Highlights from Billionaire Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies’ 13F: Apple, Pfizer & More

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)                            

– Shares Owned by Renaissance Technologies as of December 31: 7.98 Million

– Value of Holding as of December 31: $257.76 Million

The second-largest stake that RenTech initiated during the fourth quarter was in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). Once again, Fisher Asset Management had an even larger stake, which contained 32.33 million shares, placed on the company. Back in December, the company declared a 7.1% increase in its dividend, to $0.30 per share. Interestingly, Renaissance initiated a stake in the company amid Pfizer’s announcement that it would acquire Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN). The deal worth around $150 billion is expected to be completed later this year and will create the largest drugmaker in the world. Moreover, since Pfizer plans to relocate its headquarters to Dublin following the transaction, it will pay lower taxes, which has sparked a lot of talks both on Wall Street and in Washington, with the candidates to the upcoming presidential elections pledging to address the issue of inversion deals if elected.

Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW)                 

– Shares Owned by Renaissance Technologies as of December 31: 1.35 Million

– Value of Holding as of December 31: $239.02 Million

Renaissance Technologies more than doubled its exposure to Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW) between October and December, surpassing Columbus Circle Investors, the fund managed by Clifford G. Fox, which trimmed its stake by 19% over the quarter, to 566,662 shares. Since the beginning of the year, Palo Alto Networks’ stock has plunged by nearly 30% amid a broader market sell-off, which hit hard many tech stocks that earlier ranked among the high-fliers. However, the company’s next financial report expected later this month, might correct the trend, since so far Palo Alto has managed to beat the estimates at least five quarters in a row.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)             

– Shares Owned by Renaissance Technologies as of December 31: 2.31 Million

– Value of Holding as of December 31: $234.7 Million

Finally, let’s take a look at Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), in which Renaissance Technologies increased its stake by 727% during the fourth quarter. Year-to-date the stock is down by around 11%, although it has recently reversed its trend following the release of financial results that managed to beat the revenue and profit estimates. Also betting on Gilead was London-based equity hedge fund Egerton Capital Limited. The firm managed by John Armitage and William Bollinger reduced its exposure to the biopharmaceutical stock by 23% on the quarter to 4.29 million shares held at the end of December.

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no positions in any of the securities mentioned above.