Group 1: Fund Performance - Ariel Global Fund achieved a +23.30% return for the year 2025, outperforming both the MSCI ACWI and MSCI ACWI Value indices, although it lagged in the fourth quarter with a +2.88% return compared to +3.29% and +3.66% for the indices [1] - The positive performance was supported by moderating inflation, easing financial conditions, and resilient corporate earnings, particularly driven by U.S. mega-cap technology stocks and a strong rebound in China [1] Group 2: Stock Selection and Sector Performance - Performance was primarily driven by stock selection, with gains in financials and information technology, while consumer discretionary and healthcare holdings faced weaknesses [1] - Several individual positions encountered short-term pressures due to higher costs, restructuring charges, or softer demand [1] Group 3: Outlook and Investment Strategy - Management remains optimistic about international equities, citing improving corporate fundamentals, supportive policy environments, and attractive valuations relative to growth prospects [1] - Increasing market dispersion and a broadening of leadership beyond U.S. mega-cap stocks create a favorable environment for active, bottom-up stock selection focused on companies with strong balance sheets and durable earnings [1] Group 4: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) - Ariel Investments initiated a position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE), which provides enterprise hardware solutions and recently acquired Juniper Networks to enhance its networking capabilities [3] - Despite cautious guidance and inconsistent execution history, HPE is viewed as having potential catalysts from upcoming product refreshes and growth in AI-driven infrastructure [3] - The stock has shown a one-month return of 4.48%, with a market capitalization of approximately $30.04 billion as of March 30, 2026 [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for Q3 2025 increased by $890 million year-over-year to $7.7 billion, representing a 13% increase compared to the prior year, or an 11% increase on a constant currency basis [16] - Non-GAAP gross margin for Q3 was 10.8%, down approximately 70 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to regional and customer mix in Global Components and a $21 million charge in ECS [16] - Non-GAAP diluted EPS for Q3 was $2.41, exceeding the guided range, with the charge lowering EPS by $0.31 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global Components sales increased by $610 million year-over-year to $5.6 billion, up 5% sequentially [20] - Global ECS sales rose by $300 million year-over-year to $2.2 billion, reflecting a 15% increase compared to the prior year [21] - ECS billings were $5.2 billion, up 14% year-over-year, with a healthy backlog growth exceeding 70% year-over-year [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the Americas were flat sequentially at $1.7 billion, driven by strength in industrial and transportation markets [19] - EMEA sales reached $1.4 billion, with resilience in industrial and aerospace markets despite macroeconomic challenges [19] - Asia sales grew sequentially by 12% to $2.4 billion, supported by strength in industrial, compute, and consumer markets [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on delivering high-quality, innovative technology solutions and is positioned to emerge with improved momentum as the market gradually recovers [5][6] - The strategy includes a deliberate shift towards higher-margin value-added offerings and expanding the addressable market through strategic outsourcing arrangements [12][13] - The company aims to leverage strong trends in cloud and AI to drive growth in both supply chain services and ECS segments [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the current cyclical recovery is gradual, with leading indicators remaining robust across all markets [26] - The company anticipates that the West will catch up to the East in terms of recovery, with mass market customers expected to improve over time [26] - Future guidance for Q4 expects sales between $7.8 billion and $8.4 billion, indicating an 11% year-over-year increase at the midpoint [25] Other Important Information - The company has returned approximately $3.5 billion to shareholders via share repurchase since 2020 [14] - A $21 million charge was taken in Q3 due to lower profit expectations on multi-year contracts, which are part of the strategic outsourcing model [23][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on the interim CEO role - The interim CEO confirmed he is not a candidate for the permanent position and a search committee is in place to find a successor [30] Question: Details on the $21 million charge - The charge relates to underperformance in strategic outsourcing contracts, which are expected to be margin-accretive in the long term despite current challenges [31][35] Question: ECS margins and growth expectations - The company expects strong performance in the ECS business for Q4, with margins anticipated to improve despite the recent charge [38] Question: Slower growth in specific verticals - Management indicated that while recovery is underway, some mass market customers are not recovering as quickly as larger OEMs, impacting profit margins [40] Question: Impact of new contracts on working capital - The company noted that while new contracts may require more working capital, they are expected to be margin-accretive, justifying the investment [46]