Thames Water was one of six UK water companies where bonuses for management were blocked by new rules, regulator Ofwat says https://t.co/rhOTaeJpFF ...

Core Insights - The third-quarter 2025 investor letter from Aristotle Capital Boston, LLC indicates that U.S. small/mid-cap equities performed well, with the strategy returning 2.57% net of fees, underperforming the Russell 2500 Index's 9.00% total return [1] Company Overview - Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) is a regulated utilities operator providing water, wastewater, and natural gas services across nine states through its subsidiaries Aqua and Peoples Gas [3] - As of October 31, 2025, Essential Utilities, Inc. had a market capitalization of $10.947 billion, with its stock closing at $39.03 per share [2] Performance Metrics - Essential Utilities, Inc. reported a one-month return of -2.60% and a 52-week gain of 1.04% [2] - In Q2 2025, the company reported revenues of $514.9 million, an increase from $434.4 million in Q2 2024 [4] Investment Potential - The company is recognized as a "Dividend Aristocrat," having raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years, supported by a favorable regulatory environment in its core markets [3] - Despite its potential, the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 34 hedge fund portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q2 2025, up from 25 in the previous quarter [4]

Core Viewpoint - First Pacific Company Limited is focused on defensive businesses in Southeast Asia and is set to present at the dbVIC - Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference on November 4, 2025, highlighting its growth and investment opportunities in the region [1][2]. Company Overview - First Pacific is a Hong Kong-based investment holding company with operations in consumer food products, telecommunications, infrastructure, and mining [7]. - The company is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and offers access to defensive industries in Southeast Asia, benefiting from robust investor protections and a de facto USD valuation [3][7]. Financial Performance - The company has experienced six consecutive years of profit growth, with the last four years achieving record highs [4]. - Shareholders received a record high dividend per share for 2024 earnings, with expectations for 2025 to set a new record [3]. - First Pacific's share price increased by 25% in 2023 and 45% in 2024, with a recurring P/E ratio of 3.6x for FY 2024 [6]. Investment Portfolio - Key assets include Indofood, the world's largest maker of instant noodles, MPTC, the largest privately owned toll road operator, and major companies in power (Meralco), telecommunications (PLDT), and water (Maynilad) in the Philippines [5]. - The company is also the largest shareholder in Philex Mining, which plans to open a second gold and copper mine in 2026 [5]. Strategic Focus - First Pacific's strategy emphasizes investing in industries where it has expertise, focusing on Southeast Asia, and maintaining significant stakes in its investments to control cash flows [7]. - The company has low borrowings and an interest coverage ratio of 4x, maintaining investment-grade credit ratings from Moody's and S&P Global for three years [6]. Upcoming Events - The dbVIC - Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference will allow real-time interaction between investors and the company, with an archived webcast available for those unable to attend live [2][9].

Core Insights - The investment landscape in Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant growth and transformation, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, hospitality, and tourism, driven by a population of 35 million undergoing rapid changes [2][4] - There is a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) within the region, with companies like Aramco leveraging their extensive data from drilling operations to develop proprietary AI models aimed at improving economic efficiencies [4][7] - The capital markets are heating up, with a notable increase in IPOs and M&A activities, supported by favorable conditions such as potential interest rate cuts and a robust stock market [5][6] Investment Opportunities - The current environment is conducive to a potential M&A boom, with private credit markets flush with capital and a high stock market, suggesting a busy year ahead for deal-making [6][11] - There is a significant amount of value and capital expenditures available in the market, estimated in trillions of dollars, indicating a unique opportunity for creative financing solutions [11][12] - The entertainment sector, particularly sports, is emerging as a substantial area for investment, with valuations of sports teams reaching record highs, such as a recent deal valuing a sports team above $10 billion [20][22] Sector Focus - The utility sector is gaining attention, particularly in relation to power, as AI and data centers become increasingly important [19] - The healthcare sector is also highlighted, with companies like Open Evidence utilizing AI to enhance medical research accessibility for doctors, showcasing a valuation of $6 billion [15][16] - The overall sentiment in the market is optimistic, with a belief that AI will free up time for consumers, leading to increased demand for entertainment and leisure activities [22][23]

Group 1: Primo Brands Corporation - Primo Brands Corporation's share was trading at $21.86 as of October 8th, with a forward P/E of 11.85 according to Yahoo Finance [1] - The bullish thesis on Primo Brands emphasizes its undervaluation post-BlueTriton merger and potential cost synergies [5] Group 2: Veralto Corporation - Veralto Corporation, the largest pure-play water company in the U.S., has faced initial integration challenges post-merger with BlueTriton, leading to a guidance reduction [2] - Despite these challenges, the company has navigated the worst of the merger-related disruptions, positioning it as one of the most undervalued consumer staples in the market [2] - The company is currently trading at approximately 8.5x trough EBITDA, reflecting a significant discount to its intrinsic value [3] - The combination of scale, cost synergies, and improving operational execution suggests meaningful upside potential as the earnings impact of synergies becomes more visible [3] - Investors focusing beyond short-term volatility may benefit from a substantial rerating as the market recognizes the company's enhanced earnings power and durable cash flows [4] - The water company represents a compelling investment with a strong risk/reward profile, driven by the merger's long-term benefits and attractive valuation relative to its peers [4] Group 3: Hedge Fund Interest - Primo Brands Corporation is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 72 hedge fund portfolios holding PRMB at the end of Q2, up from 66 in the previous quarter [6]

Core Points - Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) is set to report its earnings for Q3 2025 on November 4, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call with financial analysts will be held on November 5, 2025, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, hosted by CEO Chris Franklin and CFO Dan Schuller [2] - Essential Utilities is a major provider of water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the U.S., serving approximately 5.5 million people across nine states [3][4] Company Overview - Essential Utilities, Inc. focuses on delivering safe, clean, and reliable services, emphasizing sustainable growth and operational excellence [3] - The company operates under the Aqua and Peoples brands and is committed to environmental stewardship, protecting thousands of acres of natural habitats [4] Recent Developments - Aqua Pennsylvania has been awarded $35 million in funding from PENNVEST for the construction of a PFAS treatment system at its Ridley Water Treatment Plant [6] - Essential Utilities released its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress in emissions reduction and infrastructure modernization [7] - Sadzi Martha Oliva has been appointed as the new President of Aqua Indiana, effective September 2, 2025, to oversee water and wastewater operations [8]

The $300bn-odd industry is pushing flavoured and “functional” waters. Two forces are behind the shift https://t.co/IBAndqDBfj ...

Johannesburg’s mayor told South African lawmakers that his administration has raised the budget for fixing the city’s water infrastructure and is accelerating a turnaround plan days after residents protested against lack of supply https://t.co/a0MDSB1Sl6 ...

Business Expansion - Taqa agreed to acquire GS Inima for approximately $1.2 billion [1] - The acquisition aims to expand Taqa's water business [1]

Financial Performance - The company's statutory NPAT increased by 82% to $149.1 million compared to FY24[9] - Underlying EBITA increased by 25% to $474.2 million compared to FY24[9] - The company achieved an EBITA margin of 4.4%, exceeding the management target of 4.2%[9] - The company's cash conversion was 98%, exceeding the target of >90%[9] - The company's leverage ratio improved to 0.9x net debt to EBITDA, compared to 1.3x at Dec-24[9] - The company achieved annualised gross cost out of $213 million, exceeding the upsized target of $200 million[9] Revenue and Work-in-Hand - The company's FY25 revenue was $10.6 billion[101] - The company's work-in-hand is $35.1 billion[53] Shareholder Returns - The company announced an on-market share buy-back of up to $230 million, representing approximately 5% of issued capital[8, 73, 78] - The company's total dividend increased by 46% on FY24[9, 75] - The company's final dividend is 14.1cps, 100% franked[9] Outlook - The company is targeting underlying earnings and EBITA margin improvement in FY26, with underlying revenue forecast to be flat to slightly lower than FY25 pro forma revenue[84]