The position now accounts for 8% of AUM, making it the fund’s 4th-largest holding.What happenedAccording to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated November 12, 2025, Rock Creek Group, LP, sold 70,500 shares of Choice Hotels International (CHH +0.64%) in the third quarter. The stake’s value declined by $23.74 million relative to the previous quarter, bringing the holding to 741,079 shares worth $79.23 million as of September 30, 2025.What else to knowThis was a sale, leaving Choice Hotels ...

Core Viewpoint - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is participating in the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, indicating its engagement with investors and the market [1]. Company Overview - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer based in Emeryville, California, specializing in quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products [3]. - The company operates over 560 stores across various states including California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, and Virginia [3]. Event Details - Jason Potter, the CEO of Grocery Outlet, will participate in a fireside chat on December 3 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time [1]. - A live audio webcast of the event will be available online, with a replay accessible for 180 days post-event [2].

Core Insights - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. reported mixed results for Q3 2025, with net sales missing estimates but showing a year-over-year increase, while earnings exceeded estimates but declined from the previous year [1][3][9] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were 21 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents but down from 28 cents in the same quarter last year [3][9] - Net sales reached $1,168.2 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,182 million, but reflecting a 5.4% year-over-year growth [3][9] - Comparable-store sales increased by 1.2%, supported by a 1.8% rise in transactions, but fell short of the anticipated 2% growth [4][9] Margin and Cost Analysis - Gross profit grew by 3% year over year to $355.1 million, with a gross margin contraction of 70 basis points to 30.4% [5][9] - SG&A expenses rose by 8.7% to $331 million, representing 28.3% of net sales, primarily due to new store costs and higher incentive compensation [6][9] - Adjusted EBITDA was $66.7 million, down 7.7% year over year, with the margin decreasing by 80 basis points to 5.7% [6][9] Store Expansion and Initiatives - The company added 13 new stores and closed two, bringing the total to 563 stores across 16 states, with plans to open 37 net new stores in 2025 [7][9] - A store refresh program was launched in select pilot stores, with plans to expand to 20 stores by year-end 2025 and at least 150 stores by the end of 2026 [8][9] Financial Health - At the end of the quarter, Grocery Outlet had cash and cash equivalents of $52.1 million, long-term debt of $481.5 million, and stockholders' equity of $1,198.6 million [9][10] - The company maintained a net leverage ratio of 1.8x adjusted EBITDA and had $175 million remaining borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility [10][9] 2025 Outlook - The company revised its fiscal 2025 guidance, expecting net sales between $4.70 billion and $4.72 billion, and comparable-store sales growth of 0.6-0.9% [11][9] - Adjusted EBITDA is projected in the range of $258 million to $262 million, with adjusted earnings expected between 78 cents and 80 cents per share [12][9] - For Q4 2025, comparable-store sales growth is anticipated to be flat to 1%, with adjusted earnings projected between 21 cents and 23 cents per share [13][9] Market Performance - Grocery Outlet's shares fell 10% in after-hours trading following the earnings report, and the stock has declined 30.4% over the past three months compared to a 7.4% decline in the industry [2][14]

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) (“Grocery Outlet”) today announced that its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 will be released after the market close on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The company will host a conference call at 4:30pm ET (1:30pm PT) to discuss the results. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at https://investors.groceryoutlet.com. A webcast replay will be available for approximat ...

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong momentum and buy rankings are highlighted for investors: Tesco, Grocery Outlet, and ABB [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Tesco - Tesco is the UK's largest retailer and has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tesco's current year earnings increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Tesco's shares gained 8% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: Grocery Outlet - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Grocery Outlet's current year earnings increased by 1.3% over the last 60 days [2] - Grocery Outlet's shares gained 9.4% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [3] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: ABB - ABB is a leading technology company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABB's current year earnings increased by 1.2% over the last 60 days [3] - ABB's shares gained 14.1% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.2% [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of B [4]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A being the highest score [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - Concentrates on a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - Aims to capitalize on price trends by evaluating recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] VGM Score - Combines the three Style Scores to identify stocks with the best overall value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to facilitate portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.64% since 1988 [7] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Stock Highlight: Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is a high-growth retailer specializing in discounted name-brand consumables, operating through independently owned stores [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong growth potential [12] - Analysts have revised earnings estimates upward, forecasting a year-over-year earnings growth of 1.3% for the current fiscal year [12][13]

Company Overview - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is a high-growth, extreme value retailer founded in 1946 and headquartered in Emeryville, CA, offering quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products through independently owned and operated stores [11] - The stores provide a unique shopping experience in a "small-box" format, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, featuring discounted, overstocked, and closeout products from both name brand and private label suppliers [11] Investment Ratings - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, indicating a favorable investment outlook [12] - The company has a VGM Score of A, reflecting strong overall performance across value, growth, and momentum metrics [12] Financial Metrics - The Value Style Score for Grocery Outlet is B, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 21.25, which is appealing to value investors [12] - In the last 60 days, seven analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.04 to $0.78 per share [12] - The company has demonstrated an average earnings surprise of +28.2%, indicating strong performance relative to expectations [12] Conclusion - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is positioned as a compelling option for investors seeking growth and value [13]

Core Insights - Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year improvement [1][9] - The company's value-driven model is resonating well with consumers, particularly in a challenging retail environment, leading to an increase in full-year guidance [1][14] Quarterly Performance - Adjusted earnings were reported at $0.99 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.91, and improving from $0.78 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - Net sales increased by 17.5% year over year to $679.6 million, driven by new store openings and a 5% rise in comparable store sales, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $663 million [3] Margin Analysis - Gross profit rose by 23.9% to $271.3 million, with gross margin expanding by 200 basis points to 39.9%, benefiting from lower supply-chain costs [4] - Operating income grew by 26.7% to $77 million, with operating margin improving by 80 basis points to 11.3% [5] Store Expansion and Customer Engagement - Ollie's Bargain opened 29 new stores during the quarter, bringing the total to 613 stores across 34 states, reflecting a 16.8% year-over-year growth [6] - The Ollie's Army loyalty program grew by 10.6% to 16.1 million members, indicating strong consumer engagement [6] Financial Snapshot - The company ended the quarter with $460.3 million in total cash and investments, marking a 30.3% year-over-year increase, and remains debt-light [7] - Capital expenditures were $26.4 million, with $11.5 million worth of stock repurchased, demonstrating commitment to shareholder returns [7] Full-Year Outlook - Management raised the full-year guidance, projecting net sales in the range of $2,631-$2,644 million, up from $2,579-$2,599 million [10] - Comparable store sales growth is now forecasted at 3-3.5%, an increase from the previous estimate of 1.4-2.2% [10] Future Expectations - For the third quarter, comparable store sales growth is projected at around 3%, above the long-term algorithm of 1-2% [13] - The company plans to open most of its remaining new stores in the third quarter, which is expected to provide additional sales support [13]

Core Insights - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. reported second-quarter 2025 results with net sales of $1.180 billion, a 4.5% year-over-year increase, but slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.183 billion [3][10] - Adjusted earnings per share were 23 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents but down from 25 cents in the same quarter last year [3][10] - Comparable sales grew by 1.1% year over year, driven by a 1.5% increase in transaction volume, although average transaction value declined by 0.4% [4][10] Financial Performance - Gross profit increased by 3.3% year over year to $360.7 million, while gross margin decreased by 30 basis points to 30.6% due to pricing changes aimed at attracting budget-conscious shoppers [5] - Selling, general and administrative expenses rose by 4.2% to $336.8 million, but as a percentage of net sales, it decreased by 10 basis points to 28.5% [6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $67.7 million, a slight decrease of 0.2% from the previous year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin decline of 30 basis points to 5.7% [7] Store Expansion and Strategy - The company opened 11 new stores and closed 2, bringing the total to 552 stores across 16 states [8] - Management plans to open 33-35 net new stores in 2025, with comparable store sales figures now including locations acquired from United Grocery Outlet [8] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2025, the company expects net sales between $4.7 billion and $4.8 billion, with comparable store sales growth of 1-2% and a gross margin projected between 30% and 30.5% [14] - Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be between $260 million and $270 million, and adjusted earnings per share guidance has been raised to 75-80 cents from 70-75 cents [14] - For the third quarter of 2025, comparable store sales growth is anticipated to be between 1.5% and 2%, with nine net new stores expected to be added [15]

Core Insights - Choice Hotels Canada has a legacy since 1955 and the recent acquisition marks a significant milestone in its 70-year history, positioning the company for accelerated growth in Canada [1][2] - The acquisition, valued at approximately $112 million, was completed in July 2025 and is expected to generate around $23 million in fee revenue and $18 million in EBITDA for the full year 2025 [2][6] - The Canadian hospitality market is projected to grow at an average annual rate exceeding 5% through 2030, reaching over $50 billion, which presents a strong opportunity for Choice Hotels to expand its market share across its 22 brands [2] Company Operations - Brian Leon, CEO of Choice Hotels Canada, will continue to lead the Canadian operations, with InnVest Hotels remaining a key partner, owning and operating 50 Comfort hotels nationwide [3] - The company aims to expand its owner success system from 8 hotel brands to a full portfolio of 22 brands, creating remarkable opportunities for franchisees and guests [2] Global Expansion - The investment accelerates Choice Hotels' growth outside the United States, with a 5% increase in its net international rooms portfolio to over 140,000 rooms as of Q2 2025 [4] - Major developments include extending a master franchise agreement in Brazil for over 10,000 rooms, nearly tripling room count in France, and signing agreements in China expected to add over 19,500 rooms in the next five years [4] Company Overview - Choice Hotels International, Inc. is one of the largest lodging franchisors globally, with nearly 7,500 hotels and approximately 650,000 rooms across 46 countries and territories [5] - The company offers a diverse portfolio of 22 brands, catering to various traveler needs and driving value for franchise owners and shareholders [5]