Core Insights - Royce Investment Partners anticipates a rebound for small-cap quality and value stocks in 2026, moving away from speculative stocks linked to AI that have dominated the market since April 2025 [2][4] - The firm emphasizes that strong companies with solid balance sheets and attractive valuations will attract investor interest, particularly in the consumer staples, packaging, business services, and insurance sectors [3][4] - Small-cap stocks are expected to outperform larger counterparts in 2026, marking a significant shift in market dynamics [4] Company Highlights - **Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS)**: - Analysts from Goldman Sachs and Stifel Nicolaus have reiterated a Buy rating, raising the price target from $93 to $125 and from $112 to $134 respectively [8][9] - The aerospace and defense sector is projected to remain strong in 2026 due to supply-demand dynamics, with KTOS benefiting from order momentum in Valkyrie drones and advancements in hypersonic testing [10][11] - **Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE)**: - The company has received a Buy rating from Raymond James, with the price target increased from $21 to $24.5, and from Roth MKM, with the target raised from $20 to $23 [12][13] - The updated outlook for gold and silver prices in 2026 reflects significant increases, with gold projected at $4,125 and silver at $56.25, influenced by macroeconomic factors [13] - Coeur Mining is expected to report fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 18, with anticipated revenue of approximately $668.7 million and a GAAP EPS of $0.48 [14]

Market Overview - The market started the year strong, with significant gains in the first few days, although there are concerns about potential pullbacks later in January [2][3] - Economic indicators suggest a critical mass of consumers is maintaining spending, which is essential for economic stability [3][6] Defense Sector Insights - President Trump proposed increasing defense spending from approximately $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, which could positively impact defense stocks [7][8] - However, there are concerns about the feasibility of such spending increases and the potential restrictions on buybacks and dividends for defense contractors [12][13] - The defense sector is expected to see long-term bullish trends due to increased spending, but the actual impact may take years to materialize [8][10] Alphabet's Market Position - Alphabet surpassed Apple to become the second most valuable company globally, driven by its advancements in AI and cloud services [14][18] - The company's leadership stability and ongoing investments in AI are seen as key factors for its future growth [18][19] - Alphabet's profitability and strategic investments in other tech companies position it favorably against competitors like Apple [20][21] Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry - General Motors announced an additional $6 billion write-off related to EVs, bringing total write-offs to $7.6 billion, indicating challenges in the EV transition [42][44] - The EV revolution is expected to take longer than initially anticipated, with a focus on hybrid vehicles gaining traction [44][45] Cybersecurity Developments - CrowdStrike's acquisition of SGNL for $740 million highlights the growing importance of identity security in the cybersecurity market [41] - The company has experienced significant revenue growth, indicating a strong market position and future opportunities [41] Emerging Technologies - The EV toll market, represented by companies like Joby and Archer Aviation, is anticipated to revolutionize transportation, although profitability remains uncertain [25][26] - Space communication technologies face challenges due to latency issues, but established companies like Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper are seen as key players in the market [30][32] Investment Opportunities - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions' stock surged 35% following a contract award for Valkyrie drones, indicating strong potential in the defense technology sector [46] - Rubrik, a cybersecurity firm, has seen its market cap grow significantly, reflecting investor interest in cybersecurity solutions amid increasing cyber threats [48]

Core Thesis - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is transitioning from a high-concept defense innovator to a revenue-generating company, with a current share price of $76.10 and trailing and forward P/E ratios of 585.38 and 158.73 respectively [1][2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, total revenue increased by 26% year-over-year to $347.6 million, driven by a 36% surge in the unmanned systems segment due to Valkyrie drone production and delivery [3] - The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.14, surpassing expectations, and a GAAP net profit of $8.7 million, indicating a shift into profitability [3] Strategic Vision and Execution - The performance aligns with CEO Eric DeMarco's vision of low-cost, AI-enabled expendable combat aircraft, moving from conceptualization to actual production [4] - Free cash flow remains negative at $41 million, primarily due to $28 million in strategic capital expenditures for new factories, supporting a record backlog of $1.48 billion and a bid pipeline of $13.5 billion [4] Segment Analysis - The Government Solutions (KGS) segment is a stable cash generator, benefiting from Defense Rocket Support Systems, hypersonic test targets, and satellite control systems [5] - Long-term guidance forecasts 15–20% revenue growth for 2026 and 18–23% for 2027, supported by domestic demand and new international opportunities following MTCR export rule adjustments [5] Valuation Insights - Valuation analysis indicates a FY26 forward P/S of 6.38x and a DCF-derived intrinsic value of $70–$85 per share, suggesting the stock is reasonably priced relative to its growth potential [6] - The company is strategically positioned at the intersection of autonomous drones, hypersonic systems, and space communications, offering substantial upside if it successfully navigates these growth vectors [6]