Chuck Akre (Trades, Portfolio) is the founder of Akre Capital Management LLC. As of 2007, his firm managed $5.2 billion. He has been in the securities business since 1968 and continues to be the primary person responsible for his firm's investment advisory services and investment selection. The following are the best performers of his investments this year.
American Tower Corp. (AMT) with a market cap of $49.22 billion has gained 20.9% year to date. The guru's stake represents 1.48% of the company's outstanding shares and 14.02% of his total assets.
American Tower is an owner, operator and developer of wireless and broadcast communications real estate. The company's main business is leasing antenna space on multitenant communications sites to different providers.
It is trading with a price-earnings (P/E) ratio of 71.40. Over the last 12 months the price has risen by 14% and trades 2.19% below its 52-week high and 39.24% above its 52-week low. The stock is overpriced by 566% at $115.4. The DCF calculator gives it a fair value of $17.34, and the Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $24.3.
It has a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with negative returns (ROE -46.19% and ROA 2.89%) that are outperforming 54% of the competitors in the Global Telecom Services industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.02 that is below the industry median of 0.45.
Another notable shareholder among the gurus is Spiros Segalas (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.48% of outstanding shares followed by David Carlson (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.16%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.14%, Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11%, Louis Moore Bacon (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04%, Ken Heebner (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03% and Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03%.
CSX Corp. (CSX) with a market cap of $28.46 billion has gained 19.1% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.02% of his total assets.
CSX operates as a transportation supplier. It provides rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 16.88; over the last 12 months the price has risen by 11%, trading 4.25% below its 52-week high and 42.43% above its 52-week low. The stock is undervalued with a margin of safety of 3% at $30.31. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $31.25. The Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $27.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 14.80%, ROA 4.99%) that are outperforming 69% of the companies in the Global Railroads industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.07 that is above the industry median of 0.36.
PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 0.54% of outstanding shares followed by Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.35%, Cohen with 0.23%, Caxton Associates (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.08%, Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04%, Paul Tudor Jones (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.03% and Tom Gayner (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.
Danaher Corp. (DHR) with a market cap of $53.77 billion has gained 12.3% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.22% of outstanding shares and 1.59% of his total assets.
Danaher designs, manufactures and markets professional, medical, industrial and commercial products. Its business consists of the following segments: Test & Measurement; Environmental; Life Sciences & Diagnostics; Dental & Industrial Technologies.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 21.70; over the last 12 months the price has risen by 12%, trading now 24.37% below its 52-week high and 2.67% above its 52-week low. The stock is overpriced by 10% at $78.33. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $71.16, and the Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $68.3.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 9 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 10.44%, ROA 5.22%) that are outperforming 66% of the companies in the Global Diversified Industrials industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.12 that is below the industry median of 1.13.
The largest shareholder among the gurus is Dodge & Cox with 0.96% of outstanding shares followed by Daniel Loeb (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.56%, John Griffin (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.34%, First Eagle Investment (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.34%, Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.22% and Manning & Napier Advisors Inc. with 0.16%.
LKQ Corp. (LKQ) with a market cap of $10.21 billion has gained 12.3% year to date. The guru's stake represents 1.16% of outstanding shares and 2.35% of his total assets.
LKQ provides replacement parts, components and systems needed to repair cars and trucks. The company has three operating segments: Wholesale - North America; Wholesale - Europe; and Self Service.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 22.97; over the last 12 months the price has risen by 8%, trading 8.50% below its 52-week high and 38.87% above its 52-week low. The stock is undervalued with a margin of safety of 23% at $41.28. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $41.28. The Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $21.8.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 14.22%, ROA 6.84%) that are outperforming 71% of the competitors in the Global Auto Parts industry. Financial strength has a rating of 5 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.08 that is below the industry median of 0.73.
David Rolfe (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 2.34% of outstanding shares followed by Alan Fournier (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.43%, Columbia Wanger (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.89%, Meridian Funds (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.89%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.11%, Cohen with 0.09%, Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.06% and Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.05%.
Lamar Advertising Co. Class AÂ (LAMR) with a market cap of $6.23 billion has gained 10.4% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.05% of outstanding shares and 0.06% of his total assets.
Lamar Advertising operates as an outdoor advertising company in the U.S. The company offers billboards, logo signs and transit advertising displays.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 20.93; over the last 12 months the price has risen by 11%, trading now 7.77% below its 52-week high and 28.61% above its 52-week low. The stock is overpriced by 92% at price of $62.72. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $32.64, and the Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $45.8.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 7 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 29.12%, ROA 8.22%) that are outperforming 82% of the companies in the Global REIT - Diversified industry. Financial strength has a rating of 4 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.02 that is below the industry median of 0.07.
The largest shareholder among the gurus is Richard Pzena (Trades, Portfolio) with 1.93% of outstanding shares followed by Columbia Wanger (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.43%, David Einhorn (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.15%, Manning & Napier Advisors with 0.14%, Keeley Asset Management Corp (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.15, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04% and Tom Russo (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.02%.
O'Reilly Automotive Inc. (ORLY) with a market cap of $26.31 billion has gained 9.4% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.87% of outstanding shares and 4.62% of his total assets.
O'Reilly Automotive is a specialty retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the U.S., selling its products to both do-it-yourself and professional service provider customers.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 26.31; over the last 12 months the price has dropped by 5% and trades 5.35% below its 52-week high and 23.12% above its 52-week low. The stock is undervalued with a margin of safety of 12% at a price of $253. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $286.68, and the Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $151.1.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 9 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 52.18% and ROA 14.36%) that are outperforming 92% of the competitors in the Global Specialty Retail industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.21 that is below the industry median of 0.93.
Segalas is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 2% of outstanding shares followed by Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) with 2%, Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.78%, Eric Mindich (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.42%, Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.34%, John Burbank (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.21%, Simons with 0.2% and Cohen with 0.03%.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class AÂ (BRK.A) with a market cap of $354.81 billion has gained 9.1% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.22% of his total assets.
Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of business activities including property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, service and retailing.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 13.90 and trades 4.70% below its 52-week high and 15.48% above its 52-week low. The stock is undervalued with a margin of safety of 3% at $216,820. The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $224,424.4.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 8 out of 10 with positive returns (ROE 10.03% and ROA 4.52) that are outperforming 78% of the competitors in the Global Insurance - Diversified industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with a cash to debt of 0.72.
The largest shareholder among the gurus is Ruane Cunniff (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.42% of outstanding shares followed by Russo with 0.3%, Chris Davis (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.29%, First Eagle Investment (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.09%, Charles de Vaulx (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.08% and Tweedy Browne (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.07%.
Visa Inc. Class AÂ (V) with a market cap of $193 billion has gained 6% year to date. The guru's stake represents 0.15% of outstanding shares and 5.42% of his total assets.
Visa is a payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, banks and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. The company operates a processing network, VisaNet.
It is trading with a P/E ratio of 33.10 and trading now 2.43% below its 52-week high and 23.64 % above its 52-week low. The stock is overpriced by 210% at a price of $81.92 The DCF calculator gives a fair value of $26.43, and the Peter Lynch earnings line gives a fair value of $37.
The company has a profitability and growth rating of 9 out of 10 with strong returns (ROE 19.43% and ROA 10.83%) that are outperforming 83% of the companies in the Global Credit Services industry. Financial strength has a rating of 6 out of 10 with cash to debt of 0.56 that is below the industry median of 78.07.
Frank Sands (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 1.58% of outstanding shares followed by Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.63%, Segalas with 0.49%, Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.43%, Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.31%, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.29%, Davis with 0.21% and Bill Nygren (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.2%.
Disclosure: I do not own any shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.
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