Up 50% in One Year: Why a Fund Cut $5 Million in TriMas Stock but Held Onto a 3% Position

On February 12, 2026, Barington Companies Management reported selling 143,900 shares of TriMas (NASDAQ:TRS), an estimated $5.02 million trade based on quarterly average pricing, according to a new SEC filing.

What happened

In a quarterly disclosure filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2026, Barington Companies Management reported selling 143,900 shares of TriMas in the fourth quarter of 2025. The estimated transaction value, based on the period’s average unadjusted closing price, was $5.02 million. The value of the fund's TriMas position fell by $5.98 million over the quarter, a figure that includes both trading activity and market price movement.

What else to know

• Following the sale, TriMas represents 3.05% of the fund’s reported U.S. equity assets under management.
• Top holdings after the filing:
  • NYSE: M: $28.66 million (18.8% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: MATW: $26.12 million (17.1% of AUM)
  • NYSE: VSCO: $23.02 million (15.1% of AUM)
  • NYSE: BILL: $21.27 million (14.0% of AUM)
  • NYSE: GIL: $15.94 million (10.5% of AUM)
• As of February 12, 2026, shares of TriMas were priced at $35.75, up 51.4% over the past year and well outperforming the S&P 500 by 38.45 percentage points.

Company overview

Company snapshot

• TriMas provides dispensing products, closures, fasteners, aerospace components, steel cylinders, and industrial equipment across its Packaging, Aerospace, and Specialty Products segments.
• The company generates revenue primarily through the design, manufacture, and sale of proprietary and custom-engineered products for consumer, industrial, and aerospace applications.
• Key customers include consumer product companies, aerospace original equipment manufacturers and suppliers, industrial distributors, and commercial end-users worldwide.

TriMas is a diversified manufacturer with a global presence, serving multiple end markets through specialized product lines. Its strategy emphasizes innovation in packaging and aerospace fasteners, leveraging established brands and engineering expertise to address evolving customer needs. The company’s broad product portfolio and focus on operational efficiency support a competitive position in the packaging and industrial components sectors.

What this transaction means for investors

When a cyclical industrial stock climbs more than 50% in a year, trimming exposure can look like discipline rather than doubt.

TriMas recently posted $269.3 million in third quarter sales, up 17.4% year over year, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 41.9% to $0.61. Aerospace was the standout, with sales surging 45.8% as build rates and new awards drove operating leverage. Adjusted operating profit increased 33.9% to $30.3 million, and year-to-date free cash flow reached $43.9 million, nearly quadrupling the prior year period. Management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $2.02 to $2.12, signaling confidence into year end.

Within a portfolio dominated by consumer and retail names like Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, and BILL, TriMas adds exposure to aerospace and industrial recovery, and at 3.05% of assets, it is meaningful but not oversized. For long-term investors, the key is sustainability. Aerospace momentum looks durable, but margins must hold once growth normalizes. TriMas reports fourth-quarter earnings on February 26.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bill Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.