In this article, we discuss the top 5 picks in Harvard University’s Stock portfolio. If you want to read our detailed analysis of the Harvard Management Company’s past performance, go directly to Harvard University Stock Portfolio: Top 10 Picks.
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5. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW)
Harvard Management Company’s Stake Value: $91,257,000
Percentage of Harvard Management Company’s 13F Portfolio: 5.25%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) is an American cybersecurity company that provides services in network security, cloud security, and various cloud-delivered security. The company stands fifth on our list of the top picks in Harvard University’s portfolio.
As of Q2 2021, Harvard Management Company holds 245,943 shares in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW), worth over $91.2 million. The hedge fund reduced its position by 28% in the company, which now accounts for 5.25% of the fund’s 13F portfolio. Recently, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) announced that it expects to see a 50% growth in its annual revenue due to the increased demand for security services and cloud-based computing systems.
Recently, Deutsche Bank lifted its price target on Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) to $560, while keeping a ‘Buy’ rating on the shares.
Of the 873 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, 69 hedge funds have positions in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE:PANW) in Q2 2021, compared with 64 in the previous quarter. These stakes are valued at $4.7 billion. Viking Global is the largest shareholder of the company with over 2.6 million shares, worth $979.7 million.
4. Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB)
Harvard Management Company’s Stake Value: $180,620,000
Percentage of Harvard Management Company’s 13F Portfolio: 10.39%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 266
Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) ranks fourth on our list of the top picks in Harvard University’s portfolio. It is an American multinational technology company with the main purpose of developing an interconnected world. Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) was founded in 2004 and has headquarters in California, U.S.
As of Q2 2021, Harvard Management Company owns 519,456 shares in Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), worth over $180.6 million.
Recently, Morgan Stanley lifted its price target on Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) to $400, while keeping an ‘Overweight’ rating on the shares.
As of Q2 2021, 266 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey have positions in Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), up from 257 in the previous quarter. These stakes are valued at $42.3 billion. Martin Taylor’s Crake Asset Management is the company’s largest shareholder, with shares worth $168.6 billion.
First Eagle Investment Management mentioned Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) in its second-quarter investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“Leading contributors in the First Eagle Global Fund this quarter included Facebook, Inc. Class A. Facebook has continued to post impressive results for both revenue and active users of its traditional platforms. In the meantime, the social media giant continues to make progress on new initiatives—like Facebook Horizon (virtual reality) and Facebook Shops (e-commerce)—and maintains attractive monetization optionality around services like Messenger and WhatsApp.”
3. Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS)
Harvard Management Company’s Stake Value: $207,429,000
Percentage of Harvard Management Company’s 13F Portfolio: 11.93%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS) is an American company that provides gambling products and services to gaming entertainment organizations across the globe. The company ranks third on our list of the top picks in Harvard University’s portfolio.
As of Q2 2021, Harvard Management Company holds over 2.6 million shares in Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS), worth $207.4 million. The company accounts for 11.93% of the hedge fund’s 13F portfolio. Recently, Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS) announced its advanced lottery instant game technology at its UK facility, which will grow its global production capacity by 20%.
Recently, Craig-Hallum lifted its price target on Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS) to $105, while keeping a ‘Buy’ rating on the shares.
Of the 873 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, 24 funds have positions in Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ:SGMS) as of Q2 2021, compared with 23 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is over $1.45 billion. With over 9 million shares, worth $704.3 million, Fine Capital Partners is the company’s largest shareholder.
2. Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX)
Harvard Management Company’s Stake Value: $292,786,000
Percentage of Harvard Management Company’s 13F Portfolio: 16.84%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) stands second on our list of the top picks in Harvard University’s portfolio. The company is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and helps fund expensive clinical trials for promising new drugs.
As of Q2 2021, Harvard Management Company owns over 7.1 million shares in Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX), valued at $292.7 million. The company represents 16.84% of the hedge fund’s 13F portfolio. In Q2 2021, Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) reported revenue of $555 million, presenting an 8.6% year-over-year growth and beating the estimates by $64.01 million. In July, Tigress Financial initiated its coverage on Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) with a ‘Buy’ rating and a $50 price target. The firm’s analyst Ivan Feinseth appreciated the company’s unique business model which allows investors to participate in royalty streams.
As of Q2 2021, 20 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey have positions in Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX), worth over $1.5 billion. The number of hedge funds having stakes in the company stood at 26 in the previous quarter, with a value of $1.83 billion.
1. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Harvard Management Company’s Stake Value: $333,484,000
Percentage of Harvard Management Company’s 13F Portfolio: 19.18%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 138
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is an American multinational technology company that deals in consumer electronics, online services, and computer software. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) tops our list of the top picks in Harvard University’s portfolio.
In Q2 2021, Harvard Management Company started building its position in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), with over 2.4 million shares, worth $333.4 million. The company represents 19.18% of the hedge fund’s 13F portfolio. In Q2 2021, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) posted a GAAP EPS of $1.30, beating the estimates by $0.29. The company reported revenue of $81.4 billion, presenting a 36.4% year-over-year growth. iPhone sales accounted for $39.57 billion of the gross revenue, versus the estimates of $34.5 billion. Recently, both Citigroup and Piper Sandler lifted their price targets on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to $170 and $175, respectively.
As of Q2 2021, 138 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey have positions in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), up from 127 in the previous quarter. These stakes are valued at $145.5 billion. With over 887 million shares, worth $121.5 billion, Berkshire Hathaway is the company’s leading shareholder.
ClearBridge Investments mentioned Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its first-quarter 2021 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“As we actively manage holdings and position sizes, we look to regularly recycle capital into more compelling opportunities. Maintaining our valuation discipline, we sharply reduced our position in Apple, whose shares more than doubled following our initial purchase in mid-2019 with an earnings multiple rising from the low-to-mid teens to nearly 30x.”
You can also take a look at 10 Best Stocks To Buy According To Billionaire Larry Robbins and 10 Best Stocks To Buy Now According To Quant Billionaires
