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. In this part we treat three basic metal company: Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM, Financial), Southern Copper Corp. (PCU, Financial), Nucor Corp. (NUE, Financial)
Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM)
Newmont Mining Corp. is engaged in the production of gold the exploration for gold and the acquisition and development of gold properties worldwide. The company produces gold from mines in Nevada and California and outside of the United States from operations in Peru Indonesia Mexico and Uzbekistan. Newmont Mining Corp. has a market cap of $21.68 billion; its shares were traded at around $45.3 with a P/E ratio of 22.5 and P/S ratio of 3.5. The dividend yield of Newmont Mining Corp. stocks is 0.9%. Newmont Mining Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 4.5% over the past 10 years.
Newmont Mining Corp. is owned by 10 Gurus. 2 Gurus Initiated Positions in NEM: Ken Heebner bought 4,850,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 2.87% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP. John Keeley bought 12,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 0.01% of the $6 billion portfolio of Keeley Fund Management.
1 Guru Increased Positions in NEM: David Dreman owns 839,843 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 8585.04% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.44% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
4 Gurus Kept Positions in NEM Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 2,432,823 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.23% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Kenneth Fisher owns 543,181 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.09% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Richard Snow owns 7,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $2.29 billion portfolio of Snow Capital Management, L.P.. Jean-Marie Eveillard owns 9,881,270 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 5.33% of the $7.54 billion portfolio of Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC.
3 Gurus Reduced Positions in NEM: NWQ Managers owns 477,800 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 21.89% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.13% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co. Third Avenue Management owns 1,031,961 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 28% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.13% of the $3.98 billion portfolio of Third Avenue Management. John Hussman owns 350,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 48.15% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.42% of the $3.37 billion portfolio of Hussman Economtrics Advisors, Inc..
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by CEO: Sell: President & CEO Richard T Obrien sold 4,092 shares of NEM stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $40.26; the price of the stock has increased by 12.52% since.
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by CFO: Sell: Executive Vice President & CFO Russell David Ball sold 384 shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.84; the price of the stock has increased by 13.7% since. Sell: EVP & CFO Russell David Ball sold 1,312 more shares of NEM stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $40.45; the price of the stock has increased by 11.99% since.
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by Directors and Officers: Sell: EVP, Strategic Development E Randall Engel sold 302 shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.83; the price of the stock has increased by 13.73% since. Sell: EVP, Strategic Development E Randall Engel sold 302 more shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.83; the price of the stock has increased by 13.73% since.
Southern Copper Corp. (PCU)
Southern Copper Corporation produces and sells copper, molybdenum, zinc, silver, lead, and gold worldwide. It operates Toquepala and Cuajone mines in the Andes mountains, which are located southeast of the city of Lima, Peru; and a smelter and refinery west of the Toquepala and Cuajone mines in the coastal city of Ilo, Peru. The company also engages in open pit operations, which include La Caridad and Cananea mine complexes; and the smelting and refining plants and support facilities. In addition, it involves in underground mining operations, which includes five underground mines that produce zinc, copper, silver, and gold; a coal mine, which produces coal and coke; and various industrial processing facilities for zinc and copper.
Southern Copper Corp. has a market cap of $14.54 billion; its shares were traded at around $17.03 with a P/E ratio of 10.7 and P/S ratio of 3. The dividend yield of Southern Copper Corp. stocks is 2.7%. Southern Copper Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 46.7% over the past 10 years.
Southern Copper Corp. is owned by 2 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in PCU: Kenneth Fisher owns 1,114,960 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 659.25% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.08% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC.
1 Guru Kept Positions in PCU Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: David Williams owns 5,700,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.66% of the $5.52 billion portfolio of Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund.
1 Guru Sold Out PCU: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Southern Copper Corp. by CEO: Buy: President and CEO, Director Oscar Gonzalez Rocha bought 12,000 shares of PCU stock on 12/04/2008 at the average price of $12.3; the price of the stock has increased by 38.46% since.
Recent Trades of Southern Copper Corp. by Directors and Officers: Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 250,000 shares of PCU stock on 03/27/2009 at the average price of $18.61; the price of the stock has decreased by 8.49% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 250,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/26/2009 at the average price of $18.78; the price of the stock has decreased by 9.32% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 200,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/25/2009 at the average price of $17.87; the price of the stock has decreased by 4.7% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 100,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/18/2009 at the average price of $15.79; the price of the stock has increased by 7.85% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 62,700 more shares of PCU stock on 03/17/2009 at the average price of $15.76; the price of the stock has increased by 8.06% since.
Nucor Corp. (NUE)
Nucor Corporation manufactures and sells steel products. Nucor is the largest recycler in the United States. Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products with operating facilities in fourteen states. Nucor Corp. has a market cap of $11.96 billion; its shares were traded at around $38.09 with a P/E ratio of 6.4 and P/S ratio of 0.5. The dividend yield of Nucor Corp. stocks is 3.7%. Nucor Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 26.2% over the past 10 years.
Nucor Corp. is owned by 4 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in NUE: Brian Rogers owns 3,600,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 60% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.23% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in NUE Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 17,200 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Kenneth Fisher owns 7,012,262 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.38% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Dodge & Cox owns 95,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
1 Guru Sold Out NUE: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Nucor Corp. by Directors and Officers: Buy: Director Christopher J Kearney bought 1,000 shares of NUE stock on 03/19/2009 at the average price of $36.6; the price of the stock has increased by 4.07% since. Sell: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Hamilton Jr Lott sold 3,704 shares of NUE stock on 03/26/2009 at the average price of $40.95; the price of the stock has decreased by 6.98% since. Sell: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER John J Ferriola sold 6,000 shares of NUE stock on 02/06/2009 at the average price of $45.03; the price of the stock has decreased by 15.41% since.
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. In this part we treat three basic metal company: Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM, Financial), Southern Copper Corp. (PCU, Financial), Nucor Corp. (NUE, Financial)
| Symbol | Company | P/E | P/S | P/B | Yield (%) | ROA (%) | ROE (%) | Operating Margin (%) | Debt to Equity (%) |
| NEM | Newmont Mining Corp. | 22.80 | 3.50 | 2.80 | 0.90 | 5.55 | 11.54 | 14.73 | 0.47 |
| PCU | Southern Copper Corp. | 11.40 | 3.30 | 4.70 | 2.60 | 22.24 | 36.70 | 26.75 | 0.38 |
| NUE | Nucor Corp. | 6.50 | 0.50 | 1.60 | 3.60 | 13.19 | 24.87 | 7.74 | 0.39 |
Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM)
Newmont Mining Corp. is engaged in the production of gold the exploration for gold and the acquisition and development of gold properties worldwide. The company produces gold from mines in Nevada and California and outside of the United States from operations in Peru Indonesia Mexico and Uzbekistan. Newmont Mining Corp. has a market cap of $21.68 billion; its shares were traded at around $45.3 with a P/E ratio of 22.5 and P/S ratio of 3.5. The dividend yield of Newmont Mining Corp. stocks is 0.9%. Newmont Mining Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 4.5% over the past 10 years.
Newmont Mining Corp. is owned by 10 Gurus. 2 Gurus Initiated Positions in NEM: Ken Heebner bought 4,850,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 2.87% of the $6.87 billion portfolio of CAPITAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT LP. John Keeley bought 12,000 shares in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008, which is 0.01% of the $6 billion portfolio of Keeley Fund Management.
1 Guru Increased Positions in NEM: David Dreman owns 839,843 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 8585.04% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.44% of the $7.73 billion portfolio of Dreman Value Management.
4 Gurus Kept Positions in NEM Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 2,432,823 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.23% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Kenneth Fisher owns 543,181 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.09% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Richard Snow owns 7,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $2.29 billion portfolio of Snow Capital Management, L.P.. Jean-Marie Eveillard owns 9,881,270 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 5.33% of the $7.54 billion portfolio of Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC.
3 Gurus Reduced Positions in NEM: NWQ Managers owns 477,800 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 21.89% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.13% of the $15.24 billion portfolio of NWQ Investment Management Co. Third Avenue Management owns 1,031,961 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 28% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.13% of the $3.98 billion portfolio of Third Avenue Management. John Hussman owns 350,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, a decrease of 48.15% of from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.42% of the $3.37 billion portfolio of Hussman Economtrics Advisors, Inc..
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by CEO: Sell: President & CEO Richard T Obrien sold 4,092 shares of NEM stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $40.26; the price of the stock has increased by 12.52% since.
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by CFO: Sell: Executive Vice President & CFO Russell David Ball sold 384 shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.84; the price of the stock has increased by 13.7% since. Sell: EVP & CFO Russell David Ball sold 1,312 more shares of NEM stock on 02/25/2009 at the average price of $40.45; the price of the stock has increased by 11.99% since.
Recent Trades of Newmont Mining Corp. by Directors and Officers: Sell: EVP, Strategic Development E Randall Engel sold 302 shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.83; the price of the stock has increased by 13.73% since. Sell: EVP, Strategic Development E Randall Engel sold 302 more shares of NEM stock on 02/26/2009 at the average price of $39.83; the price of the stock has increased by 13.73% since.
Southern Copper Corp. (PCU)
Southern Copper Corporation produces and sells copper, molybdenum, zinc, silver, lead, and gold worldwide. It operates Toquepala and Cuajone mines in the Andes mountains, which are located southeast of the city of Lima, Peru; and a smelter and refinery west of the Toquepala and Cuajone mines in the coastal city of Ilo, Peru. The company also engages in open pit operations, which include La Caridad and Cananea mine complexes; and the smelting and refining plants and support facilities. In addition, it involves in underground mining operations, which includes five underground mines that produce zinc, copper, silver, and gold; a coal mine, which produces coal and coke; and various industrial processing facilities for zinc and copper.
Southern Copper Corp. has a market cap of $14.54 billion; its shares were traded at around $17.03 with a P/E ratio of 10.7 and P/S ratio of 3. The dividend yield of Southern Copper Corp. stocks is 2.7%. Southern Copper Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 46.7% over the past 10 years.
Southern Copper Corp. is owned by 2 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in PCU: Kenneth Fisher owns 1,114,960 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 659.25% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 0.08% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC.
1 Guru Kept Positions in PCU Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: David Williams owns 5,700,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.66% of the $5.52 billion portfolio of Columbia Value and Restructuring Fund.
1 Guru Sold Out PCU: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Southern Copper Corp. by CEO: Buy: President and CEO, Director Oscar Gonzalez Rocha bought 12,000 shares of PCU stock on 12/04/2008 at the average price of $12.3; the price of the stock has increased by 38.46% since.
Recent Trades of Southern Copper Corp. by Directors and Officers: Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 250,000 shares of PCU stock on 03/27/2009 at the average price of $18.61; the price of the stock has decreased by 8.49% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 250,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/26/2009 at the average price of $18.78; the price of the stock has decreased by 9.32% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 200,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/25/2009 at the average price of $17.87; the price of the stock has decreased by 4.7% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 100,000 more shares of PCU stock on 03/18/2009 at the average price of $15.79; the price of the stock has increased by 7.85% since. Buy: 10% Owner Mexico, S.a.b. De C.v. Grupo bought 62,700 more shares of PCU stock on 03/17/2009 at the average price of $15.76; the price of the stock has increased by 8.06% since.
Nucor Corp. (NUE)
Nucor Corporation manufactures and sells steel products. Nucor is the largest recycler in the United States. Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products with operating facilities in fourteen states. Nucor Corp. has a market cap of $11.96 billion; its shares were traded at around $38.09 with a P/E ratio of 6.4 and P/S ratio of 0.5. The dividend yield of Nucor Corp. stocks is 3.7%. Nucor Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 26.2% over the past 10 years.
Nucor Corp. is owned by 4 Gurus.
1 Guru Increased Positions in NUE: Brian Rogers owns 3,600,000 shares as of 12/31/2008, an increase of 60% from the previous quarter. This position accounts for 1.23% of the $13.49 billion portfolio of T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund.
3 Gurus Kept Positions in NUE Unchanged or Slightly Adjusted: PRIMECAP Management owns 17,200 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for less than 0.01% of the $43.42 billion portfolio of PRIMECAP Management. Kenneth Fisher owns 7,012,262 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 1.38% of the $23.44 billion portfolio of Fisher Asset Management, LLC. Dodge & Cox owns 95,400 shares as of 12/31/2008, which accounts for 0.01% of the $65.51 billion portfolio of Dodge & Cox.
1 Guru Sold Out NUE: David Dreman sold out his holdings in the quarter that ended on 12/31/2008.
Recent Trades of Nucor Corp. by Directors and Officers: Buy: Director Christopher J Kearney bought 1,000 shares of NUE stock on 03/19/2009 at the average price of $36.6; the price of the stock has increased by 4.07% since. Sell: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Hamilton Jr Lott sold 3,704 shares of NUE stock on 03/26/2009 at the average price of $40.95; the price of the stock has decreased by 6.98% since. Sell: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER John J Ferriola sold 6,000 shares of NUE stock on 02/06/2009 at the average price of $45.03; the price of the stock has decreased by 15.41% since.
