Bull
Pitch Summary:
APi Group Corporation (APG), a leading provider of fire and life safety, security, elevator and escalator, and specialty services, was the top contributor in the SMID Cap strategy this quarter. The core Safety Services segment delivered strong results, with organic revenue growth of 6% and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 21%. Organic growth was driven by continued execution of the inspection-first strategy, while margins expanded due to ...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
MSA Safety, Inc. (MSA). MSA’s core business provides critical safety solutions for workers across various industries, including construction, oil and gas, fire service, and general industry. MSA has been a long-standing leader in firefighter safety equipment, particularly self-contained breathing apparatus, where brand reliability is paramount. We believe two of their markets are poised for growth over the next five years: firefigh...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM) was a top detractor this quarter. During the quarter, the broader beer industry experienced slower-than-expected sales, weighing on sentiment across alcohol-related stocks. Against this backdrop, sales of Twisted Tea, SAM’s largest brand, slowed, while Truly continued to underperform. That said, brands like Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, and newer offerings such as Hard Mountain Dew and Sun Cruiser...
Pitch Summary:
Dycom Industries, Inc. (DY), a leading provider of engineering and construction services to the telecommunications and utility industries, was a top contributor in the Small Cap strategy in the second quarter. Revenue was up 10% and Adjusted EBITDA was up 15% primarily due to recent acquisitions. Backlog hit a record high, and management increased the full year revenue guidance. The demand drivers such as fiber-to-the-home deployme...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) was the top contributor in the Small Cap strategy. After a pullback in the first quarter, which we believe was due to concerns about the cost of tariffs and weakening consumer confidence, BOOT recovered nicely after reporting their fiscal 4th quarter and full year (2025) results. For the full year, sales were up 14.6%, and same store sales increased 5.5%. In the current quarter, they report that same...
Pitch Summary:
Nvidia, a pioneer of GPUs since 1999, has evolved from a gaming hardware provider to the linchpin of the AI revolution. Nvidia’s main business currently is selling GPUs for data centers. It is however much more than merely a hardware business. Today, Nvidia’s ecosystem—comprising cutting-edge hardware, software libraries, interconnect solutions and a large and growing developer base—underpins its market leadership. This ecosystem, ...
Pitch Summary:
MOD – Since our introduction of this new holding last quarter, Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD) has continued to execute effectively under CEO Neil Brinker’s leadership, leveraging the Danaher Business System (DBS) playbook to drive robust performance. Despite offering a wider than expected initial guidance range for FY 2026 due to difficult to forecast macro conditions at the time of reporting last quarter, the company still exp...
Pitch Summary:
MGNI – Market volatility and economic concerns were the primary forces pushing MGNI to trade in such a wide range during the first half of the year, as markets briefly priced severe cuts to ad budgets into the stock. As economic storm clouds lifted, evidence began to emerge that ad budgets largely remain intact relative to prior expectations, and though the company suspended its guidance for the second half of the year, it seems it...
Pitch Summary:
GENI – The digital gaming rights provider continues to execute as expected with several favorable developments recently occurring. In June, the NFL re-upped and extended its data rights deal with GENI to 2029, well in advance of the 2027 expiration date of the previously existing agreement. Genius also recently secured an exclusive data rights deal with the NCAA through 2032. Together, these data rights deals, as well as the lion’s...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
U.S. direct-to-consumer pool and spa care services company, Leslie’s Inc. (LESL) continued to weigh on results amid weaker-than-expected demand and lingering inventory and execution challenges. Nonetheless, we believe Leslie’s maintains a leading market share and benefits from a large base of recurring, non-discretionary demand for chemicals and maintenance products. In our view, the company’s investments in omnichannel capabilitie...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM) declined during the period as the company navigated integration of the Hostess Brands acquisition and near-term cost inflation, which weighed on margins and investor sentiment. Despite these challenges, we believe Smucker’s strong portfolio of trusted brands and its growing presence in higher-growth categories such as pet snacks support a solid long-term outlook. We anticipate that synergy capture from the Ho...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Core Laboratories, Inc. (CLB) traded lower during the quarter amid investor concerns about the trajectory of global upstream spending and the durability of international and offshore activity. We believe the market is overly discounting Core Lab’s long history of innovation, high-margin, asset-light service offerings, and differentiated technologies. In our view, the company remains uniquely positioned to benefit from increased foc...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) advanced following strong quarterly earnings results and rumors of a potential merger with Bank of New York Mellon, which partially reversed prior underperformance. In our view, NTRS remains a trusted name offering diversified products in a favorable industry with high barriers to entry. We believe Northern’s 135-year track record highlights its stability and strength in navigating macroeconomic vo...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Shares of global leader in for-profit education, Adtalem Global Education, Inc. (ATGE), traded higher following strong quarterly results featuring robust enrollment trends and continued margin expansion. We believe Adtalem’s focus on healthcare education provides a defensive growth profile supported by long-term demand for nurses and physicians. In our view, management has executed well on portfolio simplification and cost initiati...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Sphere Entertainment Co. (SPHR) also aided performance for the Fund after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results driven by strong attendance and premium pricing at the Las Vegas Sphere venue. We believe Sphere’s unique, immersive entertainment experience provides a powerful competitive advantage that can support attractive returns on invested capital over time. In our view, management has significant opportunit...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Last, oil services company, Core Laboratories, Inc. (CLB) declined in the quarter on mixed earnings results. Although increased demand for diagnostic services in U.S. onshore and offshore markets aided the Production Enhancement segment, this growth was neutralized by weaker-than-expected Reservoir Description performance due to seasonality, geopolitical tensions, tariff concerns and commodity price volatility. Importantly, managem...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Oil and natural gas explorer, APA Corporation (APA) also detracted from relative performance in the quarter amid poor investor sentiment across the energy sector due to concerns of slowing global growth. The company continues to execute on its cost reduction plan and announced the divestiture of its Permian Basic assets in New Mexico to paydown debt. Management remains laser-focused on increasing the operational efficiency of the C...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
In contrast, leading manufacturer of consumer food products, J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM) also declined during the period. Quarterly earnings benefitted from the company’s legacy businesses anchored by the Uncrustables brand and coffee portfolio, however continued challenges at Hostess weighed on results. Meanwhile, management delivered disappointing fiscal year 2026 guidance due to expected profit declines driven by inflation related to...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Additionally, supplier of residential thermal, comfort and energy management solutions, Resideo Technologies, Inc. (REZI) advanced following solid quarterly earnings results highlighted by organic revenue growth and margin expansion. Synergies from the integration of Snap One are also ahead of expectations. Meanwhile, REZI expects to substantially mitigate any headwinds from tariffs by increasing prices, repositioning inventory and...
Bull
Pitch Summary:
Producer and marketer of crop nutrients, the Mosaic Co. (MOS), also traded higher following the delivery of solid quarterly earnings results. The company expects phosphate markets to remain tight through 2025 supported by limited new supply, lower inventories and a reduction in imports driven by tariffs. MOS remains focused on cost discipline, improved free cash flow generation and maintaining an investment grade credit profile, wh...