Auxier Focus Fund Update - Telecom Cuts, H&R, Home Depot and Others

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Aug 31, 2013
Guru Jeff Auxier, president and CEO of Auxier Asset Management and the Auxier Focus Fund, has said: “As U.S. financier and Presidential advisor, Bernard Baruch used to say, facts are facts even in the height of emotion. Often in these periods what is perceived to be risky is far safer than normal. Like John Train, author of ‘The Money Masters’ has said, “The safe time to invest is when investors are discouraged and desperate.” Conversely, the time to be cautious is when everyone is excited, news is good, and initial public offerings are flowing.”

The updated portfolio of Auxier Focus Fund lists 144 stocks, 6 of them new, a total value at $414 million, and a quarter-over-quarter turnover of 3%. The portfolio is currently weighted with top three sectors: consumer defensive at 28.8%, healthcare at 22.9% and financial services at 15.9%.

Auxier Focus Fund, managed by Jeff Auxier, has around $524 million in assets under management. The fund’s average annual total returns, as of June 30, 2013, are 15.06% against the S&P 500 Index at 20.60%. Over five years and ten years, Auxier Focus Fund returned 8.17% and 7.74%, respectively, compared to the S&P’s 7.0% and 7.30%.

Auxier Focus Fund made numerous trades in the second quarter, with major reductions to telecom holdings. Here are the highest impact sell and reduction details:

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.17%

Current Shares: 54,508

Up 8% over 12 months, Verizon Communications Inc. has a market cap of $135.59 billion; its shares were traded at around $47.38 with a P/E ratio of 87.30.

Verizon Communications Inc., formerly known as Bell Atlantic Corporation, began doing business as Verizon Communications on June 30, 2000, when Bell Atlantic Corporation merged with GTE Corporation. Verizon is a provider of communications, information and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses and governmental agencies with a presence in over 150 countries around the world.

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, Auxier Focus Fund reduced its position by 20.49%, selling 14,050 shares at an average price of $51.04, for a loss of 7.2%.

The firm has averaged a gain of 43% on 73,418 shares bought at an average price of $33.23 per share. On shares sold, the firm averaged a loss of 2% on 18,910 shares sold at an average price of $48.26 per share.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income:

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SK Telecom Co. Ltd. (SKM, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.19%

Current Shares: 48,690

Up 51% over 12 months, SK Telecom has a market cap of $13.76 billion; its shares were traded at around $21.93 with a P/E ratio of 13.00.

A Korean company, SK Telecom is a wireless telecommunications services provider and a pioneer in commercial wireless technologies.

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, Auxier Focus Fund reduced its position by 47.24%, selling 43,600 shares at an average price of $19.96, for a gain of 9.9%.

The firm has averaged a gain of 19% on 99,525 shares bought at an average price of $18.39 per share. On shares sold, the firm averaged a gain of 12% on 50,835 shares sold at an average price of $19.52 per share.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income:

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Home Depot Inc. (HD, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.17%

Current Shares: 35,676

Up 31% over 12 months, Home Depot Inc. has a market cap of $106.7 billion; its shares were traded at around $74.49 with a P/E ratio of 21.90.

Incorporated in 1978, Home Depot Inc.’s stores sell a wide assortment of building materials, home improvement and lawn and garden products, and they provide a number of services.

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, Auxier Focus Fund reduced its position by 21.2%, selling 9,599 shares at an average price of $75.14, for a loss of 0.9%.

The firm has averaged a gain of 126% on 52,291 shares bought at an average price of $32.90 per share. On shares sold, the firm averaged a gain of 15% on 16,615 shares sold at an average price of $64.90 per share.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income:

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H&R Block Inc. (HRB, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.44%

Current Shares: 312,500

Up 69% over 12 months, H&R Block Inc. has a market cap of $7.63 billion; its shares were traded at around $27.87 with a P/E ratio of 18.10.

Organized as a corporation in 1955, H&R Block Inc. has subsidiaries that provide tax preparation and banking services.

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, Auxier Focus Fund reduced its position by 16.21%, selling 60,450 shares at an average price of $28.53, for a loss of 2.3%.

The firm has averaged a gain of 105% on 397,600 shares bought at an average price of $13.58 per share. On shares sold, the firm averaged a gain of 5% on 85,100 shares sold at an average price of $26.54 per share.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income:

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StanCorp Financial Group Inc. (SFG, Financial): Sold Out


Impacts Portfolio: -0.18%

Up 65% over 12 months, StanCorp Financial Group Inc. has a market cap of $2.32 billion; its shares were traded at around $52.32 with a P/E ratio of 12.30.

A holding company, StanCorp Financial Group Inc. was incorporated in 1998, and conducts business through wholly-owned operating subsidiaries throughout the United States. The company underwrites insurance products in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands. StanCorp operates through two segments: Insurance Services and Asset Management.

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, Auxier Focus Fund sold out its position, selling 16,782 shares at an average price of $44.19, for a gain of 18.4%.

The firm has held this company for five quarters, showing only gains. In the third quarter of 2011, the firm averaged its highest gain of 63.1% on 8,000 shares bought at an average price of $32.07 per share.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income:

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Guru Jeff Auxier has also said, “You don’t survive 25 years in portfolio management and research analysis without a passionate love for research. “We are 90% research, 10% trading. Most investors work the opposite.” He is known for spending copious amounts of time researching and scrutinizing 20-40 companies per week.

Here is the complete portfolio of Jeff Auxier.



Also check out:

1. Jeff Auxier's Undervalued Stocks

2. Jeff Auxier's Top Growth Companies

3. Jeff Auxier's High Yield stocks

4. Stocks that Jeff Auxier keeps buying

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