Aristotle Funds, an investment advisor, released its “Growth Equity Fund” fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equity markets reached new all-time highs in Q4 2025, with the S&P 500 Index rising 2.66% and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index increasing by 1.10%. Within the Russell 1000 Growth Index, healthcare, communication services, and financials were the top-performing sectors, while utilities, real estate, and materials lagged. The U.S. economy show ...

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 - The Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [2] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial health and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, using factors like weekly price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection based on value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist in building a successful portfolio [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with lower ranks, even if they have high Style Scores, may still face downward price trends [11] Company Spotlight: Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) - Howmet Aerospace provides engineered solutions for the transportation and aerospace industries, including forged wheels and aerospace fastening systems [12] - HWM holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B, with a Growth Style Score of A, indicating a projected year-over-year earnings growth of 18.8% for the current fiscal year [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWM's earnings has increased by $0.07 to $4.48 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +7.2% [13][14]

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace reported record revenue and profit for FY 2025, with revenue of $8.3 billion, up 11% year over year, and net income of $1.5 billion, up 25% year over year [1][2][3] - The company generated $1.9 billion in cash from operations for FY 2025, with a free cash flow of $1.4 billion, reflecting strong cash generation capabilities [1][2] - For FY 2026, Howmet expects revenue growth of approximately 10% and improved profit and cash generation [1][4] Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results - Fourth quarter revenue reached $2.2 billion, a 15% increase year over year, driven by growth in commercial aerospace (up 13%), defense aerospace (up 20%), and gas turbines (up 32%) [1][2] - Net income for Q4 2025 was $372 million, or $0.92 per share, compared to $314 million, or $0.77 per share, in Q4 2024 [1][2] - Adjusted EPS for Q4 2025 was $1.05, up 42% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $653 million, a 29% increase year over year [1][2] Full Year 2025 Financial Performance - Full year operating income was $2.0 billion, up 25% year over year, with an operating income margin of 24.8%, an increase of 280 basis points [2][3] - Adjusted EBITDA for FY 2025 was $2.4 billion, up 26% year over year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.3%, up 350 basis points [2][3] - The company repurchased $700 million of common stock in FY 2025 and paid $181 million in dividends [1][2] Segment Performance - Engine Products segment reported Q4 revenue of $1.2 billion, a 20% increase year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $396 million, up 31% [2][3] - Fastening Systems segment achieved Q4 revenue of $454 million, a 13% increase year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $139 million, up 25% [3] - Engineered Structures segment reported Q4 revenue of $287 million, a 4% increase year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $63 million, up 24% [3] Strategic Actions and Guidance - The company announced the acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing for approximately $1.8 billion, expected to close in the first half of 2026 [3][4] - Howmet redeemed all outstanding preferred stock for approximately $55 million and reduced its gross pension obligation by approximately $125 million [4] - For Q1 2026, revenue guidance is set between $2.225 billion and $2.245 billion, with adjusted EBITDA guidance of $680 million to $690 million [4]

Group 1 - Howmet Aerospace Inc. will host a Technology and Markets Day investor presentation on March 10, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM ET [1] - The event will include a detailed agenda and live webcast available on the company's investor website [1] Group 2 - Howmet Aerospace is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries [2] - The company's primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and airframe structural components [2] - Howmet Aerospace holds approximately 1,150 granted and pending patents, enabling the development of lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and commercial trucks [2]

Core Viewpoint - Howmet Aerospace Inc. will announce its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 12, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for the same day at 10:00 AM ET [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results announcement will be available at approximately 7:00 AM ET on February 12, 2026, via the "Investors" section of the Howmet Aerospace website [1]. - The conference call will be hosted by John Plant, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Patrick Winterlich, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer [2]. Group 2: Conference Call Information - The conference call will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET [2]. - Participants can pre-register for the conference call through a provided link [2]. - The call can be accessed via U.S. Toll Free: +1-844-481-2703 and International Toll: +1-412-317-0659 [2]. Group 3: Replay Information - A webcast replay of the call will be available on the "Investors/Events and Presentations" section of the Howmet website [3]. - Telephone replay will be available from two hours after the live call until February 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET [3]. - Replay access codes and numbers for U.S., Canada, and international callers are provided for convenience [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - Howmet Aerospace Inc. is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries, focusing on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and airframe structural components [4]. - The company holds approximately 1,150 granted and pending patents, enabling the development of lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and commercial trucks with a lower carbon footprint [4].

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) is a significant player in the aerospace and transportation industries, with a market cap of $78.9 billion, focusing on advanced engineered solutions [1][2] - The stock has shown strong performance, with a year-to-date increase of 79.5% and a 63.4% rise over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average [4][6] Financial Performance - In Q3, Howmet reported revenues of $2.1 billion, a 13.8% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by 2.1% [5] - Earnings per share (EPS) grew 17.3% year-over-year to $0.95, exceeding consensus estimates by 4.4% [5] - Despite a slight dip in stock price post-earnings release, HWM stock regained positive momentum in subsequent trading sessions [5] Stock Performance - HWM stock reached an all-time high of $211.95 on October 30, currently trading 7.4% below that peak [3] - Over the past three months, HWM stock prices have increased by 9.3%, outperforming the Dow's 4.9% gains [3] - The stock has consistently traded above its 200-day moving average and mostly above its 50-day moving average, indicating a bullish trend [4] Analyst Ratings - Among 22 analysts covering HWM, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy" [6] - The mean price target for HWM is $231.28, suggesting a potential upside of 17.8% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace reported record revenue of $2.09 billion for Q3 2025, reflecting a 14% year-over-year growth, driven by strong performance in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace, and industrial markets [3][4][7] - The company achieved a net income of $385 million, or $0.95 per share, compared to $332 million, or $0.81 per share, in Q3 2024, marking a significant increase in profitability [4][8] - Full year 2026 revenue guidance has been raised to approximately $9 billion, representing a ~10% increase year-over-year [9][16] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA was $614 million, up 26% year-over-year, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.4%, an increase of approximately 290 basis points [6][8] - Operating income for Q3 2025 was $542 million, a 29% increase from the previous year, with an operating income margin of 25.9%, up about 300 basis points [5][8] - Free cash flow generated in Q3 2025 was $423 million after $108 million in capital expenditures [7][8] Shareholder Returns - The company repurchased $200 million of common stock in Q3 2025 and an additional $100 million in October 2025, totaling $600 million year-to-date [9][13] - A 20% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share was declared in Q3 2025 [14][9] - The company paid down $63 million of debt in Q3 2025, reducing annualized interest expenses by approximately $4 million [15][9] Market Outlook - The commercial aerospace market is expected to continue growing, supported by increasing air traffic and a backlog of commercial aircraft orders extending through the decade [7][9] - The defense aerospace market remains robust, particularly due to demand for F-35 and legacy fighter aircraft [7][9] - However, the commercial transportation market is experiencing weakness, which may impact overall performance [7][9]

Core Points - Howmet Aerospace Inc. declared a dividend of 12 cents per share on its outstanding Common Stock, payable on November 25, 2025, to shareholders of record as of November 7, 2025 [1] Company Overview - Howmet Aerospace Inc. is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries, focusing on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and airframe structural components [2] - The company holds approximately 1,170 granted and pending patents, enabling the development of lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and commercial trucks with a lower carbon footprint [2] Financial Performance - Howmet Aerospace reported record second quarter 2025 revenue of $2.05 billion, indicating significant growth [5]

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) is experiencing challenges in its commercial transportation market, with a 9% year-over-year revenue decline in the first half of 2025, primarily due to weaker OEM builds in the Forged Wheels segment [1][8] - Rising raw material costs, especially aluminum, and stringent emissions regulations are impacting the segment, alongside reduced commercial truck production due to economic uncertainties in North America [2] - Supply-chain volatility continues to affect Howmet Aerospace, leading to delays and increased costs, which are expected to persist [3] Market Performance - Despite difficulties in the commercial transportation sector, Howmet Aerospace is benefiting from strong demand in the commercial and defense aerospace markets, particularly for F-35 engine spares and aerospace fastening systems [4][8] - In comparison, peers like Textron Inc. and GE Aerospace are showing positive growth, with Textron reporting a 5.4% sales increase and GE Aerospace's revenues from Commercial Engines & Services rising by 30% year-over-year in Q2 2025 [5][6] Financial Metrics - Howmet Aerospace's stock has surged 98% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry average growth of 14% [7] - The company is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 45.96X, which is above the industry average of 28.16X, indicating a relatively high valuation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWM's earnings has been increasing over the past 60 days, with current estimates for the current year at $3.57 and next year at $4.28 [11][12]

Group 1 - Howmet Aerospace Inc. will have its Chairman and CEO, John C. Plant, speak at the Jefferies Industrials Conference on September 4, 2025, at 9:30 AM ET [1] - A real-time webcast of the event will be available on the company's website, with a replay accessible for 90 days post-presentation [1] Group 2 - Howmet Aerospace is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries, focusing on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and airframe structural components [2] - The company holds approximately 1,150 granted patents, enabling the development of lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and commercial trucks with a lower carbon footprint [2] Group 3 - Howmet Aerospace plans to disseminate future announcements regarding company developments and financial performance through its website [3]