Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Virgo.
They include:
-- British King Henry V in 1387
-- Philosopher John Locke in 1632
-- Writer Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in 1809

#philosopher #locke #oliver

The New England Patriots ' defense under Bill Belichick was built around preparation, repetition, and making practice uncomfortable. Now, Matt Patricia is revealing how far that philosophy went. The goal was never to make practice look clean but to make game-day chaos feel familiar before players ever stepped onto an NFL field.
That meant coaches intentionally created situations they knew would happen on Sundays. Defenders were asked to grab. Offensive linemen faced simulated penalties. Pass rushers practiced against players jumping offside. Even the scout team was instructed to make life harder.
Nov 29, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media after the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Patricia explained the unusual approach on August 28 in a discussion with Julian Edelman. The former Patriots defensive coordinator said the Patriots deliberately recreated difficult game situations during practice because players needed to experience those moments repeatedly before facing them for real.
"Defensively, there's three things that can happen on the play. You can break it up, he can catch it, or they're going to get a PI.

#Patriots

Brandon Staley is heading into his second season as the Saints' defensive coordinator, but his previous experience as an NFL head coach has him thinking about what a second chance in that spot might look like.
Staley earned a reputation for being ultra-aggressive while going 19-15 in his first two seasons as the head coach of the Chargers, but the weight of some of those decisions misfiring and a blown 27-point lead against the Jaguars in the playoffs put him on the hot seat when the 2023 season started badly. The Chargers wound up firing him after Week 15 and Staley spent the 2024 season with the 49ers before joining Kellen Moore in New Orleans.
Staley said "as tough and impossible as it was at the end" of his time with the Chargers, he feels he has to use them the right way to grow as a coach. He shared what he thinks he would do differently if given another opportunity to run a team.
"I would have a lot more poise and composure in terms of knowing when to push and when to pull," Staley said, via Jeff Howe of TheAthletic.com. "I was trying to push it, and I was trying to get us there as fast as we could. When you have more experience, you know when to do both of those things. You just have a better feel and understanding, and that's in all aspects of being a leader. That's why the next time, I just have so much more experience now — I didn't have any back then. I could have done a better job. I know for a fact I would do a better job just with more turns at it, living through more — little decisions and big decisions."
There's high hopes for the Saints heading into this season thanks to a strong finish to last year after handing the offensive reins to quarterback Tyler Shough. If Staley's defense can help push the team even further this fall, he could get a chance to expand on his new coaching philosophies with teams looking for a new head coach.

#coach #saints

Final impressions are at stake when the Cowboys take on New Orleans but that hasn't stopped some from floating ideas about whom should be on the final roster. Players on the bubble are no doubt the subject of conversations throughout the league in an attempt to salvage worth for the sake of total roster construction.
As those talks take place, the way teams approach each other have almost always depended on the person running the show, which in Dallas, has been owner Jerry Jones. A conversation with his eldest son and COO, Stephen Jones, reveals a shift in philosophy is on the horizon once and when he takes complete control of the franchise.
In other Cowboys news, former quarterback Tony Romo faces a renewed set of charges stemming from his OWI that places his future employment with CBS in jeopardy while Dallas rookie wideout, Jordan Hudson, is among the group of current NFL players who could jettison the NFL for another chance at NCAA glory.
The Cowboys remain Jerry's world, but Stephen Jones will engineer 'a different path' :: The Athletic (Link)
5 Cowboys cuts that would leave fanbase stunned, in shock :: Cowboys Wire (Link)

#jones #dallas #stephen #players

GREER, S.C. - Greer High School senior running back Calvin McCoy has built his game around a simple motto Head Football Coach Will Young shares with his players: "Earned, not given."
He first stepped onto a football field to help manage anger issues. At the time, he was a bigger kid playing tackle. Years later, he's transformed into one of the Upstate's most productive running backs, helping lead the Yellow Jackets with the same philosophy that's printed across the program.
"It's on our shirts that we have... 'Earned, not given,'" said McCoy. "You got to work for everything. Everything is not going to be a handout."
The motto reflects McCoy's path through the program. After beginning his career on the offensive line, McCoy eventually moved into the backfield when Greer needed someone to step up.
"I actually played tackle. I was a little bit bigger," said McCoy. "When our players went down, I really just had to step up to the next man."

#greer #motto #given #bigger

The Kansas City Royals' nine-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Toronto, but Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco frame it as a strong stretch rather than any kind of collapse. Bobby Witt Jr. stays in the AL MVP conversation, though the offensive edge right now still points toward Yordan Alvarez. Jac Caglianone's struggles since returning from injury spark a broader conversation about rhythm and confidence, and how much weight a rough game or two should actually carry.
The roster continues to churn. Michael Massey has gone on the seven-day concussion list after a scary-looking play, and Mason Black has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Josh Rojas is back for his third stint with Kansas City, and Anthony Gose has been selected after a strong stretch in Omaha and a long MLB career as both an outfielder and a pitcher. Beck Way's returned rehab ***** ignment reignites a heated critique of how the organization has handled player health this year, and Nick Mears' thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis becomes another example of injuries taking far too long to sort out. The conversation turns pointed when Craig Kimbrel and the broader old-versus-young roster philosophy come up, with Jacob and Jeremy questioning whether Kansas City is leaning too hard on veterans who have no real bearing on the team's future.
The back half of the episode is dedicated to MLB's newly floated CBA proposal, and it is a thorough breakdown. A proposed $265 million cap on free-agent contracts, changes to Rule 5 draft eligibility, and earlier arbitration and free agency timing are all covered in detail. Jacob and Jeremy are particularly critical of the calendar-based offseason plan, arguing that manufactured transaction windows and a winter meetings quiet period would depress salaries and make the sport less interesting rather than more efficient. The very real possibility of a lockout when the current CBA expires in December 2026 closes out the discussion, along with a personal note on how a work stoppage would affect the people who depend on baseball's offseason calendar to network and find jobs in the industry.
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Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, ***** ysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online:

#jacob #omaha #game #strong

CHELSEA — Tim Robison wants Chelsea to win football games, but his definition of winning extends well beyond Friday nights.
As Robison prepares for his first season as a head coach, he is attempting to build something designed to last, from higher expectations in the weight room and stronger connections from youth football through high school to a champion mentality that applies whether the Green Dragons are lining up for kickoff or walking through the halls.
The wins, Robison believes, can follow the habits.
And as Chelsea begins a new era, establishing those habits is priority No. 1.
"I'm a person that likes to produce good men and good women," Robison said. "That's my teaching and coaching philosophy. It's not all about football for me. Football is on the forefront, but right behind it, really close for me, is raising young men and young women."

#young #Friday

A Childless Woman Who Made Children Her Cause
Credit: Tammie Arroyo / AFF-USA.com / MEGA
Dolly Parton never had children of her own, but few entertainers built a more enduring legacy around helping young people. Through the Dollywood Foundation, Parton supported education, literacy and other child-focused initiatives, including a 1991 program that helped reduce a Tennessee high-school's dropout rate from 35% to 6% by offering students a $500 graduation incentive.
Her most famous effort, however, is the Imagination Library, launched in 1995 in honor of her father, who never learned to read. The program grew from a local project into an international literacy initiative, providing children with free, age-appropriate books every month.
Parton once explained her decision not to have children by saying, "God didn't let me have children so everybody's children could be mine." That philosophy became particularly meaningful through her philanthropy, which treated access to books and education as something every child should have.

#parton #program

The South West Londoners kick-off their European campaign against a side that competed strongly in Liga F Moeve last season.
When speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Chelsea boss Bompastor admitted that Real Sociedad will provide a strong test but believes that her own side are well-prepared.
"It will be a strong test," Bompastor said. "Real Sociedad finished third in the Liga F. They are a Spanish team, so they have a really strong philosophy in possession, but they have a lot of quality out of possession as well.
"We know everything about them now and we have prepared for the game well. The game will also be about us and I'm confident with the quality we have shown during pre-season."
With no major international tournaments this summer, the Chelsea squad have had the oppoortunity to enjoy an extended break. Bompastor says that everyone is now refreshed and ready to go.

#bompastor #well #test

Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) and Target (NYSE: TGT) have different business philosophies but battle for customers. The former has a low-cost, ultra-low-price business, while the latter offers low prices on certain items (such as groceries) while offering differentiated merchandise.
Both have been very successful, but their paths diverged a few years ago. Walmart kept attracting customers, while Target lost ground. That was reflected in their stock price performances.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
However, their stock performances have flipped this year. Through Aug. 20, Walmart's shares have lost 6.8%, and Target's stock price gained an eye-popping 61.9%.
With companies recently reporting quarterly results, one stands out as a buying opportunity for long-term investors.

#customers

As years and seasons pass, the modern NFL becomes increasingly obsessed with disguise. Coaches and their coordinators spend countless hours searching for ways to confuse quarterbacks, hide intentions, and create pre-snap hesitation. The challenge, however, is that complexity can become a double-edged sword. A defense that confuses opponents can sometimes confuse the players who execute it.
That balancing act is something the Baltimore Ravens have been working through during training camp. Eric DeCosta and company have ***** embled a unit filled with versatile players who can line up in multiple spots. Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver are charged with teaching players to handle a variety of responsibilities.
The more flexibility a defense possesses, the more options coaches have at their disposal. The question becomes how to maximize that versatility without overwhelming the players expected to execute it. Recently, Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver spoke with reporters and was asked about the ripple effects of having so many defenders capable of moving around the formation.
"The ripple effect for the players, I think, is you have to have a very smart team — because if you are going to move guys around, ultimately that means other guys are going to have to do different jobs, too."
Weaver's answer offered an interesting look at the philosophy guiding Baltimore's defensive approach. That comment highlights an often-overlooked aspect of defensive football. Versatility isn't just about one player learning multiple positions.

#players #coaches #defense

Former coach Urban Meyer understands Kyle Whittingham's point. He just thinks Michigan's new head coach is approaching the Ohio State rivalry with a little too much common sense.
After Whittingham rejected the idea that he needs to personally hate Ryan Day and Bryce Underwood called Ohio State "just another game," Meyer offered a very different philosophy. For the former Buckeyes coach, hatred does not have to be personal to be useful.
During a recent The Triple Option podcast episode, Meyer said he never personally hated Jim Harbaugh or Brady Hoke, but that distinction disappeared once Michigan became the opponent.
"Do I hate them? Absolutely, I hate them, and that's your job to hate them," Meyer said. "You got to play the game."
Meyer predicted Whittingham may develop more of that edge after his first trip to Columbus as Michigan's head coach. More importantly, he argued that a coach at either program has to understand what the rivalry means to the people around it.

#ohio

On paper, the Atlanta Hawks made improvements from last season. Although they didn't have the most exciting offseason, they made enough progress to build on last season's accomplishments.
Hawks GM Onsi Saleh used this offseason to establish an identity. There is no doubt that Atlanta expects to be among the top defensive teams in the NBA next season. A common theme of the Trae Young era was that the Hawks had a great offense, but a not-so-great defense. Of course, that isn't entirely Young's fault, but now that Atlanta has moved on, its roster construction and philosophy have shifted.
The Hawks made big improvements to become a top defensive team. On offense, Atlanta has prioritized athleticism, which allows them to excel in transition. For instance, the Hawks ranked fourth in the NBA last season in transition possessions and points per game.
Atlanta will enter next season with a clear identity. That said, one major question remains if the Hawks want to reach their potential.
Because they frequently play in transition, the Hawks ranked fifth in the NBA in pace last season. Their offensive identity involved turning defense into offense and running in transition. Last season, Atlanta finished 10th in points in the paint (just over 51.1 PPG). The Hawks' style of play made players like Jonathan **** inga a great fit last season.

#atlanta #season #last #identity

The Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (NYSEMKT:CHAT) and the Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (NYSEMKT:FTEC) both target the fast-moving technology ****** e, but they do so with different philosophies.
While FTEC tracks a market-cap-weighted index of the entire U.S. technology sector, CHAT uses a proprietary strategy to pinpoint companies specifically benefiting from the rise of generative AI. Here's how the two funds stack up.
Metric
FTEC
CHAT

#ftec #nysemkt

76ers' Tyrese Maxey spotted working out with Pacers' star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tyrese Maxey went into the offseason off of what has been one of the more impressive seasons in his career, putting up career-highs with 28.3 points per game, as well as 6.6 ***** ists, showing that he still has a lot left in his bag to use on the court. There's a case to be made that the 25-year-old's incredulous work ethic has made these improvements possible, and all of that really kicks into high gear during the offseason.
The last few months have been an example of Maxey's work rate despite not taking place during the season, as he's been in the gym constantly, working with some new teammates, including Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, or more recently, taking some time with the younger members of the Philadelphia 76ers, VJ Edgecombe and Labaron Philon Jr.
Yet a gym session didn't include a teammate, but rather a conference rival: Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Both of the former all-stars were seen in the gym together, having been working out with skills trainer Drew Hanlen, with one of the shots of the two seeing them face off, with the Sixers' star taking the lead with the rock.

#made

Florida has named its starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo will get the nod over redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. when the Gators take on Florida Atlantic to begin the season on Sept. 5. Philo followed new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Atlanta to Gainesville.
"We are preparing for (Philo) to be the starter for Week 1," coach Jon Sumrall announced on Monday.
Philo has familiarity with Faulkner's system and saw game action (albeit limited) during his time with the Yellow Jackets. The redshirt sophomore appeared in eight games, starting one, and threw for 938 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Florida HC Jon Sumrall has named Aaron Philo the starting quarterback. #gators

“We are preparing for him to be the starter for Week 1.”

Story: https://t.co/KS6jv8txQS pic.twitter.com/mxuRhGXnUV

#aaron #gators #season

Florida has named a new starting quarterback, and he's a name that should be familiar to Georgia Tech fans.
Gators coach Jon Sumrall named redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo as the team's starting quarterback for the fall. He's a Yellow Jackets transfer who will now pilot Sumrall's first year in the Swamp.
Philo beat out redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting gig.
Philo only played in three games last year for Georgia Tech behind quarterback Haynes King, but he will now get his chance to start for one of the biggest college football programs in the country.
TENNESSEE: Meet Faizon Brandon, the new Vols starting quarterback

#starting #quarterback #philo #gators

I asked myself a really tough question on Sunday. What am I looking forward to more, the start of the Notre Dame football season or the end of the Notre Dame football offseason? A philosophy major out there will probably tell me that the two can't be separated, but of course they can.
We don't need to debate that question, but I'm positive we can all agree that we are ready for the Notre Dame offseason to be over.
Even though all offseasons can kind of suck for one reason or another, this offseason in particular has been somewhat torturous. It has been almost 9 months since the Irish last played a football game, and EVERYTHING has run its course. Usually I bask in the fun of the offseason, but maybe the podcast hiatus took more joy out of that time of year than usual.
Notre Dame being left out of the playoff was rough enough, but watching Indiana and Miami play for the national championship was an incredibly jagged pill to swallow.
The backlash for skipping the bowl game.
The "Freeman to the NFL" rumors.
The USC scheduling saga.

#irish

Nico O'Reilly is excited about the Enzo Maresca era at Manchester City as our Premier League season gets underway this weekend.
Maresca will take charge of his first top-flight game for City on Sunday with a 14:00 (UK) clash against Bournemouth at the Etihad.
O'Reilly can't wait for the 2026/27 top-flight campaign to begin under the Italian and is in determined mood.
"We're excited for it; we're excited for the challenge," he said.
"Enzo is a great manager, and he has his philosophies and we're learning them.

#excited #enzo #flight #premier

Everyone remembers the infamous snap Anthony Richardson took to kickoff the QB competition in Baltimore. You know, the one that set Twitter on fire that night?
It's very rare that a preseason play would cause this much debate. After all, the preseason is as vanilla as it gets. But Anthony Richardson took a lot of heat, literally and figuratively, for not seeing the free runner and taking a massive shot in an exhibition game.

Most people blamed Richardson's lack of understanding of the protection, while others quietly wondered if this was a poor play design.

Well, the Colts ran it again this year.. And this time it was an interception.
Let's breakdown the play further, and why potentially it's given the Colts some trouble.
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN RICHARDSON RAN IT IN BALTIMORE?
There's a lot of philosophies to handling pressure from a defense. You can try to block it up or you can invite the pressure and throw hot no matter what. The Colts historically have gone with the former.

#anthony #baltimore

There's little debate about who the greatest college football coach of all time is. It's none other than former Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban, but as is often the case, failure to launch came before the rise to glory.
Not many know that Saban was once an ***** istant under former Ohio State head coach, the late, great Earle Bruce, from 1980-81. Saban started his coaching career as a graduate ***** istant for his alma mater, Kent State, in 1973 and was promoted to the linebackers coach in 1975. He also had stops as an ***** istant at Syracuse and West Virginia before Bruce hired him as a defensive backs coach in 1980. Amazingly enough, Saban was hired to replace another famous coach, Pete Carroll, on the Buckeye staff.
However, Saban's time with a scarlet and gray wardrobe was short-lived. He was fired after a 31-28 Ohio State win against Navy in the 1981 Liberty Bowl as part of a housecleaning of some of the defensive staff because of a reported disagreement in philosophy.
While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, right out of the gate, McAfee -- with former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk sitting in tow -- asked Saban if he was ever fired, and Saban was quick to point out his time in Columbus.
"Yeah, I talked to you about that. I got fired when I was a defensive backs coach at Ohio State," Saban said.

#assistant #bruce

The Ohio High School Athletic ***** ociation football season in Licking County gets underway this evening.
Follow The Advocate all night for score updates.
Clear Fork at Granville
Heath at Philo
Vermilion at Johnstown

#ohio #association #follow

Florida football's new head coach Jon Sumrall has seen a great deal of success in his first two jobs, posting a 43-12 record evenly split over four years between Troy and Tulane. His latest gig in Gainesville will easily be the most challenging as he takes over a storied program that has experienced significant turmoil since Dan Mullen departed.
According to Sports Illustrated, the new Gators skipper is among the top 10 first-year coaches facing the most pressure entering the 2026 campaign. Sumrall checks in at No. 7 in the rankings, and author Patrick Andres explains why.
"If you want to single out a first-year coach with a schedule specifically set up to help them succeed, you could do much worse than Sumrall," he states. "After two years of breakneck slates under coach Billy Napier, Sumrall's Gators have navigable opening (Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Auburn) and closing (Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida State) stretches to dilute midseason tussles with Ole Miss, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. Florida still needs to find a quarterback, but if either Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. prove competent, fans could raise the bar for Year 1 immediately."
Over the past four years under Napier, the Orange and Blue accumulated a 22-23 record (and then 1-4 under interim HC Billy Gonzales), representing a brutal nadir for a program that went 33-15 under Mullen (plus a 1-1 record under interim HC Greg Knox) before him. The Gator Nation has suffered profusely this decade so far and is in dire need of some optimism after missing out on the postseason twice during that span.
There is no doubt that the pressure is all on Sumrall heading into fall.

#sumrall #record #gators

When reading this "Busts" column, it is important to point out that I perceive these players to be overvalued at their current draft position, not that they are outright "off-my-board" unless otherwise specified.
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!
As I've mentioned in previous columns, pro-style quarterbacks have major difficulty reaching the all-important 20-fantasy-point-per-game mark in Yahoo Standard scoring without a defined rushing component. Running backs in committees are always dicey propositions, and it's vital to target receivers and tight ends who are targeted downfield in pass-friendly offenses.
With that, here are the most overvalued players currently being selected in Yahoo Standard Leagues.
Please understand this "Bust" label pertains to Yahoo Standard scoring where pro-style signal-callers are depreciated by way of 4-point passing touchdowns. Philosophically, we've seen Ohio State morph from the up-tempo attack of Ryan Day's formative head coaching years, to the glacial offense we witnessed last year that slowed OSU down to the 135th slowest pace in the country.

#fantasy

Charlotte Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson has explained why trading LaMelo Ball ultimately made moving Miles Bridges feel like the natural next step in the franchise's long-term plan
In a behind-the-scenes look detailing the Hornets' offseason decision-making, Peterson revealed that the front office knew the two moves were connected.
"If we trade LaMelo, we're probably trading Miles."
That line says a lot about where the Hornets were. Moving Ball was not supposed to be an isolated transaction. It was supposed to be a complete shift in a different direction altogether.
Peterson made it clear that Charlotte is no longer interested in short-term success. That philosophy explains why it all followed out of Charlotte.

#miles

A distinct operational evolution has arrived for the Pittsburgh Steelers under head coach Mike McCarthy. Beyond installing his West Coast offensive framework, McCarthy is systematically restoring veteran command, empowering his quarterback with pre-snap freedom that recent Pittsburgh offenses largely lacked.
On a recent episode of "The Snap Count" podcast, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and offensive lineman Trai Essex examined how this philosophical shift directly elevates signal-callers on gameday.
"When you look at Mike McCarthy's history, he's always given his veteran quarterbacks the keys to the drive," Batch explained. "In Pittsburgh, we've seen periods where the pre-snap process was overly rigid. Giving an experienced quarterback full autonomy to audit protection, check out of bad looks, and manage the clock changes the entire defense's approach."
Rather than forcing the offense to execute fixed calls regardless of defensive alignments, McCarthy's system relies on dynamic line-of-scrimmage reads. The quarterback retains full authority to flip plays, adjust protection schemes, or call audibles based on safety rotations and front-seven looks.
Essex highlighted how this veteran command instills confidence across the entire offensive line.

#snap #steelers #mccarthy #essex

When it comes to Hollywood's biggest names, some stars have taken their love of history well beyond simple curiosity. Beyond the red carpets and chart-topping hits, you'll find true history buffs. Dive in as we spotlight the celebrities whose passion for the past goes deeper than you ever imagined.
JM11 / WENN / MEGA
Phil Collins may be best known for his music career, but he has also spent decades studying and collecting artifacts related to the Battle of the Alamo. His interest eventually led him to build one of the world's largest private collections of Alamo memorabilia. In 2014, Collins donated hundreds of Alamo and Texana artifacts to the Texas General Land Office so they could be preserved and shared with the public, according to The Alamo.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Shakira has an insatiable appetite for learning, especially when it comes to history and philosophy. After wrapping up a world tour, she enrolled in a history course at UCLA, attending class in disguise, complete with a cap and backpack so as not to draw attention, according to NME.

#beyond #comes

Weitz Investment Management, an investment management firm, released its second-quarter Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Equity Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Large Cap Equity Fund's Institutional Class posted a return of 7.03% in Q2, trailing the 15.49% return of the Bloomberg U.S. 1000 Index. This disparity arose as equity markets surged amid economic resilience and easing Middle East tensions, while AI-related stock performance soared due to heightened investor interest in "AI bottleneck" beneficiaries, primarily semiconductor firms. Major positions in "hyperscaler" cloud providers yielded mixed results. Risk-on factors like momentum and growth significantly outpaced defensive factors. Despite the current volatility, the Fund maintains its philosophy of investing in quality companies at undervalued prices, believing this strategy will yield improved returns over time. The portfolio held ownership in 30 companies, with the top 10 comprising over half of the portfolio. The price-to-value ratio is in the upper-70s, indicating strong return potential. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund highlighted Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM). Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) is a building materials company that supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry. On August 14, 2026, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) closed at $547.93 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $32.91 billion. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) posted a one‑month return of ‑1.03%, while its shares lost 9.11% over the past 52 weeks.
Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund stated the following regarding Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We bought new positions in Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) and Veralto during the quarter. Both are repeat holdings, so we were able to act opportunistically and quickly at favorable prices. Martin Marietta is a leading aggregates producer with terrific ****** ets and a solid capital allocation track record. The investment is a natural extension of our longstanding "rocks and gravel" theme."
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 65 hedge fund portfolios held Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) at the end of the first quarter, the same as in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI

Weitz Investment Management, an investment management firm, released its second-quarter Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Equity Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Large Cap Equity Fund's Institutional Class posted a return of 7.03% in Q2, trailing the 15.49% return of the Bloomberg U.S. 1000 Index. This disparity arose as equity markets surged amid economic resilience and easing Middle East tensions, while AI-related stock performance soared due to heightened investor interest in "AI bottleneck" beneficiaries, primarily semiconductor firms. Major positions in "hyperscaler" cloud providers yielded mixed results. Risk-on factors like momentum and growth significantly outpaced defensive factors. Despite the current volatility, the Fund maintains its philosophy of investing in quality companies at undervalued prices, believing this strategy will yield improved returns over time. The portfolio held ownership in 30 companies, with the top 10 comprising over half of the portfolio. The price-to-value ratio is in the upper-70s, indicating strong return potential. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund highlighted Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL). Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) is a less-than-truckload motor carrier that provides regional, inter-regional, and national less-than-truckload services, as well as expedited transportation. On August 14, 2026, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) closed at $210.97 per share. One-month return of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) was 8.91%, and its shares gained 40.30% over the past 52 weeks. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) has a market capitalization of $43.45 billion.
Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund stated the following regarding Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We sold the Fund's profitable investment in Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODFL) when the stock traded above our business value estimate. We respect and admire the company's management, culture, and methodical approach to building business value in the competitive trucking industry. While positive developments have been stacking up on several fronts, we think the stock price already reflects a strong volume recovery, robust pricing, and plenty of operating ratio improvement. We would gladly own the stock again at the right price."

#fund #weitz

Weitz Investment Management, an investment management firm, released its second-quarter Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Equity Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Large Cap Equity Fund's Institutional Class posted a return of 7.03% in Q2, trailing the 15.49% return of the Bloomberg U.S. 1000 Index. This disparity arose as equity markets surged amid economic resilience and easing Middle East tensions, while AI-related stock performance soared due to heightened investor interest in "AI bottleneck" beneficiaries, primarily semiconductor firms. Major positions in "hyperscaler" cloud providers yielded mixed results. Risk-on factors like momentum and growth significantly outpaced defensive factors. Despite the current volatility, the Fund maintains its philosophy of investing in quality companies at undervalued prices, believing this strategy will yield improved returns over time. The portfolio held ownership in 30 companies, with the top 10 comprising over half of the portfolio. The price-to-value ratio is in the upper-70s, indicating strong return potential. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund highlighted Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) as a newly added position. Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) provides water ******* ytics, water treatment, marking and coding, and packaging and color solutions. On August 14, 2026, Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) closed at $97.68 per share. The one-month return of Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) was 4.86% and its shares lost 8.45% over the past 52 weeks. Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) has a market capitalization of $23.81 billion.
Weitz Investment Large Cap Equity Fund stated the following regarding Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We bought new positions in Martin Marietta Materials and Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) during the quarter. Both are repeat holdings, so we were able to act opportunistically and quickly at favorable prices. Veralto enjoys leading market positions and enviable economics in its water quality and packaging, labeling, and product traceability businesses. We see a clear path to modest organic growth, operating margin expansion, and value-creating capital deployment."
Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 57 hedge fund portfolios held Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) at the end of the first quarter which was 55 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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