London-Based Marshall Wace LLP Wins Big From Brexit Bets despite Founders Backing Opposing Camps

#3. T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS)

– Shares owned by Marshall Wace LLP as of March 31: 5.59 Million

– Value of Marshall Wace LLP’s holding as of March 31: $213.94 Million

The British investment firm founded by Ian Wace and Paul Marshall owned 5.59 million shares of T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) at the end of the first quarter, 81,674 shares more than at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015. The 5.59 million-share stake was valued at $213.94 million on March 31 and accounted for 2.1% of the firm’s entire portfolio. The third-largest wireless carrier has seen its market capitalization increase by 8% since the start of 2016. Nomura analysts downgraded T-Mobile to “Neutral” from “Buy” last week and cut their price target on the stock to $44 from $46, citing possible intensifying competition in the final quarter of 2016. Precisely, Nomura expects the much-anticipated launch of the iPhone 7 to “return promotional intensity and phone upgrade rates” to levels registered in the second half of 2015. John Paulson’s Paulson & Co had 14.62 million shares of T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) among its holdings on March 31.

#2. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

– Shares owned by Marshall Wace LLP as of March 31: 315,900

– Value of Marshall Wace LLP’s holding as of March 31: $241.00 Million

Marshall Wace LLP had 315,900 Class A shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in its portfolio at the end of the first quarter of 2016, 105,089 shares more than at the end of the previous quarter. The upped Alphabet position was valued at $241.00 million at the end of the quarter, constituting 2.3% of the firm’s portfolio. Reportedly, Alphabet’s Google plans to enter the competitive smartphone market by releasing a Google-branded phone, which could compete directly with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s highly-successful iPhones. Google already develops the Android operating system that runs on roughly 80% of smartphones across the globe, including those of HTC, LG and Samsung. Meanwhile, driverless technology appears to be among the hottest industries in Silicon Valley, with Alphabet being a pioneer of the driverless technology. Alphabet’s Class A shares have lost 11% of their value since the beginning of the year. Andreas Halvorsen’s Viking Global Investors LP owns 2.05 million Class A shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) as of March 31.

#1. Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS)

– Shares owned by Marshall Wace LLP as of March 31: 8.99 Million

– Value of Marshall Wace LLP’s holding as of March 31: $398.35 Million

Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) was by far the largest equity holding in Marshall Wace LLP’s portfolio at the end of March, accounting for 3.8% of the firm’s portfolio. The London-based asset manager cut its Zoetis stake by 404,538 shares during the first quarter of 2016 to 8.99 million shares, which were worth $398.35 million on March 31. The leader in the discovery and development of animal health medicines and vaccines has seen the value of its shares decline by 3% since the start of 2016. The company recorded total revenue of $1.16 billion for the three months that ended April 3, up from $1.10 billion reported a year ago. Zoetis’ operational revenue growth, which represents revenue growth excluding the impact of currency exchange headwinds, grew 12% year-over-year. The increase was partially driven by the acquisition of privately-held Norwegian aquaculture company called Paharmaq, as well as the acquisition of certain assets of Abbott Animal Health. Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management was the equity holder of 41.82 million shares of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) at the end of March.

Disclosure: None