Billionaire Nelson Peltz runs the activist hedge fund Train Partners, a $5 billion hedge fund that is heavily concentrated in a select number of stocks. His latest “big win” came when fellow billionaire Warren Buffett announced that he was taking over H.J. Heinz, a stock that Train had a 5.4% stake in. Peltz’s Train Partners made a few keys moves last quarter and also maintains big bets on discount retail and industrials (check out Peltz’s top picks).
Train also sold off its entire stake in Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ). This comes after the company split from Kraft Foods in 2012. Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is now the international snack food company, while Kraft’s North American grocery business trades as Kraft Foods Group.
It’s possible that Train sold Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ) after the split, given the company was no longer as fully diversified as its previous Kraft Foods parent, but I believe the food company is worth taking a look at. The company pays a 1.8% dividend yield and is expected to grow EPS at an annualized rate of 12.6% over the next five years, putting it as an income and growth stock (see read more about why).
Train’s only addition was MeadWestvaco Corp. (NYSE:MWV), now making up the eighth spot in its portfolio. MeadWestvaco is now focused heavily on packaging after the sale of its envelope business and the spin-off of the consumer and office products. I think the packaging company’s revenue mix is intriguing, in that it is diverse across various consumer products, with 58% from food & beverage, 13% from home & beauty, 8% related to industrials and 18% for specialty chemicals.
Earnings growth for 2013 is expected to come from expansion to emerging markets, namely Brazil. Management has reaffirmed its targets of $1 billion in sales growth and 7 10% annual earnings growth over the next 3 to 5 years.
Train’s top two holdings include Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE:IR) and Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO). Ingersoll-Rand is its top holding and makes up 27.3% of its portfolio, and Family Dollar is second, making up 24% of the portfolio. Ingersoll-Rand provides security and safety, climate control and industrial productivity products. Recent news has Ingersoll-Rand spinning off its residential and commercial security business to shareholders, which is key for helping the company improve its business operations.
A rebound in residential housing activity in the U.S., will help Ingersoll’s residential segment, which will also be positive for its commercial construction exposure. I think this turnaround stock is worth considering, where over the last ten years the company has grew EPS at an average annualized rate of 11.8%, while growing dividends at 6.5%. As well, return on invested capital was 12.7% in 2012, an impressive improvement from 2011’s 6.0%.
Train’s other top holding, Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO), saw higher sales last quarter, but a price war among the dollar stores has put pressure on margins. Even still, gross margins remained above average at 34% last quarter. Another key point is the company’s somewhat diverse revenue streams; 69% of revenues from consumables, 11% from home products (housewares and home decor), 9% from apparel (clothing) and 11% from electronics (toys and pre-paid cellular phones).
Despite a potentially strengthening economy, I think Family Dollar has positioned itself nicely to remain a part of the consumers everyday shopping. Management projects second quarter comp sales growth in the range of 4% to 5% and fiscal 2013 comparable-store sales to increase between 4% and 6%, both very good signs of continued growth (see why dollar stores are still a growth story).
Don’t be fooled
Billionaire Nelson Peltz runs a very niche hedge fund with over 50% of its fund invested in its top two holdings, both of which should perform well over the interim. As well, his fund sold off the majority of its State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT) position, which I agree with, but also sold off Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ), which I disagree. Peltz’s other big move was adding MeadWestvaco, a relatively unknown company that is a good bet on a rebounding economy.
The article Billionaire Nelson Peltz Is Making Moves originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Marshall Hargrave.
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