Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 30th June 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2.9% | 4% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2.9% | 4% |
Tactile Fund returned 2.9% in Q2 2026, bringing year-to-date returns to 4.0%. The quarter saw partial unwinding of 2025 trends that included rising skepticism toward US equities and the dollar's reserve status, with the Iran conflict and high energy costs dampening appetite for vulnerable geographies like Western Europe. The fund added Grupo México, Mexico's largest public company, as a significant new position. Grupo México controls the world's largest and lowest-cost copper reserves through Southern Copper and ASARCO, while owning Mexico's most important rail networks. The company trades at more than 60% discount to net asset value and is evaluating rail acquisitions in Brazil and Argentina. Since inception, over 12% of the portfolio has been acquired or conducted major asset sales, with six holdings seeing catalyzing transactions in 18 months. This validates the desirability of companies owning extraordinary physical assets, though it limits long-term ownership opportunities. The portfolio remains positioned as a hedge against dollar weakness and technological disruption through ownership of rare, high-quality physical assets.
Tactile Fund invests in companies that own extraordinary, scarce physical assets trading at significant discounts to intrinsic value, with these assets serving as hedges against dollar weakness and technological disruption while attracting acquisition interest that validates their quality.
The manager expects Tactile Fund's collection of businesses owning extraordinary physical assets to continue proving useful as a hedge against long-term dollar weakness and technological disruption. Grupo México is positioned to grow its value by building on its dominant position in rare, high quality physical assets, particularly through potential rail acquisitions in Brazil and Argentina. The manager acknowledges mixed feelings about the strong acquisition interest in portfolio holdings, as it boosts short-term returns but deprives the fund of long-term ownership opportunities, though sales at prices that fully reflect quality and scarcity are acceptable outcomes.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28 2026 | 2026 Q2 | LAMR, MATX, SCCO | Conglomerates, Mexico, Mining, Physical Assets, Railroads, small caps, value | - | Tactile Fund added Grupo México at a 60%+ discount to net asset value, gaining exposure to the world's largest, lowest-cost copper reserves and Mexico's dominant rail networks. Copper trades at record highs amid constrained supply, while rail expansion opportunities exist in Brazil and Argentina. Strong acquisition activity across six holdings in 18 months confirms the scarcity value of the fund's physical asset focus. |
| Mar 31 2026 | 2026 Q1 | ADN.TO, GRUMAB.MX, RBT.PA | Food, global, infrastructure, Luxury, Physical Assets, small cap, Tourism, value | RBT.PA | Tactile Fund targets companies with extraordinary physical assets globally, rising 1% in Q1 despite Iran war pressures on tourism holdings. Portfolio includes Gruma dominating global tortilla markets and Robertet serving luxury perfume industry. Manager confident tangible assets provide valuable counterweight to intangibles-dominated markets, positioned for long-term demand growth despite near-term geopolitical headwinds. |
| Feb 19 2026 | 2025 Q4 | AER, CWK.L, FCG.NZ, GOOGL, GRUMAB.MX, HII, JUNGN.SW, LAMR, MATX, MCEM, META | Agriculture, AI, global, inflation, infrastructure, Luxury, Physical Assets, value |
FSF NZ HII GMEXICOB MM BWEL GRUMAB MM |
Tactile Fund returned 20.5% in 2025 by investing in companies with extraordinary physical assets immune to AI disruption and currency devaluation. Winners included Swiss railways, agriculture companies, and shipbuilders. The manager sees growing appreciation for quality physical assets as investors become skeptical of software franchises threatened by AI commoditization. |
| Sep 30 2025 | 2025 Q3 | ADN.TO, CNRD, CWK.L, FSF.NZ, GMAB, HII, ICG.L, LAMR, MATX | Dairy, inflation, infrastructure, Shipbuilding, small caps, Tourism, value | - | Tactile Fund returned 15.3% year-to-date through Q3 2025, investing in irreplaceable assets serving fundamental human needs. Strong performance from shipbuilder Conrad Industries and New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra, while Alpine railways represent the archetypal investment with century-old infrastructure and pricing power. Timber and luxury marble investments faced headwinds from weak construction and trade disputes. |
| May 7 2025 | 2025 Q1 | 4681.T, 9722.T, CORR.LS, CWK.L, FCG, GRUMAB.MX, LIF.TO, MCEM, NWC.TO, SAN.MI, SKIS-B.ST, SRC.L, VPK.AS | Agriculture, global, infrastructure, Long Term, Luxury, Physical Assets, small cap |
CNRD ADN CN FUM IM |
Tactile Fund targets global small-cap companies with extraordinary physical assets and permanent competitive advantages. The strategy focuses on essential materials, agricultural processing, and trophy leisure assets across developed markets. With 0.7% Q1 returns versus -4.8% benchmark decline, the fund demonstrates resilience while gradually deploying capital into businesses designed for multi-decade ownership and steady value accumulation. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q2 |
CopperGrupo México controls the world's largest and lowest-cost copper reserves through Southern Copper and ASARCO. Copper prices are at record highs despite middling industrial growth, driven by constrained supply outlook as major discoveries have been rare and reserve quality has declined across the industry. The manager views Grupo México's copper assets as extraordinary physical assets that will grow in value. |
Copper Mining Southern Copper Reserves |
RailroadsGrupo México owns Mexico's most important rail networks (Ferromex and Ferrosur) as well as Florida East Coast Railway. The company is evaluating purchases of rail assets in Brazil and Argentina as those countries seek to strengthen transportation networks. The manager values these rail assets at a 20% discount to US rail majors, contributing to a 60%+ discount to net asset value for Grupo México shares. |
Rail Infrastructure Mexico Transportation | |
ConglomeratesThe fund added Grupo México, Mexico's largest public company and a conglomerate with interests in minerals and rail. The manager sees the company trading at more than 60% discount to net asset value when valuing rail assets at a 20% discount to US rail majors. The conglomerate structure provides exposure to multiple high-quality physical asset categories. |
Conglomerates Grupo México Valuation | |
DollarThe manager notes that 2025 saw rising skepticism of the US stock market and doubts about the global reserve status of the US Dollar, with 2026 seeing a partial unwinding of these trends. The fund's collection of businesses owning extraordinary physical assets is positioned as a hedge against long-term dollar weakness and technological disruption. |
Dollar Currency Reserve Status | |
M&AMore than 12% of the portfolio by market value has been acquired, merged, or conducted major asset sales since inception. Six holdings have seen catalyzing transactions in the first 18 months, including Svitzer, Brickworks, Fonterra, Pardee Resources, Hotel Majestic, and Irish Continental Group. The manager views this as confirmation of the desirability of companies owning extraordinary physical assets, though it deprives the fund of long-term ownership opportunities. |
M&A Acquisitions Asset Sales | |
| 2026 Q1 |
TravelThe war with Iran is taking a toll on global tourism, affecting holdings like Jungfraubahn and Hotel Majestic Cannes as travelers defer trips. However, demand and prices for premium destinations will be considerably higher a decade from now, and these companies will still own the highest quality real estate and infrastructure. |
Tourism Hospitality Infrastructure |
InfrastructurePortfolio emphasizes companies with extraordinary physical assets including ferry operators, minerals producers, and infrastructure companies. These assets provide necessary counterweight to intangibles-dominated markets and represent enduring value through economic cycles. |
Physical Assets Transportation Utilities | |
FoodHoldings include Gruma which dominates the world market for tortillas and corn flour products, selling in 110 countries with extensive vertical integration. Robertet produces natural botanicals for food flavorings, benefiting from growing demand for natural over synthetic ingredients. |
Agriculture Food Processing Natural Ingredients | |
LuxuryRobertet serves the luxury perfume industry, with products finding their way into the world's most expensive designer perfumes. The growing global middle class demands better quality products and is more conscious of ingredients, supporting premium positioning. |
Perfume Premium Quality | |
| 2025 Q4 |
AIManager views AI as a threat to software companies, noting that AI can reproduce software functions at a fraction of the cost. Warns that software franchises may become commoditized, with AI potentially eating software just as software once ate the world. |
Software Disruption Commoditization Technology Valuation |
InfrastructurePortfolio heavily weighted toward physical infrastructure assets including railways, real estate, mineral resources, and industrial infrastructure. Manager believes these assets provide pricing power against inflation and cannot be replaced by AI. |
Railways Real Estate Physical Assets Pricing Power Essential | |
AgricultureStrong performance from Australian and New Zealand agricultural holdings including Ricegrowers and Fonterra. Manager expects agricultural companies with geographic and cost advantages to benefit from growing global middle class demand for quality foods. |
Dairy Rice Food Security Geographic Advantage Demographics | |
SwitzerlandSwiss Alpine Railways were among 2025's top performers with strong earnings from Jungfraubahn and BVZ Holding. Manager highlights their impossible-to-duplicate transportation and tourism infrastructure in the Alps. |
Tourism Transportation Alps Monopolistic Infrastructure | |
| 2025 Q3 |
ShipbuildingConrad Industries is benefiting from an upturn in the domestic shipbuilding industry with orders from government and industrial customers. The company has yet to receive meaningful new orders from energy customers, but if they return, recovery could accelerate. Conrad also received an order from a venture capital-backed producer of autonomous marine drones. |
Shipbuilding Defense Marine Industrial Government |
DairyFonterra Co-Operative Group is one of the world's largest dairy exporters, processing over NZD $24 billion of dairy products annually. The company announced a divestment of consumer-facing businesses to Lactalis for NZD $4.2 billion, with plans for a tax-free distribution of NZD $2.00 per share to shareholders. |
Dairy Food Agriculture New Zealand Distribution | |
TravelAlpine railways represent a major investment theme, providing access to some of the highest peaks in the Alps. These companies are irreplaceable and nearly impossible to duplicate, with extraordinary pricing power. The railways were constructed over a century ago and additional development is almost nil due to ecological sensitivity. |
Travel Tourism Railways Alps Infrastructure | |
| 2025 Q1 |
AgricultureThe manager believes agricultural productivity will continue increasing globally, with most value accruing to owners of productive land and processing assets. Between 1948 and 2017, American farm output nearly tripled despite using less land and labor. Higher-yielding acreage will command higher rents while processing facilities benefit from greater throughput. |
Land Processing Productivity Rents Throughput |
Building MaterialsCement is highlighted as a prime example of stable oligopolies where top incumbents enjoy good profitability but economics are insufficient to support new entrants. Cement's bulky nature and low value-to-weight ratio makes importing uneconomical, while plants are noisy and dusty, limiting where new capacity can be built. |
Cement Oligopoly Barriers Incumbents Geography | |
LuxuryThe fund owns trophy assets like hotels, ski facilities, and resorts, but only if backed by solid cash flows and assets. Many trophy assets offer pride of ownership but little else, requiring intensive investment to maintain prestige. The manager believes their luxury and leisure assets deserve premium valuations due to rarity and quality. |
Hotels Resorts Trophy Premium Rarity | |
InfrastructureThe fund seeks providers of materials and services that make modern life possible, provided they have permanent advantages like cost of production, quality, geographic proximity, or barriers to entry. The strategy focuses on companies with extraordinary physical assets that deliver essential services. |
Essential Barriers Physical Proximity Permanent |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2026 | Fund Letters | Tactile Fund | RBT.PA | Robertet SA | Chemicals | Specialty Chemicals | Bull | Euronext Stock Exchange | consumer staples, Cosmetics, family-controlled, france, Luxury goods, Natural-ingredients, Non-Voting Shares, Perfumery, specialty chemicals, vertical integration | Login |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | FSF NZ | Fonterra Shareholders Fund | Consumer Staples | Packaged Foods & Meats | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | agriculture, Dairy, Exports, Food Demand, Pricing power | Login |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | HII | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. | Industrials | Aerospace & Defense | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | backlog, Defense, infrastructure, national security, Shipbuilding | Login |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | GMEXICOB MM | Mexican Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. | Consumer Staples | Packaged Foods & Meats | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Emerging markets, market share, Staples, Tortillas, valuation | Login |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | BWEL | J.G. Boswell Company | Consumer Staples | Agricultural Products & Services | Bull | Dubai Financial Market | assets, Cyclicality, Farmland, NAV, Water | Login |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | GRUMAB MM | Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V. | Consumer Staples | Packaged Foods & Meats | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Corn, market share, Staples, Tortillas, valuation | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | CNRD | Conrad Industries, Inc. | Industrials | Shipbuilding | Bull | - | backlog, Cyclicals, energy, Industrials, Shipbuilding | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | ADN CN | Acadian Timber Corp. | Industrials | Timber & Forestry | Bear | TSX | Commodities, Cyclicals, Forestry, Housing, Timber | Login |
| Sep 30, 2025 | Fund Letters | Dave Waters | FUM IM | Franchi Umberto Marmi S.p.A. | Health Care | Luxury Stone & Marble | Bull | Borsa Istanbul | Luxury, Marble, materials, Scarcity, tariffs | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| SCCO | Grupo México owns 89% of Southern Copper, with the remainder trading on the NYSE under the ticker 'SCCO.' Through its ownership of Peru's Southern Copper Corporation and US-based ASARCO, Grupo México controls the world's largest and lowest-cost copper reserves, as well as substantial zinc, molybdenum, and silver assets. In some quarters, the company reports a negative cash cost of copper production net of revenue from valuable byproducts. Southern Copper has large and sustainable cost of production advantages, as well as high quality, long-lived reserves, which helps explain why shareholders have seen their investment return more than 300x over the past 30 years. |
| LAMR | Lamar Advertising Co. is listed as a top twenty holding at 3.6% of the portfolio. |
| MATX | Matson Inc. is listed as a top twenty holding at 3.3% of the portfolio. |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Sold | Shares Sold | % Change | Weight % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| No industry data available | |||