Investment Returns - The total return on the Fund's net asset value for the first half of 2025 was 2.3%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested [1] - The S&P Energy Sector and the S&P 500 Materials Sector had returns of 0.8% and 6.0%, respectively, while the benchmark (S&P 500 Energy Sector 80% and S&P 500 Materials Sector 20%) returned 1.8% [1] - The total return on the Fund's market price for the same period was 3.1% [1] Annualized Comparative Returns - For the 1-year period, the Fund's net asset value (NAV) decreased by 2.2%, while the market price increased by 1.7% [4] - Over 3 years, the NAV returned 10.7% and the market price returned 12.3% [4] - The 5-year returns were 21.2% for NAV and 22.1% for market price, while the 10-year returns were 6.1% for NAV and 6.8% for market price [4] Net Asset Value - As of June 30, 2025, the Fund's net assets were $634.74 million, down from $689.99 million a year earlier [6] - The number of shares outstanding increased to 26,888,697 from 25,453,641 [6] - The net asset value per share decreased to $23.61 from $27.11 [6] Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings - The top ten equity holdings accounted for 62.9% of net assets, with Exxon Mobil Corporation at 22.7% and Chevron Corporation at 11.5% [7] - Other significant holdings included ConocoPhilips (5.3%), Linde plc (4.7%), and EOG Resources, Inc. (3.8%) [7] Industry Weightings - The Fund's net assets were allocated primarily to the energy sector, with Integrated Oil & Gas at 35.1% and Exploration & Production at 19.8% [9] - Other allocations included Storage & Transportation (11.6%), Chemicals (13.6%), and Metals & Mining (3.6%) [10]

Core Viewpoint - Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is set to announce its second quarter 2025 earnings on August 6, 2025, after market close, pending the completion of quarter-end closing procedures [1] Company Overview - Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a significant international producer of titanium dioxide products [1]

Core Viewpoint - NL Industries, Inc. is set to announce its second quarter 2025 earnings on August 6, 2025, after market close, pending the completion of quarter-end closing procedures [1] Company Overview - NL Industries, Inc. operates in two primary business segments: component products, which include security products and recreational marine components, and chemicals, specifically titanium dioxide (TiO2) [1]

Core Insights - CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has initiated the carbon dioxide dehydration and compression facility at its Donaldsonville Complex in Louisiana, marking a significant advancement in its decarbonization efforts [1][8] - The facility is designed to enable the transportation and permanent geological sequestration of up to 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually, which would otherwise contribute to atmospheric emissions [2][8] - ExxonMobil, CF's partner in carbon capture and sequestration, plans to establish a permanent storage facility, starting with the Rose CCS project, which has received a draft permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [3] Company Developments - The Donaldsonville facility's start-up is a historic milestone for CF Industries, allowing the company to produce approximately 1.9 million tons of low-carbon ammonia each year and qualify for tax credits under Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code [4][8] - CF's stock has increased by 36.2% over the past year, outperforming the industry average rise of 28.7% [6] Industry Context - CF Industries currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while other companies in the Basic Materials sector, such as Royal Gold, Inc. and Coeur Mining, Inc., have higher rankings, indicating stronger buy signals [7]

Group 1 - The article discusses the investment strategies of Vasily Zyryanov, focusing on identifying underpriced equities with strong upside potential and overappreciated companies with inflated valuations [1] - Zyryanov emphasizes the importance of analyzing Free Cash Flow and Return on Capital in addition to profit and sales to gain deeper insights into investment opportunities [1] - The research covers a wide range of industries, particularly the energy sector, including oil & gas supermajors, mid-cap, and small-cap exploration & production companies, as well as oilfield services firms [1] Group 2 - The article highlights that while Zyryanov favors underappreciated and misunderstood equities, he also recognizes that some growth stocks may warrant their premium valuations [1] - The primary goal for investors is to investigate whether the market's current opinions on valuations are accurate [1]

Financial Performance - Westlake's Net Sales reached $7766 million[5] - The company's EBITDA was $1631 million[5] - Net Income attributable to Westlake was $601 million[5] - Olefins EBITDA was $796 million, accounting for 47% of the total[5] - Vinyls EBITDA was $915 million, representing 53% of the total[5] Strategic Initiatives and Growth - The acquisition of Axiall has created a diverse, vertically-integrated chemicals leader[8] - Westlake expects to realize $120 million in synergy savings and cost reductions in 2017 and a total of $200 million by 2018 from the Axiall acquisition[8] - Westlake has a polyethylene capacity of 2600 million lbs[13] Market Position and Advantages - Westlake is the second largest producer of PVC in North America and the third largest globally[47] - Westlake is the third largest producer of Chlor-Alkali in North America and the third largest globally[47] - Westlake has one of the highest LDPE product mix percentages in North America[29]

Core Viewpoint - Tronox Holdings plc is set to release its second quarter 2025 earnings on July 30, 2025, followed by a webcast conference call on July 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET [1]. Company Overview - Tronox Holdings plc is a leading global producer of high-quality titanium products, including titanium dioxide pigment and specialty-grade titanium dioxide products [3]. - The company operates in the mining of titanium-bearing mineral sands and has facilities that produce high-grade titanium feedstock materials, pig iron, and other minerals, including rare earth-bearing mineral monazite [3]. - With approximately 6,500 employees across six continents, Tronox boasts a diverse workforce and a strong vertical integration model, enhancing its operational and technical expertise [3].

Core Insights - LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB) has expanded its partnership with Polynt to develop a high-quality resin for the marine sector using LYB's Styrene +LC solution [1][8] - The Styrene +LC solutions are produced using a mass balance method under the ISCC PLUS system, derived from bio-circular feedstocks, which help reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining performance standards [2][8] - Polynt is utilizing LYB's Styrene +LC to create advanced resins for boat and yacht construction, enhancing durability and sustainability in the marine industry [3][8] Industry Context - The company is enhancing its technological capabilities while maintaining environmental responsibility through collaboration with LYB and industry leaders, positioning itself to adapt to changing regulations and increasing demand for sustainable products [4] - Despite a 30.2% decline in LYB's stock over the past year, the industry has seen a 17.1% decline, indicating a challenging market environment [6] - For the second quarter, LYB anticipates improved seasonal demand across its business segments, with easing natural gas and ethane feedstock prices benefiting operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia [7]

Company Strategy - Sabic is evaluating a share sale of its industrial gases unit [1] - The company is focusing on its core business [1] - Sabic is undergoing a restructuring [1]

Key Insights - The report highlights a significant increase in domestic photovoltaic installations, with May 2025 seeing a record addition of 92.92 GW, representing a year-on-year growth of 388.03% [17] - The gaming industry is experiencing a resurgence, with the number of game approvals reaching a new high in June, indicating strong cultural consumption demand during the summer season [32] - The financial and electric power sectors are leading the A-share market's slight upward trend, with the average P/E ratios of the Shanghai Composite Index and the ChiNext Index being at their median levels over the past three years, suggesting a favorable environment for medium to long-term investments [13][14] Domestic Market Performance - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,497.48, with a daily increase of 0.70%, while the Shenzhen Component Index rose by 1.47% to 10,588.39 [3] - The A-share market is characterized by a slight upward trend, with significant contributions from sectors such as photovoltaic equipment, glass fiber, and consumer electronics [5][8] International Market Performance - Major international indices, including the Dow Jones and S&P 500, experienced slight declines, with the Dow Jones down by 0.67% and the S&P 500 down by 0.45% [4] Industry Analysis - The photovoltaic sector is undergoing a transformation, with a focus on reducing overcapacity and improving efficiency, as indicated by the introduction of new policies aimed at enhancing the integration of photovoltaic technology in desertification control [16][18] - The semiconductor industry continues to show robust growth, with global semiconductor sales reaching $56.96 billion in April 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 22.7% [20] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on sectors with strong growth potential, such as consumer goods and renewable energy, while also considering the stability of dividend-paying assets [9][12] - In the gaming sector, the report emphasizes the potential for AI technology to enhance game development and market demand, indicating a favorable outlook for companies in this space [33]