In this article, we discuss the 10 dividend stocks in Robert Pohly’s portfolio.
Robert Pohly founded Samlyn Capital, a New York-based hedge fund, in 2007. Since its inception, the hedge fund invests heavily in financial, healthcare, and industrial companies. Before founding Samlyn Capital, Pohly served as a portfolio manager at Sigma Capital from 2000 to 2006. In addition to this, he mastered his investment skills by working at some of the most famous investment firms, such as Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Tiger Management. Currently, Pohly is serving as the portfolio manager and managing member at Samlyn Capital.
Samlyn Capital focuses on bottom-up fundamental analysis to identify the market trends. Along with this, the hedge fund also distinguishes key principles that result in a constructive price change. Moreover, the fund meticulously explores certain factors of organizations, such as dividends, share repurchases, corporate actions, and other regular changes. These strategies helped the hedge fund generate solid returns for shareholders over the years. From its inception through 2011, the fund’s annualized average return stood at 13.40%. Also, during the financial crisis of 2008, the fund gained 6.62%, compared with a 36.99% loss of S&P 500 in the same year.
As of Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital’s 13F portfolio value declined to $7.24 billion, from $7.47 billion in the preceding quarter. The hedge fund made major investments in the healthcare, financial, and services sectors. Some of the fund’s major holdings in the fourth quarter are Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER).
Robert Pohly of Samlyn Capital
Our Methodology:
In this article, we discuss the dividend stocks in Robert Pohly’s portfolio. For this list, we collected data from Samlyn Capital’s 13F portfolio as of Q4 2021.
Robert Pohly’s Samlyn Capital Portfolio: 10 Dividend Stock Picks
10. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 96
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $45,495,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.22%
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), an American healthcare and insurance company, pays a quarterly dividend of $1.45 per share, having raised it by 16% in 2021. The stock’s dividend yield stood at 1.22%, as of March 1. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has grown its dividend from $0.1625 per share to $1.45 per share in the past 10 years. Moreover, the company maintains a 12-year track record of consistent dividend growth.
In Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital held a stake worth roughly $45.5 million in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. The company accounted for 0.62% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio. Appreciating the company’s Q4 earnings beat, in January, SVB Leerink lifted its price target on UnitedHealth Group Incorporated to $550, with an Outperform rating on the shares.
By the end of Q4 2021, 96 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, up from 95 in the previous quarter. These stakes hold a consolidated value of over $13.6 billion. Among these hedge funds, GQG Partners held the largest stake in the company in Q4, worth roughly $2 billion.
Along with UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, Amazon.com, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and Uber Technologies, Inc. are some other major holdings of Samlyn Capital.
Third Point Management mentioned UnitedHealth Group Incorporated in its Q3 2021 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“UnitedHealth is one of the largest healthcare companies in the world and a market leader in both its insurance and healthcare services (Optum) businesses. We initiated our position during the 2020 Presidential election at a time of heightened political and regulatory uncertainty.
We believe under its new CEO, Andrew Witty, UnitedHealth can not only preserve its market dominance and sustain industry-leading growth rates across most of its key segments but also enter new healthcare services markets. Witty is known as a mission-driven CEO who clearly articulates his view that providing high-quality, affordable health care services is a social good. He receives consistently high marks from former colleagues, and we believe that his leadership approach will ballast and even strengthen UNH’s already impressive management and employee ranks. The insurance and services businesses are synergistic and complementary, which entrenches United’s critical role in care financing, access, and management. This dynamic gives us confidence in the durability of United’s market leadership…” (Click here to see the full text)
9. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $71,025,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.29%
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is an American insurance company that also provides risk management services to its consumers. In Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital held shares worth over $71 million in the company, after increasing its position by 33%. The company constituted 0.97% of Robert Pohly’s Q4 portfolio.
The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey having stakes in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. grew to 34 in the fourth quarter of 2021, from 32 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes stood at roughly $1.4 billion.
Though Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. temporarily paused raising its dividend during 2009-2010 due to the financial crisis, the company resumed its dividend growth from 2011. On January 26, the company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share, increasing it by 6% from the previous dividend. The stock’s dividend yield, as of March 1, stood at 1.29%. This December, Raymond James lifted its price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to $185, with an Outperform rating on the shares, expecting earnings growth in 2022.
8. Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $66,138,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.60%
In November 2021, Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ), an American insurance company, hiked its quarterly dividend by 3% at $0.68 per share. The stock’s dividend yield stood at 1.60%, as recorded on March 1. This recent dividend raise marked the company’s 17th year of consecutive dividend growth.
Samlyn Capital made its first investment in Assurant, Inc. during the fourth quarter of 2010, with shares worth over $8 million. In Q4 2021, the hedge fund slashed its position in the company by 22% and held a stake worth over $66 million. Assurant, Inc. made up 0.91% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio. This February, JPMorgan raised its price target on Assurant, Inc. to $197, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares.
By the end of Q4 2021, 28 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were bullish on Assurant, Inc., the same as in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is over $718.3 million. With shares worth over $268.6 million, Viking Global was the company’s largest shareholder in Q4.
7. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 49
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $192,476,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.80%
Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), an American department store chain, raised its dividend by 32.4% in 2021 at $0.90 per share. The stock’s dividend yield stood at 1.80%, as of March 1. Target Corporation maintains a 50-year track record of consistent dividend growth and raised its dividend at a CAGR of 3% from 2017 to 2021.
As per Insider Monkey’s Q4 data, 49 hedge funds held stakes in Target Corporation, the same as in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is roughly $4 billion.
In Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital increased its position in Target Corporation by 46% and held a stake worth over $192.4 million. The company accounted for 2.65% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio. Appreciating the company’s structural improvement, in January, RBC Capital initiated its coverage on Target Corporation with an Outperform rating and a $278 price target.
Nelson Capital Management mentioned Target Corporation in its Q2 2021 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“We added Target (tkr: TGT) to our consumer staples sector. Target Corporation offers a broad array of products in owned and known brand items at affordable prices. Its omnichannel fulfilment centers allow customers to receive their items via in-store pickup, curbside pickup, same-day shipping and regular shipping while simultaneously reducing operating costs. With a significantly lower valuation than peers and a unique operating strategy, Target Corporation is an attractive holding.”
6. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $23,149,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.94%
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH) is an American steakhouse, specializing in Texan cuisine. In Q4 2021, 37 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in Texas Roadhouse, Inc., up from 36 in the previous quarter. These stakes hold a consolidated value of roughly $857 million.
On February 22, Texas Roadhouse, Inc. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share, a 15% increase from its previous dividend. 2022 marked the company’s ninth consecutive year of dividend growth. The stock’s dividend yield was recorded to be at 1.94%, as of March 1. According to MKM Partners, Texas Roadhouse, Inc. managed to maintain its competitive positioning throughout the pandemic-related financial volatility. Given this, the firm raised its price target on the stock to $119, with a Buy rating on the shares.
Samlyn Capital started building its position in Texas Roadhouse, Inc. sometime during the first quarter of 2017. In Q4 2021, the hedge fund increased its position in the company by 31%, which equals over $23 million. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. accounted for 0.31% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio. Amazon.com, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and Uber Technologies, Inc. are major blue-chip companies in which the hedge fund has invested in as of Q4.
5. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $49,289,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 1.96%
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM), an American consumer retail company, experienced a positive hedge fund sentiment in Q4 2021, as 40 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held positions in the company, up from 31 in the previous quarter. These stakes hold a consolidated value of $646.7 million. Select Equity Group was the company’s largest shareholder in Q4, with stakes valued at $292.8 million.
In December 2021, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.71, increasing it by 20.3% from its previous dividend. As of March 1, the stock’s dividend yield stood at 1.96%. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has been increasing its dividends for the past 12 years. Moreover, the company’s dividend has tripled in the past 10 years. This January, RBC Capital upgraded Williams-Sonoma, Inc. to Outperform, with a $202 price target.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is one of the latest acquisitions of Samlyn Capital in Q4. The hedge fund started building its position in the company with shares worth roughly $50 million, which accounted for 0.67% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio.
Vltava Fund mentioned Williams-Sonoma, Inc. in its Q4 2021 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“There were two new additions to the portfolio last year – (including) shares of the retail company Williams-Sonoma. I mentioned both purchases already in the previous newsletter to shareholders. At first sight, these were only minor changes. There were many more transactions in the portfolio over the past year, however. Most purchases were directed to shares we have already held in the portfolio. We have been purchasing virtually all the stocks we hold, many of them repeatedly. While we are by no means opposed to anything new and always are looking for new investment opportunities, we generally tend to gravitate to what we already have in the portfolio, to what we know well, and moreover what we see is working out well.”
4. Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $27,503,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 2.10%
Wall Street analysts provided a positive outlook on Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN), amidst inflation fears. In February, both Wells Fargo and KeyBanc raised their price targets on the American chemical company to $50 and $48, respectively.
By the end of Q4 2021, 32 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were bullish on the company, holding stakes worth over $1.1 billion. In comparison, 26 hedge funds held stakes in the company in the preceding quarter, valued at roughly $985 million.
Huntsman Corporation has been paying dividends to shareholders since 2007. On February 14, the company announced a 13.3% increase in its quarterly dividend at $0.2125 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.10%, as of March 1. Samlyn Capital started building its position in Huntsman Corporation during the fourth quarter of 2021, with shares worth over $27.5 million. The company accounted for 0.37% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio.
3. MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $33,370,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 2.84%
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) is a New York-based insurance company that also provides employee benefits programs. In 2021, the company hiked its quarterly dividend by 4.3% at $0.48 per share. The stock’s dividend yield stood at 2.84%, as recorded on March 1. MetLife, Inc. has been paying dividends for the past 20 years while maintaining a 9-year streak of dividend growth.
This January, Jefferies appreciated the company’s stable growth and high returns and initiated its coverage on MetLife, Inc. with a Buy rating and a $74 price target. In Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital held a stake worth over $33.3 million in the company, which represented 0.46% of the hedge fund’s 13F portfolio.
By the end of Q4 2021, 36 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in MetLife, Inc., down from 39 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $1 billion. Among these hedge funds, Pzena Investment Management held the largest stake in the company in Q4, valued at $330.7 million.
2. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $45,686,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 3.42%
In Q4 2021, Samlyn Capital increased its stake by 35% in American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO), an American lifestyle and clothing company. The hedge fund held a stake worth roughly $45.7 million in the company, which represented 0.63% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio.
This January, Barclays set a $38 price target on American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., with an Overweight rating on the shares. In 2021, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 31% at $0.18 per share. The stock’s dividend yield, as of March 1, stood at 3.42%.
As per Insider Monkey’s Q4 data, the number of hedge funds holding positions in American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. grew to 31, from 24 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is roughly $1.2 billion.
1. Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58
Samlyn Capital’s Stake Value: $34,865,000
Dividend Yield as of March 1: 4.36%
An American healthcare company, Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS) initiated paying dividends to shareholders in the first quarter of 2021. On January 6, the company announced a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend at $0.12 per share. The stock’s dividend yield stood at 4.36, as recorded on March 1.
Viatris Inc. is one of the recent holdings of Samlyn Capital, holding shares worth roughly $34.9 million. The company represented 0.48% of Robert Pohly’s portfolio. Recently, BMO Capital set a $19 price target on Viatris Inc., with an Outperform rating on the shares, appreciating the company’s valuation.
By the end of Q4 2021, 58 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in Viatris Inc., up from 55 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is over $1.44 billion. Laurion Capital Management held the largest stake in the company in Q4, worth $464 million.
Davis Fund mentioned Viatris Inc. in its Q3 2021 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:
“Also within healthcare, we own Viatris, the newly conceived union of Mylan, a generics/specialty pharma company, and Pfizer’s Upjohn business, which includes a portfolio of 20 largely off-patent branded Pfizer drugs including Lipitor, Lyrica, Norvasc and Viagra. The combined business is the largest generics/off-patent drug manufacturer in the world and is highly diversified by geography, with 70% of revenue outside the U.S.”
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