Zeke Ashton (Trades, Portfolio) is a managing partner at Centaur Capital Partners and manages the Centaur Value Fund. During the third quarter, the guru made the following trades:
The investor reduced his position in Apple Inc. (AAPL, Financial) by 50.94%. The trade had an impact of -3.9% on the portfolio.
The company designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers and portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions and third-party digital content. Third-quarter revenue was $42.4 billion and quarterly net income was $7.8 billion, or $1.42 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $49.6 billion and net income of $10.7 billion, or $1.85 per diluted share, in the same quarter of a year before.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10. The return on equity (ROE) of 36.10% and return on assets (ROA) of 15.07% are outperforming 95% of the companies in the Global Consumer Electronics industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10. The cash to debt ratio of 0.77 is below the industry median of 1.40.
The largest shareholder of the company among the gurus is Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.29% of outstanding shares, followed by Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.21%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.17%, Spiros Segalas (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.16%, Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11%, David Einhorn (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1%, David Rolfe (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.08%, Chase Coleman (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.07% and Manning & Napier Advisors Inc. with 0.07%.
The guru closed his stake in eBay Inc. (EBAY, Financial) with an impact of -3.8% on the portfolio.
The company is an  e-commerce platform that provides an online marketplace for selling goods. Its business segments are Marketplaces, Payments and Enterprise. During the third quarter, revenue grew 8%, GAAP net income from continuing operations was $418 million, or 36 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $509 million, or 45 cents per diluted share.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10. The ROE of 27.67% and ROA of 9.39% are outperforming 83% of the companies in the Global Specialty Retail industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 0.89 is above the industry median of 0.72.
Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder of the company among the gurus with 2.97% of outstanding shares, followed by PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.76%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.49%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.48%, Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.19%, First Eagle Investment (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.17%, George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.07% and John Paulson (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.06%.
Ashton sold out of Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc. (PLAY, Financial) with an impact of -3.18% on the portfolio.
The company is an owner and operator of high-volume venues that combine dining and entertainment in North America for both adults and families. Total revenue increased 12.4% in the third quarter and comparable-store sales grew 1%. The company reported an increase of 71.1% for net income.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10. The ROE of 22.69% and ROA of 8.10% are outperforming 72% of the companies in the Global Restaurants industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 0.08 is below the industry median of 0.57.
The largest shareholder of the company among the gurus is Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.8% of outstanding shares, followed by RS Investment Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.43%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.62%, Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.2%, Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.12% and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.07%.
The guru reduced his position in Tetra Tech Inc. (TTEK, Financial) by 64.74%. The trade had an impact of -2.85% on the portfolio.
The company is a provider of consulting, engineering, technical services, program management and construction management services. It is engaged in addressing fundamental needs for water, environment, infrastructure, resource management and energy. Fourth-quarter revenue grew 26% year over year and earnings per share increased 18%.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10. The ROE of 9.78% and ROA of 4.95% are outperforming 61% of the companies in the Global Engineering & Construction industry. Financial strength has a rating of 7 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 0.46 is below the industry median of 0.75.
Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder of the company among the gurus with 1.04% of outstanding shares, followed by Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.31%, Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.26%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11%, Ashton with 0.06% and Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.02%.
Ashton reduced his holdings in CRA International Inc. (CRAI, Financial) by 55.06%. The trade impacted the portfolio by -1.78%.
The company is a consulting firm that provides economic, financial and management consulting services. It advises clients on litigation and regulatory proceedings and guides corporations through critical business and performance-related issues. Revenue increased 6.8% year over year in the third quarter and net income grew 11.6%. The company reported an increase of 22.6% for earnings per diluted share.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 6 out of 10. The ROE of 4.49% and ROA of 3.12% are underperforming 53% of the companies in the Global Business Services industry. Financial strength has a rating of 9 out of 10 with no debt.
The largest shareholder of the company among the gurus is Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 3.04% of outstanding shares, followed by John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio) with 2.04%, Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.2% and Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.75%.
The guru exited his position in DSW Inc. (DSW, Financial) with an impact of -1.39% on the portfolio.
The company, along with its subsidiaries, operates as a branded footwear and accessories retailer. The company offers men's and women's footwear, athletic footwear and offers a complementary assortment of handbags, hosiery, jewelry and other accessories. Third-quarter sales grew 4.7% while comparable sales decreased 2%. The company reported an increase of 7% for earnings per share and 16% growth for adjusted earnings per share.
GuruFocus gave DSW a profitability rating of 5 out of 10. The ROE of 11.18% and ROA of 7.37% are outperforming 68% of the companies in the Global Apparel Stores industry. Financial strength has a rating of 9 out of 10 with no debt.
David Einhorn (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder of the company among the gurus with 4.47% of outstanding shares, followed by Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) with 3.02%, Meridian Funds (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.2%, Robert Olstein (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.62%, Third Avenue Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.28%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.15% and John Buckingham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.13%.
The investor reduced his position in International Speedway Corp. Class AÂ (ISCA, Financial) by 20.93%. The trade had an impact of -1.14% on the portfolio.
The company is an owner of motorsports entertainment facilities and a promoter of motorsports themed entertainment activities in the United States.
GuruFocus gives the stock a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10. The ROE of 5.49% and ROA of 3.49% are outperforming 52% of the companies in the Global Leisure industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 1 is above the industry median of 0.64.
The largest shareholder of the company among the gurus is John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio) with 8.41% of outstanding shares, followed by Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.01%, Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.27%, Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1%, Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04% and Murray Stahl (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03%.
Disclosure: We hold some shares of Apple.
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