In this article, we discuss the 5 stocks to watch from the 2022 portfolio of Korean-Japanese Billionaire Masayoshi Son. If you want to read our detailed analysis of Son’s stock picks and hedge fund history, go directly to Korean-Japanese Billionaire Masayoshi Son’s 2022 Portfolio: 10 Stocks to Watch.
5. Aurora Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:AURCU)
SB Management’s Stake Value: $26.62 million
Percentage of SB Management’s 13F Portfolio: 5.16%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30
Aurora Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:AURCU) is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) focusing on the technology and media sectors. It is sponsored and backed by London-based investment firm Novator Capital.
In May, Aurora Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:AURCU) announced plans to merge with Better.com, a real estate financing company that is backed by Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank Group, and to take the company public in a deal that would peg its value at approximately $8 billion.
Masayoshi Son was the largest shareholder of Aurora Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:AURCU) in the first quarter, with 2.7 million shares valued at $26.6 million. 30 hedge funds were long on the company shares at the close of Q1 2022, as compared to 32 in the preceding quarter.
4. SIGNA Sports United N.V. (NYSE:SSU)
SB Management’s Stake Value: $40.00 million
Percentage of SB Management’s 13F Portfolio: 7.75%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11
SIGNA Sports United N.V. (NYSE:SSU) is a German company which operates sports retail websites around the world. On January 13, Jefferies analyst Randal Konik initiated coverage of SIGNA Sports United N.V. (NYSE:SSU) with a ‘Buy’ rating and a price target of $11. The analyst sees the firm benefiting from demand shifting to e-commerce platforms, and a rise in consumer interest in active lifestyles, as the “the largest digital player in the global sports retail market”. He sees significant upside to the shares moving ahead in a fragmented competitive landscape.
According to its 13F filings for the first quarter, SB Management owned a position in SIGNA Sports United N.V. (NYSE:SSU) worth $40 million which represented 7.75% of its overall portfolio. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, 11 hedge funds were seen holding stakes in the company, with a collective price tag of $50.03 million.
3. AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL)
SB Management’s Stake Value: $75.70 million
Percentage of SB Management’s 13F Portfolio: 14.67%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL) operates an AI-powered platform which analyzes the database of natural immune systems to discover antibodies that can be used to develop drugs. In February, Covid antibody treatment Bebtelovimab, discovered by AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL), was given the FDA Emergency Use Authorization for treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid. This drug was developed in collaboration with Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:LLY), and is effective against the Omicron variant.
Piper Sandler analyst Do Kim on May 11 kept an ‘Overweight’ rating on AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL) shares, and lowered the price target to $21 from $28. The firm beat Q1 expectations due to higher royalty revenue from sales of its Covid antibody treatment, according to the analyst, who lowered the price target on account of higher interest rates and a higher beta.
In the first quarter, AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL) posted EPS of $0.54, outperforming analysts’ forecasts by $0.12. Quarterly revenue of $316.6 million was also recorded above market estimates by $96.8 million.
At the close of the fourth quarter, 18 hedge funds reported bullish bets on AbCellera Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABCL), as compared to 21 hedge funds a quarter ago. In Q1 2022, Baker Bros. Advisors was the largest shareholder of the firm, with 10.45 million shares worth $101.9 million.
2. Learn CW Investment Corporation (NYSE:LCW)
SB Management’s Stake Value: $100 million
Percentage of SB Management’s 13F Portfolio: 19.38%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
Learn CW Investment Corporation (NYSE:LCW) acts as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) based in Los Angeles. It was incorporated in 2021, and focuses on serving companies in the education, training, and education technology sectors.
In the first quarter, Masayoshi Son owned 10 million shares of Learn CW Investment Corporation (NYSE:LCW), with a $100 million value representing 19.38% of his overall portfolio.
1. EQRx, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQRX)
SB Management’s Stake Value: $178.31 million
Percentage of SB Management’s 13F Portfolio: 34.56%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
EQRx, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQRX) is a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical firm which develops drugs for a range of oncology and immune-inflammatory diseases. It also seeks to provide patients with access to life-saving drugs at discounted, affordable prices.
On April 22, Cowen analyst Steve Scala initiated coverage of EQRx, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQRX) with an ‘Outperform’ rating without a price target. The analyst notes that the firm has late-stage assets in “high growth areas” and innovation partners to develop more, and is also working to create a new model in which drugs are sold at highly discounted prices through a network of buyers. He sees the company shares presenting an attractive investment opportunity.
Out of all the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, 31 held positions in EQRx, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQRX) with a combined value of $775.6 million.
You can also take a look at Billionaire Andreas Halvorsen’s Top Stock Picks and 10 Best Mid-Cap Stocks To Buy Now.
