Industry Overview - The Zacks Investment Management industry is experiencing growth driven by asset growth, digital transformation, evolving investment vehicles, deeper personalization, and strategic scale [1] - Investment managers, also known as asset managers, manage various financial investments for clients, providing diversification and reducing volatility impacts [3] Key Trends - Continued asset inflows are expected to drive AUM growth, with equity markets performing well and institutional interest increasing [4] - There is a notable rise in inflows into alternative investments, including index funds, private credit funds, and ETFs, alongside the growth of tokenized assets [5] - Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are being utilized by firms to expand scale, cut costs, and enhance product diversification [6][7] - Elevated expenses due to regulatory compliance and technology upgrades are anticipated to impact profits, although investments in AI and digital platforms may improve margins in the long run [9][10] Industry Performance - The Zacks Investment Management industry ranks 58, placing it in the top 24% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [11][12] - The industry's earnings estimates have been revised upward by 1.9% since April 2025, reflecting growing analyst confidence [13] Comparative Analysis - Over the past two years, the industry has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, gaining 33.9% compared to the S&P 500's 52% increase [15] - The industry's trailing 12-month price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio is 3.35X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 12.55X, indicating a discount compared to the broader market [18][19] Company Highlights - **Ameriprise Financial (AMP)**: As of September 30, 2025, AMP's total AUM was $1.66 trillion, with a CAGR of 5.9% in net revenues over the last five years [27][28]. The company has been restructuring to improve profitability and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [31] - **Invesco (IVZ)**: IVZ's AUM reached $2.1 trillion as of September 30, 2025, with a CAGR of 8.5% over the last five years [34]. The company has undertaken initiatives to improve efficiency and has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [38] - **Affiliated Managers Group (AMG)**: AMG's total AUM was $803.6 billion as of September 30, 2025, with a recent shift towards private markets and liquid alternatives to counter revenue challenges [41][43]. The company also holds a Zacks Rank of 1 [45]

Core Viewpoint - Allworth Financial LP significantly increased its stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, indicating strong institutional interest in the fund [1] Institutional Holdings - Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 3,319.6% during Q2, acquiring an additional 43,952 shares, bringing its total to 45,276 shares valued at $403,000 [1] - Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its holdings by 4.9% in Q1, now owning 3,642,059 shares worth $31,322,000 after acquiring 171,007 shares [2] - Waterfront Wealth Inc. raised its stake by 7.2% in Q2, owning 690,657 shares valued at $6,140,000 after purchasing 46,150 shares [2] - Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its position by 128.1% in Q2, now holding 627,929 shares worth $5,582,000 after acquiring 352,617 shares [2] - Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake by 3.0% in Q2, owning 614,307 shares valued at $5,461,000 after purchasing 18,154 shares [2] - Boothe Investment Group Inc. grew its holdings by 1.3% in Q2, now owning 480,964 shares worth $4,276,000 after buying 5,959 shares [2] Stock Performance - BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust shares opened at $8.96, with a 12-month low of $7.16 and a high of $9.24; the 50-day moving average is $9.05 and the 200-day moving average is $8.84 [3] Dividend Announcement - The fund announced a monthly dividend of $0.0619 per share, to be paid on November 28, with an annualized yield of 8.3%; the ex-dividend date is November 14 [4][5] Company Profile - BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC, focusing on dividend-paying stocks across various sectors and market capitalizations in the U.S. public equity markets [6]

Group 1: BlackRock and Renovo Home Partners - BlackRock Inc. has revised its valuation of the private debt extended to Renovo Home Partners from 100 cents on the dollar to zero following Renovo's bankruptcy filing [7][8] - Renovo, a company formed by private equity firm Audax Group, had previously undergone a recapitalization in April, where lenders converted some loans into equity to help the company recover [8] - Despite the financial struggles, BlackRock and MidCap Financial had marked the Renovo debt at par until the end of September, indicating an expectation of full repayment [9] Group 2: Mortgage Rates and Fed Funds Rate - The relationship between mortgage rates and the Federal Reserve's fed funds rate has been misunderstood, as mortgage rates have been more closely tied to the interest on 10-year Treasury notes [10][12] - Factors influencing longer-term Treasury yields include economic growth expectations, fiscal policies, inflation expectations, and borrower credit risk, which can lead to mortgage rates moving in opposite directions from short-term rates [12] Group 3: AI and Investment Bubbles - The concept of "Inflection Bubbles" is introduced, which are characterized by beneficial long-term effects and fewer harmful side effects compared to "Mean-reversion Bubbles" [13][14] - Investments in AI are driving significant advancements in infrastructure, particularly in chip manufacturing and power generation, which are expected to have long-term utility [20][21] - The current AI bubble is fostering innovation and funding for new technologies, including novel chip designs and lithography machines, which may not have received attention otherwise [22][23][24] Group 4: E-Commerce and AI Integration - An interview discusses the challenges of product visibility in Google search results compared to AI models like ChatGPT, with AI providing more accurate recommendations [25][30] - Amazon is positioned to benefit from the integration of AI in e-commerce, as it consistently ranks highest in consumer trust and delivery speed [31] - Walmart has removed restrictions on multichannel fulfillment, allowing third-party sellers to utilize Amazon's distribution network, which could enhance competition in the e-commerce space [32][33]

Core Insights - SoftBank Group has divested its entire stake in Nvidia, selling approximately 32.1 million shares for a total of $5.83 billion to allocate funds for other AI investments [1][3]. Group 1: SoftBank's Financial Moves - The sale of Nvidia shares is part of a broader strategy, as SoftBank also divested $9.2 billion in T-Mobile US shares during the same quarter to raise capital for AI-related investments [3]. - Nvidia previously constituted 19.3% of SoftBank's portfolio, highlighting the significance of this divestment [2]. Group 2: AI Investment Strategy - SoftBank's investment in OpenAI is substantial, with plans to invest an additional $30 billion, necessitating the divestment of existing portfolios [5]. - The company has been acquiring its stake in Nvidia since 2020, coinciding with the rise of AI technologies, particularly after the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT [4]. Group 3: Leadership Vision - Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's founder and CEO, emphasizes a mission focused on the evolution of humanity through artificial super intelligence (ASI), indicating a strong commitment to AI investments [6]. - SoftBank's investments extend beyond OpenAI to include stakes in other AI leaders like ByteDance and Perplexity AI, reflecting a comprehensive approach to AI technology [6]. Group 4: Market Reactions - Following the announcement of the Nvidia divestment, shares of Nvidia fell by 3%, while SoftBank's stock price increased by approximately 3.6% on the same day [7].

Core Viewpoint - Invesco is an independent investment management firm focused on enhancing the investment experience for individuals [1] Group 1 - Invesco emphasizes the importance of understanding investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before making investment decisions [1] - The firm provides educational information but does not offer specific investment recommendations or tax advice [1] - Invesco's opinions are based on current market conditions and may change without notice, indicating a dynamic approach to investment management [1] Group 2 - Invesco Distributors, Inc. serves as the US distributor for Invesco Ltd.'s retail products and collective trust funds [1] - The company operates through various affiliated investment advisers that provide advisory services without selling securities [1] - Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. and other broker-dealers, highlighting the firm's extensive distribution network [1]

Economic Outlook - The global economy is undergoing significant changes due to shifting monetary policies, inflation pressures, and technological advancements, leading to concerns about potential market corrections [1] - Economic risks are likened to "cockroaches" that are unpleasant but do not undermine the system's integrity, contrasting with "termites" that would cause systemic damage [2][3] Income Disparity - There is a growing concern regarding the financial pressures on lower-income households, which may lead to reduced spending and broader economic implications [6][9] - The K-shaped economy is highlighted, where wealth accumulation at the top does not translate to improved conditions for lower-income consumers, raising social and political issues [8][10] Federal Reserve Policy - The Federal Reserve is facing a divided stance on its dual mandate of employment and inflation, with both sides expressing concerns about current economic conditions [15][16] - The potential for a new Fed chair to bring a unifying narrative is emphasized, particularly in light of the impact of AI on productivity and growth [17][18] AI and Economic Impact - AI is viewed as a significant driver of productivity, but there are concerns about its potential to displace jobs if the corporate mindset focuses solely on cost minimization [30][31] - The current investment landscape in AI is described as a "rational bubble," with significant investments in foundational models but risks associated with overvaluation and lack of diffusion policies [34][36] Inflation and Interest Rates - Inflation is currently stable at around 3%, and there is a debate on whether the Fed should adjust its inflation target to a range rather than a fixed point [27][64] - The Fed's independence is under scrutiny due to political pressures, which could impact its credibility and effectiveness in managing inflation [64][66] Market Dynamics - The market is experiencing a bifurcated economy, with high-income consumers benefiting from stock market gains while lower-income households face affordability challenges [49][83] - The potential for further rate cuts by the Fed is anticipated, especially in light of a slowing economy and pressures on the labor market [58][62]

Core Insights - Steady earnings growth is valued by company executives and analysts as a sign of profitability, but earnings acceleration has a stronger impact on stock prices, with leading stocks often experiencing this acceleration before price increases [1][3] - QuantumScape Corporation (QS), Silicon Laboratories Inc. (SLAB), and Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (AMG) are currently demonstrating strong earnings acceleration [1][8] Earnings Acceleration Definition - Earnings acceleration refers to the incremental growth in a company's earnings per share (EPS), specifically when the quarter-over-quarter earnings growth rate increases over a specified time frame [2] Importance of Earnings Acceleration - Unlike earnings growth, which may already be reflected in stock prices, earnings acceleration helps identify stocks that have not yet attracted investor attention, leading to potential price rallies [3] - An increasing percentage of earnings growth indicates a fundamentally sound company, while a sideways or decelerating growth percentage may signal consolidation or a downturn [4] Screening Parameters - The screening process involves identifying stocks where the last two quarter-over-quarter EPS growth rates exceed previous periods' growth rates, with projected EPS growth rates for the upcoming quarter expected to surpass prior periods [5][6][7] - Additional criteria include a current price of at least $5 and an average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more to ensure adequate liquidity [7] Top Stocks Identified - The screening narrowed down approximately 7,735 stocks to nine, highlighting QS, SLAB, and AMG as top candidates showing strong EPS acceleration [8] - QuantumScape focuses on solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles, with an expected earnings growth rate of 21.3% for the current year [9] - Silicon Laboratories specializes in analog-intensive mixed-signal solutions, with an expected earnings growth rate of 152.3% for the current year [10] - Affiliated Managers provides investment management services, with an expected earnings growth rate of 17.7% for the current year [11]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) - AMG currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is positioned for potential outperformance [3] Price Performance - AMG shares have increased by 8.95% over the past week, significantly outperforming the Zacks Financial - Investment Management industry, which rose by only 0.15% [5] - Over the past month, AMG's price change is 10.8%, compared to the industry's mere 0.04% [5] - In the last quarter, AMG shares rose by 18.66%, and over the past year, they increased by 38.41%, while the S&P 500 only moved 4.53% and 13.83%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - AMG's average 20-day trading volume is 293,917 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, five earnings estimates for AMG have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $24.26 to $25.13 [9] - For the next fiscal year, five estimates have also moved upwards without any downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the strong momentum indicators and positive earnings outlook, AMG is recommended as a stock to consider for near-term investment opportunities [11]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum [2][7] - The Value Score identifies undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score focuses on a company's future prospects by analyzing earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends using recent price changes and earnings estimate shifts [5] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores to identify stocks with attractive value, growth potential, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential to utilize Style Scores for better stock selection [9] Stock Example: Franklin Resources (BEN) - Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management company with diverse brands and services [12] - BEN holds a 3 (Hold) Zacks Rank and a VGM Score of B, indicating potential for growth [13] - The company is forecasted to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 12.6% for the current fiscal year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.50 per share [13][14]

Core Insights - Partners Value Investments L.P. reported a net income of $27.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, a significant increase from $14.6 million in the same quarter of the previous year, driven by higher investment valuation gains, favorable foreign currency movements, and lower tax expenses [2][5][12] Financial Performance - The Partnership's investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $31.7 million, compared to $28.7 million in the prior year quarter, with dividends contributing $26.6 million and other investment income $5.1 million [5] - Operating expenses decreased to $1.1 million from $1.2 million year-over-year, while financing costs remained relatively stable at approximately $2.6 million [5] - The net income attributable to Equity Limited Partners was $24.7 million, while Preferred Limited Partners accounted for $2.4 million [2][5] Investment Portfolio - As of September 30, 2025, the Partnership held approximately 121 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of Brookfield Corporation and 31 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., representing about 8% and 2% interests, respectively [9] - The market prices for Brookfield Corporation and Brookfield Asset Management shares were $68.58 and $56.94, respectively, as of September 30, 2025 [4] Changes in Equity Structure - The Partnership executed a ten-for-one unit split on August 8, 2025, and a three-for-two stock split for Brookfield Corporation on October 9, 2025, which increased the number of Class A Limited Voting Shares held by the Partnership to 181 million [3][10] Fully Diluted NAV - The fully diluted net asset value (NAV) at the end of the period was $9.68 billion, with a per unit value of $12.36, reflecting an increase from the beginning of the period [7][12] - The change in fully diluted NAV included net income, other comprehensive income, and adjustments for the fair value of non-controlling interests [7][12]