Yacktman Asset Management (Trades, Portfolio) disclosed this week that its top four buys in fourth-quarter 2019 were News Corp. (NWSA, Financial), Fox Corp. (FOX, Financial)(FOXA, Financial), Macy’s Inc. (M, Financial) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, Financial)(BRK.B, Financial).
According to its website, the Austin-based firm seeks long-term capital appreciation by employing an “objective, patient and diligent investing approach.” Chief Investment Officer Stephen Yacktman identifies growth companies that have the following attributes: good business with high returns on tangible assets, shareholder-oriented management and a low purchase price.
As of quarter-end, Yacktman’s $7.91 billion equity portfolio contains 48 stocks, with a turnover ratio of 2%. The fund’s top three sectors in terms of portfolio weight are consumer defensive, communication services and technology, with weights of 27.69%, 19.80% and 16.09%.
News
The firm added 6,247,004 shares of News, increasing the position 56.09% and the equity portfolio 1.12%. Shares averaged $13.45 during the quarter.
The New York-based company publishes digital and print media through brands like the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Herald Sun. GuruFocus ranks News’ financial strength 6 out of 10: Although the company’s trailing-12-month return on invested capital of 8.46% exceeds its weighted-average cost of capital, its debt ratios are underperforming over 51% of global competitors.
The T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) also increased its holding of News during the quarter, adding 650,000 shares.
Fox
Yacktman added 1,642,493 Class A shares and 656,684 Class B shares of Fox, increasing the equity portfolio 1.07% in the aggregate. Class A shares averaged $34.36 during the quarter while Class B shares averaged $33.69.
The New York-based company produces a wide range of media content through its FOX banner of brands, including Fox News, Fox Sports and Fox Business Network. GuruFocus ranks its financial strength 5 out of 10 on the back of a moderately weak Altman Z-score of 2.67 and an interest coverage ratio that is above Benjamin Graham’s safe threshold of five despite underperforming 55% of global competitors.
Other gurus with large holdings in Fox include Dodge & Cox and Baupost manager Seth Klarman (Trades, Portfolio).
Macy’s
The firm added 684,105 shares of Macy’s, increasing the stake 2.88% and the equity portfolio 0.15%. While shares averaged $15.65 during the fourth quarter, shares of Macy’s reached an intraday high of $17.18, up over 4% from Tuesday’s close of $16.48, on the back of its three-year “Polaris” strategy to stabilize profitability and position the company for growth.
Macy’s said in a press release on Tuesday that as part of its growth strategy, the retailer will close approximately 125 of its least-productive stores and upgrading its higher-tier stores. The company also plans to test a new store format, Market by Macy’s, a small store that features a mix of curated merchandise and local food and beverage products. The company expects to open its first Market by Macy’s on Thursday in Dallas. Additionally, Macy’s also plans to close its San Francisco, downtown Cincinnati and Lorain, Ohio offices and move its corporate headquarters to New York.
GuruFocus ranks Macy’s profitability 7 out of 10: Even though operating margins are contracting and outperforming just over 59% of global competitors, its return on equity outperforms 79.29% of global cyclical retail companies.
Berkshire Hathaway
The firm added 5,697 Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, increasing the holding 4.49%. Shares averaged $217.51 during the quarter.
The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate operates a wide range of subsidiaries engaged in diverse activities, which primarily include insurance. Berkshire co-managers Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) and Charlie Munger (Trades, Portfolio) seek “good companies at fair prices” using a four-criterion investing approach: understandable business, predictable earnings, no debt while growing its business and trading at an attractive share price. Premium members can access a wide range of value screeners including the Buffett-Munger Screener.
See also
Stephen Yacktman also manages the Yacktman Fund (Trades, Portfolio) and Yacktman Focused Fund (Trades, Portfolio), with partner Jason Subotky.
Disclosure: No positions.
Read more here:
- Yacktman Focused Fund’s Top 5 Sells in the 4th Quarter
- Matthews China Fund’s Top 5 Buys in the 4th Quarter
- US Market Kicks Off February Significantly Overvalued
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