Some of our holdings held up relatively well in the very difficult quarter. Mortgage insurer First American Financial Corp. (NYSE:FAF) gained +5.68% due to a strong earnings report. Wall Street anticipated solid revenue growth but once again underappreciated the company’s powerful operating leverage. As a result, the company’s $0.83 per share in operating earnings smashed the $0.67 consensus estimate. We continue to think the company is in very good shape in a soft but improving housing market and can do even better if housing fully recovers.
From John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio)' Ariel Appreciation Fund Third Quarter 2015 shareholder letter.
