John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio) is the founder of Ariel Investment LLC, which he started in 1983. As of 2008, the firm had over $15.5 billion in assets under management. The following are his first trades during the first quarter:
His stake in Cowen Group Inc. (COWN) has been raised by 53.76%. The deal had an impact of 0.16% on the portfolio.
The company provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, sales and trading services through its two business segments: Ramius LLC and its affiliates form the company's alternative investment segment while Cowen and Company LLC and its affiliates form the company's broker-dealer segment.
Fourth-quarter revenue increased 6% from the same quarter of a year before, driven by strength in the investment banking and brokerage businesses and a solid return on invested capital. Economic income available to Cowen Group was 30 cents per diluted share, compared to 37 cents per diluted share in same period in 2014.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 4 out of 10 with ROE of 5.35% and ROA of 2.30% that is outperforming 50% of the companies in the Global Capital Markets industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 4.88 that is far below the industry median of 9,999.0.
Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) is another notable company shareholder among the gurus, with 2.31% of outstanding shares followed by Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.82%.
The guru increased his stake in SeaChange International Inc. (SEAC) by 46.93% with an impact of 0.09% on the portfolio.
The company is engaged in the delivery of multiscreen television. Its products and services facilitate the aggregation, licensing, management and distribution of video (movies and television programming) and television advertisements. During the third quarter fiscal 2016 revenue was $28.7 million; that is the top end of the company’s guidance and a return to operating profitability one quarter ahead of plan. This revenue is comparable to $30 million in the same quarter of a year before, and estimated U.S. GAAP loss from operations was 35 cents per basic share compared to 19 cents per basic share of the previous year.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 2 out of 10 with ROE of -19.06% and ROA of -15.05% that are underperforming 82% of the companies in the Global Software - Application industry. Financial strength has a rating of 8 out of 10 with no debt.
Another notable shareholder among the gurus is Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.08% of outstanding shares.
Rogers raised his stake in Anixter International Inc. (AXE) by 2.98%, and the deal had an impact of 0.05% on the portfolio.
The company is engaged in the distribution of communications and electrical wire and cable products and fasteners and other small parts (C Class inventory components). During the fourth quarter driven by Power Solutions acquisition, net sales grew by 26.4%, and gross profit increased by 15.5%. The company reported 18.3% increase for operating income and 16.7% increase for EBITDA.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 5 out of 10 with ROE of 10.96% and ROA of 3.48% that is outperforming 60% of the companies in the Global Industrial Distribution industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10 with a cash-to-debt of 0.09 that is far below the industry median of 0.75.
Royce is another notable company shareholder among the gurus with a stake of 4.96% of outstanding shares followed by Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.54%, Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.13%, Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.65%, Martin Whitman (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.64%, Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.1%, Simons with 0.31%, Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss with 0.23% and Murray Stahl (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03%.
Rogers reduced his stake in Blount International Inc. (BLT) by 53.76% with an impact of -0.45% on the portfolio.
The company designs, manufactures and markets equipment, replacement and component parts and accessories for professionals and consumers in select end-markets under its proprietary brand names. It also manufactures and markets such items to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") under private label brand names. Sales for the full year had a decrease of 12.3% compared to full-year 2014 and adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2015 had a decrease of $37.2 million compared to full-year 2014.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10 with ROE of -40.96% and ROA of -40.96% that are underperforming 94% of the companies in the Global Tools & Accessories industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10 with cash-to-debt of 0.07 that is far below the industry median of 1.07.
Other notable shareholders among the gurus are Michael Price (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.22% of outstanding shares, Simons with 0.71%, Robert Olstein (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.5%, Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.46% and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03%.
