Aristotle Capital Boston, LLC, an investment advisor, released its “Small Cap Equity Fund” third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the third quarter, the small-cap equities delivered strong results with the Russell 2000 Index reaching its first all-time high since November 2021. A favorable macroeconomic backdrop led the rally. In the quarter, the fund (Class I-2) delivered a return of 3.16% underperforming the 12.39% total return of the Russell 2000 Index. For mo ...

Group 1 - Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) designs and sells optical and photonic products, including lasers and components, for cloud networking, data centers, and industrial applications [2] - Jim Cramer described Lumentum as a "red-hot spec stock" that is profitable, but cautioned that it should be recognized as a speculative investment [2] - Cramer expressed skepticism about holding Lumentum, suggesting that while it is a better company than its predecessor JDSU, he does not recommend staying invested in it [1][2] Group 2 - The article suggests that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to Lumentum [2] - There is a mention of a free report on undervalued AI stocks that could benefit from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend [2]

Company Overview - LKQ Corporation, based in Antioch, Tennessee, is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts for vehicle repair and accessorization, with a market cap of $7.9 billion [1] - The company operates through various segments including Wholesale-North America, Europe, Specialty, and Self-Service [1][2] Market Position - LKQ is categorized as a mid-cap stock, with its market cap exceeding the $2 billion to $10 billion range, indicating its substantial size and influence in the auto parts industry [2] Stock Performance - LKQ stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping 31.9% from its 52-week high of $44.82 on March 10, and has underperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which increased by 5.5% over the same three-month period [3][4] - Year-to-date, LKQ stock prices have decreased by 17%, and over the past 52 weeks, they have fallen by 19.6%, while the Dow has gained 13.8% in 2025 and 10.5% over the past year [4] Recent Financial Results - Following the release of mixed Q3 results on October 30, LKQ's stock prices gained 3.7%. The company reported a 1.2% decrease in organic revenues for parts and services, with a net negative impact of 30 basis points from acquisitions and divestitures [5] - Despite these challenges, the overall topline increased by 1.3% year-over-year to $3.5 billion, although this was 84 basis points below market expectations [5] - The adjusted EPS decreased by 2.3% year-over-year to $0.84, but this figure surpassed consensus estimates by 13.5% [6] Competitive Comparison - Compared to its peer Mobileye Global Inc., which saw a 47.1% decline year-to-date and a 39.8% drop over the past 52 weeks, LKQ has significantly outperformed [6]

Core Insights - Kettle Hill Capital Management acquired a new position in LKQ, purchasing 1,163,355 shares valued at approximately $35.53 million, which represents 7.99% of the fund's reported U.S. equity assets [1][2][10] - LKQ is now the largest equity holding for Kettle Hill Capital Management, with total positions increasing to 36 at the end of the quarter [2][10] - LKQ's stock has underperformed, with a price of $29.45 as of December 5, 2025, down 19.23% over the past year and lagging the S&P 500 by 34.82 percentage points [3][11] Company Overview - LKQ Corporation is a leading global distributor of automotive replacement parts, offering both new and recycled parts to a diverse customer base [6][9] - The company reported trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $13.96 billion and net income of $697 million, with a market capitalization of $7.95 billion [4][10] - LKQ's business model includes wholesale distribution to repair shops, dealerships, and retail customers, focusing on cost-effective vehicle repair and maintenance solutions [9][10] Performance Metrics - LKQ's shares have decreased by 8% over the last five years, resulting in a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.7% [11] - In contrast, the S&P 500 has more than doubled in value during the same period, achieving a CAGR of 15.1% [11] - The company has a dividend yield of 3.87% [3]

Core Insights - Guardian Wealth Management increased its stake in LKQ to approximately $4.9 million, acquiring 77,245 shares during Q3 2025, which added an estimated $1.83 million in position value [1][2] - As of September 30, 2025, the total stake in LKQ stands at 159,199 shares, representing 2.87% of Guardian's $169.26 million in reportable U.S. equity assets [2][3] Company Overview - LKQ reported a total revenue of $13.96 billion and a net income of $697 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] - The company has a dividend yield of 3.97% and its stock price was $29.45 as of December 5, 2025 [4] Performance Analysis - LKQ's stock has declined by 46% over the past three years, resulting in a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.8%, while the S&P 500 has increased by 82% during the same period [10] - Recent developments indicate LKQ is exploring a potential sale of its Keystone Automotive division, which may help raise cash and refocus on its core business of aftermarket and recycled auto parts [11] Business Model - LKQ operates as a leading distributor of aftermarket and recycled automotive parts, serving customers across North America and Europe [6][9] - The company sources parts from manufacturers and salvage operations, supplying them to repair shops, dealerships, and retail consumers [9]

Company Overview - Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) specializes in optical and photonic products, including chips, components, and lasers, which are essential for cloud data centers, AI infrastructure, and various manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, solar cells, and electric vehicle batteries [2]. Investment Insights - Jim Cramer highlighted Lumentum as a "red-hot spec stock" that is profitable, suggesting it is acceptable to invest in it as long as investors recognize its speculative nature [1]. - Cramer advised a caller to sell half of their Lumentum shares, indicating a strategy to secure profits while still maintaining a position in the stock [2]. - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk compared to Lumentum, suggesting a competitive landscape for investment opportunities [2].

Core Insights - Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV) is recognized as one of the 15 High Quality Dividend Stocks for Long-Term Investors [1] - Oppenheimer has raised its price target for Dover to $228 from $225, maintaining an Outperform rating, indicating confidence in the company's earnings and cash flow growth [2] - Dover's quarterly dividend remains at $0.52 per share, reflecting a strong dividend history of 70 years [3] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Dover reported revenue of $2.08 billion, a 4.75% increase year-over-year, driven by strong shipments in short-cycle components and contributions from acquisitions [4] - The company has raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance from $9.35-$9.55 to $9.50-$9.60, indicating healthy demand and sustained order growth despite macroeconomic uncertainties [5]

Company Overview - Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, and manufactures engineered fasteners, components, equipment, consumables, and specialty products for diverse industries [1] - The company operates in automotive OEM, welding, food equipment, test and measurement, polymers and fluids, construction products, and specialty segments across more than 50 countries [1] - ITW has a market capitalization of $72.32 billion, classifying it as a "large-cap" stock [1] Stock Performance - ITW's stock reached a 52-week low of $214.66 in April but has increased by 16.1% since then [2] - Over the past three months, the stock has declined by 6.2% due to weaker-than-expected topline results, while the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has gained marginally [2] - The stock has underperformed over the longer term, declining by 9.7% over the past 52 weeks but gaining 2.2% over the past six months, compared to the Industrial Select Sector ETF which gained 7.3% and 7.8% over the same periods [3] Financial Results - On October 24, ITW reported mixed third-quarter 2025 results, with operating revenue growing modestly by 2.3% year-over-year (YOY) to $4.06 billion, missing the $4.08 billion estimate from Wall Street analysts [4] - The company's net income per share dropped 28.1% annually to $2.81, although this exceeded the Wall Street analysts' estimate of $2.69 [5] - Excluding divestiture gains from the prior year's period of $1.26, EPS grew 6% YOY [5] Comparative Analysis - ITW's performance is compared with Emerson Electric Co. (EMR), which has seen a marginal increase over the past 52 weeks and an 11.4% gain over the past six months, indicating that ITW has underperformed Emerson Electric during these periods [6] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Hold" for ITW's stock, with a mean price target of $263 indicating a 5.5% upside compared to current levels [7] - The highest price target from analysts is $287, suggesting a 15.1% upside [7]

Core Insights - Foxconn is partnering with OpenAI to design and engineer data center racks and AI hardware, indicating a strategic move into the AI hardware market [1] Group 1: Collaboration Details - The collaboration will focus on developing components specifically for artificial intelligence applications [1] - This partnership highlights the increasing demand for AI infrastructure as companies invest in AI technologies [1] Group 2: Market Implications - The alliance may position Foxconn as a key player in the growing AI hardware sector, potentially leading to new revenue streams [1] - The partnership reflects broader trends in the tech industry where hardware and AI software are increasingly integrated [1]

Core Insights - GE Aerospace has been recognized for its innovative approach and significant transformation under CEO Larry Culp, leading to substantial financial gains for investors [1]. Company Overview - GE Aerospace specializes in the development and production of aircraft engines, components, and power systems for both commercial and defense applications. The company also offers maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for engines [2].