We recently compiled a list titled Leon Cooperman Stock Portfolio: Top 12 Picks. In this article, we will look at where Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH) ranks among other stocks in Leon Cooperman’s portfolio.
Omega Advisors, Inc., an investment firm based in New York, specializes in providing advisory and portfolio management services. The firm focuses on domestic public equity and employs hedging strategies to protect its investments. Leon Cooperman, the chairman and CEO, follows a value-oriented investment strategy that emphasizes value equities and utilizes a top-down approach to select sectors for investment. His methodology integrates fundamental analysis to manage both long and short positions, which helps in constructing diversified portfolios. These portfolios are assessed against the S&P 500 index to gauge their performance effectively.
Leon G. Cooperman is a billionaire investor known for his significant contributions to the investment landscape. He is the first in his family to earn a college degree, graduating from Hunter College, where he was active in the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. After completing his education, Cooperman began his career as a quality control engineer at Xerox in 1965 and later earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1967. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), which reflects his deep knowledge of investment analysis and portfolio management.
Leon Cooperman Warns of Rising National Debt
In a recent CNBC interview on September 25, Leon Cooperman expressed significant concerns about two main issues affecting the economy. He highlighted the national debt, which has surged from $20 trillion in 2017 to $34 trillion in 2024, growing at a rate that far outpaces the economy. He warns that this increase could lead to serious problems in the future, especially since candidates running for office are not addressing the deficit.
“I’m very concerned about two things. One is the debt buildup. We have two candidates running for office, and neither one talks about the deficit or the buildup of debt. In 2017, I think our national debt was $20 trillion. Seven years later, it’s $34 trillion. That’s a growth rate far in excess of the growth rate of the economy, and it’s going to be a problem one day.”
When asked if the Fed’s rate cuts have led him to invest more in stocks, Leon Cooperman replied that he is already fully invested, primarily in various assets. He has allocated about 20% of his portfolio to bonds and believes the government’s conduct is disappointing. Additionally, he has around 15% in energy investments, seeing potential in that sector due to current events in the Middle East. He noted that while the Fed is cutting short-term rates, he anticipates long-term rates will rise, particularly for ten-year bonds.
Cooperman was also asked about the Fed’s rate cuts and their impact on the economy. He responded that short-term rates are currently too high compared to historical standards. He explained that the yield on the ten-year government bond should align with GDP growth, which he estimates at around 5% (2.5% real growth plus 2.5% inflation). He believes that at a 5% yield, the ten-year bond is undervalued and anticipates rates will rise.
Leon Cooperman Thinks “Stocks Are The Place To Be”
Leon Cooperman expressed concerns about the potential future problems with government debt, suggesting that issues may arise unexpectedly. At 81 years old, he reflected on his experience during past market bubbles in 2000 and 1972, emphasizing his belief that stocks remain the best investment choice while avoiding bonds.
“I may be too old. Take me out behind the barn and shoot me. I’m 81 years old. I’ve been through a couple of bubbles—the 2000 bubble and the 1972 bubble… I think stocks are the best place to be. I would avoid bonds.”
Our Methodology
This article reviews the top 12 stock holdings of Omega Advisors as of the second quarter of 2024, highlighting the number of hedge funds also invested in these companies. The stocks are organized in ascending order based on Omega Advisors’ stake as of June 30, 2024.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH)
Total Number of Shares Owned: 982,047
Total Value of Shares Owned: $92,793,621
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 25
The bullish outlook for Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH) is primarily driven by its strong performance in Q2 2024, where the company exceeded both earnings and revenue expectations despite facing some challenges in certain areas. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH) reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.27, surpassing the forecast of $1.14, and generated revenue of $575 million, which was slightly above analyst estimates.
This success was largely fueled by growth in its Personal Care segment, where sales increased by 1.2% due to higher demand for skin, oral, and hair care products. Additionally, the Specialty Additives segment also performed well, achieving $157 million in sales, even amid price reductions in Asia.
Moreover, Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH)’s proactive approach to cost management and strategic initiatives, such as divesting its nutraceutical business to streamline operations, contribute positively to its long-term outlook. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH)’s commitment to returning value to shareholders is evident in its recent 5.2% increase in dividends, further strengthening the case for optimism about its future performance. These factors combined position Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ASH) as a solid investment opportunity.
Overall ASH ranks 10th on our list of top picks in Leon Cooperman’s stock portfolio. While we acknowledge the potential of ASH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that under the radar AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ASH but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.
