In new filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Levin Capital Strategies, managed by John A. Levin, disclosed increasing its stakes in Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) and Cott Corporation (USA) (NYSE:COT). At the same time, the hedge fund reduced its position in New Senior Investment Group Inc (NYSE:SNR).
In an amended filing, Levin Capital Strategies revealed upping its position in Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) to around 8.78 million shares from 6.51 million shares the fund reported in its latest 13F filing. The stake is passive by nature, and amasses 7.5% of the company’s common stock.
Another amended filing showed that Levin Capital Strategies upped its passive stake in Cott Corporation (USA) (NYSE:COT). According to the filing, the fund owns 13.84 million shares of Cott Corporation (USA) (NYSE:COT), up from 8.69 million shares held previously. The new stake represents 14.9% of the company’s common stock.
In a separate filing, Levin Capital Strategies reported that it holds around 3.30 million shares of New Senior Investment Group Inc (NYSE:SNR), equal to 5.0% of the company’s common stock outstanding. Previously, the fund reported holding about 3.94 million shares of the company. The stake is passive by nature.
Levin Capital Strategies is a New York City-based hedge fund with approximately $8.7 billion in assets under management as of August 31, 2014. Founded by John A. Levin in 2005, Levin Capital Strategies typically invests in large capitalization stocks, and corporate and U.S. treasury obligations. Prior to Levin Capital Strategies, Mr. Levin had ran Levin Management Company and served as the President of BKF Capital Group. Levin Capital’s equity portfolio is valued at $6.6 billion as of the end of September 2014. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) were represented as the fund’s largest holdings. In its latest 13F, the investor reported owning 10.07 million shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). In General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), the fund held 10.05 million shares, and 4.52 million shares, respectively.
Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) is a producer, marketer and distributor of high quality branded food products, and has a market cap of $4.2 billion. Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) stock has been performing well since February 2014. The stock moved up over 34% in last one-year period, and 6.79% in last three months. It closed $36.19 on Tuesday.
Other investors that see value in Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) include Malcolm Fairbairn’s Ascend Capital, which reported ownership of 525,000 shares of the company as of the end of September 2014. Tudor Investment Corp, led by Paul Tudor Jones, disclosed holding 417,990 as of the end of the third quarter of 2014.
At the end of the last year, Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF) announced that it acquired Canada-based Garden Protein International Inc. for the purchase price of C$175 million. Garden Protein International manufactures the plant-based protein brand gardein. The acquisition included a manufacturing facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as nearly 250 employees.
Cott Corporation (USA) (NYSE:COT) is engaged in producing beverages on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors. The company has a market cap of nearly $713 million. Shares of the company moved down by 1.65% in last one year. However, the stock gained 24.48% in last three months.
Other largest shareholders of Cott Corporation (USA) (NYSE:COT) include Litespeed Management, led by Jamie Zimmerman, which reported ownership of 8.95 million shares as of the end of September 2014. Another investor is Centaur Capital Partners, run by Zeke Ashton, which disclosed holding 200,000 shares of the company as of the end of the third quarter of 2014.
New Senior Investment Group Inc (NYSE:SNR) is a real estate investment trust that focuses on investing in senior housing properties across the United States. The company has a market cap of $1.1 billion, and pays an annual dividend of $0.92, on a yield of 5.33. Its stock fell 9.44% during last one year. However, the stock moved up by 2.86% since January 5, 2015. On Tuesday, the stock closed at $17.26. The consensus average target price is $20.00 for the stock, while the consensus average recommendation is ‘Buy.’
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