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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Diamond Hill Capital, a First Eagle Investment Management company, issued its Q2 2026 investor letter for its "Mid Cap Strategy". A copy of the Q2 2026 investor letter can be downloaded here. In the quarter, equity markets posted strong returns as resilient economic growth and robust corporate earnings supported investor sentiment, although AI-related companies continued to dominate market leadership. Technology was the strongest-performing sector, while industrials also advanced and energy lagged as oil prices declined. The Fund returned 7.92% and the Russell Midcap Index returned 13.83%. Health care holdings were the largest positive contributor, supported by strength across managed care, diagnostics, and life sciences. However, stock selection and an underweight position in information technology remained the main relative headwinds. The strategy maintained limited exposure to highly valued semiconductor and memory companies, reflecting concerns that current valuations **** ume an extended period of elevated AI spending. It also continued to **** s software and services businesses individually based on how AI may affect their long-term competitive positions. Management emphasized higher-quality companies, attractive valuations, capital preservation, and durable long-term compounding while remaining cautious about elevated valuations, concentrated leadership, and the sustainability of the current AI investment cycle. Please review the Strategy's top five holdings for its key selections.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Diamond Hill Capital Mid Cap Strategy 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 4, 2026, Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) closed at $96.45 per share. One-month return of Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) was 5.13% and its shares lost 10.26% over the past 52 weeks. Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) has a market capitalization of $23.12 billion with a 52-week trading range between $80.03 - $110.11.
Diamond Hill Capital Mid Cap Strategy stated the following regarding Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Water testing and treatment provider Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) was spun out of Danaher in late 2023. We initiated a position as we believe the market has underappreciated the company's resilient business model, strong profitability and disciplined capital allocation amid the current chase for revenue growth in data center-related industries."

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Artisan Partners, an investment management firm, issued its first-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund". A copy of this letter is available for download here. In Q1 2026, the portfolio underperformed the benchmark Russell Midcap Value Index as the market favored momentum-driven stocks over quality factors. Some holdings faced company-specific setbacks and negative sentiment. The Fund's Investor Class: ARTQX returned -4.93%, Advisor Class: APDQX declined by -4.90%, and Institutional Class: APHQX fell by -4.97%, all trailing the Index's 3.68% gain. The equity market in the quarter was mixed, with mid- and small-cap indices showing resilience despite lagging large-cap growth stocks. Volatility increased, initially fueled by interest in AI and private credit, but escalated after the outbreak of war in Iran, leading to rising oil prices. Sector performance varied, with energy leading the gains. The Fund continues to seek companies capable of value growth during market dislocations at attractive entry points. Also, review the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its first-quarter 2026 investor letter, Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund highlighted Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) as a newly added position. Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) is an industrial technology company specializing in water **** ytics, water treatment, marking and coding, and packaging and color solutions. On July 7, 2026, Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) closed at $93.10 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $22.86 billion. Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) posted a one-month return of 12.68%, while its shares lost 9.06% over the past 52 weeks.
Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
"We initiated six new positions in Q1, representing an above-average rate of new purchase activity. Increased market volatility and greater dispersion in US equities during the quarter created more opportunities to add new names that meet our three margin-of-safety criteria: attractive business economics, sound financial condition and attractive valuation. Additionally, we sought to use recent volatility to upgrade the portfolio's quality. Our three largest new buys by position size were Brown & Brown, Veralto Corporation (NYSE:VLTO) and IQVIA Holdings.
Veralto is a provider of water quality and product quality solutions that was spun out of Danaher in 2023. The shares have traded off from prior levels and now reflect more modest expectations, creating an opportunity to invest in a historically high-quality compounder at a more reasonable valuation. The company's conservative guidance for full-year EPS disappointed the market. From a business economics perspective, Veralto benefits from attractive end markets and durable competitive advantages. Its Water Quality and Product Quality & Innovation segments operate in niches characterized by high regulatory requirements,