The recent Berkshire buy is trading for much lower than Buffett paid.It's always nice when a company name gives a straightforward sense of what that company does, and Pool Corp. (POOL +4.24%) fits the bill. The company is the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, parts, and supplies. But that's not all there is to know about the company. Here's what you should know before you consider buying in. Know where Pool's money comes fromAbout one-third of Pool's revenue comes from new po ...

Core Insights - Finning International Inc. reported strong Q3 2025 results, with revenue growth across all regions and sectors, particularly in mining and power systems [1][5][10] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 revenue reached CAD 2.842 billion, a 14% increase from CAD 2.489 billion in Q3 2024, driven by strong demand in mining and power systems [4][5] - New equipment sales increased by 12% to CAD 1.046 billion, while used equipment sales surged by 122% to CAD 199 million [4][5] - Product support revenue grew by 9% to CAD 1.517 billion, reflecting robust mining sector activity [5][10] - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was CAD 616 million, with a gross profit margin of 21.7%, down from 23.4% in Q3 2024 [4][5] - EBIT increased by 51% to CAD 240 million, with an EBIT margin of 8.5%, up from 6.4% in Q3 2024 [4][5][6] - Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was CAD 1.17, a 33% increase from CAD 0.88 in Q3 2024 [5][6] Operational Highlights - Product support continued to show steady growth, exceeding CAD 1.5 billion in Q3 2025 [3][5] - The company maintained an invested capital turnover of 2.3 times, consistent with the previous quarter [3][8] - SG&A costs decreased by 6% to CAD 382 million, reflecting cost control measures and restructuring savings [4][5] Regional Performance - South America saw a 17% revenue increase, with new equipment sales up 23% driven by mining deliveries [13] - Canada operations reported a 13% revenue increase, with used equipment sales up 105% [13] - UK & Ireland operations experienced a 4% revenue increase, primarily from new equipment sales [13] Market Outlook - The company anticipates steady demand in the mining sector, supported by strong copper prices and capital investments in Chile [16][20] - In Canada, the outlook is mixed but improving, with potential for increased resource development and infrastructure projects [19][20] - The UK market is expected to remain soft, but power systems demand is projected to grow, particularly in data centers [22] Shareholder Returns - The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of CAD 0.3025 per share, payable on December 11, 2025 [23] - In Q3 2025, the company repurchased 1.2 million shares at an average cost of CAD 59.45 per share [23]

Core Insights - Finning International Inc. reported strong Q3 2025 results, with a revenue increase of 14% year-over-year, driven by robust demand in the mining and power systems sectors despite challenges in the construction market [3][7][12]. Financial Performance - Q3 2025 revenue reached CAD 2.84 billion, up from CAD 2.49 billion in Q3 2024, with product support revenues increasing by 9% and new equipment sales rising by 12% [5][7]. - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was CAD 616 million, reflecting a gross profit margin of 21.7%, down from 23.4% in the previous year [5][7]. - SG&A costs decreased by 6% to CAD 382 million, resulting in an SG&A margin improvement to 13.4% [5][7]. - EBIT for Q3 2025 was CAD 240 million, a 51% increase from CAD 160 million in Q3 2024, with an EBIT margin of 8.5% [5][7][8]. - EPS from continuing operations was CAD 1.17, up 33% from CAD 0.88 in Q3 2024 [7][8]. Operational Highlights - Product support revenue exceeded CAD 1.5 billion, and new equipment revenue set a quarterly record of over CAD 1 billion [4][7]. - Equipment backlog stood at CAD 2.9 billion as of September 30, 2025, indicating strong future demand [7]. - The company continues to focus on maximizing product support and enhancing return on invested capital [4][7]. Regional Performance - South America operations saw a 17% revenue increase, with new equipment sales up 23% driven by mining deliveries [15][21]. - Canada operations reported a 4% revenue increase, primarily from new equipment sales, while product support revenue decreased by 3% [24][25]. - UK & Ireland operations experienced a 4% revenue increase, with product support revenue stable despite lower construction sector demand [28][24]. Market Outlook - The company anticipates steady activity levels in the mining sector and continued demand in the power systems market, particularly in data centers [21][26]. - In South America, strong copper prices and capital deployment into large-scale projects are expected to drive growth [21][22]. - The outlook for Western Canada remains mixed but is improving, with potential for accelerated resource development [25][26].

Core Viewpoint - Shares of Pool Corp are currently trading at a lower price than what Berkshire Hathaway paid, presenting a potential investment opportunity, but caution is advised due to market conditions and company performance [1][2]. Company Overview - Pool Corp is the world's largest wholesaler of pools, pool equipment, parts, and supplies, with a significant portion of its revenue derived from servicing and maintaining existing pools [8][10]. - Approximately 64% of Pool's revenue comes from servicing existing pools, while only 14% is from new pool installations [10]. Investment Activity - Berkshire Hathaway began acquiring shares of Pool Corp in Q3 2024, initially purchasing 404,057 shares valued at $152.2 million, and increased its stake to over $1 billion by Q2 2025 [3][4]. - The total stake held by Berkshire in Pool Corp reached 9.2% of the company [4]. Share Price Analysis - The lowest price Berkshire could have paid for Pool shares was $296.17 in Q3 2024, with prices fluctuating in subsequent quarters, reaching a low of $285 in Q2 2025 [5][6]. - Current trading price of Pool shares is $267.06, which is lower than any price Berkshire paid [7]. Market Conditions - Pool Corp's stock price surged during the pandemic due to increased demand for home leisure options, but has since declined due to rising mortgage rates and falling home construction starts [8][9]. - The market for new pool installations remains soft, which is expected to continue until the housing market improves [10]. Valuation and Investment Considerations - Pool Corp is currently trading at a below-average valuation of 26 times trailing earnings and offers a dividend yield of 1.73% [11]. - Long-term investors may find Pool Corp appealing despite near-term volatility, but it may be prudent to wait for signs of recovery in the housing market before investing [11].

Core Viewpoint - Finning International Inc. is set to report its Q3 2025 results on November 11, 2025, with an investor call scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, providing services for over 90 years [2] - The company is headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, and operates in Western Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland [2] Group 2: Investor Communication - The investor call can be accessed via a toll-free number for Canada and the US, as well as an international toll number [1] - The call will be webcast live and archived for three months, with access available through the company's website [1]

Core Viewpoint - AutoNation, Inc. will release its financial results for Q3 2025 on October 23, 2025, before market opening, followed by a conference call to discuss these results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, will be announced on October 23, 2025 [1]. - A conference call and audio webcast will take place on the same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results [1]. Group 2: Accessing the Conference Call - The conference call can be accessed via telephone at 833-470-1428 with Conference ID: 500167 or through AutoNation's investor relations website [2]. - The webcast will be available on AutoNation's website after the call and can be accessed until November 13, 2025 [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., offering a wide range of new and used vehicles, financing, parts, and maintenance services [3]. - The company has raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes through DRV PNK, highlighting its commitment to community service [3].

Core Insights - AutoNation has raised over $45 million for cancer-related causes, including $4 million last year, and has delivered more than 36,000 Totes for Hope to cancer patients [6][11] - The company continues its year-round commitment to cancer fundraising through its DRV PNK initiative, which supports various cancer prevention, education, research, treatment, and survivorship programs [6][8] - AutoNation's associates have actively participated in fundraising events, raising significant amounts for local children's hospitals and cancer research [3][5] Fundraising and Contributions - AutoNation associates from 17 locations in Phoenix raised over $80,000 for Phoenix Children's Hospital and participated in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, raising $540,000 for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center [3] - In Georgia, associates from 13 stores raised over $75,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer during a community event [5] - The company has generated more than $2 million through DRV PNK to support pediatric cancer initiatives [7] Community Engagement - AutoNation's associates delivered Totes for Hope filled with comfort items to pediatric cancer patients at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and other facilities nationwide [4] - The company donated a new vehicle to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to support its operations [4][7] - AutoNation's DRV PNK initiative has become the cornerstone of its philanthropic efforts, funding groundbreaking research and patient programs across the country [10] Partnerships and Support - DRV PNK supports a wide range of cancer organizations, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and the American Cancer Society [9][10] - Customers at AutoNation locations can contribute to cancer-related causes at checkout, with nearly $2 million raised through customer donations since partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation [8]

Yeah, we're not immune to that, but we have a more resilient because of the marketplace platform. You know, when you think about it, sellers have, you know, choices. We saw sellers um open up new quarters, for example.We've built seller tools like speedpack and eBay international shipping uh to make it easier. You know, we've been dealing with crossber trade for 30 years now um as a business and we feel well equipped. our guidance that we uh put out there for third quarter actually contemplated even the mos ...

Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 FY2026 was $546.4 million, a 13.8% decrease compared to $633.7 million in Q2 FY2025[30, 32, 34] - The company reported a pre-tax loss of $8.2 million in Q2 FY2026[10, 34] - Diluted loss per share was $0.26[10, 32] - For the first six months of FY2026, total revenue was $1.1408 billion, a 9.6% decrease from $1.2624 billion in the first six months of FY2025[35, 37, 39] - The adjusted pre-tax loss for the first six months of FY2026 was $25.5 million[39] Segment Performance - Agriculture segment revenue decreased by 18.5% to $345.8 million in Q2 FY2026[34] and is expected to be down 15% to 20% for FY26[15] - Construction segment revenue decreased by 10.2% to $72.0 million in Q2 FY2026[34] and is expected to be down 3% to 8% for FY26[20] - Europe segment revenue increased by 44.0% to $98.1 million in Q2 FY2026[24, 34] and is expected to be up 30% to 40% for FY26[24] - Australia segment revenue decreased by 50.1% to $30.6 million in Q2 FY2026[29, 34] and is expected to be down 20% to 25% for FY26[29] Inventory and Balance Sheet - Equipment inventory increased by $28 million from January 31, 2025, to July 31, 2025[42] - The company is targeting an inventory reduction of approximately $100 million in fiscal year 2026[42]

Company Overview - Rush Enterprises operates commercial vehicle dealerships, offering a comprehensive range of solutions including new and used truck and bus sales, parts, service, collision repair, financing, and leasing [1]. Historical Background - The company was founded in 1965, establishing a long-standing presence in the commercial vehicle industry [1]. Investment Focus - The analysis emphasizes a qualitative approach to investing, particularly in small-cap companies that exhibit both long-term growth potential and special situations [1].