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 Thesis - KLA Corporation is positioned as a structural compounder in the semiconductor process control industry, benefiting from the increasing complexity of AI-driven chip manufacturing [3][4] Company Overview - KLA Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets process control, process-enabling, and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related electronics industries globally [3] - The company’s Semiconductor Process Control segment accounts for approximately 90% of its revenue, with services from its installed base providing stable, high-margin income [4] Financial Performance - In FY2025, KLA generated $12.5 billion in revenue with a gross margin of 61% and a free cash flow conversion rate of 92%, returning $3.05 billion to shareholders [4] - KLA maintains a conservative net debt of around $1.4 billion, indicating strong profitability and balance sheet strength [4] Competitive Advantages - KLA's competitive moat is built on decades of defect data, proprietary algorithms, and deep integration within fabrication facilities, making switching costs high and reinforcing recurring demand [5] - The company is expected to benefit from key drivers in 2026, including AI logic and advanced packaging capital expenditures, memory market recovery, and exposure to China amid export controls [5] Market Outlook - KLA's stock price has appreciated approximately 88.51% since January 2025, driven by sustained AI-related investments and industry optimism [7] - The investment case for KLA hinges on whether process control remains the binding constraint in semiconductor manufacturing, which could allow the company to convert complexity into durable margins, cash flow, and market share gains [6]

Group 1 - KLA Corporation is recognized as one of the best performing S&P 500 stocks in 2025, with price targets being raised by multiple financial institutions [1][2][3] - Bank of America increased its price target for KLA Corporation to $1,450 from $1,400 while maintaining a Buy rating, indicating confidence in the company's performance amid a decade-long transition towards AI-driven workloads [1] - Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded KLA Corporation to Overweight with a new price target of $1,500, reflecting optimism about AI infrastructure spending outweighing short-term cyclical concerns [2] - Jefferies also upgraded KLA Corporation to Buy with a price target of $1,500, citing the company's dominant position in leading-edge manufacturing as a key factor for benefiting from the demand for advanced chips and AI infrastructure [3] Group 2 - KLA Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets process control, process-enabling, and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related electronics industries globally [4]

Market Overview - The market is currently trading above the midpoint of Wells Fargo's year-end target range, indicating a strong desire for upward movement [1] - The NASDAQ and S&P 500 have experienced a cooling-off period after significant gains, with the tech sector rising 70% from its lows [2] - Historical data suggests that bull markets that reach three years old typically see gains in the following year, and Fed rate cuts near all-time highs have historically led to positive market performance [2] Sector Rotation - Wells Fargo has adjusted its positions by downgrading Communication Services and Information Technology to even weight, reallocating funds into Financials, Utilities, and Industrials [1] - The adjustments aim to maintain an AI theme from a different perspective while managing exposure to sectors that represent nearly 50% of the S&P 500's market cap [1] Tapestry Inc. (NYSE:TPR) - Tapestry Inc. has shown a year-to-date performance of 97.41% as of December 22, 2025, with multiple analysts raising price targets, indicating bullish sentiment [8][9] - Analysts from Baird, Wells Fargo, and Jefferies have all increased their price targets for Tapestry, reflecting expectations of robust revenue and earnings growth due to favorable consumer conditions and potential tariff changes [8][9][10] - Tapestry operates in three segments: Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, providing accessories and lifestyle brand products globally [11] KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) - KLA Corporation has achieved a year-to-date performance of 100.86% as of December 22, 2025, with analysts raising price targets amid a favorable outlook for the semiconductor sector [12][13] - Bank of America and Cantor Fitzgerald have both upgraded KLA's price targets, citing the company's strong position in AI-driven infrastructure and the expected demand for advanced chips and technologies [12][13][14] - KLA designs and manufactures solutions for the semiconductor industry, positioning itself as a key player in the ongoing transition towards AI workloads [15]

Core Viewpoint - KLA Corporation is highlighted as a key player in the AI sector, with Jefferies upgrading its rating to "Buy" and increasing the price target to $1,500, indicating a strong outlook driven by AI accelerator demand and advanced packaging needs [1][4]. Group 1: Company Performance and Outlook - Jefferies believes KLA's growth is just beginning, driven by expanding use cases for AI accelerators and a robust demand for leading-edge and advanced packaging [1]. - The firm sees potential upside for KLA due to increasing chip complexity and rising process control intensity, which aligns with KLA's strengths [2]. - KLA's business model benefits from the rising complexity in packaging, which requires enhanced process control [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Risks - While there are concerns regarding exposure to China, KLA's revenues from China are considered relatively derisked at 25% for C26, with historical data suggesting potential upside [4]. - The semiconductor industry continues to guide conservatively on China, yet demand remains strong, indicating resilience in the market [4].

Core Insights - KLA Corporation is a leading player in the semiconductor industry, focusing on process control and yield management solutions, with a market capitalization of $139.9 billion [1] Financial Performance - KLA is expected to report an adjusted profit of $8.47 per share for Q1, reflecting a 15.6% increase from $7.33 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full fiscal year 2026, adjusted EPS is projected to be $34.55, a 3.8% increase from $33.28 in 2025, with further growth anticipated in fiscal 2027 to $39.35 per share, representing a 13.9% year-over-year increase [3] Stock Performance - KLA's stock has increased by 30.9% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund's 25.9% gains and the S&P 500 Index's 16.3% returns during the same period [4] Recent Results - Following the release of impressive Q4 results, KLA's net revenues surged 23.6% year-over-year to $3.2 billion, exceeding expectations by 3.2%. Adjusted net income rose by 11% to $1.2 billion, with adjusted EPS of $9.38 surpassing consensus estimates by nearly 10% [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating for KLA stock, with 26 analysts providing coverage, including nine "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and 16 "Holds." The stock is currently trading above its mean price target of $982.50 [6]