Third Quarter Roundup - Three Gurus Reduce Three - AN, WBMD, RHP

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Oct 12, 2013
Third quarter reduction activity looks light so far in the ongoing portfolio research.

Here’s a roundup review of three gurus, Edward Lampert of ESL Investments, Carl Icahn of Icahn Capital Management LP and Columbia Wanger Asset Management, all of whom reduced one company as of Sept. 30, 2013.

Guru: Edward Lampert

AutoNation Inc. (AN, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -1.33%

Up 7% over 12 months, AutoNation, the auto and truck dealership company, has a market cap of $6.07 billion. Shares were traded with a P/E ratio of18.40 and a P/B of 3.10.

Guru Action: As of Sept. 16, 2013, Edward Lampert reduced his AN position for the fifth time in third quarter, slicing 2.7% and selling shares in the average price range of $52.20. The current share price of $50.05 is down 4% change from average.

His holding history:

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The five-year trading history of Guru Lampert shows mega-gains, peaking at 518.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008, when he bought 1,521,700 shares at an average price of $7.92 per share. Lampert’s gains on AN began to drop significantly in the first quarter of 2012 to a 39.9% gain and tapered off to a gain of 9.8% in the second quarter of 2013.

Overall, he has averaged a gain of 300% on 13,097,719 shares bought at an average price of $12.26 per share. Selling, he has also gained 41% on 59,453,152 shares sold at an average price of $34.65 per share.

The company's historical pricing, revenue and net income since 1990:

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Guru: Carl Icahn

WebMD Health Corporation (WBMD, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.17%

Up 108% over 12 months, WebMD Health Corporation, a health information company, has a market cap of $1.39 billion. Shares were traded with a P/B ratio of 2.70.

Guru Action: As of Sept. 17, 2013, Carl Icahn reduced his position by 17.51%, selling shares in the average price range of $31.23. The current share price of $30.36 is down 3% change from average.

The four-quarter year trading history shows mixed results that averaged out to a 9% loss on 6,700,525 shares bought at an average price of $33.37 per share.

Check out the other gurus holding WBMD and the active insider trading.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income since 2005:

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Guru: Columbia Wanger Asset Management

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. (RHP, Financial): Reduced

Impacts Portfolio: -0.18%

Down 13% over 12 months, Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc., a lodging REIT, has a market cap of $1.78 billion. Shares were traded with a P/E ratio of 367.50 and a P/B of 2.30. The dividend yield is 4.30%.

Guru Action: As of July 31, 2013, Columbia Wanger reduced its position by 25.96%, selling shares in the average price range of $37.25. The current share price of $35.29 is down 5% change from average.

The four-quarter trading history shows losses in every quarter, averaging out to a loss of 9%, on buying 8,160,410 shares at an average price of $38.60 per share.

The firm also lost 14% on the holding, selling 3,519,844 shares at an average price of $41.08 per share.



Check out the other gurus holding RHP and active insider trading.

Track historical pricing, revenue and net income since 1994:

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