Core Insights - The FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund reported a return of -0.36% in Q4 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Value Index which gained 3.26% during the same period. However, for the full year 2025, the Fund achieved a return of 13.36%, slightly outperforming the Index's 12.59% [1] Group 1: Fund Performance - The Fund outperformed in the first half of 2025 amidst weak and volatile markets, but underperformed in the second half as markets favored speculative and low-quality stocks [1] - The portfolio aims to protect clients from market drawdowns by focusing on quality and value [1] Group 2: EPlus Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUS) - EPlus Inc. provides IT solutions to optimize IT environments and supply chain processes, with a one-month return of -7.32% and a 52-week gain of 17.89% [2] - As of February 11, 2026, EPlus Inc. shares closed at $83.91, with a market capitalization of $2.148 billion [2] - The Fund added a new position in EPlus Inc. in Q4 2025, considering it well-managed and inexpensive relative to its growth and quality profile, especially after adjusting for its significant cash holdings [3] Group 3: Hedge Fund Interest - EPlus Inc. was held by 19 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 17 in the previous quarter [4] - While EPlus Inc. is recognized for its potential, the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with certain AI stocks being viewed as having greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]

Core Insights - ePlus reported a strong fiscal third quarter with net sales growth of 24.6% to approximately $615 million, driven by a 32.2% increase in product sales, particularly in data center, cloud, networking, and security sectors [3][7][4] - The company raised its full-year guidance for net sales growth to 20-22%, gross profit growth to 19-21%, and adjusted EBITDA growth to 41-43% [19][7] Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales were $614.8 million, with product revenue at $501.9 million and services revenue at $112.8 million [2] - Gross billings increased by 15.6% in the quarter to $982.1 million, with year-to-date gross billings rising 18.7% to nearly $3 billion [1] - Net earnings from continuing operations surged 129% to $33.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose 97% to $53.4 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 8.7% [8][7] Demand Drivers - The demand for AI-driven infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity is accelerating, contributing to growth in data center, cloud, networking, and security products [4][11] - Security gross billings grew 16.4% quarter-over-quarter and 27.6% year-over-year, reflecting heightened customer priorities due to rising threat levels [12][6] Customer Trends - Growth was broad-based across customer sizes and sectors, with notable strength in mid-market and enterprise segments [14] - Telecom, media, and entertainment accounted for 27% of net sales, while technology, SLED, and healthcare each represented 13% [14] Operational Insights - Managed services revenue grew 10.5%, while professional services revenue declined 7.8% due to project delays in the retail sector [2][16] - The company emphasized expense discipline and alignment of workforce towards higher-growth areas, resulting in improved profitability [8] Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $326.3 million, down from $389.4 million, while inventory rose to $241.0 million, attributed to increased projects in process [17] - The board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and repurchased over 200,000 shares during the quarter [19] Future Outlook - The company anticipates a potential near-term memory shortage that could impact AI deployment timing, but believes it is well-positioned to manage this through diversified supplier relationships [20]

Core Insights - ePlus inc. has initiated its first quarterly dividend, set at $0.25 per common share, marking a significant shift in its capital return strategy to shareholders [2] - The decision to pay dividends reflects ePlus's commitment to enhancing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation and confidence in its growth outlook [3] - ePlus plans to maintain its share repurchase program while also considering reinvestment in organic growth and selective mergers and acquisitions to strengthen the company long-term [4] Company Overview - ePlus has expanded its operations since going public in November 1996, utilizing acquisitions to enhance its geographic reach and technology capabilities [5] - The company operates through three subsidiaries organized into two main segments: the Financing Business Unit, which focuses on leasing and business process outsourcing, and the Technology Sales Business Unit, which encompasses IT sales and software services [6] - ePlus provides a range of technology solutions and services aimed at supporting digital transformation, including offerings in artificial intelligence, security, cloud and data center, networking, and collaboration [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses seven new dividend payouts from various companies, highlighting their potential as investment opportunities due to initial high yields and growth prospects [2][3] Group 1: Tutor Perini (TPC) - Tutor Perini announced its first dividend of $0.06 per share with a yield of 0.3%, marking a significant turnaround after three years of net losses [4][5] - The company reported record operating cash flow of $574.4 million and a backlog of $21.6 billion by Q3 2025, leading to a tripling of its share price in 2025 [5] - For full-year 2025, Tutor Perini is expected to report a profit of $4.10 per share, with the dividend representing only 6% of earnings, indicating room for future increases [6] Group 2: Orla Mining (ORLA) - Orla Mining initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.015 with a yield of 0.4%, transitioning from a junior miner to a mid-tier producer [7][8] - The company experienced a 143% increase in share price in 2025 and is expected to report a smaller profit for 2025 after doubling its net income in 2024 [9] - Future dividend growth may be limited due to the cyclical nature of mining profits, but management is confident in the sustainability of profits [10] Group 3: ePlus (PLUS) - ePlus announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 with a yield of 1.1%, providing IT and professional services [12] - The company has seen a 2,000% increase in share price over the past 15 years, but is currently navigating mixed financial results [13][14] - Revenue growth is expected to be high-single-digit, but earnings per share are projected to decline in the current fiscal year [14] Group 4: Visteon (VC) - Visteon initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.275 with a yield of 1.2%, focusing on automotive technology [15][16] - After a history of volatility and declining net income, the company has shown a stable rebound in profits during the 2020s [17] - Despite the dividend announcement, the stock experienced a selloff following the first payment [17] Group 5: G-III Apparel Group (GIII) - G-III announced a quarterly dividend of $0.10 with a yield of 1.3%, operating in the apparel sector [18][19] - The company has seen steady net income, despite a loss in fiscal 2023 due to brand writedowns and supply chain issues [19][20] - G-III's dividend announcement reflects a strategy to attract shareholders amid limited growth prospects [20] Group 6: California BanCorp (BCAL) - California BanCorp initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.10 with a yield of 2.2%, showing rapid revenue growth from $13.6 million in 2015 to $180 million in 2024 [21][22] - Despite the growth, the company's stock has not seen significant appreciation, but the dividend may change investor sentiment [23] Group 7: Carnival Corp. (CCL) - Carnival Corp. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 with a yield of 2.1%, marking a resumption of its dividend program suspended during COVID-19 [24][26] - The company reported a substantial profit in 2024, returning to pre-COVID profit levels in 2025, indicating recovery from the pandemic's impact [26]

Group 1: G-III Apparel Group Ltd - G-III Apparel Group Ltd has shown strong performance in the apparel sector, with significant revenue growth reported in the latest quarter [1] - The company is expanding its brand portfolio, which is expected to enhance market presence and drive future sales [1] Group 2: ePlus Inc - ePlus Inc has experienced an increase in demand for its technology solutions, leading to improved financial results [1] - The company is focusing on strategic partnerships to enhance its service offerings and market reach [1] Group 3: Carnival Corporation - Carnival Corporation is recovering from previous operational challenges, with a notable increase in passenger bookings and revenue [1] - The cruise line is implementing new health and safety protocols to attract customers and ensure a safe travel experience [1] Group 4: Tutor Perini Corporation - Tutor Perini Corporation has secured several new contracts, contributing to a positive outlook for future revenue growth [1] - The company is investing in technology to improve project efficiency and reduce costs [1]

Company Overview - ePlus has a market capitalization of $2.33 billion and reported revenue of $2.29 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [5] - The net income for the same period is $121.88 million, with a 1-year price change of 16.36% as of January 13, 2026 [5] Transaction Summary - John E. Callies, a director at ePlus, sold 560 shares in an open-market transaction on December 8, 2025, for a total value of $50,417 [2][3] - After the transaction, Callies holds 21,428 shares, valued at approximately $1.93 million based on the reported price of $90.03 [3] - This sale is part of a series of transactions, with the previous sale being 1,050 shares in August 2024, indicating a smaller transaction size due to capacity constraints [8][9] Recent Developments - ePlus has had a strong first quarter of FY 2026, with combined earnings per share (EPS) of 4.62 already surpassing the annual EPS of previous years [12] - The company appointed a new Board of Directors on January 6, 2026, to enhance its financial and business expertise [12] Market Performance - The stock price of ePlus increased by 17.30% in 2025, recovering from an 8% decline in 2024, suggesting a positive market sentiment [11]

Core Insights - ePlus reported Q3 CY2025 results that exceeded market revenue expectations, with sales increasing by 18.2% year-on-year to $608.8 million and a non-GAAP profit of $1.53 per share, which was 61.9% above analysts' consensus estimates [1][3][6] Financial Performance - Revenue reached $608.8 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $518.3 million, reflecting an 18.2% year-on-year growth and a 17.5% beat [6] - Adjusted EPS was $1.53 compared to analyst estimates of $0.95, marking a 61.9% beat [6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $58.7 million, significantly exceeding analyst estimates of $38.3 million, with a margin of 9,642% [6] - Operating margin remained stable at 8%, consistent with the same quarter last year [6] - Market capitalization stood at $2.22 billion [6] Growth Drivers - Strong demand in security, networking, and cloud solutions contributed to the outperformance, with security gross billings rising by 56% year-over-year due to customer investments in AI-driven infrastructure [3][7] - Broad-based growth was observed across customer segments and verticals, except for state and local government, which faced budget constraints [3][7] - Internal automation initiatives improved incident resolution and customer experience, leading to operating leverage that allowed adjusted EBITDA to grow at twice the rate of net sales [7] Strategic Focus - ePlus aims to build momentum through targeted investments in AI, cloud, and security, leveraging its strong cash position for organic growth and acquisitions [4] - The company is focused on enhancing its recurring revenue base through expanded service offerings and strategic hiring [4] - ePlus completed the acquisition of Realwave, a cloud-based AI software platform, to enhance its capabilities in delivering real-time, AI-driven insights [7] Capital Allocation - With over $400 million in cash, ePlus has significant flexibility for growth investments or returning capital to shareholders [8] - The company repurchased 60,000 shares and announced a quarterly dividend as part of its capital allocation strategy [8]

Core Insights - ePlus has shown a solid historical growth rate of 7.3% compounded annually over the last five years, but recent performance indicates a slowdown with flat revenue over the past two years [1][2] - The company reported $2.26 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, positioning it as a mid-sized player in the business services sector, which may limit its competitive advantages compared to larger firms [2] - ePlus has transitioned from a financing company to a full-service technology provider, offering IT solutions, professional services, and financing options [3] Financial Performance - In fiscal 2026, ePlus experienced a strong start with net sales growing 23.4% and diluted EPS increasing nearly 63%, marking a significant milestone with quarterly gross billings exceeding $1 billion for the first time [4] - For Q3 CY2025, ePlus's revenue increased by 18.2% year-on-year to $608.8 million, surpassing Wall Street's expectations by 17.5% [5][6] - The company’s operating margin averaged 7.5% over the last five years, which is considered weak for the business services sector, and it decreased by 1.1 percentage points during this period [9][10] Earnings Analysis - ePlus's EPS grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.3% over the last five years, indicating improved profitability on a per-share basis [12] - The company has engaged in stock buybacks, reducing its share count by 1.4%, which has contributed to the increase in EPS, suggesting that the growth in EPS is partly due to financial engineering rather than operational efficiency [13] - In Q3, ePlus reported adjusted EPS of $1.53, up from $1.36 in the same quarter last year, exceeding analysts' estimates [15][17] Market Outlook - Analysts project a revenue decline of 6.2% over the next 12 months, indicating potential demand challenges for ePlus's products and services [6] - Despite a strong quarterly performance, the long-term business quality and valuation will be critical in determining if ePlus is a good investment [18]

Core Insights - Nearly three-quarters of IT and industry leaders now prioritize revenue growth as the main driver of AI initiatives, surpassing cost savings (54%) and increased customer satisfaction (56%) [1][2] - The survey indicates a significant shift in the perception of AI, evolving from a tool for efficiency to a catalyst for innovation and growth [2] - 81% of respondents express concerns about their current IT infrastructure's ability to support advanced AI applications [2][5] AI Adoption and Challenges - 60% of organizations are still in the early-to-mid stages of AI implementation, while only 8% report fully integrated, mature AI deployments [5] - Security remains a top concern, with 90% of leaders citing data privacy leakage as critical and 68% identifying regulatory compliance as a major barrier [5] - Talent shortages are a significant challenge, with 52% of leaders identifying it as a top issue, second only to security and infrastructure concerns [5] Agentic AI Insights - There is a notable gap in knowledge and readiness for agentic AI, with 41% of respondents only slightly familiar and 23% very familiar with the concept [5] - Only 26% are ready and actively investing in agentic AI, while 33% acknowledge the need for greater understanding before committing resources [5] - Opinions on agentic AI are divided, with 33% believing it's too soon to gauge its impact, 26% considering it useful but risky, and 27% viewing it as highly promising [5] Company Commitment - ePlus is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of scaling AI beyond pilot projects and building infrastructure that ensures peak performance, security, and reliability [2][3] - The company provides guidance, expertise, and adaptable solutions to empower leaders in overcoming challenges and seizing new opportunities in AI [3]

Core Viewpoint - Digital Realty has launched the Digital Realty Innovation Lab (DRIL) to provide a real-world testing environment for enterprises to validate AI and hybrid cloud deployments before full-scale implementation [1][3][8] Group 1: DRIL Overview - The DRIL is located within a live colocation data center at Digital Realty's Northern Virginia campus, allowing customers to configure and optimize workloads in a low-risk environment [2][9] - The lab supports high-density AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, accommodating up to 150kW per cabinet [5] - The DRIL aims to eliminate guesswork by enabling businesses to test performance and optimize configurations while connecting seamlessly to cloud and network providers via ServiceFabric® [2][5] Group 2: Key Features and Benefits - The DRIL provides real-time, data-driven insights for enterprises to fine-tune their deployments before scaling, addressing the need for testing and validation in complex infrastructure [3][8] - It allows for hybrid cloud validation with direct cloud connectivity, enabling enterprises to refine their strategies [5] - The lab facilitates latency testing across multiple locations, ensuring optimal performance and connectivity [5][9] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - Digital Realty collaborates with various partners, including AMD, Cisco, Lenovo, and Supermicro, to enhance the capabilities of the DRIL and support AI workloads [4][6][7] - These partnerships focus on providing advanced infrastructure solutions, such as AMD EPYC™ processors and Cisco AI Pods, to ensure reliable performance for AI applications [4][6] - The DRIL is part of a broader initiative that includes the AI Experience Center, launched in 2024, aimed at accelerating AI outcomes and optimizing technologies [6][8]