Aristotle Funds, an investment advisor, released its “Core 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 showed ...

Core Viewpoint - Dollar General Corporation is a leading discount retailer in the U.S. with a market cap of approximately $32.4 billion, offering a wide range of consumer products at value-oriented prices [1] Performance Summary - Dollar General's shares have outperformed the broader market, increasing by 103.3% over the past 52 weeks compared to the S&P 500 Index's 15.6% gain [2] - Year-to-date, the stock has risen by 11%, while the S&P 500 Index has only increased by 1.7% [2] - The company's stock performance also surpassed the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF's 10.2% increase over the past 52 weeks and 12.6% rise year-to-date [3] Strategic Developments - The stock's rise is attributed to a successful turnaround strategy focusing on inventory optimization, improved supply chain efficiency, and enhanced store-level execution [5] - Increased consumer traffic from budget-conscious shoppers during inflationary pressures contributed to strengthened operating margins, aided by reduced store-level shrink and strategic pricing initiatives [5] Financial Performance - In the last reported quarter (Q3 2025), Dollar General's EPS was $1.28, significantly up from $0.89 in Q3 2024, exceeding expectations [6] - For the fiscal year ending January 2026, analysts project a 9.8% year-over-year growth in EPS to $6.50, with a strong earnings surprise history [7] - The consensus rating among 30 analysts covering the stock is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of 13 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and 16 "Holds" [7] Growth Initiatives - Investments in digital capabilities and the expansion of higher-margin product categories have enhanced overall profitability and investor confidence in Dollar General's growth trajectory [6]

Company Overview - Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) is a food distributor that supplies products such as meats, produce, and frozen meals to various sectors including restaurants, healthcare facilities, and schools. Additionally, the company provides kitchen equipment, tableware, and cleaning supplies [2]. Earnings Report Insights - Sysco's stock experienced a nearly 11% increase following its earnings report, which showed a modest beat on both the top and bottom lines. This performance is notable given the general pessimism surrounding the restaurant industry, which constitutes Sysco's core customer base [1]. - Management indicated a strong start to January, which is atypical for the industry, and revised their earnings expectations for fiscal 2026 to the high end of previous forecasts [1].

Core Insights - The Clorox Company (CLX) is a market leader in consumer products, particularly in cleaning supplies, and competes in various niche markets such as charcoal, water filtration, salad dressings, and kitty litter [1] Company Overview - Clorox has been facing ongoing challenges, which may impact its market position and financial performance [1] Investment Focus - The company is recognized for its sustainable dividend growth and potential for capital appreciation, making it attractive for long-term investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) has seen a significant decline of over 30% in its stock price this year, reflecting changing consumer behavior amid economic concerns and inflation [1][2]. Company Overview - Clorox manufactures a variety of consumer and professional products, including cleaning supplies, cat litter, food, personal care, and water-filtration products. Notable brands include Clorox, Glad, Brita, Burt's Bees, Kingsford, and Hidden Valley [2]. Market Context - Historically, consumer packaged goods stocks like Clorox were considered recession-proof, performing well during economic downturns. However, with the current market rebound, Clorox's performance has faltered, contrasting with companies like Coca-Cola and Mondelez [2]. Investment Perspective - While Clorox is recognized for its potential as an investment, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, indicating a shift in investment focus [2].

Economic Overview - Economic uncertainty is affecting businesses and consumers in the U.S. due to ongoing tariff wars, yet the U.S. stock markets have reached record highs with a 14% year-to-date gain [1] - Analysts at Goldman Sachs suggest that investors should diversify their focus beyond a concentrated group of stocks that have driven market highs, as opportunities are emerging across various regions, sectors, and styles [2] FMCG Industry Insights - The global FMCG market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2025 to 2032, reaching $18.96 trillion, driven by shifts in consumer behavior and technological innovations [5] - Companies in the FMCG sector are well-positioned to withstand economic challenges due to the consistent demand for their products, which are typically low-priced [4] Investment Strategy - The best FMCG stocks are characterized by prudent financial management, healthy balance sheets, and sustainable profit margins, allowing them to navigate market fluctuations while providing shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks [6] - A methodology was employed to identify top FMCG stocks, focusing on those with an upside potential of over 20% and popularity among elite hedge funds in Q2 2025 [8][9] Company Highlights - **Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG)**: Stock upside potential of 21.57%, with 55 hedge fund holders. The stock is viewed positively due to its underperformance relative to the sector and signs of operational improvement [10][11][12] - **Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR)**: Stock upside potential of 23.19%, with 34 hedge fund holders. The company anticipates sales growth of 2% to 4% over the next two years and a 7% to 9% CAGR in adjusted EPS through 2027 [14][15][16] - **Smithfield Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:SFD)**: Stock upside potential of 23.91%, with 27 hedge fund holders. The company recently confirmed a secondary public offering of 19.53 million shares priced at $23.35 each, with no proceeds going to Smithfield [17][18][19]

Core Viewpoint - The Clorox Company experienced significant stock performance during the pandemic, with demand for cleaning supplies surging, leading to a rise in stock price from approximately $150 at the beginning of 2020 [1] Group 1: Company Performance - The Clorox Company's stock price increased notably during the pandemic due to heightened demand for cleaning products [1] Group 2: Market Context - The pandemic era created a favorable environment for companies in the cleaning supplies sector, as consumer demand surged [1]

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2023. Registration No. 333-264036 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 __________________________________________ Amendment No. 11 to FORM F-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 __________________________________________ PRIMECH HOLDINGS LTD. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Not Applicable (Translation of Registrant's Name into English) ____________________ ...

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2023. Registration No. 333-264036 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 __________________________________________ Amendment No. 10 to FORM F-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 __________________________________________ PRIMECH HOLDINGS LTD. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Not Applicable COGENCY GLOBAL INC. 122 East 42 nd Street, 18 th Floor New York, NY 1 ...

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2023. Registration No. 333-264036 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 PRIMECH HOLDINGS LTD. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Not Applicable (Translation of Registrant's Name into English) __________________________________________ | Singapore | 7349 | Not Applicable | | --- | --- | --- | | (State or other jurisdiction of | (Primary Standard Industrial | (I.R.S. Employer | | incor ...