectively, maintaining essential services regardless of economic conditions [6]

Core Insights - The US Air Freight Transport Market is projected to grow from USD 49.85 billion in 2025 to USD 61.63 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 4.33% driven by demand in e-commerce, healthcare, and high-value manufacturing sectors [1][11] Market Drivers - Rapid growth in e-commerce is leading to increased demand for faster delivery, with consumers expecting two-day or same-day shipping, prompting carriers to optimize routes and expand capacity [3][12] - Nearshoring of semiconductor, electronics, and automotive manufacturing to Mexico is increasing air cargo volumes along the US-Mexico corridor, emphasizing the need for just-in-time delivery [4][12] - The healthcare sector is increasingly relying on air freight for temperature-sensitive shipments, necessitating compliance with cold-chain standards and expanding logistics capabilities [5][6] Infrastructure and Operational Enhancements - Major US airports are investing in cargo facilities and infrastructure upgrades to handle rising freight volumes, improving operational efficiency and reducing turnaround times [7][12] - Airlines are increasing their fleet of dedicated freighters and adopting sustainable aviation fuels to enhance service reliability and reduce environmental impact [7][12] Competitive Landscape - Key players in the market include UPS, FedEx, DHL, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, and Kuehne + Nagel, each offering specialized services tailored to various industries [10][12]