Murray Stahl Exits Dreamworks, Buys AMC Networks

An overview of the guru's largest trades in the 3rd quarter

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Nov 25, 2016
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Murray Stahl (Trades, Portfolio) is the chairman of Horizon Asset Management Inc. He is also director of research and co-portfolio manager of the Small Cap Opportunities Fund and the Paradigm Fund. During the third quarter the guru’s largest trades were the following:

He closed his stake in Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA) with an impact of -5.02% on the portfolio.

The company creates family entertainment, including animated feature films, television series and specials, live entertainment properties and related consumer products.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 7 out of 10 with ROE of 4.86% and ROA of 2.79% that are outperforming 54% of the companies in the Global Media – Diversified industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.19 that is below the industry median of 1.46.

The investor reduced his stake in Newell Brands Inc. (NWL) by 38.67% with an impact of -0.82% on the portfolio.

It is a marketer of consumer and commercial products. Its products include markers and highlighters, pens and pencils, art products, food storage and home storage products, industrial bandsaw blades, strollers and hygiene systems, among others. During the third quarter net sales grew 158.5%, and diluted earnings per share were 38 cents compared to 50 cents in the same quarter of a year before.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 7 out of 10 with ROE of 6.67% and ROA of 1.92% that are underperforming 63% of the companies in the Global Household & Personal Products industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.05 that is below the industry median of 0.71.

Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 0.54% of outstanding shares followed by Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.54%, Lee Ainslie (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.39%, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.15%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11% and Louis Moore Bacon (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.09%.

The guru reduced his shares in The Howard Hughes Corp. (HHC) by 4.19% with an impact of -0.43% on the portfolio.

It is a real estate company and is in the development of master planned communities and other strategic real estate development opportunities across the U.S. During the third quarter the company reported an increase of $18.7 million for adjusted net income. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $8.0 million or 19 cents per diluted common share.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with ROE of 7.57% and ROA of 3.08% that are outperforming 55% of the companies in the Global Real Estate - General industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.23 that is below the industry median of 0.34.

The largest shareholder among the gurus is Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio) with 8.96% of outstanding shares followed by Keeley Asset Management Corp (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.21%, Whitney Tilson (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.13% and Bacon with 0.11%.

The guru boosted his shares in AMC Networks Inc. Class AÂ (AMCX) by 952.53% with an impact of 0.31% on the portfolio.

The company owns and operates several of cable television's brands delivering high-quality content to audiences and a valuable platform to distributors and advertisers. Third-quarter revenues grew 5.7% and operating income grew 12.2%. It reported an increase of 20.2% for earnings per share.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with ROE of 1,407.19% and ROA of 7.73% that are outperforming 75% of the companies in the Global Media - Diversified industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.24 that is below the industry median of 1.46.

Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus, with 1.81% of outstanding shares followed by Simons with 1.15%, Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.4%, Cohen with 0.14%, Jim Chanos (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.09%, Scott Black (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.06% and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.05%.

The investor reduced his shares in L Brands Inc. (LB) by 17.07% with an impact of -0.22% on the portfolio.

The company, formerly known as Limited Brands Inc., operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal care products and accessories under various trade names. Third-quarter earnings per shares decreased 24% from the same quarter of a year before, and operating income decreased 16%. Net income was $121.6 million compared to $164.0 million last year.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10 with ROA of 15.19% and ROC of 85.59% that are out performing 91% of the companies in the Global Apparel Stores industry.

The largest shareholder among the gurus is PRIMECAP Management with 5.51% of outstanding shares followed by Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss with 0.79%, Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc with 0.06%, Ray Dalio (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.05% and Julian Robertson (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

The guru raised his shares in Liberty SiriusXM Group Class CÂ (LSXMK) by 126.92% with an impact of 0.72% on the portfolio.

The company through its subsidiaries owns interest in media, communication and entertainment businesses. The company operates in North America.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10 with ROE of 3.30% and ROA of 1.20% that are underperforming 56% of the companies in the Global Broadcasting - Radio industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10, with cash to dent of 0.10 that is below the industry median of 1.46.

Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 6.64% of outstanding shares followed by Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.43%, Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.58%, RS Investment Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.43%, Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.36%, Gabelli with 0.29%, Tom Gayner (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.16% and Arnold Van Den Berg (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.09%.

The guru reduced his shares in Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW) by 6.14% with an impact of -0.19% on the portfolio.

It was incorporated on Aug. 23, 1994 and is a mining company engaged in the sale of silver and gold. Third quarter revenue was $233 million compared to $153 million in the same quarter of 2015 and net earnings were $83 million or 19 cents per share compared to $184 million or 43 cents per share for the same period of a year before.

GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 7 out of 10 with ROE of 0.14% and ROA of 0.12% that are outperforming 73% of the companies in the Global Silver industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.09 that is below the industry median on 24.01%.

Another notable shareholder among the gurus is Simons with 0.19% of outstanding shares followed by Dalio with 0.08%, John Burbank (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03% and Gabelli with 0.01%.

Disclosure: I do not own any shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.

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