Inspire Investing Expands Stakes
Inspire Investing Expands Major Equity Holdings, Raising Landstar System Stake Nearly 500%
Key Points
In Landstar System, Manatuck Hill Partners LLC opened a new position by buying 6,000 shares worth about $862,000 during the fourth quarter, according to its Form 13F.
Landstar’s CFO insider trade detail: CFO James P. Todd sold 1,200 shares on June 15 at an average price of $218.17 (total $261,804), reducing his holdings by 7.35% to 15,122 shares.
Other Landstar activity beyond Inspire: Gotham Asset Management LLC increased its Landstar position by 30.8% to 340,451 shares (about $48.9 million) after adding 80,199 shares, and multiple other funds also initiated smaller new positions (e.g., Capitolis Liquid Global Markets, Align Financial, Freestone Grove Partners).
For Valmont Industries, broker activity included a downgrade: Weiss Ratings lowered Valmont from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating (the article notes this as part of recent brokerage commentary).
For Louisiana-Pacific, the reporting period included market/financial context: LPX opened at $75.34, traded between a one-year low of $66.12 and high of $102.86, and the company had a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20 with a current ratio of 3.26 (quick ratio 1.48).
Inspire Investing LLC has dramatically expanded its stake in Landstar System (NASDAQ: LSTR) by 480.9%, bringing its total to 21,550 shares worth roughly $3.1 million, according to Ticker Report. The faith-based firm, which screens investments using a Biblically Responsible Investing model, made the move during the fourth quarter — even as Landstar's own CFO quietly sold shares.
The Landstar buy is just one part of a broader surge. Inspire also boosted its Louisiana-Pacific stake by 659% to 38,705 shares (~$3.1 million), lifted Valmont Industries by 85% to 7,024 shares (~$2.8 million), and nudged Digital Realty Trust up 9% to 34,693 shares (~$5.4 million), per Watchlist News.
Landstar CFO Sells While Institutions Buy In
On June 15, Landstar CFO James P. Todd sold 1,200 shares at an average price of $218.17, collecting $261,804 in proceeds, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The sale cut his direct holdings by 7.35%, leaving him with 15,122 shares. Insider sales near all-time highs often signal that executives think the stock is close to its peak.
Yet institutional money kept flowing in. Gotham Asset Management — run by well-known value investor Joel Greenblatt — added 80,199 shares, growing its Landstar position by 30.8% to 340,451 shares worth about $48.9 million, per Ticker Report. Manatuck Hill Partners opened a brand-new position, buying 6,000 shares for roughly $862,000 in the fourth quarter.
Inspire's Faith-Based Screen Drives Industrial Bets
Inspire Investing scores more than 30,000 companies on what it calls an "Inspire Impact Score." CEO Robert Netzly steers the firm away from companies linked to what it deems immoral practices, and toward those making a positive impact. Landstar and Valmont both cleared that bar — and Inspire went big on both.
The 659% jump in Louisiana-Pacific is perhaps the boldest call. LPX shares have traded between a one-year low of $66.12 and a high of $102.86, and the stock opened recently at $75.34, per Watchlist News. The company carries a low debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.20 and a strong current ratio of 3.26 — signs of financial health. But Baron Real Estate Fund fully exited LPX, citing weaker wood product pricing and leadership changes, putting it in direct contrast with Inspire's bullish stance.
Valmont Hits Record High Amid a Ratings Cut
Valmont Industries hit an all-time high of $567.54 on June 16, gaining 5.0% in a single day. That rally came just five days after Weiss Ratings downgraded the stock from "Buy (B-)" to "Hold (C+)" on June 11. The timing shows how divided the market is on whether Valmont's run still has legs.
Inspire's 85% increase in Valmont — to 7,024 shares worth ~$2.8 million — fits a broader theme in its portfolio. The firm is piling into infrastructure and data-center plays. Its 9% add to Digital Realty Trust, now at 34,693 shares worth ~$5.4 million, points to a bet on the physical backbone powering AI and cloud computing.
Analyst Split on Landstar: $145 Target vs. $240 Target
Wall Street is far from unified on Landstar. Wells Fargo analyst Christian Wetherbee reiterated a "Buy" rating and lifted his price target to $240. Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker held a "Hold" with a target of just $145 — implying roughly 33% downside from recent levels. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio sits near 33.8, historically high for a logistics company.
Institutional investors now own 97.95% of Landstar's shares, per Ticker Report. That level of "smart money" concentration cuts both ways. It shows conviction — but it also means there are few new buyers left to push the stock higher. Landstar's next major test comes at its Q2 earnings call on July 28, where its asset-light model will face scrutiny against a still-uncertain freight market.
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