David Tepper Betting On Airlines

David Tepper’s Appaloosa bet big on banks, technology, and healthcare during the fourth quarter. Over the past few weeks, he focused his attention on industrials. He first bought Dean Foods (DF), and then Goodyear Tire (GT). Today, David Tepper revealed that he built a 11.3 million share position in US Airways (LCC). At the end of December, he had only 2.9 million shares of LCC. This means he bought more than 8 million shares in early February at prices below $9.50. He already made 5% from that investment.

At the end of December David Tepper had $92 Million worth of United Continental (UAL), $36 Million worth of AMR Corp (AMR) and $20 Million worth of Delta Airlines (DAL). Now, he has additional $110 Million position in US Airways (LCC). David Tepper usually makes sector bets and invests in the largest stocks in that sector. For example, his top three holdings are Wells Fargo (WFC), Citigroup (C), and Bank of America (BAC). Clearly he’s bullish about the banking sector and he has other banking stocks in his portfolio as well. As a result, recent US Airways purchases is more likely a bullish bet on airline stocks than US Airways itself.

There are other hedge fund managers who are bullish about airlines, but they picked United Airlines specifically. Barry Rosenstein’s Jana Partners, and Leon Cooperman’s Omega Advisors are among  these hedge funds.