Bristol Gate Capital Partners, an investment management company, published its Q3 2025 investor letter for the “US Equity Strategy”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The strategy underperformed the benchmark, the S&P 500® Total Return Index, this quarter, but still surpassed the index in dividend growth. The underperformance was due to a lack of significant exposure to the AI/TMT sector or the Value sector, which provides advantages stemming from the Federal Reserve's rate cut. The portfolio ret ...

Core Viewpoint - MHA, a UK member of Baker Tilly International, has agreed to acquire MS UAE for a total consideration of £7.4 million ($9.8 million) to enhance its international reach and target cross-border growth opportunities [1][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of MS UAE includes both Moore Stephens and Moore Stephens Consulting, which are well-established firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services across various sectors [2][5]. - The transaction is expected to be earnings enhancing within the first full financial year post-completion, with MS UAE projected to generate revenue of £6.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2025 [3]. Group 2: Company Background - MS UAE was founded in 1999 and operates from its headquarters in Dubai, with additional offices in Abu Dhabi and other key locations, authorized to deliver services throughout major free zones in the UAE [2]. - The firm is led by managing partner Farad Lakdawala and has a workforce of 95 employees, with three partners expected to continue with MHA after the acquisition [3]. Group 3: Strategic Intent - MHA's CEO, Rakesh Shaunak, emphasized that strategic M&A is crucial for the company's growth aspirations, positioning the acquisition as a step towards building a larger organization and enhancing client service [4][5].

Summary of Evercore Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Evercore - **Position**: Chairman and CEO John Weinberg has been in this role for nearly four years, overseeing significant growth and expansion in various sectors and regions [1][3] Key Points and Arguments Growth and Expansion - Evercore has significantly expanded its client footprint and market presence over the past five to six years, particularly in Europe and the sponsor business [3][4] - The firm is now ranked third globally in total advisory revenues, indicating a strong improvement in market share [5] - The brand recognition of Evercore has increased, with more clients approaching the firm without solicitation [6] Strategic Priorities - The focus for the next three to five years includes expanding client reach, broadening product offerings, and investing in high-growth areas such as software, AI, FinTech, and Biotech [7] - The acquisition of Robey Warshaw is seen as a strategic move to enhance Evercore's presence in Europe, particularly in the UK [9] Market Conditions and Client Sentiment - There is a positive sentiment in boardrooms, with management teams open to exploring various strategic options due to improved financing conditions and a more favorable regulatory environment [13][14] - Private equity sponsors are under pressure to execute deals, leading to increased activity in the market [16][17] European Market Outlook - Evercore has established a strong market position in Europe, with record activity levels and a focus on building long-term relationships [19][20] - Recent successful deals, such as the sale of Kering's beauty business to L'Oréal, highlight the firm's growing influence in the region [20] Advisory and ECM Market Trends - The advisory business is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with a strong pipeline of deals anticipated in 2024 and beyond [24][25] - The equity capital markets (ECM) segment is also showing signs of strength, particularly in IPOs and healthcare-related activities [27][28] Restructuring and Liability Management - The restructuring business remains robust, with an increase in larger traditional assignments and a strong backlog [41][42] - The perception of restructuring as a liability management tool is evolving, leading to more significant engagements [44] Financial Management and Capital Return - Evercore is focused on balancing growth investments with margin improvement, aiming to reduce the compensation ratio while managing non-comp expenses [45][46] - The firm has been actively repurchasing shares and plans to continue returning capital to shareholders [47] Future Outlook - The firm is optimistic about 2025 and 2026, with a strong talent pool and a collaborative culture that supports growth [48] Additional Important Insights - The firm has seen a record pace in its secondaries business, with no signs of slowing down, indicating strong client relationships and market acceptance of its products [33][34] - There is no cannibalization between GP and LP secondary businesses, as both serve distinct needs for sponsors [37][38] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Evercore conference call, highlighting the company's growth strategies, market conditions, and future outlook.

Core Insights - HLB has expanded its international network by adding HLB Ethiopia, enhancing its presence in East Africa and supporting organizations in Ethiopia [1][2] - HLB Ethiopia offers a range of services including audit, assurance, tax, and advisory, catering to various sectors [1] - The addition aligns with HLB's strategy to strengthen cooperation with firms in emerging markets and expand its global service reach [2] Company Strategy - HLB Ethiopia's managing partner emphasized the importance of local transformation alongside global reach, focusing on delivering impactful services in Ethiopia's evolving economy [2] - HLB International's chief growth officer highlighted Ethiopia's economic momentum, characterized by a large young workforce and its strategic position as a gateway to regional and global markets [3] - Establishing a local presence through HLB Ethiopia enables HLB to provide essential support for businesses to navigate risks and achieve sustainable growth [3] Network Overview - HLB International operates in 155 countries with a workforce of 51,948 professionals, indicating a robust global presence [3] - The network's name signifies its international scope and the distinct legal entities of its member firms [4]

Core Insights - Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) is positioned for significant growth, driven by momentum in its Consulting segment, particularly Mercer and Oliver Wyman, with improving earnings expectations indicating healthy forward traction [1][10] Financial Performance - The market valuation of Marsh & McLennan is $87.7 billion, and it holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it is reasonable for investors to retain the stock [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $9.61 and $10.28 per share for 2025 and 2026, respectively, reflecting growth of 9.2% and 6.9% from prior periods [3] - Revenue estimates indicate increases of 10.1% in 2025 and 4.7% in 2026, supported by strong renewals, new business gains, and geographic improvements [4] Strategic Initiatives - Strategic acquisitions are a key component of MMC's long-term strategy, enhancing geographic presence and specialization [5] - The company has maintained steady operating cash flow, with a recent 10% dividend increase authorized in July 2025, marking the 16th consecutive year of dividend growth [6] Market Environment - The operating environment is favorable, with rising demand for advisory services and increased awareness of risk management among corporate clients [8] - Rate increases in the commercial property and casualty sector are expected to be a significant revenue driver [4]

Core Insights - Liquidity is crucial for a company's ability to meet debt obligations and can drive business growth, making it a key factor for investors [1] - Four top-ranked stocks identified for potential investment are EverQuote, Inc. (EVER), Innodata Inc. (INOD), PJT Partners Inc. (PJT), and GigaCloud Technology Inc. (GCT) [1][9] Liquidity Measures - Current Ratio: Measures current assets against current liabilities; a ratio below 1 indicates more liabilities than assets, while a range of 1-3 is ideal [3] - Quick Ratio: Indicates ability to pay short-term obligations, with a desirable ratio of more than 1 [4] - Cash Ratio: The most conservative measure, focusing on cash and equivalents relative to current liabilities; a ratio greater than 1 is desirable but may indicate inefficiency [5] Screening Parameters - Asset Utilization: A measure of efficiency, calculated as total sales over the last 12 months divided by the average total assets; a higher ratio than the industry average indicates efficiency [6] - Growth Score: A proprietary metric ensuring that selected stocks have solid growth potential; stocks with a Growth Score of A or B tend to outperform others [10] Company-Specific Insights - **EverQuote, Inc. (EVER)**: Online insurance marketplace with Q3 revenues of $173.9 million, a 20% year-over-year increase; projected Q4 revenues between $174-$180 million [12][13] - **Innodata Inc. (INOD)**: Data engineering company with Q3 revenues of $62.6 million, up 20% year-over-year; expects significant revenue growth from new contracts [15][16] - **PJT Partners Inc. (PJT)**: Advisory-focused investment bank with Q3 revenues of $447 million, a 37% year-over-year increase; management anticipates strong M&A activity due to favorable market conditions [16][17] - **GigaCloud Technology Inc. (GCT)**: Provides B2B e-commerce solutions with Q3 revenues of $333 million, a 10% year-over-year increase; expects Q4 revenues between $328 million and $344 million [19][20]

Core Insights - Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (MMI) reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.01, significantly below the estimated $0.23, indicating lower profitability than expected [2][6] - The company achieved a 15.1% increase in revenue year-over-year, reaching $193.9 million, although this was below the anticipated $253.2 million [2][3][6] - MMI's financial health is characterized by a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14 and a current ratio of 3.47, indicating a stable financial position despite earnings challenges [5][6] Financial Performance - MMI's revenue of $193.9 million represents a 15.1% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024, showcasing strong performance in its core services [2][3] - The company's revenue fell short of market expectations, which were set at $253.2 million, highlighting challenges in meeting financial forecasts [3][6] Valuation Metrics - MMI's price-to-sales ratio is approximately 1.60, indicating that investors are willing to pay $1.60 for every dollar of sales [4] - The enterprise value to sales ratio also stands at roughly 1.60, reflecting the company's valuation in relation to its sales [4] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is about 16.11, suggesting how many times the operating cash flow can cover the enterprise value [4]

Financial Performance - Q3 2025 Revenue was $164.6 million, a decrease of 41% compared to $278.2 million in Q3 2024[41] - YTD 2025 Revenue reached $531.7 million, down 18% from $652.4 million in YTD 2024[41] - LTM Q3 2025 Revenue totaled $757 million, a 12% decrease year-over-year[27] - Q3 2025 Pre-Tax Income was $20 million, compared to $51.6 million in Q3 2024[27, 42] - YTD 2025 Pre-Tax Income was $53 million, compared to $96.7 million in YTD 2024[27, 42] - Q3 2025 Earnings per Share (EPS) was $0.13[27] Capital Management - The company had $186 million in cash with no debt as of September 30, 2025[27] - Approximately $690 million has been returned to equity holders[35] - 6.4 million shares equivalents were retired YTD 2025, at an average price of $21.66[36] Business Overview - The firm has 76 advisory partners globally[12, 18] - The firm has approximately 700 employees[12] - Partners and employees own > 30% of the firm[32]

Core Insights - Future Holdings AG (FUTURE) has raised 28 million Swiss francs ($35 million) in a funding round led by Fulgur Ventures, Nakamoto, and TOBAM, aiming to bridge traditional finance and bitcoin through an institutional model [1] - The leadership team includes notable figures such as Richard Byworth, Sebastien Hess, Marc Syz, Julian Liniger, and Adam Back, indicating a strong foundation in both finance and cryptocurrency [2] - FUTURE aims to become Europe's leading bitcoin treasury company, emphasizing the growing demand for institutional-grade Bitcoin solutions in Europe [3] Company Operations - The company offers integrated operations that include bitcoin treasury management, institutional research, secure infrastructure, and advisory services [2] - Byworth pointed out that Switzerland's financial strength and investor confidence are crucial indicators of the increasing demand for institutional Bitcoin solutions [3] Strategic Positioning - FUTURE's strategic location in Switzerland, characterized by a 0% base rate and a 0.12% yield on ten-year bonds, presents significant opportunities for a bitcoin treasury company [4] - The leadership's strong financial backgrounds and the company's operational model create a favorable environment for attracting institutional clients [4]

Core Insights - Grant Thornton Advisors is expanding its multinational platform by incorporating Grant Thornton New Zealand, enhancing its presence in the Asia Pacific region [1][4] - The expansion now covers 20 time zones, increasing the group's service capabilities for clients with global operations [1] - Grant Thornton New Zealand contributes over $40 million in annual revenue and adds more than 300 professionals to the platform [1][2] Company Expertise and Integration - The New Zealand team specializes in audit, tax, and advisory services, and has a strong market presence in the region [2] - The multinational platform was launched earlier this year, supported by an investor group led by New Mountain Capital, and integrates over a dozen firms from various regions [2][3] - Current members include firms from the US, Ireland, France, UAE, and others, with additional transactions expected to close soon [3] Leadership Statements - CEO Jim Peko emphasized the need for seamless service and consistent quality across different locations, highlighting the strategic importance of Grant Thornton New Zealand's inclusion [4] - Russell Moore, CEO of Grant Thornton New Zealand, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting the demand for smarter solutions and global connectivity in an evolving market [4] Network and Future Plans - The expanded platform will remain part of Grant Thornton International Limited, which includes member firms in over 150 markets globally [5] - The transaction for Grant Thornton New Zealand to join the platform is anticipated to close before the end of 2025 [4]