GAMCO Investors and Mario Gabelli's Top Five Positions

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May 07, 2014
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Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio), of GAMCO Investors, recently reported his first quarter results which noted 52 stocks, bringing his total holdings to 839 stocks valued at $18.5 billion. The guru’s fund holds over $43 billion in assets and focuses its investments on an intense equity research-driven culture. The following five stocks are Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)’s five largest holdings as of the close of the first quarter.

DirecTV (DTV)

As of the close of the first quarter, Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)’s largest holding was in DirecTV. The guru holds on to 4,135,034 shares of DirecTV, representing 1.7% of his portfolio and 0.75% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Gabelli cut his holdings -8.87% by selling 402,703 shares of the company’s stock. He sold these shares in the quarterly price range of $68.11 to $79.99, with an estimated average quarterly price of $73.13. Since then the price per share has increased approximately 12.2%.

Gabelli’s historical holding history:

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DirecTV is a provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The Company operates two direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

DirecTV’s historical revenue and earnings growth:

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The analysis on DirecTV reports that the company’s operating margin is expanding, its price is near a 10-year high and the company has issued $8.6 billion of debt over the past three years, but its debt level is acceptable.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently overvalued:

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DirecTV has a market cap of $44.96 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $88.25 with a P/E ratio of 17.20 and a P/S ratio of 1.50. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 30.60% over the past five years.

Viacom (VIA, Financial)

The guru’s second largest holding goes to Viacom where he maintains 3,421,123 shares of the company’s stock. This position makes up for 1.6% of Gabelli’s total portfolio and 0.72% of the company’s shares outstanding.

Over the past quarter Gabellli decreased his position -1.36% by selling 47,313 shares of Viacom stock. He sold these shares in the quarterly price range of $79.02 to $79.11, with an estimated average quarterly price of $79.02 to $88.94, with an estimated average quarterly price of $85.21. Since then the price per share has dropped approximately -2.3%.

Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)’s holding history as of the close of the first quarter:

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Viacom is a entertainment content Company that connects with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in more than 160 countries and territories.

Viacom’s historical revenue and net income:

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The analysis on Viacom reports that the company’s operating margin is growing, it has shown predictable revenue and earnings growth and its price is near a 10-year high.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently overvalued:

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Viacom has a market cap of $35.85 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $83.41 with a P/E ratio of 16.20, a P/S ratio of 2.90 and a P/B ratio of 7.90. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 23.20% over the past ten years.

GuruFocus rated Viacom the business predictability rank of 2.5-star.

American Express (AXP, Financial)

The guru’s third largest holding is in American Express where he maintains 3,279,696 shares of the company’s stock. This position represents 1.6% of his total portfolio and 0.30% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Gabelli reduced his holdings -3.73% by selling 127,186 shares of the company’s stock. He sold these shares near the average quarterly price of $89.27. Since then the price per share has dropped approximately -3.4%.

Gabelli’s historical holding history of AXP:

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American Express together with its subsidiaries is a global service company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. The company is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: U.S. Card Services, International Card Services, Global Commercial Services, and Global Network & Merchant Services.

American Express’ historical revenue and net income:

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The analysis on American Express reports that the company has shown predictable revenue and earnings growth and its operating margin is expanding. It also notes that the company’s dividend yield is near a 5-year low and its price and P/S ratio are trading at 10-year highs.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently overvalued:

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American Express has a market cap of $93.14 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $87.98 with a P/E ratio of 17.40, a P/S ratio of 2.80 and a P/B ratio of 4.70. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 8.70% over the past ten years.

GuruFocus rated American Express the business predictability rank of 3-star.

Beam (BEAM)

Gabelli’s fourth largest holding is in Beam where he maintains 3,242,755 shares of the company’s stock. This position represents 1.5% of his total assets managed and 2% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Gabelli upped his stake 23.88% by purchasing 625,052 shares of the company’s stock. He bought these shares in the first quarter price range of $66.05 to $84.00, with an estimated average quarterly price of $81.25. Since his purchase the price per share is up approximately 2.7%.

Gabelli’s historical holding history:

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Beam is a premium spirits company that makes and sells branded distilled spirits products in major markets. The Company's three reportable segments are the geographic regions of North America, EMEA and APSA.

Beam’s historical revenue and net income:

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The analysis on Beam reports that the company’s revenue has declined over the past five years, its operating margin is expanding and its price is sitting near a 10-year high.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently overvalued:

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Beam has a market cap of $13.8 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $83.47 with a P/E ratio of 37.30 and a P/S ratio of 5.34.

National Fuel Gas (NFG)

The guru’s fifth largest holding is in National Fuel Gas where he maintains 3,743,788 shares of the company’s stock. This position makes up for 1.4% of his total portfolio and 4.48% of the company’s shares outstanding.

The guru cut his holdings in National Fuel Gas -1.64% by selling 62,363 over the past quarter. He sold these shares in the quarterly price range of $68.92 to $76.55, with an estimated average quarterly price of $73.17. Since then the price per share is trading up about 1.3%.

Gabelli’s historical holding history of National Fuel Gas:

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National Fuel Gas is a diversified energy Company consisting of four business segments; the Utility segment, the Pipeline and Storage segment, the Exploration and Production segment and the Energy Marketing segment.

National Fuel Gas’s historical revenue and net income:

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The analysis on National Fuel Gas reports that the company’s dividend yield is near a 3-year low, its price is near a 10-year high and its revenue has been in decline over the past five years. The analysis also notes that the company’s operating margin is expanding, which is typically a good sign.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently overvalued:

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National Fuel Gas Company has a market cap of $6.24 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $74.46 with a P/E ratio of 22.80 and a P/S ratio of 3.30. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 15.70% over the past five years.

Check out Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)’s full first quarter portfolio here.

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