Baupost Group Drops AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc (AVEO) and Shifts Focus Towards Cheniere Energy (LNG)

Seth Klarman’s Baupost Group shed its entire stake in AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AVEO), selling off more than 3.82 million Common Shares. Due to this recent transaction, the company has lost the backing of its largest institutional shareholder. On the same day, the hedge increased its holdings in Cheniere Energy Inc (NYSEMKT:LNG) by 13.6 million shares, or more than 120%. As disclosed in the 13G filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Baupost Group now owns around 24.8 million Common Shares, representing 10% of the company’s outstanding stock.

The employee-owned hedge fund Baupost Group, was founded in 1982 by Seth Klarman, a Harvard Business School graduate, and author of the book Margin of Safety. The fund’s equity portfolio, which is valued at around $5.7 billion, is made up primarily of companies active in the information technology sector, with the energy and healthcare industries ranking second and third respectively. By increasing its exposure to Cheniere Energy Inc (NYSEMKT:LNG) and shedding its position in AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AVEO), the hedge fund has made its preference for the energy sector quite clear. Due to the recent purchase of 13.6 shares of Cheniere Energy, Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU) has lost its spot as Baupost Group’s largest holding, despite accounting for 30% of the fund’s equity portfolio. Mr Klarman’s firm has been shifting its focus towards the energy and healthcare sectors for some time now, increasing its stakes in companies like PBF Energy Inc (NYSE:PBF) and Atara Biotherapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ATRA).

AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:AVEO) is a $45.5 million market cap biopharmaceutical firm, which focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing targeted cancer therapies. Its AV-380 Program for example, is dedicated to finding ways to alleviate common complications in patients with advanced cancer, such as unintentional weight loss, progressive muscle wasting, and a loss of appetite. The company has a number of strategic partnerships with hospitals and other pharmaceutical companies, yet has been struggling to compete in this tough industry. Due to the sharp drop in shareholder value, AVEO has recently announced a corporate restructuring, which includes cutting its work-force and eliminating the firm’s internal research function. Considering the stocks grim outlook, it comes as little surprise that Mr. Klarman’s Baupost Group decided to eliminate this holding from its equity portfolio.