#TIC

SGS: High-Quality TIC Compounder at Full Value

SGS SA is the world's broadest publicly listed testing, inspection and certification group, monetizing accreditation, network density and a century-old reputation for independence across more than 2,500 facilities in 115 countries. In 2025 it generated CHF 6.945 billion of sales at a 16.0% adjusted operating margin and converted profit to cash at roughly 1.9x net income, yet at about 25.9x trailing earnings and a 3.6% dividend yield the market already prices the Strategy 27 reacceleration, leaving no conservative margin of safety against a CHF 80-84 fair value. Rating Hold: a high-quality TIC compounder whose current price captures most of the Strategy 27 improvement and leaves limited conservative upside.

Intertek: Quality Compounder on a Takeover Bid

Intertek Group is a global ATIC (assurance, testing, inspection, certification) provider that sells trust as much as lab work, running a five-division Total Quality Assurance portfolio across consumer products, supply chains, food, infrastructure and energy. In 2025 it grew revenue 4.3% at constant currency to GBP 3.43 billion and lifted its adjusted operating margin 90 basis points to 18.1%, yet at around GBP 57 the shares now trade chiefly on EQT's GBP 60.0 indicative cash proposal rather than on operating momentum, leaving little standalone margin of safety against a roughly 35-40% downside if the bid lapses. Rating Hold: a proven quality compounder whose current price already capitalizes most of the margin-improvement and strategic-optionality story, leaving thin reward for fresh capital.

Bureau Veritas: Quality TIC, Priced for Reacceleration

Bureau Veritas is an 1828-founded global testing, inspection and certification network operating across six lines that sells institutional trust, with 2025 revenue of EUR 6.47 billion, a 16.3% adjusted operating margin, and EUR 824 million of free cash flow. The real question is durability rather than quality: after a strong 2024 of 10.2% organic growth, Q1 2026 organic growth slowed to 4.5% and management trimmed full-year guidance on Government Services contract exits, leaving the stock at about 18.4x 2025 adjusted EPS of EUR 1.42 with a conservative fair value near EUR 23 already below the current EUR 26.16 price. Rating Hold: Bureau Veritas remains a strong TIC franchise, but the current price already discounts much of the LEAP 28 plan before 2026 re-acceleration is proven.