Madison Investments, an investment advisor, released its “Madison Large Cap Fund” third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund decreased 2.2% in the third quarter compared to an 8.1% gain for the S&P 500 Index. The current market focus on short-term profits led the fund to underperform the benchmark considerably in the quarter. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Madiso ...

Core Insights - The performance of CBRE Group's international operations is critical for understanding its financial resilience and growth potential [1][2][3] Financial Performance - For the quarter ending September 2025, CBRE reported total revenue of $10.26 billion, marking a year-over-year increase of 13.5% [4] - Revenues from international markets accounted for 30% of total revenue, translating to $3.08 billion, which exceeded Wall Street's expectations of $2.8 billion with a surprise of +9.89% [5] - The United Kingdom generated $1.45 billion in revenue, representing 14.1% of total revenue, and also surpassed analyst projections by +7.2% [6] Future Projections - Analysts project total revenue for the current fiscal quarter to reach $11.46 billion, reflecting a 10.1% increase from the previous year [7] - For the full year, total revenue is expected to be $39.81 billion, an 11.3% increase from the prior year, with international markets contributing significantly [8] Market Dynamics - The reliance on international markets presents both opportunities and challenges for CBRE, necessitating close monitoring of revenue trends to accurately forecast future performance [9][10]

Summary of Federated Hermes M&A Conference Call Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: Federated Hermes (NYSE:FHI) - **Acquisition Target**: FCP Fund Manager LP, a U.S.-based real estate investment manager - **Industry**: Real Estate Investment Management Key Points and Arguments 1. **Acquisition Details**: Federated Hermes has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase an 80% controlling interest in FCP for up to $331 million, which includes $215.8 million in cash and $23.2 million in stock, with potential contingent consideration of up to $92 million based on financial performance [3][16][17] 2. **Strategic Rationale**: The acquisition aims to expand Federated Hermes' private markets real estate business into the U.S., particularly in the multifamily housing sector, which is experiencing strong fundamentals and growth opportunities [3][4] 3. **FCP's Investment Focus**: FCP has approximately $3.8 billion invested in U.S. multifamily real estate and has raised over $6.3 billion in equity capital since its founding in 1999 [4][9] 4. **Management Structure**: Post-acquisition, FCP's management team will retain a 20% ownership stake, ensuring alignment of interests between Federated Hermes and FCP [17][18] 5. **Projected Financial Impact**: The transaction is expected to result in approximately $0.04 of EPS accretion in 2026 and $0.13 in 2027, excluding transaction expenses [18] 6. **Market Positioning**: Federated Hermes will have a global real estate platform with over 130 professionals managing approximately $9.3 billion in assets under management (AUM) post-acquisition [7] 7. **Employee Retention**: Federated Hermes expects to retain all FCP employees, fostering continuity and stability within the organization [8] 8. **Future Growth Opportunities**: The partnership is expected to enhance FCP's growth trajectory by leveraging Federated Hermes' global distribution channels and capital resources [12][15] Additional Important Insights 1. **Cultural Alignment**: Both companies emphasize a strong cultural fit, which is seen as critical for the success of the partnership [12][18] 2. **Investment Strategy**: FCP focuses on acquiring Class B and C moderate-income housing and has a hands-on investing approach utilizing proprietary data analytics [11][12] 3. **Market Demand**: There is a strong demand for private real estate investments, particularly in the U.S., with institutions showing continued interest despite macroeconomic challenges [64][66] 4. **Fundraising Expectations**: FCP's next flagship fund is expected to be marketed in late 2026 or early 2027, with the previous fund being approximately $1.1 billion [31][32] 5. **Transaction Process**: The acquisition was competitive, with multiple offers considered, but Federated Hermes was selected due to cultural alignment and strategic fit [60][61] This summary encapsulates the essential details and insights from the Federated Hermes conference call regarding the acquisition of FCP Fund Manager, highlighting the strategic importance of the deal and its anticipated impact on both companies.

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying strong growth stocks can be challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - CBRE Group (CBRE) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company provides real estate investment management services and is noted for its strong growth potential [3] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Historical EPS growth for CBRE is 2.7%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 21.3%, significantly higher than the industry average of 5.9% [5] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - CBRE's year-over-year cash flow growth is 23.3%, outperforming the industry average of -0.5% [6] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 4.5%, compared to the industry average of 0.9% [7] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for CBRE, with a 0.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year over the past month [8] Group 5: Investment Potential - CBRE has achieved a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of A, indicating its potential as a solid choice for growth investors [9][10]

Core Insights - The Straits Times Index (STI) reached a new 52-week high, but three blue-chip stocks experienced significant declines, raising questions about whether these are temporary setbacks or indicative of deeper issues [1][2]. Group 1: Singtel - Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) reported a total return of -4.8% for September 2025, primarily due to issues with its Australian subsidiary, Optus, which faced a network outage impacting around 4,500 customers [3][4]. - Optus accounts for approximately 50% of Singtel's revenue, and the recent outages occurred while the CEO was under scrutiny from Australian authorities [4][5]. - Despite the decline, Singtel's share price remains near a decade high, and the company has a strategic plan to reward shareholders with dividends between 70% and 90% of underlying profits [5][6]. Group 2: CapitaLand Investment Limited - CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) experienced a total return of -3.9% for September 2025, with total revenue for the first half of 2025 reported at S$1.0 billion, down 24% year on year [7][9]. - The decline in revenue was largely due to the deconsolidation of CapitaLand Ascott Trust, which removed S$322 million from revenue; excluding this impact, CLI's revenue actually grew by 7% [10]. - Operating profit after tax and minority interest (PATMI) fell to S$260 million, a 12% decrease year on year, attributed to divested assets and lower fund performance fees [11][12]. Group 3: Wilmar International - Wilmar International Limited reported a total return of -3.7% for September 2025, facing regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a fine of nearly US$710 million [14][16]. - Despite the fine, Wilmar generated US$1.3 billion in free cash flow for the first half of 2025, which is sufficient to cover the penalty [16]. - The company operates across a diverse range of segments, including food products and agribusiness, which are subject to commodity price fluctuations [17].

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are attracted to stocks with above-average financial growth, but identifying such stocks can be challenging due to their inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score helps identify promising growth stocks by analyzing real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - CBRE Group (CBRE) is currently recommended due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Stocks with strong earnings growth tend to attract investor attention, with double-digit growth being particularly desirable [3] - CBRE's projected EPS growth for this year is 20.4%, significantly higher than the industry average of 4.2% [4] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - High cash flow growth is crucial for growth-oriented companies, allowing them to fund new projects without external financing [5] - CBRE's year-over-year cash flow growth is 23.3%, compared to the industry average of -3.4% [5] - The historical annualized cash flow growth rate for CBRE over the past 3-5 years is 4.5%, while the industry average is 0.9% [6] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate with stock price movements [7] - The current-year earnings estimates for CBRE have increased by 0.3% over the past month [7] Group 5: Overall Assessment - CBRE has a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2, indicating it is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors [9]

Core Viewpoint - CBRE Group (CBRE) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [3][5]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [3]. Business Improvement Indicators - The upgrade in CBRE's rating reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may drive the stock price higher [4][9]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CBRE has increased by 4.3%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [7]. Zacks Rank System Overview - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of generating significant returns for top-rated stocks [6][8]. - Only the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, positioning CBRE favorably for potential market-beating returns [9].

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are increasingly focused on identifying stocks with above-average financial growth, which can lead to solid returns, but finding such stocks can be challenging due to inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - CBRE Group (CBRE) is highlighted as a promising growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company operates in the real estate investment management services sector [3] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Historical EPS growth for CBRE is 2.7%, but projected EPS growth for this year is significantly higher at 19.4%, outperforming the industry average of 2.8% [5] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - CBRE's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 23.3%, which is substantially higher than the industry average of -1.8% [6] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 4.5%, compared to the industry average of 0.5% [7] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for CBRE, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 4.1% over the past month [8] Group 5: Investment Positioning - CBRE has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the market, making it an attractive option for growth investors [10]

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are interested in stocks with above-average financial growth, but identifying such stocks can be challenging due to inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score system aids in identifying promising growth stocks by analyzing real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - CBRE Group (CBRE) is currently recommended due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is crucial for growth investors, with double-digit growth being highly desirable as it indicates strong future prospects [3] - CBRE's projected EPS growth for this year is 18.3%, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.8% [4] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - Higher-than-average cash flow growth is essential for growth-oriented companies, allowing them to expand without relying on external funding [5] - CBRE's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 23.3%, compared to the industry average of -1.8% [5] - The historical annualized cash flow growth rate for CBRE is 4.5%, while the industry average is 0.5% [6] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate strongly with near-term stock price movements [7] - The current-year earnings estimates for CBRE have increased by 4.3% over the past month [8] Group 5: Overall Assessment - CBRE has achieved a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of A, indicating its potential as a strong choice for growth investors [10]

Core Insights - CBRE Group's international operations are crucial for understanding its financial strength and growth potential, with a total revenue of $9.75 billion for the quarter ending June 2025, reflecting a 16.2% year-over-year increase [4]. Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from "All other countries" reached $2.84 billion, accounting for 29.1% of total revenue, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.7 billion by 5.23%. This segment contributed $2.51 billion (28.1%) in the previous quarter and $2.53 billion (30.1%) in the same quarter last year [5]. - The United Kingdom generated $1.39 billion, representing 14.2% of total revenue, exceeding the projected $1.29 billion by 7.32%. In comparison, it contributed $1.23 billion (13.9%) in the previous quarter and $1.2 billion (14.2%) in the year-ago quarter [6]. Future Revenue Forecasts - Analysts project total revenue of $9.97 billion for the current fiscal quarter, indicating a 10.3% increase from the previous year. Contributions from "All other countries" and the United Kingdom are expected to be 28.6% ($2.85 billion) and 13.7% ($1.36 billion), respectively [7]. - For the entire year, total revenue is forecasted at $39.73 billion, an 11.1% improvement from the previous year, with "All other countries" contributing 28.6% ($11.35 billion) and the United Kingdom 13.8% ($5.46 billion) [8]. Market Context - The reliance on international markets presents both opportunities and risks for CBRE, making it essential to monitor international revenue trends for forecasting the company's prospects [9]. - In the context of increasing global interdependencies and geopolitical disputes, analysts are closely tracking these trends to refine earnings predictions [10]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, CBRE's stock has increased by 7.5%, outperforming the S&P 500's 0.6% rise, and has gained 21.6% over the past three months compared to the S&P 500's 11.7% increase [14].