Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio), chairman of Brandes Investment Partners, increased his stakes in many stocks in the fourth quarter.
He raised his stake in Credit Suisse Group AGĂ‚ (CS) by 121.44%. The deal had an impact of 0.52% on the portfolio.
The company holds direct or indirect interests in all types of businesses in Switzerland and abroad, in particular in the areas of banking, finance, asset management and insurance. Third quarter net revenues decreased 8% year on year as lower net revenues in Investment Banking and Private Banking & Wealth Management were partially offset by higher net revenues in the Corporate Center.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 3 out of 10 with negative returns of ROE of -6.72% and ROA of -0.34% that are underperforming 95% of the companies in the Global Banks - Global industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 0.45 that is below the industry median of 2.77.
Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) is the company's largest shareholder among the gurus with 0.6% of outstanding shares followed by Brandes with 0.18%, Dodge & Cox with 0.05%, Jeff Auxier (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01% and John Buckingham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.
The guru raised his stake in Exelon Corp. (EXC) by 25.91% with an impact of 0.35% on the portfolio.
It is a utility services holding company engaged in the energy generation business and, through ComEd, PECO and BGE, in the energy delivery businesses. Despite a challenging year for the sector, strong operating performance at both its utilities and its generation business enabled the company to deliver strong earnings in the fourth quarter. Operating earnings decreased to 38 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2015 from 48 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2014.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10 with positive ROE of 9.40% and weak ROA of 2.49% that is underperforming 59% of the companies in the Global Utilities - Diversified industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 0.25 that is above the industry median of 0.27.
The company’s largest shareholder among the gurus is Brandes with 0.45% of outstanding shares followed by T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.22%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.17%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.13%, Ray Dalio (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.08%, Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.06% and Louis Moore Bacon (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04%.
The investor raised his stake in Cemex SAB de CVĂ‚ (CX) by 13.92%; the deal had an impact of 0.33% on the portfolio.
The company is engaged in the production, marketing, distribution and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and other construction materials. Cement is a binding agent, which, when mixed with sand, stone or other aggregates and water, produces either ready-mix concrete or mortar. Third-quarter operating earnings before other expenses, net, in the third quarter decreased by 8%, and operating EBITDA decreased by 10%.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 5 out of 10 with negative returns of ROE of -2.11% and ROA of -0.55% that are underperforming 85% of the companies in the Global Building Materials industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10, with no debt.
Dodge & Cox is the company's largest shareholder among the gurus with 3.42% of outstanding shares followed by Brandes with 2.64%, Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.65%, Howard Marks (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.48%, Fisher with 0.43% and Richard Snow (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1%.
The guru increased his shares in America Movil SAB de CVĂ‚ (AMX) by 20.41% with an impact of 0.19% on the portfolio.
The company along with its subsidiaries is engaged in providing telecommunications services in 25 countries throughout the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Europe. Fourth-quarter postpaid subscriber base increased 5.9% year on year, revenues were up 0.6% from the prior year and EBITDA was 2.9% less than a year before at constant exchange rates.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with good returns of ROE of 23.57% and ROA of 3.28% that are over performing 54% of the companies in the Global Telecom Services industry. Financial strength has a rating of 7 out of 10, with a cash-to-debt of 0.15 that is below industry median of 0.48.
The company’s largest shareholder among the gurus is Manning & Napier Advisors Inc. with 0.42% of outstanding shares followed by Fisher with 0.13%, Simons with 0.12%, Sarah Ketterer (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04% and Auxier with 0.01%.
The investor raised his stake in Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) by 7.90%. The deal had an impact of 0.17% on the portfolio.
The company is a health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. Third-quarter non-GAAP EPS grew by 7%, and worldwide sales had a decrease of 5%. These solid results demonstrate that its focused strategy, which aims to drive future growth as well as value for patients, society and shareholders, is working.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 7 out of 10 with easy returns of ROE of 9.53% and ROA of 4.34% that are overperforming 58% of the companies in the Global Drug Manufacturers - Major industry. Financial strength has a rating of 7 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 0.51 that is below the industry median of 3.21.
Vanguard Health Care Fund (Trades, Portfolio) is the company's largest shareholder among the gurus with 1.82% of outstanding shares followed by James Barrow (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.96%, Dodge & Cox with 0.89%, Fisher with 0.25%, Manning & Napier Advisors Inc. with 0.22% and T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.22%.
The guru increased his shares in Leucadia National (Trades, Portfolio) Corp. (LUK) by 15.20% with an impact of 0.15% on the portfolio.
The company through its subsidiaries is engaged in a variety of businesses, including investment banking and capital markets, beef processing, manufacturing, energy projects, asset management and real estate and other investments, which include Berkadia, Linkem and Garcadia.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10 with weak returns of ROE of 2.62% and ROA of 0.56% that are underperforming 65% of the companies in the Global Capital Markets industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 4.27.
The company’s largest shareholder among the gurus is First Pacific Advisors (Trades, Portfolio) with 4.89% of outstanding shares followed by Fairholme Fund (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.43%, Bruce Berkowitz (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.25%, Brandes with 1.24%, Columbia Wanger (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.04%, Murray Stahl (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.31% and Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.06%.
The investor raised his stake in Tim Participacoes SAĂ‚ (TSU) by 8.17%. The deal had an impact of 0.15% on the portfolio.
The company through its subsidiaries offers telecommunication services. It operates as a mobile, fixed, long-distance and data transmission operator. The company offers GSM, 3G and 4G technologies.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 3 out of 10 with positive returns of ROE of 12.32% and ROA of 5.97% that are overperforming 67% of the companies in the Global Telecom Services industry. Financial strength has a rating of 7 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 0.70 that is above the industry median of 0.48.
Other notable shareholders among the gurus are Paul Singer (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.67% of outstanding shares followed by John Paulson (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.24%, Grantham with 0.1% and George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03%.
