California-based PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) manages three fund portfolios: the Odyssey Stock Fund (POSKX), the Odyssey Growth Fund (POGRX) and the Odyssey Aggressive Growth Fund (POAGX). On Tuesday, the firm disclosed it increased its position in Whirlpool Corp. (WHR, Financial) and comScore Inc. (SCOR, Financial).
Whirlpool
Primecap expanded its position in Whirlpool 70.44%, adding 1,492,357 shares for $153.11 per share. With this transaction, the fund added 0.18% to its portfolios.
Whirlpool CEO Mark Bitzer said on Jan. 24 the company’s “unique global strategic position” increased management’s confidence in achieving its long-term goals. The home appliance manufacturer reported net sales of $21.3 billion last year, up approximately $400 million from the prior year.
Whirlpool’s profitability ranks 7 out of 10 as the company has expanding operating margins and a Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) return on capital that outperforms 74% of global competitors. The company’s positive investing signs include a dividend yield near a five-year high and a price-sales ratio near a five-year low.
comScore
Primecap invested in 1,916,526 shares of comScore for $24.07 per share. With this transaction, the fund increased the position 31.58%.
Even though the company’s stock currently trades on the over-the-counter market, comScore disclosed March 26 it seeks relisting on the Nasdaq Inc. (NDAQ, Financial) stock exchange. CEO Bill Livek said the “completion of [comScore’s] restatement process and the filing of current financials” represents a major milestone in the company’s plan to deliver full potential of its business.
See also
Primecap also disclosed it slightly reduced its positions in Eli Lily and Co. (LLY, Financial) and Alkermes PLC (ALKS, Financial).
The real-time stocks page also mentions Primecap closed its stake in Biogen Inc. (BIIB, Financial) spinoff Bioverativ Inc. (BIVV, Financial). However, Sanofi SA (SNY, Financial) completed the tender offer to purchase all outstanding Bioverativ shares on March 8.
Disclosure: No positions.
