On March 19, Bloomberg reported that Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is seeking to spend $5 billion to $20 billion on an acquisition. He prefers “simple” businesses with pretax profit exceeding $75 million, “consistent earnings power,” “good” returns on equity and little or no debt. Bloomberg went on and stated that there are 50 U.S. companies with that much market value and profit, a return on equity exceeding 10 percent and a debt-to- equity ratio less than 50 percent, according to Bloomberg’s own data.
GuruFocus dug into the list of companies and present information on company’s business, ownership of the Investment Gurus, and trade activity of insiders. The companies are grouped according to industries they operate in. This part we treat insurance companies: Aon Corp (AOC, Financial). Aetna Inc. (AET, Financial)Â , WellPoint Inc. (WLP, Financial)Â , AFLAC Inc. (AFL, Financial)Â , The Chubb Corp. (CB, Financial)Â , and Loews Corp. (L, Financial)
Warren Buffett likes insurance company. He owns quite a bit of insurance, from P&C insurer GEICO to reinsurer General Re, insurance subsidiaries provide him much needed float. It is not unimaginable that Warren Buffett taking on more insurance company. Just recently he raised his stake in Swiss Re
Aon Corp (AOC)
Aon Corporation is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries carry on business in three distinct segments: insurance brokerage and other services; consulting; and insurance underwriting. The Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment consists of its retail and reinsurance brokerage operations. The Consulting segment provides consulting services including employee benefits human resources and change management. Its Insurance Underwriting segment sells life and accident and health insurance extended warranty specialty and other insurance products. Aon Corp. has a market cap of $10.94 billion; its shares were traded at around $40 with a P/E ratio of 13.7 and P/S ratio of 1.5. The dividend yield of Aon Corp. stocks is 1.5%. Aon Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 2.6% over the past 10 years.
Aon Corp. is owned by 4 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in AOC: Ken Heebner bought 2,010,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 1.34% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP.
2 Gurus Kept Positions in AOC Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: Dodge & Cox owns 12,777 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. NWQ Managers owns 9,817,988 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.94% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co.
1 Guru Reduced Positions in AOC: Mason Hawkins owns 159,900 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 98.86% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.04% of the $17.32 billion portfolio of Southeastern Asset Management. 1 Guru Sold Out AOC: Chris Davis sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Aon Corp. by CEO: Sell: Aon Asia Pacific-Chairman/CEO Bernard S Fung sold 4,667 shares of AOC stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $39.03; the price of the stock has increased by 2.49% since. Sell: ACW - CEO Kathryn Hayley sold 620 shares of AOC stock on 02/19/2009 at the average price of $39.7; the price of the stock has increased by 0.76% since. Sell: CEO - Aon Re Andrew M Appel sold 5,000 shares of AOC stock on 02/17/2009 at the average price of $39.39; the price of the stock has increased by 1.55% since.
Recent Trades of Aon Corp. by Directors and Officers: Sell: Senior VP & Head of HR Jeremy G O Farmer sold 10,000 shares of AOC stock on 02/24/2009 at the average price of $39.5; the price of the stock has increased by 1.27% since. Sell: Exec VP & General Counsel D Cameron Findlay sold 66,667 shares of AOC stock on 02/12/2009 at the average price of $40.12; the price of the stock has decreased by 0.3% since.
Aetna Inc. (AET)Ă‚
Aetna Inc. is one of the nation's largest health benefits companies and one of the nation's largest insurance and financial services organizations. Aetna provides these benefits to employer and plan sponsor customers in all 50 states ranging from large multisite national accounts to middle-market and small-employer groups. Its products include the full range of health insurance including dental and pharmacy benefits from HMO and POS to PPO and indemnity as well as group insurance products such as life disability and long-term care insurance. Aetna Inc. has a market cap of $11.11 billion; its shares were traded at around $24.5 with a P/E ratio of 6.2 and P/S ratio of 0.4. The dividend yield of Aetna Inc. stocks is 0.2%. Aetna Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 6% over the past 10 years.
Aetna Inc. is owned by 5 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in AET: Edward Owens owns 2,000,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 66.67% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.32% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund.
2 Gurus Kept Positions in AET Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: NWQ Managers owns 5,689,251 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.06% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co. David Dreman owns 6,099,090 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.25% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
2 Gurus Reduced Positions in AET: Mark Hillman owns 520,526 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 24.59% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 4.81% of the $308 million portfolio of Hillman Capital Management. Dodge & Cox owns 11,667 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 32.43% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. 2 Gurus Sold Out AET: Richard Perry sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008. Kenneth Fisher sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Aetna Inc. by Directors and Officers: Buy: SVP, Chief Medical Officer Lonny Reisman bought 585 shares of AET stock on 01/28/2009 at the average price of $31.12; the price of the stock has decreased by 21.27% since.
WellPoint Inc. (WLP)Ă‚
WellPoint Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado Connecticut Georgia Indiana Kentucky Maine Missouri Nevada New Hampshire Ohio Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C.) Wisconsin; and through HealthLink and UniCare. WellPoint Inc. has a market cap of $18.15 billion; its shares were traded at around $36.42 with a P/E ratio of 6.7 and P/S ratio of 0.3. WellPoint Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 20.8% over the past 5 years.
WellPoint Inc. is owned by 9 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in WLP: Richard Pzena bought 2,831,761 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 1.39% of the $8.6 billion portfolio of Pzena Investment Management LLC.
1 Guru Increased Positions in WLP: Edward Owens owns 7,602,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 10.14% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.82% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund.
8 Gurus Kept Positions in WLP Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: Edward Owens owns 7,602,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.82% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund. Jean-Marie Eveillard owns 2,810,180 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.57% of the $7.54 billion portfolio of Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC. Bruce Berkowitz owns 12,016,057 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 7.1% of the $7.13 billion portfolio of Fairholme Capital Managment. Brian Rogers owns 1,750,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.55% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund. Warren Buffett owns 4,777,300 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.39% of the $51.87 billion portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway. Dodge & Cox owns 43,006,923 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.77% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. Tweedy Browne owns 739,923 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.94% of the $1.61 billion portfolio of Tweedy Browne CO LLC. Wallace Weitz owns 2,545,150 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 6.67% of the $1.61 billion portfolio of Weitz Wallace R & Co.
2 Gurus Sold Out WLP: Seth Klarman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008. Ruane Cunniff sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of WellPoint Inc. by CEO: Sell: Pres & CEO Comm and EVP Kenneth R Goulet sold 3,489 shares of WLP stock on 01/30/2009 at the average price of $41.52; the price of the stock has decreased by 12.28% since.
Recent Trades of WellPoint Inc. by Directors and Officers: Sell: Director Sheila P Burke sold 10,000 shares of WLP stock on 02/10/2009 at the average price of $44.64; the price of the stock has decreased by 18.41% since.
AFLAC Inc. (AFL)
AFLAC Inc. is a general business holding company and acts as a management company overseeing the operations of its subsidiaries by providing management services and making capital available. Its primary business is supplemental health and life insurance which is marketed and administered primarily through its subsidiary American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. AFLAC Inc. has a market cap of $9.26 billion; its shares were traded at around $19.81 with a P/E ratio of 5 and P/S ratio of 0.6. The dividend yield of AFLAC Inc. stocks is 5.6%. AFLAC Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 17.3% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated AFLAC Inc. the business predictability rank of 5-star.
AFLAC Inc. is owned by 7 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in AFL: Ken Heebner bought 5,200,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 3.47% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP.
1 Guru Increased Positions in AFL: John Rogers owns 325,560 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 33.93% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.36% of the $4.14 billion portfolio of ARIEL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in AFL Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 1,038,200 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.11% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Tom Gayner owns 105,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.43% of the $1.13 billion portfolio of Markel Gayner Asset Management Corp. Dodge & Cox owns 17,245 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
2 Gurus Reduced Positions in AFL: Kenneth Fisher owns 9,839 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 58.3% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Chris Davis owns 52,500 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 88.27% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers.
1 Guru Sold Out AFL: Bill Nygren sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 06/30/2008.
Recent Trades of AFLAC Inc. by Directors and Officers: Buy: First Sr VP - Aflac Japan Takaaki Matsumoto bought 5,000 shares of AFL stock on 02/05/2009 at the average price of $22.96; the price of the stock has decreased by 13.72% since.
The Chubb Corp. (CB)
Chubb Corporation is a holding company with subsidiaries principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business. The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries provide insurance coverages principally in the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Australia, Latin America, and the Far East. The Chubb Corp. has a market cap of $14.67 billion; its shares were traded at around $41.63 with a P/E ratio of 7.5 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of The Chubb Corp. stocks is 3.3%. The Chubb Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 7.8% over the past 5 years.
The Chubb Corp. is owned by 7 Gurus.
4 Gurus Kept Positions in CB Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 4,731,593 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.56% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Brian Rogers owns 1,500,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.57% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund. Chris Davis owns 77,344 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers. Dodge & Cox owns 509,539 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.04% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
3 Gurus Reduced Positions in CB: Ruane Cunniff owns 5,124 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 53.94% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $6.97 billion portfolio of Ruane & Cunniff & Goldfarb Inc. Richard Pzena owns 5,600 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 56.5% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $8.6 billion portfolio of Pzena Investment Management LLC. David Dreman owns 1,253,992 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 57.32% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.83% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
Loews Corp. (L)
Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: property casualty and life insurance; the production and sale of cigarettes; the operation of hotels; the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs; and the distribution and sale of watches and clocks. Loews Corp. has a market cap of $9.72 billion; its shares were traded at around $22.34 with a P/E ratio of 8.4 and P/S ratio of 0.8. The dividend yield of Loews Corp. stocks is 1.1%. Loews Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 58% over the past 5 years.
Loews Corp. is owned by 5 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in L: NWQ Managers owns 11,248,269 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 91.98% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 2.09% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in L Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: David Williams owns 2,150,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.1% of the $5.52 billion portfolio of Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund. Chris Davis owns 46,906,457 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.52% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers. Dodge & Cox owns 7,961,375 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.34% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
1 Guru Reduced Positions in L: Ruane Cunniff owns 7,100 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 45.8% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $6.97 billion portfolio of Ruane & Cunniff & Goldfarb Inc.
1 Guru Sold Out L: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
GuruFocus dug into the list of companies and present information on company’s business, ownership of the Investment Gurus, and trade activity of insiders. The companies are grouped according to industries they operate in. This part we treat insurance companies: Aon Corp (AOC, Financial). Aetna Inc. (AET, Financial)Â , WellPoint Inc. (WLP, Financial)Â , AFLAC Inc. (AFL, Financial)Â , The Chubb Corp. (CB, Financial)Â , and Loews Corp. (L, Financial)
Warren Buffett likes insurance company. He owns quite a bit of insurance, from P&C insurer GEICO to reinsurer General Re, insurance subsidiaries provide him much needed float. It is not unimaginable that Warren Buffett taking on more insurance company. Just recently he raised his stake in Swiss Re
| Symbol | Company | P/E | P/S | P/B | Yield (%) | ROA (%) | ROE (%) | Operating Margin (%) | Debt to Equity (%) |
| AOC | Aon Corp. (AOC) | 13.80 | 1.50 | 2 | 1.50 | 3.72 | 14.49 | 11.40 | 0.35 |
| AET | Aetna Inc. (AET) | 6 | 0.40 | 1.30 | 0.20 | 5.06 | 20.62 | 6.17 | 0.44 |
| WLP | WellPoint Inc. (WLP) | 6.70 | 0.30 | 0.90 | 0 | 5.71 | 13.34 | 4.67 | 0.37 |
| AFL | AFLAC Inc. (AFL) | 5 | 0.60 | 1.40 | 5.60 | 2.62 | 26.23 | 11.56 | 0 |
| CB | The Chubb Corp. (CB) | 7.50 | 1.20 | 1 | 3.30 | 4.07 | 14.73 | 17.29 | 0.30 |
| L | Loews Corp. (L) | 8.70 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 1.10 | 1.95 | 9.12 | 10.12 | 0.62 |
Aon Corp (AOC)
Aon Corporation is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries carry on business in three distinct segments: insurance brokerage and other services; consulting; and insurance underwriting. The Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment consists of its retail and reinsurance brokerage operations. The Consulting segment provides consulting services including employee benefits human resources and change management. Its Insurance Underwriting segment sells life and accident and health insurance extended warranty specialty and other insurance products. Aon Corp. has a market cap of $10.94 billion; its shares were traded at around $40 with a P/E ratio of 13.7 and P/S ratio of 1.5. The dividend yield of Aon Corp. stocks is 1.5%. Aon Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 2.6% over the past 10 years.
Aon Corp. is owned by 4 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in AOC: Ken Heebner bought 2,010,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 1.34% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP.
2 Gurus Kept Positions in AOC Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: Dodge & Cox owns 12,777 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. NWQ Managers owns 9,817,988 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.94% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co.
1 Guru Reduced Positions in AOC: Mason Hawkins owns 159,900 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 98.86% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.04% of the $17.32 billion portfolio of Southeastern Asset Management. 1 Guru Sold Out AOC: Chris Davis sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Aon Corp. by CEO: Sell: Aon Asia Pacific-Chairman/CEO Bernard S Fung sold 4,667 shares of AOC stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $39.03; the price of the stock has increased by 2.49% since. Sell: ACW - CEO Kathryn Hayley sold 620 shares of AOC stock on 02/19/2009 at the average price of $39.7; the price of the stock has increased by 0.76% since. Sell: CEO - Aon Re Andrew M Appel sold 5,000 shares of AOC stock on 02/17/2009 at the average price of $39.39; the price of the stock has increased by 1.55% since.
Recent Trades of Aon Corp. by Directors and Officers: Sell: Senior VP & Head of HR Jeremy G O Farmer sold 10,000 shares of AOC stock on 02/24/2009 at the average price of $39.5; the price of the stock has increased by 1.27% since. Sell: Exec VP & General Counsel D Cameron Findlay sold 66,667 shares of AOC stock on 02/12/2009 at the average price of $40.12; the price of the stock has decreased by 0.3% since.
Aetna Inc. (AET)Ă‚
Aetna Inc. is one of the nation's largest health benefits companies and one of the nation's largest insurance and financial services organizations. Aetna provides these benefits to employer and plan sponsor customers in all 50 states ranging from large multisite national accounts to middle-market and small-employer groups. Its products include the full range of health insurance including dental and pharmacy benefits from HMO and POS to PPO and indemnity as well as group insurance products such as life disability and long-term care insurance. Aetna Inc. has a market cap of $11.11 billion; its shares were traded at around $24.5 with a P/E ratio of 6.2 and P/S ratio of 0.4. The dividend yield of Aetna Inc. stocks is 0.2%. Aetna Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 6% over the past 10 years.
Aetna Inc. is owned by 5 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in AET: Edward Owens owns 2,000,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 66.67% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.32% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund.
2 Gurus Kept Positions in AET Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: NWQ Managers owns 5,689,251 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.06% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co. David Dreman owns 6,099,090 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.25% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
2 Gurus Reduced Positions in AET: Mark Hillman owns 520,526 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 24.59% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 4.81% of the $308 million portfolio of Hillman Capital Management. Dodge & Cox owns 11,667 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 32.43% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. 2 Gurus Sold Out AET: Richard Perry sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008. Kenneth Fisher sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Aetna Inc. by Directors and Officers: Buy: SVP, Chief Medical Officer Lonny Reisman bought 585 shares of AET stock on 01/28/2009 at the average price of $31.12; the price of the stock has decreased by 21.27% since.
WellPoint Inc. (WLP)Ă‚
WellPoint Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado Connecticut Georgia Indiana Kentucky Maine Missouri Nevada New Hampshire Ohio Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C.) Wisconsin; and through HealthLink and UniCare. WellPoint Inc. has a market cap of $18.15 billion; its shares were traded at around $36.42 with a P/E ratio of 6.7 and P/S ratio of 0.3. WellPoint Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 20.8% over the past 5 years.
WellPoint Inc. is owned by 9 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in WLP: Richard Pzena bought 2,831,761 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 1.39% of the $8.6 billion portfolio of Pzena Investment Management LLC.
1 Guru Increased Positions in WLP: Edward Owens owns 7,602,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 10.14% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.82% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund.
8 Gurus Kept Positions in WLP Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: Edward Owens owns 7,602,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.82% of the $17.62 billion portfolio of Vanguard Health Care Fund. Jean-Marie Eveillard owns 2,810,180 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.57% of the $7.54 billion portfolio of Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC. Bruce Berkowitz owns 12,016,057 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 7.1% of the $7.13 billion portfolio of Fairholme Capital Managment. Brian Rogers owns 1,750,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.55% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund. Warren Buffett owns 4,777,300 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.39% of the $51.87 billion portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway. Dodge & Cox owns 43,006,923 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.77% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox. Tweedy Browne owns 739,923 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.94% of the $1.61 billion portfolio of Tweedy Browne CO LLC. Wallace Weitz owns 2,545,150 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 6.67% of the $1.61 billion portfolio of Weitz Wallace R & Co.
2 Gurus Sold Out WLP: Seth Klarman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008. Ruane Cunniff sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of WellPoint Inc. by CEO: Sell: Pres & CEO Comm and EVP Kenneth R Goulet sold 3,489 shares of WLP stock on 01/30/2009 at the average price of $41.52; the price of the stock has decreased by 12.28% since.
Recent Trades of WellPoint Inc. by Directors and Officers: Sell: Director Sheila P Burke sold 10,000 shares of WLP stock on 02/10/2009 at the average price of $44.64; the price of the stock has decreased by 18.41% since.
AFLAC Inc. (AFL)
AFLAC Inc. is a general business holding company and acts as a management company overseeing the operations of its subsidiaries by providing management services and making capital available. Its primary business is supplemental health and life insurance which is marketed and administered primarily through its subsidiary American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. AFLAC Inc. has a market cap of $9.26 billion; its shares were traded at around $19.81 with a P/E ratio of 5 and P/S ratio of 0.6. The dividend yield of AFLAC Inc. stocks is 5.6%. AFLAC Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 17.3% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated AFLAC Inc. the business predictability rank of 5-star.
AFLAC Inc. is owned by 7 Gurus. 1 Guru Initiated Positions in AFL: Ken Heebner bought 5,200,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 3.47% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP.
1 Guru Increased Positions in AFL: John Rogers owns 325,560 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 33.93% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.36% of the $4.14 billion portfolio of ARIEL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in AFL Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 1,038,200 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.11% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Tom Gayner owns 105,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.43% of the $1.13 billion portfolio of Markel Gayner Asset Management Corp. Dodge & Cox owns 17,245 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
2 Gurus Reduced Positions in AFL: Kenneth Fisher owns 9,839 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 58.3% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Chris Davis owns 52,500 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 88.27% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers.
1 Guru Sold Out AFL: Bill Nygren sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 06/30/2008.
Recent Trades of AFLAC Inc. by Directors and Officers: Buy: First Sr VP - Aflac Japan Takaaki Matsumoto bought 5,000 shares of AFL stock on 02/05/2009 at the average price of $22.96; the price of the stock has decreased by 13.72% since.
The Chubb Corp. (CB)
Chubb Corporation is a holding company with subsidiaries principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business. The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries provide insurance coverages principally in the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Australia, Latin America, and the Far East. The Chubb Corp. has a market cap of $14.67 billion; its shares were traded at around $41.63 with a P/E ratio of 7.5 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of The Chubb Corp. stocks is 3.3%. The Chubb Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 7.8% over the past 5 years.
The Chubb Corp. is owned by 7 Gurus.
4 Gurus Kept Positions in CB Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 4,731,593 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.56% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Brian Rogers owns 1,500,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.57% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund. Chris Davis owns 77,344 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers. Dodge & Cox owns 509,539 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.04% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
3 Gurus Reduced Positions in CB: Ruane Cunniff owns 5,124 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 53.94% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $6.97 billion portfolio of Ruane & Cunniff & Goldfarb Inc. Richard Pzena owns 5,600 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 56.5% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $8.6 billion portfolio of Pzena Investment Management LLC. David Dreman owns 1,253,992 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 57.32% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.83% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
Loews Corp. (L)
Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: property casualty and life insurance; the production and sale of cigarettes; the operation of hotels; the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs; and the distribution and sale of watches and clocks. Loews Corp. has a market cap of $9.72 billion; its shares were traded at around $22.34 with a P/E ratio of 8.4 and P/S ratio of 0.8. The dividend yield of Loews Corp. stocks is 1.1%. Loews Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 58% over the past 5 years.
Loews Corp. is owned by 5 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in L: NWQ Managers owns 11,248,269 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 91.98% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 2.09% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in L Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: David Williams owns 2,150,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.1% of the $5.52 billion portfolio of Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund. Chris Davis owns 46,906,457 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 2.52% of the $52.56 billion portfolio of Davis Selected Advisers. Dodge & Cox owns 7,961,375 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.34% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
1 Guru Reduced Positions in L: Ruane Cunniff owns 7,100 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 45.8% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for less than 0.01% of the $6.97 billion portfolio of Ruane & Cunniff & Goldfarb Inc.
1 Guru Sold Out L: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
