Littelfuse & the Currents of Speculation

by

The firm of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC, has reduced its holding in Littelfuse, Inc. (LFUS 2.77%), disposing of some 20,392 shares during the last quarter. The transaction, amounting to an estimated $5.19 million, is a matter of record with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such movements, while commonplace, deserve a closer look, not for their inherent drama, but for what they reveal about the prevailing currents of investment.

The sale brings Segall Bryant & Hamill’s stake in Littelfuse down to $70.81 million, a decrease of $6.99 million from the previous quarter. This figure is complicated, naturally, by both the shedding of shares and the fluctuating market price. It is a reminder that reported values are rarely simple, and often conceal a multitude of factors.

As of December 31, 2025, Littelfuse represented 0.96% of Segall Bryant & Hamill’s reported assets. This is a small fraction, a detail that should discourage any excessive speculation about a profound shift in strategy. Funds manage portfolios, not express opinions. The numbers, however, do offer a glimpse into the priorities of a single institution.

The firm’s principal holdings, as of the same date, are as follows:

  • NASDAQ: NVDA: $125.83 million (1.7% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: GOOGL: $119.36 million (1.6% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: MSFT: $115.39 million (1.6% of AUM)
  • NYSE: VMI: $112.41 million (1.5% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: AAPL: $108.14 million (1.5% of AUM)

Littelfuse shares closed on February 13, 2026, at $359.55, a 47.0% increase over the previous year. This outperformance of the S&P 500 by 35.2 percentage points is, of course, the reason for the current attention. The market, ever susceptible to narratives, has begun to treat Littelfuse as a beneficiary of the so-called ‘AI revolution’.

Company Overview

Metric Value
Price (as of market close 2026-02-13) $359.55
Market Capitalization $8.95 billion
Revenue (TTM) $2.39 billion
Net Income (TTM) $-71.70 million

Company Snapshot

  • Produces circuit protection, power control, and sensing products, including fuses, relays, sensors, and industrial relays for electronics, transportation, and industrial applications.
  • Generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of hardware components and solutions to OEMs, Tier-I suppliers, distributors, and direct customers across global markets.
  • Main customer base includes industrial, automotive, commercial vehicle, electronics, and alternative energy sectors, with a diversified presence in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe.

Littelfuse, Inc., founded in 1927, is a long-established provider of essential, if unglamorous, components. It serves a range of industries, and relies on a diversified customer base. This is a sound, conservative approach. It is not, however, inherently exciting.

The current enthusiasm stems from the belief that Littelfuse’s products are vital to the infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence. Data centers, power grids – these require reliable protection and control. This is true, naturally. But it is also a convenient justification for a rising share price. The market often seeks a compelling story, even when the underlying reality is more mundane.

It is worth noting that Littelfuse’s trailing twelve-month revenue is actually 5% lower than it was three years ago. The anticipated growth, projected by analysts at Yahoo Finance to reach $2.68 billion in 2026 (a 21% year-over-year increase), is, as yet, unrealized. Forecasts, of course, are not guarantees.

In conclusion, Littelfuse is not a pure ‘AI play.’ It is a stable, established company operating in a vital, but often overlooked, sector. It offers a potential, if modest, return for growth-oriented investors willing to accept the inherent risks of speculation. The current fervor, while understandable, should be approached with a degree of skepticism. The market, after all, is not always rational. It is, more often, simply hopeful.

Read More

2026-02-17 19:43