Prosper Stars & Stripes, a protracted/quick fairness fund, not too long ago launched its second quarter 2025 investor letter. A duplicate of the letter will be downloaded right here. The fund underperformed and generated a web return of +9.6% in comparison with a complete return of +8.5% for the long-only small-cap Russell 2000 Index (the “Russell”), and a complete return of +5.0% for the lengthy/quick fairness hedge fund peer group represented by the HFRX Fairness Hedge Index (the “HFRX”). For the six months ended 2025, Prosper Stars & Stripes returned a web return of (0.8%) in comparison with (1.8%) for the Russell and +5.9% for the HFRI. The portfolio demonstrated sturdy outperformance relative to its web publicity in the course of the quarter. Within the second quarter of 2025, US equities reversed the declines seen within the first quarter. As well as, please test the fund’s prime 5 holdings to know its greatest picks in 2025.
In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted shares comparable to Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO). Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) is a science and engineering consulting firm. The one-month return of Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) was 1.13%, and its shares misplaced 34.07% of their worth during the last 52 weeks. On August 29, 2025, Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) inventory closed at $71.38 per share, with a market capitalization of $3.605 billion.
Prosper Stars & Stripes said the next concerning Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter:
“A constant quick focus has been the devaluation dangers dealing with consulting and outsourcing companies. We’ve got shorted a number of shares on this sector, and one we see as having significant draw back from right here is Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO). The corporate gives knowledgeable consultants who advise on lawsuits, patent litigation, and different high-value conditions. Whereas the worth of their experience is evident, AI presents two vital challenges. First, AI can systematically and totally reference probably the most related publications, decreasing the necessity for knowledgeable enter. Second, AI dramatically will increase the time effectivity of background work, which we imagine will strain EXPO’s enterprise mannequin, based mostly on billable hours. Though the inventory has declined, it nonetheless trades at a premium a number of of over 20x EV/EBITDA, in comparison with many friends buying and selling at 10x or much less. Consequently, we see a significant draw back threat if any considerations come up concerning the sustainability of its progress fee.”
Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) just isn’t on our checklist of 30 Most Fashionable Shares Amongst Hedge Funds. As per our database, 28 hedge fund portfolios held Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) on the finish of the second quarter, which was 35 within the earlier quarter. For the second quarter of 2025, Exponent, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:EXPO) complete revenues elevated 1% to $142 million. Whereas we acknowledge the potential of Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPO) as an funding, we imagine sure AI shares supply better upside potential and carry much less draw back threat. When you’re on the lookout for an especially undervalued AI inventory that additionally stands to learn considerably from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring development, see our free report on the greatest short-term AI inventory.