Key Takeaways Comfort Systems trades at a premium P/E of 33.73 as AI-linked data center demand drives a 65% backlog jump.Gross margin up 340 bps to 23.6% in the first nine months of 2025 through project mix and discipline.FIX boosted liquidity, repurchased shares and raised dividends, supporting returns despite risks.Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) is currently trading at a premium compared with the Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry peers and the broader Construction sector, with a fo ...

Key Takeaways FIX expanded gross margin 340 bps to 23.6% in the first nine months of 2025 through automation gains.Comfort Systems uses off-site fabrication and data-driven execution to reduce labor intensity and timelines.FIX benefits from AI-linked data center demand, supporting higher-margin and technology-heavy project wins.Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) is heavily capitalizing on the market shift toward the AI boom and the use of advanced tools while making headway on becoming a technology-enabled con ...

Qualivian Investment Partners, an investment partnership focused on long-only public equities, released its Q3 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund outperformed the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) by 69.2% and 61.3% on a gross and net basis, since inception through September 30, 2025. It also exceeded the S&P 500 by 32.7% and 26.1% respectively, on a gross and net basis. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. ...

Key Takeaways JCI is seeing solid momentum across the Americas, EMEA and APAC, driven by HVAC platforms and controls.JCI expanded its portfolio via acquisitions, adding $25M in revenues in fiscal 2025 with FM:Systems.JCI faces margin pressure from higher SG&A, IT and cybersecurity costs, plus adverse currency impacts.Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) is benefiting from solid momentum across all segments. Increase in demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) platforms in data centers ...

Trane Technologies Plc (NYSE:TT) is one of the 10 Data Center Cooling Companies to Invest In. On December 4, Trane Technologies Plc’s (NYSE:TT) price target was raised by $11 to $506 by Barclays. The firm maintained the previous Overweight rating on the stock. This nudges Barclays’ price target closer to the $550 mark, which is the highest rating among 26 analysts the stock is covered by on Wall Street. It is well above the $470 median target price, which offers an 18.31% upside from here. Watsco, Inc. (W ...

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lennox board of directors (NYSE: LII) approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share of common stock, payable January 15, 2026, to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2025.The company also announces that the 2026 Lennox annual meeting of stockholders is scheduled for May 21, 2026, for stockholders of record as of March 26, 2026.About Lennox: Lennox (NYSE: LII) is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. We are committed to sustainability ...

Core Points - Watts Water Technologies announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Ryan Lada to pursue a new opportunity [1][4] - Diane McClintock has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, bringing extensive experience from her previous role as Senior Vice President of FP&A and Investor Relations [2][3] - The transition aims to ensure financial, operational, and strategic continuity within the company [2][3] Leadership Transition - Diane McClintock has been with Watts since 2010 and has played a significant role in the company's growth and financial performance [3] - McClintock expressed her commitment to executing the company's profitable growth strategy and ensuring a smooth transition [3] - The company emphasizes that Lada's departure is for personal reasons and not related to any business or financial issues [4] Company Overview - Watts Water Technologies is a global manufacturer headquartered in the USA, providing a wide range of plumbing, heating, and water quality products [5] - The company serves commercial, residential, and industrial applications with innovative solutions [5]

Core Points - Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has elected Suzanne L. Stefany to its Board of Directors, where she will also serve on the Governance and Sustainability Committee and the Compensation Committee [1] - Ms. Stefany has extensive experience in the investment banking sector, having served as a Senior Advisor and Partner at PJT Partners, and previously as a Managing Director and Global Industry Analyst at Wellington Management Company [2] - The CEO of Watts Water Technologies, Robert J. Pagano, Jr., highlighted Ms. Stefany's expertise in business strategy, M&A, capital allocation, and governance as valuable assets for the company [3] Company Overview - Watts Water Technologies is a global manufacturer based in the USA, providing a wide range of plumbing, heating, and water quality products [3] - The company focuses on innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency, safety, and quality of water across commercial, residential, and industrial applications [3]

Core Insights - Comfort Systems USA (FIX) reported a record backlog of $9.38 billion for Q3 2025, reflecting year-over-year increases of 65.1% [1] - The company is benefiting from elevated public infrastructure spending and a thriving market for technology advancements and sustainable alternatives [1] - FIX's strategic acquisitions are expected to generate over $200 million in incremental annual revenues and $15-$20 million in incremental annual EBITDA [3] Financial Performance - The Technology sector contributed 42% of total revenues in 2025, up from 32% a year ago, driven by increased demand for data center-related activities [2] - FIX's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have trended upward to $26.31 and $30.61 per share, implying year-over-year growth of 80.2% and 16.4%, respectively [13] Competitive Landscape - FIX holds a tactical edge in the data-center market due to its concentrated technology and industrial work backlog [5] - Competitors include EMCOR Group, which is larger and more diversified, and AECOM, which has a significant backlog and full-service design capabilities [6][7] - FIX's advantages include its modular capacity and execution model, allowing for faster onsite starts and strong margin capture compared to competitors [8] Market Outlook - Despite challenges such as a tight labor market and potential normalization in project margins, management projects same-store revenue growth in the low to mid-teens for 2026 [4] - FIX's stock has trended upward by 38.5% over the past three months, outperforming industry peers and major indices [9][10] - The current trading premium is reflected in a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31.92 [12]

Core Insights - SouthernSun Asset Management's "SMID Cap Strategy" reported an 8.15% gross return and 7.96% net return for Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2500's 9.00% return and the Russell 2500® Value index's 8.17% gain during the same period [1] - Over the trailing twelve months, the composite returned 2.55% gross and 1.86% net, significantly lower than the Russell 2500's 10.16% and the Russell 2500® Value index's 9.00% returns [1] Company Analysis: Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) - Watsco, Inc. is the largest distributor of HVAC/R products in North America, but its stock experienced a -9.61% return over the last month and a 30.67% decline over the past 52 weeks, closing at $358.33 with a market cap of $14.573 billion on November 4, 2025 [2][3] - In Q2 2025, Watsco's revenue decreased by 4% while operating income increased by 1%, with equipment volumes down approximately 12% year-to-date due to lower new construction activity and a consumer shift from replacement to repair [3] - Despite current challenges, Watsco maintains a stable market share, has no debt, and holds $293 million in cash and short-term investments, positioning the company well for acquisitions in the $74 billion North American HVAC/R distribution market [3] - The company is viewed as having a strong competitive position and a long runway for both organic and inorganic growth, supported by its owner-oriented culture and competitive advantages that increase with scale [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Watsco, Inc. was held by 34 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, a slight decrease from 35 in the previous quarter, indicating a stable but cautious interest among hedge funds [4] - While Watsco is recognized for its potential, certain AI stocks are considered to offer greater upside potential with less downside risk, suggesting a competitive investment landscape [4]