Core Insights - In 2025, investors are focusing on companies that generate steady cash and return it to shareholders, with shareholder yield becoming a key metric for assessing commitment to investor rewards [2][3][4] Market Environment - Inflation is cooling and interest rates are easing, allowing companies that managed debt effectively during tough years to benefit from lower financing costs [3] - Geopolitical uncertainty and high stock valuations are making investors cautious about pursuing growth aggressively, leading to a preference for reliable cash returns [4] Shareholder Yield Strategy - Research indicates that shareholder-yield strategies outperform traditional high-dividend approaches, as high dividends alone do not ensure disciplined capital management [5] - Combining dividends with share buybacks and debt reduction provides a clearer picture of management's commitment to long-term value [6] Investment Opportunities - High-quality shareholder-yield companies offer a blend of consistent returns and volatility cushioning, reflecting management teams focused on long-term performance [7] - Notable companies with strong shareholder yields include: - **CION Investment Corporation (CION)**: Offers a dividend yield of approximately 14.17%, with seven dividend increases in five years and a payout ratio of 81% [8][9][10] - **Invesco (IVZ)**: Provides a dividend yield of 3.57%, with six increases in five years and a payout ratio of 44% [11][12] - **TPG RE Finance Trust (TRTX)**: Offers a dividend yield of around 10.73%, with three increases in five years and a reduction in long-term debt from $3.71 billion in 2021 to $2.83 billion in Q3 2025 [13][14][15] - **W.P. Carey (WPC)**: Provides a dividend yield of 5.38%, with 20 increases in five years despite a negative annualized growth rate of 4.78% [16][17][18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly average assets under management were $1.4 billion, operating revenues were $2.25 million, and net income was $1.5 million, showing a significant increase from the previous year [27][30] - Operating revenues increased by $94,000 or 4% from the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in advisory and administrative fees for equity mutual funds [28] - Net income after taxes for the quarter increased by $1.2 million compared to the same quarter last fiscal year, reaching $1.5 million or $0.12 per share [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating expenses increased by $50,000 or 2%, mainly due to a $101,000 increase in employee compensation and a $52,000 increase in advertising expenses related to expanded ETF marketing efforts [29] - Other income for the quarter was $2.4 million compared to $995,000 in the prior year, primarily due to higher net investment income from unrealized gains [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet with approximately $24.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and current investments totaling $9.7 million [31] - The current ratio stands at 20.5 to 1, indicating a strong liquidity position [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on creating thematic products using Smart Beta 2.0 strategy, which involves rigorous backtesting and active money management [8][14] - A two-pillar strategy is in place to enhance shareholder value through dividends and stock buybacks, with a current share repurchase program purchasing 159,074 Class A shares for approximately $400,000 [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the worst impacts from the election and tariff battles are hopefully behind, with a rebound in assets and investment income [11][13] - The company remains optimistic about the gold market, highlighting that gold has outperformed the S&P 500 and is seen as a strong diversifier in investment portfolios [20][21] Other Important Information - The company has paid a monthly dividend since June 2007, with a current yield of 3.46% at a share price of $2.60 [10] - The company is actively engaging with shareholders through various marketing channels, including YouTube and social media, to provide insights and updates [32][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the company's outlook on gold investments? - Management emphasized that gold has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 and is considered a crucial diversifier for investment portfolios, with recommendations to allocate 10%-15% in gold [20][21] Question: How is the company managing its stock buyback program? - The company utilizes an algorithm to buy back shares on flat and down days, believing the stock is undervalued, and aims to enhance shareholder value through this strategy [9][10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly average assets under management were $1.4 billion, operating revenues were $2.25 million, and net income was $1.5 million, showing a significant increase from the previous year [28][31] - Operating revenues increased by $94,000 or 4% from the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in advisory and administrative fees for equity mutual funds [29] - Net income after taxes for the quarter increased by $1.2 million compared to the same quarter last fiscal year [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating expenses increased by $50,000 or 2%, mainly due to a $101,000 increase in employee compensation and a $52,000 increase in advertising expenses [30] - Other income for the quarter was $2.4 million compared to $995,000 in the prior year, primarily due to higher net investment income [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has experienced a rebound in assets and investment income, which has helped turn the corner after being impacted by the tariff war [13] - Gold reached an all-time high of $4,300, although it has gone through a correction since October [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on creating thematic products using Smart Beta 2.0 strategy, which requires rigorous backtesting and continuous management [7][8] - U.S. Global has been buying back stock using an algorithm on flat and down days, aiming to enhance shareholder value through dividends and stock repurchases [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the worst impacts from the election and tariff battles are behind them as they move forward [11] - The company remains optimistic about the travel industry, particularly in Europe and Asia, despite challenges in the U.S. market [16][17] Other Important Information - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet with high levels of cash and investments, including approximately $24.6 million in cash and cash equivalents [32] - The current yield at the share price of $2.60 is 3.46%, and the company has paid a monthly dividend since June 2007 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the company's outlook on gold investments? - Management highlighted that gold has outperformed the S&P 500 and is considered a crucial diversifier for a diversified portfolio, with recommendations to allocate 10%-15% in gold [20][23] Question: How is the company addressing the challenges in the airline industry? - Management noted that while the U.S. airline industry is facing sentiment challenges, the European and Asian markets are booming, indicating potential for recovery [16][17] Question: What are the company's plans for future product launches? - The company is focused on launching new thematic products, particularly in AI and defense sectors, which are expected to capture significant market interest [18][26]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported average assets under management of $1.4 billion and operating revenues of $2.25 million for the quarter, with net income of $1.5 million, an increase from $315,000 in the same quarter last year [28][30] - Operating revenues increased by $94,000 or 4% from the previous year, primarily due to higher advisory and administrative fees for equity mutual funds [29] - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $24.6 million, reflecting a slight increase since June 2025 [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a rebound in investment income, which has improved due to unrealized gains on investments [30] - The operational earnings consist of advisory fees, while other earnings include realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The gold market has shown significant volatility, with gold reaching an all-time high of $4,300 before undergoing a correction [20][19] - The company noted that gold has outperformed the S&P 500, doubling its performance this century, which has led to increased interest in gold investments [20][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on creating thematic products using a smart beta 2.0 strategy, which involves rigorous backtesting and active money management [7][14] - A two-pillar strategy is in place to enhance shareholder value through dividends and stock buybacks, with a current yield of 3.46% [10][9] - The company is actively buying back stock when prices are flat or down, indicating a belief that the stock is undervalued [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, stating that the worst impacts of the tariff wars may be behind them, with a rebound in assets and investment income [11][13] - The company highlighted the importance of gold as a diversifier in investment portfolios, especially in light of rising global debt levels [21][22] Other Important Information - The company has been expanding its subscriber base and increasing exposure to the Bitcoin ecosystem through investments [8] - The company has maintained a monthly dividend since June 2007, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the company's outlook on gold investments? - Management noted that gold has reached an all-time high and has outperformed the S&P 500, suggesting a strong future for gold investments [20][21] Question: How is the company managing its stock buyback program? - The company is using an algorithm to buy back shares on flat and down days, believing the stock is undervalued [9][10] Question: What are the key themes driving the company's investment strategy? - The focus is on thematic investing, particularly in gold, precious metals, and AI defense sectors, which are expected to see growth [18][26]

Core Insights - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is implementing a post-election agenda that could significantly impact investment opportunities, particularly in legacy Japan ETFs [1] - The agenda emphasizes shareholder rewards, with Japanese companies increasingly engaging in stock buybacks and raising dividends, which aligns with Takaichi's goals [3][4] - The WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund (OPPJ) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of this agenda [2][6] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - The WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund (OPPJ) aims to capture Japan's shareholder yield opportunities, which are becoming more relevant as companies focus on shareholder rewards [3] - Shareholder payouts in Japan have quadrupled over the past decade, with buybacks now surpassing total dividends from ten years ago [4] - OPPJ has significant allocations to Japan's trading houses, with approximately 45% of its weight in stocks that are also part of Warren Buffett's investments, providing greater exposure to these assets [5] Group 2: Defense Spending - Takaichi is prioritizing increased defense spending, which could enhance the relevance of the WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) [6] - Japan is the third-largest country exposure in WDAF, which is timely as several Asian economies, including India and South Korea, are also increasing their defense budgets [7] - South Korea is becoming a key player in defense exports, while India is focusing on transforming procurement into production, reshaping its defense ecosystem [8]

Group 1 - The market may conceal valuable investment opportunities that are overlooked due to popular but flawed opinions [1] - The focus is on providing actionable long/hold ideas, deep-dive equity research, and data-driven insights across various market sectors [1] - The analyst has extensive experience in studying and analyzing markets, aiming to uncover opportunities that others might miss [1] Group 2 - The analyst's work has been featured on platforms like Yahoo Finance and Investing.com, indicating a level of credibility and reach in the financial community [1]

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's significant investment in Lennar highlights the importance of shareholder yield as a key metric for investors [2][5][7] Shareholder Yield - Shareholder yield measures total cash returned to shareholders as a percentage of market cap, including dividends, stock buybacks, and debt reduction [3] - Lennar's shareholder yield is calculated by combining its dividend yield of 1.6% and an estimated stock buyback yield of 7.1%, resulting in a total shareholder yield of 8.7% [6][7] Company Performance - Lennar paid a dividend of $0.50 per share in Q3 2025, leading to an annualized dividend payout of $2 per share [5] - The company repurchased 4.1 million shares for $507 million in Q3 2025 and is projected to spend approximately $2.4 billion on stock buybacks in the current fiscal year [6] Market Conditions - Lennar's fiscal Q3 revenue from home sales fell 9% year over year, attributed to lower average sales prices and a decrease in gross margins from 22.5% to 17.5% [10] - The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate has recently dropped to a three-year low, which could improve home affordability and benefit Lennar [11] Long-term Prospects - The U.S. housing market faces a shortage, with an estimated need for over 4.7 million new homes, positioning Lennar favorably as one of the largest homebuilders [12]

Core Viewpoint - Investors should focus on shareholders' yield, which encompasses dividend yield, net buyback yield, and debt reduction yield, to gain a comprehensive understanding of how companies return value to shareholders [2][3]. Shareholders' Yield Calculation - Shareholders' yield is calculated as: - Shareholder's Yield = Dividend Yield + Net Buyback Yield + Debt Reduction Yield [3][9]. - This metric provides a more holistic view of a company's capital allocation compared to just dividend payments [3]. Benefits of Shareholders' Yield - Focusing on shareholders' yield allows investors to identify companies that effectively reward their shareholders, leading to more informed investment decisions [3][5]. - A higher shareholders' yield often indicates steady income streams and potential capital appreciation, contributing to superior long-term performance [5]. Company Examples - **Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)**: - Offers a competitive dividend yield of approximately 5.28% and has increased its dividend payout 17 times in the past five years, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 23.3% [8][10]. - Reduced long-term debt from $16.02 billion in 2020 to $13.74 billion in December 2024 and repurchased $2.66 billion worth of common stock in 2024 [11]. - **Bain Capital Specialty Finance (BCSF)**: - Provides a high dividend yield of 11.59% and has increased its dividend payout four times in the past five years, with an annualized growth rate of 6.4% [13]. - Reduced its debt from $1.46 billion in 2020 to $1.39 billion in 2024, indicating a focus on long-term financial stability [14]. - **CSX**: - Has a dividend yield of approximately 1.57% and has increased its dividend payout five times over the past five years, resulting in an annualized growth rate of 8.9% [15]. - Repurchased shares worth $2.2 billion in 2024 and had $2.6 billion in total repurchase authority remaining as of December 31, 2024 [16]. - **Verizon Communications (VZ)**: - Offers a dividend yield of around 6.28% and has increased its dividend payout six times in the past five years, reflecting an annualized growth rate of almost 2% [17]. - Reduced long-term debt from $123.17 billion in 2020 to $121.38 billion in December 2024, maintaining a solid balance sheet [18].

Group 1 - The energy sector has been underperforming relative to the S&P 500 for three years, despite a total shareholder yield of 7.3% [1] - Investors in the iShares U.S. Energy ETF are experiencing this underperformance, indicating a potential disconnect between shareholder returns and stock performance [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the Asia equity market, particularly in relation to AI themes and policy-driven catalysts amid macro uncertainties [2][7]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Market Performance and Recommendations** - The Asia equity market (MXAPJ) has rebounded 34% from April's low without any significant pullbacks, suggesting a focus on AI and policy-driven themes is prudent [2][7]. - The Regional Asia Drawdown Risk model indicates a potential moderate correction of 10-20% due to macro volatility [7]. 2. **Investment Strategy Baskets** - 46 strategy baskets have been rebalanced, allowing investors to track Asian equities through various lenses such as macroeconomic factors, geographic exposure, and thematic focuses [1][5]. - Key themes include: - **Value to Growth Rotation**: Growth has outperformed Value recently, supported by expectations of Fed easing [4][8]. - **Shareholder Yield**: Enhancements in dividends and buybacks are recommended, particularly focusing on High Dividend Yield with Growth [4][8]. - **Tech vs. Macro Divergence**: Optimism around AI capital expenditures supports AIGC Hardware and Semiconductors over US exposure [4][8]. 3. **Earnings Momentum** - Dynamic revision factors have shown consistent alpha across market cycles, with notable performance in Consensus Revision Winners vs. Losers and Strong vs. Weak Earnings Revisions [4][8]. 4. **Structural Themes** - **Power Up Asia**: Focus on nuclear and renewable energy, supported by China's policies [4][8]. - **AI Applications**: Accelerated adoption of AI technologies is expected to drive growth in related sectors [4][8]. - **Defense Spending**: Increased geopolitical risks are expected to boost defense-related investments [4][8]. - **China POEs Comeback**: Chinese prominent companies are positioned to extend their market leadership amid regulatory easing [4][8]. - **Korea Value Up**: Governance reforms in Korea are expected to enhance market performance [4][8]. - **Indian Consumption**: Recent GST cuts are anticipated to benefit consumer-sensitive sectors [4][8]. Additional Important Insights - The report highlights 50 GS Buy-Rated names that align with preferred factors within recommended themes, indicating a diverse range of investment opportunities across sectors [3][9]. - The performance of Taiwan's Apple suppliers is expected to benefit from new product launches, particularly the iPhone [13][14]. - The analysis emphasizes the importance of monitoring macroeconomic indicators and market conditions, as they can significantly impact investment strategies [36]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current investment landscape in the Asian equity market.