Underperforming store locations have been a major problem for various retail sectors, such as supermarkets, apparel shops, and drugstore chains, forcing retailers to close shops to eliminate a drain on liquidity.
Restaurants have also closed struggling locations to cut their losses, and now manufacturers are also closing underperforming facilities as well.
Giant tool company Stanley Black & Decker Inc. plans to close its underperforming Hampstead, Md., factory and lay off 55 workers, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on Aug. 19.
Layoffs at the factory are set to begin on Oct. 23, 2026, and continue through the facility's closing by March 26, 2027, according to the WARN notice.
"Over the past few years, we have seen a steady decline in volume in the materials produced at our Hampstead, Maryland, manufacturing facility," Stanley Black & Decker spokesperson Debora Raymond told the Baltimore Sun.

#underperforming #black

On August 3, TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) signed an agreement to acquire Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL)'s entire onshore renewables business in Europe. The acquisition includes 500 MW of operational or under-construction solar and wind ******* ets primarily in Italy and the Netherlands, alongside a 3.5 GW pipeline of solar, wind, and battery storage projects across Italy, the UK, and Spain. Set for completion by late 2026 pending regulatory approval, the deal directly advances TotalEnergies' European Integrated Power strategy, bolstering its existing portfolio of roughly 10 GW in gross capacity/construction and 27 GW under development. Following the news on August 3, Piper Sandler ******* yst John Royall raised Shell's price target from $88 to $89 while maintaining a Neutral rating, citing strong Q2 trading beats.
Both Big Oil majors reported robust Q2 2026 results driven by operational efficiency, yet distinct financial profiles emerge. TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) generated adjusted net income of $6.0 billion and cash flow from operations (CFFO) of $9.8 billion on 2.395 Mboe/d production, keeping Upstream operating costs down to $5/b despite Middle East transit disruptions. Shell outperformed on sheer cash generation, posting $9.8 billion in Adjusted Earnings and CFFO of $21.4 billion, supported by record upstream production in Brazil, record refinery utilization, and a $3.4 billion working capital inflow.
TotalEnergies retains a leaner debt profile with a gearing ratio of 13.1% ($3.3 billion net debt reduction), whereas Shell holds a 19% gearing ratio with $42 billion in net debt ($12 billion excluding leases). While Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) leads on top-line cash generation, TotalEnergies displays superior balance sheet leverage and higher quarter-over-quarter cash flow growth (+15%).
TotalEnergies' bull case is supported by strong execution of its Integrated Power strategy, with expanding high-margin renewable power capacity alongside low Upstream costs of approximately $5 per barrel. Its healthy balance sheet, reflected in 13.1% gearing, provides financial flexibility to support a 5.9% dividend increase to €0.90 per share while continuing $1.5 billion in quarterly share buybacks. However, the bear case centers on weakness in Integrated LNG, particularly from underperforming European gas trading. Continued exposure to geopolitical disruptions along Middle Eastern transit corridors could also restrict physical oil liftings and weigh on operations.

#TotalEnergies #shell #upstream

Underperforming store locations have been a major problem for various retail sectors, such as supermarkets, apparel shops, and drugstore chains, forcing retailers to close shops to eliminate a drain on liquidity.
Restaurants have also closed struggling locations to cut their losses, and now manufacturers are also closing underperforming facilities as well.
Giant tool company Stanley Black & Decker Inc. plans to close its underperforming Hampstead, Md., factory and lay off 55 workers, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice filed with the Maryland Department of Labor on Aug. 19.
Layoffs at the factory are set to begin on Oct. 23, 2026, and continue through the facility's closing by March 26, 2027, according to the WARN notice.
"Over the past few years, we have seen a steady decline in volume in the materials produced at our Hampstead, Maryland, manufacturing facility," Stanley Black & Decker spokesperson Debora Raymond told the Baltimore Sun.

#maryland #close

Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI). Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) provides mission-critical communications, public safety, video security, and enterprise security solutions. The one-month return of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) was 11.66% while its shares traded between $359.36 and $493.57 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) stock closed at approximately $487.28 per share, with a market capitalization of about $80.52 billion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI), the provider of mission-critical communications and security systems, was one of the largest detractors during the quarter. Shares declined as higher memory and supply chain costs weighed on near-term margin expectations. While these factors affected near-term results, they do not change our long-term thesis. At the core of the company is its land mobile radio business, which provides the communication backbone used by police, fire, and emergency responders—particularly during natural disasters or other high-stress situations when commercial networks may become congested or unavailable. These systems are deeply embedded in public safety agencies, where reliability, control, and resiliency are non-negotiable, and customer relationships are often supported by long-term service agreements, predictable equipment refresh cycles, and decades of trust. Importantly, Motorola is using this installed base to broaden its platform, integrating radios with video security, body-worn cameras, and command center so

Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR). Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) develops life sciences, diagnostics, and biotechnology products and technologies used across healthcare and research markets. The one-month return of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) was 10.62% while its shares traded between $160.93 and $242.80 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) stock closed at approximately $215.36 per share, with a market capitalization of about $155.62 billion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
We first invested in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR), a company focused on biotechnology, life sciences and diagnostics, in the second quarter of 2016, attracted by its disciplined capital allocation, differentiated operating culture and consistent FREE cash flow generation. The business is distinguished by a portfolio of market-leading franchises and a high mix of recurring consumables revenue tied to a large installed base. Its differentiated operating culture, anchored by the Danaher Business System, has historically enabled the company to be a highly effective acquirer, consistently integrating new businesses, expanding margins and driving strong FREE cash flow generation. Over our decade-long holding period, Danaher successfully transformed itself from a diversified industrial company into a more focused healthcare business. This evolution included the spinoffs of Fortive, Envista, and Veralto, as well as the acquisition and integration of key ***** ets such as Pall, Cepheid and Cytiva. The company also increased the contribution from re

Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA). Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) provides advanced seeds, crop protection products, and agricultural technologies designed to improve farm productivity and resilience. The one-month return of Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) was 4.69% while its shares traded between $60.54 and $90.97 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) stock closed at approximately $82.88 per share, with a market capitalization of about $54.98 billion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), the seed and crop protection company, was one of the largest detractors during the period. While fundamentals remained healthy, with first-quarter FREE cash flow supported by strength in both Seed and Crop Protection, the stock lagged a sharply rising market as investors focused on Corteva's more tempered outlook for the balance of the year. The management team cited potential second-half headwinds from tariffs, higher oil-related input costs, farmer fuel expenses, and competitive crop protection pricing in Latin America and Asia. We believe the market also weighed the near-term complexity of Corteva's planned fourth-quarter separation into New Corteva and Vylor, including potential dis-synergies from operating two public companies. Nevertheless, our investment thesis remains intact. Farmers continue to adopt Corteva's latest hybrids, varieties, and premium crop protection technologies, supporting Corteva's margin expansion. Meanwhile, the company's R&D-led innovation, disciplined cost management, and path toward net royalty income sho

Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) operates Google Search, YouTube, Google Cloud, and a broad portfolio of digital products and technology businesses. The one-month return of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) was -4.35% while its shares traded between $206.20 and $408.61 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) stock closed at approximately $342.00 per share, with a market capitalization of about $4.17 trillion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), the parent company of Google and YouTube, was a primary contributor during the period. We initiated our position in the first quarter of 2025, when investors were concerned that generative AI tools would fundamentally alter search behavior and erode Google's advertising franchise. Since then, Alphabet has continued to demonstrate the strength of its ecosystem and the resilience of its core businesses. Google Search has remained strong, with AI-powered features increasing user engagement while supporting advertising growth, and Google Cloud has continued to benefit from robust enterprise demand for AI infrastructure and services. Importantly, Alphabet appears increasingly capable of monetizing these new experiences in a manner consistent with its historical strengths, through advertising, distribution, and integration across a broad user base rather than relying solely on paid subscriptions. YouTube also remains well positioned to benefit from continued growth in advertising and subscription revenues, including YouTube TV, as consume

Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM). QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) develops wireless technologies and semiconductor solutions powering smartphones, automotive systems, and connected devices worldwide. The one-month return of QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) was 11.63% while its shares traded between $121.99 and $259.92 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) stock closed at approximately $163.72 per share, with a market capitalization of about $176.00 billion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM), a leading semiconductor and communications technology company, was the largest contributor for the quarter. Shares recovered as management indicated that the inventory adjustments and production constraints resulting from higher memory costs were progressing largely as expected and that handset revenues from Chinese customers were expected to reach a bottom. As we noted last quarter, we believed these headwinds to be cyclical rather than structural and did not alter our long-term investment thesis. The company also continued to make progress on its long-term strategy of evolving from a handset-centric company into a broader provider of connected computing technologies. Automotive revenue reached another record high, while Internet of Things (IoT) and newer businesses such as AI-enabled PCs, industrial applications, and data center computing continue to represent a growing portion of the company and remain central to its long-term diversification strategy. We believe Qualco

A major sportswear retailer is reshaping its store footprint as it integrates a recently acquired business, and the results suggest the strategy is coming at a much higher price than the company and investors expected.
The retailer has been closing locations, reviewing underperforming **** ets, and taking hundreds of millions of dollars in related charges. Now, a sharp earnings miss and a lowered outlook have sent its stock tumbling in one of the most dramatic trading sessions in its history.
Founded in 1948, **** 's Sporting Goods is one of the largest sports-goods retailers in the U.S., selling sports equipment, clothing, and footwear through a portfolio of brands and retail concepts.
The company operates under multiple banners, including **** 's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone!, **** 's House of Sport, Golf Galaxy Performance Center, Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos. It also operates GameChanger, a sports technology platform.
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) has closed 113 stores across its portfolio during fiscal 2026 through the second quarter, according to the company's second-quarter earnings release.

#sporting #going #foot

On August 13, KinderCare Learning Companies (NASDAQ:KLC) reported second-quarter results that captured the company in the middle of major surgery on itself. Revenue slipped 0.4% to $697.5 million, and the company swung to a net loss of $8.8 million from net income of $38.6 million a year earlier. Behind those numbers sits a deliberate choice: management is closing dozens of underperforming centers even as the core business absorbs the hit.
The clearest bright spot is Champions, KinderCare's before- and after-school program, where revenue climbed 13.4% to $59.4 million on 85 net new sites added over the past year, marking four straight quarters of double-digit growth for the segment. KinderCare for Employers added new corporate partners during the quarter, including a stretch providing 24-hour childcare for Dallas public safety workers during the World Cup, and management is leaning further into tuition benefit programs as employers look for ways to support working parents.
The center closures are framed as addition by subtraction. Ninety percent of the locations shut so far sit in the lowest-performing fifth of the portfolio, and the 49 centers closed this quarter averaged occupancy below 37%. Management expects the full round of 80 to 85 closures to lift occupancy by roughly 1.5 percentage points once complete, while trimming annual rent by about $7 million.
Meanwhile, Creme School, KinderCare's premium brand, opened its first California location in Irvine and posted 26% growth in summer camp enrollment, and CEO Tom Wyatt said revenue from the Learning Adventures enrichment programs "has almost doubled from a year ago." The company also entered its 42nd state with a new center in Bentonville, Arkansas, helped along by fresh childcare funding commitments in New York, California and New Hampshire.
The headline numbers tell a rougher story. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $63.0 million from $82.4 million, and adjusted earnings per share dropped to $0.08 from $0.22, as lower occupancy ate into operating leverage. Same-center occupancy fell 2.4 percentage points to 68.6%, and enrollment in the core early childhood education business declined 4.0% year over year, a drag that a 2.6% tuition rate increase only partly offset. Same-center revenue fell $14 million, or 2%, with $11 million of that tied directly to center closures.

#million #center #management

On August 20, ATRenew (NYSE:RERE) reported second-quarter results that beat the high end of its own guidance, with revenue climbing 32.4% year over year to RMB 6.6 billion. Net income jumped 78.6% to RMB 129.1 million, and the company kept buying back shares even as it pushed into new markets overseas. For a business built on other people's used phones, that pairing of faster growth and faster profit is the number worth sitting with.
The engine behind that growth is ATRenew's 1P model, where the company buys, refurbishes, and resells devices itself rather than just running a marketplace. Net product revenue rose 35.9% to RMB 6.2 billion, and the company moved 11.6 million consumer products during the quarter, up from 10.3 million a year earlier. Owning more of that chain is also making each device more profitable. Gross margin on the 1P business rose to 15.7% from 13.2% a year ago, and 1P-to-C retail revenue, the curated resale of phones and computers, grew 92.4% and now makes up 48.8% of product revenue, up from 34.4% last year. Revenue from refurbished products alone grew 87.8%.
All of that flowed to the bottom line: non-GAAP operating income rose 70.1% to RMB 206.3 million, with margin expanding 69 basis points to 3.1%. Newer categories are following the same pattern. Luxury recycling revenue grew 77.3% after the company upgraded select stores into specialized formats, and its B2B marketplace, PJT, grew its registered merchant base to 2.2 million while lifting inspection penetration to 84.4%, up 11.5 percentage points from a year ago. Overseas, the company crossed HKD 120 million in monthly export sales in June and is now building out its FoneSquare and ReRe brands toward hubs in Hong Kong, Dubai, and Miami.
Not every part of the business is pulling in the same direction. Net service revenue fell 4.2% to RMB 414.6 million, a decline the company tied to discretionary discounts handed to merchants during its extended June 18 promotional push. Gold recycling revenue fell even harder, down 35%, as gold prices swung lower and the company chose to pass higher payouts to users rather than protect its own take. Costs are climbing too. Fulfillment expenses rose 31.1% to RMB 540 million as the company staffed up its to-door recycling teams during peak demand.
Physical footprint is also shrinking at the edges, with the company trimming its AHS store count to 2,117 locations by closing underperforming sites. And management flagged a timing risk heading into the back half of the year, noting that expectations around Apple's next iPhone lineup could push device volume into the fourth quarter and early next year rather than this one. Guidance itself points to a slower pace ahead. ATRenew expects third-quarter revenue of RMB 6.3 billion to RMB 6.4 billion, growth of 23.1% to 25.1%, a clear step down from the 32.4% posted this quarter.

#billion #business

The nuclear energy story that had Wall Street buzzing in 2025 has collapsed this year. NuScale Power (SMR), one of the most popular companies in the small modular reactor (SMR) ******* e, has become one of the biggest short-seller targets in 2026.
Valued at a market capitalization of around $3.8 billion, SMR stock is now down 83% from its all-time high, grossly underperforming the broader markets. Will SMR stock continue to decline over the next 12 months? Let's take a closer look.
Crude Prices Sharply Lower as Oil Supplies Move Through Strait of Hormuz
Crude Prices Fall as Oil Supplies Move Through the Strait of Hormuz
Why This Week Looks to Be Fun

#prices #supplies #wall

Atlanta, Georgia-based Genuine Parts Company (GPC) distributes automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company has a market cap of $18.7 billion and operates in three segments: North America Automotive Parts Group, International Automotive Parts Group, and Industrial Parts Group. It distributes automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools, equipment, and related solutions for hybrid and electric vehicles, trucks, buses, and more.
GPC stock has lagged behind the broader market over the past year, falling 2.4% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 18.3% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has risen nearly 10.5%, underperforming the SPX's 11.8% rise.
IonQ vs. Rigetti: The Better Quantum Computing Stock for Long-Term Investors
QQQ is Still in a Negative Gamma Regime. Here's How a 'Put Wall' and Fibonacci Support Could Come Into Play.
IBM Just Hit a New Quantum Computing Milestone. How to Play IBM Stock Now.

#quantum #play #industrial

Maryland-based Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) is an urban office real estate investment trust (REIT) with a particular focus on collaborative life science, agtech, and technology campuses. The company has a market cap of $9.4 billion and is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative Megacampus™ ecosystems in AAA life science and advanced technology innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, among other places.
ARE stock lagged behind the broader market over the past year, falling 33.2% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 18.3% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has grown nearly 10.4%, underperforming the SPX's 11.8% rise.
IonQ vs. Rigetti: The Better Quantum Computing Stock for Long-Term Investors
QQQ is Still in a Negative Gamma Regime. Here's How a 'Put Wall' and Fibonacci Support Could Come Into Play.
IBM Just Hit a New Quantum Computing Milestone. How to Play IBM Stock Now.

#real #life #science #technology

Atlanta, Georgia-based Equifax Inc. (EFX) operates as a data, ***** ytics, and technology company. Valued at a market cap of $22.6 billion, the company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International, and offers services that enable customers to verify income, employment, educational history, criminal justice data, healthcare professional licensure, and more.
EFX stock has lagged behind the broader market over the past year, declining 23.7% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 18.3% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has fallen nearly 10.3%, underperforming the SPX's 11.8% rise.
IonQ vs. Rigetti: The Better Quantum Computing Stock for Long-Term Investors
QQQ is Still in a Negative Gamma Regime. Here's How a 'Put Wall' and Fibonacci Support Could Come Into Play.
Stocks Set to Open Lower as Chipmakers Get Hit, Nvidia Earnings and Warsh's Jackson Hole Speech Awaited

#operates #atlanta #valued

San Ramon, California-based The Cooper Companies, Inc. (COO) develops, manufactures, and markets contact lenses for wearers. The company has a market cap of $14.9 billion and operates in two segments, CooperVision and CooperSurgical, and offers spherical, toric, and multifocal contact lenses that address vision challenges, such as astigmatism, presbyopia, and myopia, and more.
Shares of Cooper Companies have lagged behind the broader market over the past year, growing 1.6% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20.5% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has fallen by nearly 6.7%, also underperforming SPX's 12.1% gain.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week
Ahead of Nvidia Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for NVDA Stock

#california

Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW Corporation (CDW) provides information technology (IT) solutions in the United States and internationally. The company has a market cap of $17.2 billion and operates through three segments: Commercial, Government, and Education, and offers discrete hardware and software products and services, as well as integrated IT solutions, including on-premises and cloud capabilities across hybrid infrastructure, digital experience, and security.
CDW stock has lagged behind the broader market over the past year, falling 16.4% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20.5% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has grown marginally, underperforming the SPX's 12.1% rise.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week
Ahead of Nvidia Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for NVDA Stock

#solutions #vernon

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM). Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM), a leading online travel services company, detracted from performance during the quarter. On August 21, 2026, Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) closed at $46.11 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $29.04 billion. Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) posted a one‑month return of 2.99%, while its shares lost 30.06% over the past 52 weeks.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"China-based Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM), formerly known as Ctrip, is among the world's largest global travel platform. Founded in 1999, the company offers a comprehensive, integrated platform on which travelers can make arrangements for lodging, transportation, packaged tours and other related services, including online advertising and financial services, as well as providing corporate travel management services. The company provides its services in China through its Ctrip and Qunar platforms and serves non-Chinese customers primarily thorough Trip.com and Skyscanner. China-related travel accounts for over 85% of revenue, but Trip.com is available in 24 languages and 35 local currencies while Skyscanner is available in over 50 countries and over 35 languages. Trip.com also holds equity interests in other leading travel sites, including Tongcheng-Elong, China's third largest online travel agent (OTA), and MakeMyTrip, the largest OTA in India.…" (Click here to read the full text)
Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 38 hedge fund portfolios held Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) at the end of the first quarter, which was 46 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) 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

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a multinational technology and retail company known for its leading online marketplace and cloud platform, contributed positively to performance during this quarter. On August 21, 2026, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) closed at $258.63 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $2.79 trillion. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) posted a one‑month return of 11.77%, while its shares gained 13.46% over the past 52 weeks.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Online retailer Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) offers millions of products – sold by Amazon or by third parties – with the value proposition to consumers of selection, price, and convenience. Amazon's enterprise IT business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), offers a suite of secure, on-demand, cloud-computing services, with a value proposition to clients of speed, agility, and savings. In both of its core markets, Amazon possesses strong and sustainable competitive advantages that would be difficult for competitors to replicate. In e-commerce, these include its brand, scale, technology platform, network advantage, and logistics and distribution systems. AWS benefits from its brand, technology platform, and massive scale, which allows it to pass along cost savings while continuing to innovate. Growing well in excess of their underlying retail and IT markets, both of Amazon's businesses are gaining market share. Led by visionary founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, Amazon invests aggressively to expand and leverage its customer base, brand, and infrastructure, targeting businesses with strong financial returns that are anticipated to offer large and enduring growth opportunities…" (Click here to read the full text)

#NASDAQ #fund

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), a leading subscription-based streaming entertainment platform, detracted from performance during the quarter. On August 21, 2026, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) closed at $79.59 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $331.41 billion. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) posted a one‑month return of 13.05%, while its shares lost 34.66% over the past 52 weeks.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Founded in 1997, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is one of the world's leading internet entertainment platforms and a pioneer of subscription video on demand (SVOD), which it first launched in 2007. Today the company is a global leader with over 325 million paid subscribers, out of what we estimate is a total addressable market of one billion households outside of China, who access TV series, movies, mobile games, and other entertainment content across a wide variety of genres, languages, and devices. The company has subscribers in over 190 countries, with an estimated global audience approaching one billion, and generates almost 60% of its revenue from outside of North America.
We believe Netflix's strong and sustainable competitive advantages include its focus, scale, brand, and a large installed base of clients that are protected by high barriers to entry. As a pioneer in SVOD, Netflix has amassed a subscriber base that we estimate to represent just under 40% of all SVOD subscribers globally and approximately 50% of the industry revenue share of the leading global providers. We believe the company's strong brand is reflected in both its premium pricing versus peers and mid-single-digit growth in average revenue per user over the past five years. Over the past decade, Netflix has invested over $120 billion in content and amassed an estimated over 14,000 hours of original content, which is estimated to represent just under two times the next five largest streaming competitors combined. Of course, it is not just the quantity, but quality of the content that matters. Over this same period, Netflix received over 1000 E

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as a leading performance contributor. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On August 21, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $341.75 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.2 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of 4.65%, while its shares gained 63.39% over the past 52 weeks.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is a holding company that owns a collection of businesses, the largest and most important of which by far is Google. Google is the global leader in online search and advertising and also offers cloud solutions to businesses and consumers globally, with a goal of organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful. Google dominates the US and global traditional search market with a greater than 80% share of search volumes. As a function of seeing more searches, Google is able to provide better search results, resulting in a higher customer conversion rate for advertisers and enabling Google to capture a leading share of search revenue. Google's large network of consumers, advertisers, and publishers is a powerful business ecosystem as third-party participants such as marketing affiliates and independent software vendors add value to the user experience. As a result, we believe consumers get their best and most relevant search results and advertisers get the best returns on their advertising dollars. Such a robust ecosystem attracts increasing numbers of participants and thereby creates a virtuous cycle for a sustainable business model and long-term growth. In its emerging cloud business, we estimate that Google captures less than 10% market share of the global market for public cloud services. We believe Google remains one of the few global companies that has the scale, research and development (R&D), and technical talent to effectively compete in this market over the long te

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) as a leading contributor. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is a UK-based technology company that develops and licenses central processing unit designs and related technologies for semiconductor companies and original equipment manufacturers. On August 21, 2026, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) closed at $243.32 per share. The one-month return of Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) was -8.64%, and its shares gained 76.60% over the past 52 weeks. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) has a market capitalization of $259.87 billion.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is the world's leading microprocessor intellectual property (IP) supplier. The company develops and licenses its microprocessor IP technology to a network of partners to facilitate the design and manufacture of semiconductor chips used in a wide range of end markets, with a primary focus on mobile, cloud, automotive, and IoT (internet of things). Arm's clients include most of the world's leading semiconductor companies, which pay licensing fees to utilize the company's industry-standard technologies and ongoing royalties for the resulting chips incorporating its technology. While it can take in excess of five years before newly licensed technology is commercialized into new products, the resulting royalty payments to Arm can span decades. We owned Arm in our large cap and all cap growth portfolios from 2012 until it was acquired by SoftBank Group in 2016. Under SoftBank, the company invested substantially in research and development (R&D) and accelerated its pace of innovation. As a result, Arm launched Armv9, its most advanced processor architecture, and its Neoverse microarchitecture that now enables the company to effectively compete in the data center business..…" (Click here to read the full text)

#fund #technology #global #letter

Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS). Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) engages in the provision of corporate identity uniforms and related business services. On August 21, 2026, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) closed at $203.79 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $81.55 billion. Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) posted a one‑month return of -3.41%, while its shares lost 3.81% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) is America's largest uniform rental company. It earns 40% of its revenue from collecting, laundering and replacing uniforms for customers in industries such as hospitality, entertainment, manufacturing and healthcare. It also offers other facility services like the laundering of entrance mats, replenishment of restroom supplies, and monitoring of first aid kits and fire protection equipment.
Cintas has long used technology to improve service and efficiency, such as the SmartTruck system, which optimises its technicians' workday routes, and garment-tracking technology to reduce the likelihood of lost uniforms. AI should be another tool for Cintas to improve its logistics, service quality, sales effectiveness and cost control…" (Click here to read the full text)

#aoris #investor

Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted SAP SE (NYSE:SAP). Headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is a leading enterprise application and business solutions provider. On August 21, 2026, SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) closed at $218.68 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $256.39 billion. SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) posted a one-month return of 27.88%, while its shares lost 19.09% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is the world's leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company. ERP systems run core business processes such as finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain management and customer relationship management. SAP is a core system of record for many of the world's largest organisations. Of the world's 100 largest organisations, 99 use SAP's solutions, and 80% of all the world's transactions touch an SAP system.
The value of SAP's systems should increase, because AI is only useful when it can access accurate data, business context and established workflows. AI is providing opportunities for SAP to layer on additional services which the company believes can add 20% or more to a customer's spending. Examples include its Business Data Cloud, which brings together SAP and non-SAP data for real-time ******* ysis, and its Joule AI agent, which can automate work with an understanding of customers' existing data structures and processes…" (Click here to read the full text)

#NYSE

Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG). InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a leading hospitality company owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels globally. On August 21, 2026, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) closed at $159.91 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $23.55 billion. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) posted a one‑month return of 0.25%, while its shares gained 32.18% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a brand owner and franchisor of global hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Crowne Plaza. Hotel owners pay IHG a franchise fee in exchange for access to its brands, loyalty program, and IT systems to help manage their properties, reservations and pricing. IHG franchisees earn better economics than independent hotels, which is why an increasing share of new and existing hotels are choosing to partner with IHG.
IHG's technology systems are a core advantage over smaller chains and independent hotels. AI can widen this gap through improvements in its search functions, booking process, customer service, pricing, marketing, and operational efficiency. For example, IHG is developing AI-powered conversational search to help guests book properties and receive more detailed information about its franchisees' rooms and services.…" (Click here to read the full text)

#NYSE

Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX). RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) is a British-based information ****** ytics and decision solutions provider for professional and business customers. On August 21, 2026, RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) stock closed at $35.91 per share. One-month return of RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) was 0.73%, and its shares lost 24.86% over the past 52 weeks. RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) has a market capitalization of $62.03 billion.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"RELX PLC (NYSE:RELX) provides data, ****** ytics and decision-making tools for professional users in the science, academia, legal, risk and insurance industries. One-third of its revenue comes from scientific content and research tools, one-third comes from risk management solutions like identity verification and anti-money laundering, 20% comes from content and tools for the legal industry, and 10% comes from running trade exhibitions.
RELX owns and curates large bodies of proprietary and authoritative content, which has become more valuable as the internet is largely exhausted as a training resource for AI models. Legal work is especially well-suited to generative AI because it's language-intensive, but also an area where accuracy matters. RELX's AI products help lawyers research, draft and conduct due diligence faster, while remaining anchored to trusted legal content. Just two and a half years after launch, around half of its legal customers have subscribed to its premium AI offering. AI is also making frau

Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted Visa Inc. (NYSE:V). Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is a multinational financial services company known for its payment technology network that offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products and other services. On August 21, 2026, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) closed at $371.04 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $692.74 billion. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) posted a one‑month return of 2.35%, while its shares gained 6.37% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is the world's largest payment network, enabling consumers and businesses to transact with over 130 million merchants globally in a convenient and secure way. It earns 70% of its revenue by charging fixed and percentage-based fees on transactions processed over its network. The other 30% comes from a range of payment-related services that help financial institutions and merchants to reduce fraud, improve back-office efficiency, increase sales and deepen customer loyalty.
If AI agents start making purchases on behalf of consumers and businesses, which is known as agentic commerce, then Visa's secure credentials, fraud controls, acceptance, dispute resolution and trusted network rules will become increasingly important. More digital commerce usually means more transactions, which would benefit Visa's transaction-based fees. Agentic commerce may also accelerate Visa's market share gains against domestic card networks like Eftpos, many of which still aren't accepted for onl

Irving, Texas-based Vistra Corp. (VST) operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company in the United States. Valued at a market cap of $45.7 billion, the company operates through five segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, and ***** et Closure, and retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.
The electricity supplier's shares have lagged behind the broader market over the past year, declining 28.4% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20.5% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has fallen by nearly 15.6%, underperforming the SPX's 12.1% rise as well.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
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Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week

#states #Stock #electricity #NVIDIA

Birmingham, Alabama-based Vulcan Materials Company (VMC) produces and supplies construction aggregates in the United States. The company has a market cap of $35.8 billion and operates through three segments: Aggregates, Asphalt, and Concrete, and provides crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates for use in the construction and maintenance of highways, streets, and other public works, and more.
VMC stock has lagged behind the broader market over the past year, falling 4.3% compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20.5% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has declined by nearly 3.2%, underperforming the SPX's 12.1% rise.
Soros Fund Management Opened a New Position in Nebius During Q2. What This Means for NBIS Stock.
Ahead of Nvidia Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for NVDA Stock
Nvidia Earnings, Jackson Hole and Other Key Things to Watch this Week

#aggregates #company #sand

Loomis Sayles, an investment management company, released its "Global Growth Fund" investor letter for Q2 2026. You can download a copy of the letter here. The fund returned 6.43%, underperforming the MSCI ACWI Index's 14.93% return. The fund employs a long-term private equity investment strategy, focusing on high-quality businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, investing at significant discounts to intrinsic value. At quarter-end, the fund maintained an overweight in communication services, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, and an underweight in information technology, financials, industrials, and consumer staples sectors. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund highlighted Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a multinational technology and retail company known for its leading online marketplace and cloud platform, contributed positively to performance during this quarter. On August 21, 2026, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) closed at $258.63 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $2.79 trillion. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) posted a one‑month return of 11.77%, while its shares gained 13.46% over the past 52 weeks.
Loomis Sayles Global Growth Fund stated the following regarding Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Online retailer Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) offers millions of products – sold by Amazon or by third parties – with the value proposition to consumers of selection, price, and convenience. Amazon's enterprise IT business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), offers a suite of secure, on-demand, cloud-computing services, with a value proposition to clients of speed, agility, and savings. In both of its core markets, Amazon possesses strong and sustainable competitive advantages that would be difficult for competitors to replicate. In e-commerce, these include its brand, scale, technology platform, network advantage, and logistics and distribution systems. AWS benefits from its brand, technology platform, and massive scale, which allows it to pass along cost savings while continuing to innovate. Growing well in excess of their underlying retail and IT markets, both of Amazon's businesses are gaining market share. Led by visionary founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, Amazon invests aggressively to expand and leverage its customer base, brand, and infrastructure, targeting businesses with strong financial returns that are anticipated to offer large and enduring growth opportunities…" (Click here to read the full text)

#amazon #amzn #letter #technology