Latest news with #Ackman
Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
New ETF Will Track Bill Ackman's Investments
A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) will track the investments of hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. Confident Investing Starts Here: Ackman runs the Pershing Square (PSH) hedge fund and has a strong and loyal following among individual retail investors. He currently has 1.7 million followers on social media platform X. This year, Ackman is off to a strong start thanks to a winning investment he made in mortgage concern the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), commonly known as Fannie Mae. Now, asset manager Tidal Trust has filed to launch an ETF that will be based on the concentrated portfolio of Ackman. Called the 'Vista Shares Pershing Square Select ETF,' this is the latest investment vehicle from Tidal Trust that tracks the holdings of notable investors such as Stanley Druckenmiller, Michael Burry, and Warren Buffett. Major Holdings Ackman's Pershing Square Holdings stock is up 2% this year versus a total return of 1% for the benchmark S&P 500 index. In recent months, Ackman's fund has gotten a lift from its investments in Fannie Mae and also the Federal Home Loan Mortgage (FMCC). Ackman currently owns 220 million shares of the two mortgage agencies, a stake worth about $2 billion. Also this year, Ackman has gotten approval for Pershing Square to buy $900 million of Howard Hughes Holdings (HHH) stock and turn the real estate company into a diversified holding company, which he has called a 'mini Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B).' Other major stock holdings of Bill Ackman include Uber Technologies (UBER), Hertz Global (HTZ), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), and Amazon (AMZN). Is PSH Stock a Buy? three-month performance. As one can see in the chart below, PSH stock has declined 6% in London trading over the past three months.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ackman, Druckenmiller-Tracking ETFs Are Latest Industry Gambit
(Bloomberg) -- In a crowded ETF market obsessed with attention-grabbing pitches, one idea keeps coming back: Track the trades of star investors and sell them to the masses. NYC Congestion Toll Brings In $216 Million in First Four Months Now With Colorful Blocks, Tirana's Pyramid Represents a Changing Albania The Economic Benefits of Paying Workers to Move Billionaire Steve Cohen Wants NY to Expand Taxpayer-Backed Ferry NY Wins Order Against US Funding Freeze in Congestion Fight The latest entrant comes from VistaShares, which filed this week for a suite of ETFs designed to replicate the holdings of famed money managers like Bill Ackman, Stanley Druckenmiller and Michael Burry. By combing through regulatory disclosures, the firm aims to build funds that echo the moves of these high-profile investors — a fresh spin on the long-running effort to bottle hedge-fund mystique for retail buyers. VistaShares plans to launch funds tracking the portfolios of Ackman's Pershing Square and Burry's Scion Asset Management, among others, by scouring their 13F filings or quarterly reports submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The VistaShares Pershing Square Select ETF, for instance, would be composed of up to 20 stocks reflecting the publicly disclosed holdings of Ackman's firm, either directly or via derivatives including options or swaps, according to the filing. The other funds — seven in total, including two based on Druckenmiller's Duquesne family office and a Berkshire one — would employ similar strategies. But the offering from VistaShares comes with another caveat: 13F filings have an embedded lag as the money managers submit the regulatory paperwork at the end of each quarter, meaning that their strategies had already been implemented, possibly weeks prior to the public being privy to it. And whatever trend or quirk the money managers might have been looking to take advantage of may even have come to pass by that point. 'Hyper-focusing on a few select managers' holdings is interesting, but I have to question the utility of a product when there's an inherent lag to the holdings,' said Todd Sohn, senior ETF analyst at Strategas Securities. 'Managers can change their mind whenever they want, and the ETF would not necessarily reflect real-time decisions.' Still, the strategy fits into a broader push to democratize institutional-style investing in a low-cost wrapper — and standing out in a saturated field. VistaShares already runs the VistaShares Target 15 Berkshire Select Income ETF (ticker OMAH), which targets names owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Its assets have grown to above $200 million, so the issuer may be looking to replicate the success it's seen with that vehicle, said Sohn. It also is looking to soon launch the VistaShares Animal Spirits Daily 2X Strategy ETF under the ticker WILD, which would take the most popular companies — as measured by flows and assets — among amped-up single-stock ETFs and offer double-leveraged exposure on them. VistaShares runs three ETFs altogether, including OMAH, according to its website. Its co-founder, Jon McNeill, previously served as president at Tesla, and also held a stint at Lyft, the website says. The company did not respond to a request for comment. ETFs built around hedge-fund tracking have had mixed success. The Goldman Sachs Hedge Industry VIP ETF (GVIP) is one standout, with its performance handily beating the S&P 500 so far this year and its assets growing to above $325 million. On the other hand, the Intelligent Livermore ETF (LIVR), which uses AI to harness the brainpower of the investment world's most illustrious minds, holds just $17 million after having launched in September. Meanwhile, the Global X Guru Index ETF (GURU) tracks the top equity holdings of certain hedge funds — via a process also based on regulatory submissions — and the fund holds just $47 million, though it's been around since 2012. 'Investors have always been drawn to tracking 13F filings because they offer a rare glimpse into the portfolios of top fund managers,' said Bloomberg Intelligence's Athanasios Psarofagis. 'Traditionally, this hedge-fund category has been tough to crack in the ETF wrapper. ETFs in the past have tried this and it showed that investors were more interested in what these managers were doing than they are in buying the ETFs.' --With assistance from Isabelle Lee. YouTube Is Swallowing TV Whole, and It's Coming for the Sitcom Mark Zuckerberg Loves MAGA Now. Will MAGA Ever Love Him Back? Millions of Americans Are Obsessed With This Japanese Barbecue Sauce How Coach Handbags Became a Gen Z Status Symbol Will Small Business Owners Knock Down Trump's Mighty Tariffs? ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Billionaire Bill Ackman's big housing market bet pays off
Billionaire Bill Ackman's big housing market bet pays off originally appeared on TheStreet. Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged after U.S. President Donald Trump said he is working on taking the two government-controlled mortgage giants public, a move that many shareholders hailed. In a post on his Truth Social platform on May 27, Trump praised the two companies' "vital service" to the American dream of homeownership. The two entities help provide stability and affordability to the U.S. housing market by backing trillions of dollars in home loans. "I am working on TAKING THESE AMAZING COMPANIES PUBLIC, but I want to be clear, the U.S. Government will keep its implicit GUARANTEES, and I will stay strong in my position on overseeing them as President,' Trump wrote. 💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter💰💵 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that have been under federal conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis. The official names of the two enterprises are the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, respectively. Trump unsuccessfully attempted to remove Fannie and Freddie from U.S. government control in 2019 during his first administration. Despite being government-controlled, their shares are still traded on over-the-counter markets and have drawn strong interest from hedge funds and institutional this month, Trump said he was giving 'very serious consideration to bringing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public,' noting they are 'doing very well, throwing off a lot of CASH.' Following the statement, the shares just hit their highest since 2008. Fannie shares () rose 2.2% to $10.78, while Freddie () gained 5.3% to $8 at the market close on May 28. Among the investors cheering the announcement is billionaire fund manager Bill Ackman. In a recent X post, he responded to Trump with two thumbs up. Through his firm, Pershing Square Capital Management, Ackman has invested in both mortgage giants and has repeatedly pushed for their release from conservatorship. He called it the 'biggest deal in history' and estimated that the government could make $300 billion if the companies are restructured and released, according to Bloomberg. "Fannie and Freddie represent a royalty on first mortgages secured by the U.S. housing market, which is a low-risk, high risk-adjusted return investment that will generate large and growing dividends that can be invested in other sovereign fund assets," Ackman said in a March post on X."The long-term returns on F2 [Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac] will significantly exceed the cost of U.S. Treasurys enabling our country to deleverage over time," he added. Ackman's interest in real estate extends beyond the mortgage agencies. Earlier this month, Pershing Square announced a $900 million deal to acquire 9 million newly issued shares of Howard Hughes Holdings () , a real estate company focused on developing large-scale communities and commercial districts. Ackman plans to turn Howard Hughes into a "modern-day version of Berkshire." More Real Estate: SALT income tax deduction takes critical step forward Buffett's Berkshire predicts major housing market shift soon Homeownership trend surges among Gen Z and Millennials In 1965, legendary investor Warren Buffett bought control of Berkshire Hathaway, then a struggling textile manufacturer. He gradually sold off the textile businesses and invested heavily in insurance, utilities, retailing, and other businesses. "Fortunately, our starting base of assets won't be a dying textile company, but a very good business," Ackman said. "We will adopt similar, long-term, shareholder-oriented principles to Berkshire, and we intend to hold the stock forever."Billionaire Bill Ackman's big housing market bet pays off first appeared on TheStreet on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Time to Stock Up,' Says Bill Ackman After Pulling the Trigger on Amazon Stock (AMZN)
Bill Ackman is making waves again—his Pershing Square Capital Management just made a bold bet on Amazon (AMZN), snapping up nearly $1 billion in stock during Q1 2025. The blockbuster move comes at a time when Amazon is under pressure from tariffs, slowing AWS growth, and fierce AI competition—issues that have dragged the stock down year-to-date. Ackman's aggressive play has reignited debate on whether now is the moment to buy into Big Tech's most embattled giant. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Despite macroeconomic headwinds and competition, Ackman sees a resilient AWS, underestimated retail strength gains, and temporary market overreactions as compelling reasons to 'stock up' on AMZN, and I happen to agree. Amazon Web Services (AWS) saw its growth accelerate in the first quarter of 2025, posting $25 billion in revenue, a 17% year-over-year increase. Profitability surged as well, with operating income nearly doubling from $5.1 billion in Q1 2024 to $9.4 billion. As AWS scales, it continues to benefit from powerful tailwinds in the cloud computing industry, which is projected to grow at a 20.4% CAGR and surpass $1 trillion in the coming years. Competing with giants like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), AWS is doubling down on AI to fuel further demand. Amazon's heavy investment in generative AI, through initiatives like its Bedrock platform and custom-built chips such as Trainium, is positioning AWS as a leader in this next phase of cloud innovation. Now accounting for roughly 17% of Amazon's total net sales, AWS has become a growth engine so significant that it could stand alone as a major tech company. Amazon's core retail segment continues to demonstrate strong momentum, with domestic revenue rising 12% year-over-year to $86.3 billion. International markets also contributed positively to the segment's growth. Importantly, Amazon has transformed this historically lower-margin business into a significantly more profitable one, reporting $5 billion in operating income for the quarter—a notable achievement given the inherent challenges of retail operations. This profitability reflects years of strategic investment in its fulfillment infrastructure, which has been refined to deliver faster shipping and reduce transportation costs. Despite persistent macroeconomic pressures and evolving consumer behavior, Amazon's first-quarter retail performance underscores the resilience of both its business model and customer demand. While the retail segment faces increased competition from players like Walmart and Temu, Amazon continues to lead the U.S. e-commerce market with a commanding 37.6% share, well ahead of Walmart's 6.4% in second place. Additionally, Amazon's advertising business—largely integrated within its retail ecosystem—is growing at an impressive 24% year-over-year and remains a key driver of overall profitability. Given Amazon's strong positioning across retail, cloud computing, and AI, it's easy to see why investors like Bill Ackman have taken an interest. The company offers exposure to a diversified array of high-growth sectors. Notably, Amazon's valuation appears reasonable by historical standards, with a current price-to-earnings ratio of 32.8, compared to its typical range of 40 to 80 in recent years. On Wall Street, Amazon has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 47 Buy, one Hold, and zero Sell ratings in the past three months. AMZN's average price target of $240.62 implies almost 17% upside potential in the next twelve months. DBS analyst Nashrullah Putra Sulaeman has a Buy rating on AMZN. He noted that Amazon's performance, particularly in its cloud segment, was impressive despite a decline in free cash flow due to increased capital expenditure. He also pointed out that 'Amazon's retail segment is on a recovery path, showing sustained profitability and improved operating margins.' Likewise, analyst Brent Thill of Jefferies maintains a Buy rating on AMZN with a price target of $240. He noted that a 6% acceleration in AWS backlog 'indicates a strong demand for AWS services, coupled with record operating margins of 39.5%, showcasing Amazon's ability to manage capacity constraints effectively.' Despite tariffs threatening its retail segment, the analyst believes the retail giant is better suited to handle macroeconomic headwinds than its competitors. In summary, Amazon continues to demonstrate strong performance across its key business segments. Its leadership in e-commerce provides a buffer against broader economic challenges, while accelerating growth in AWS underscores the company's successful diversification into high-margin, scalable markets. Strategic investments in AI further enhance its competitive positioning and open doors to new verticals. That said, investors should remain mindful of the risks. Cloud computing, digital advertising, and e-commerce are all intensely competitive industries, and Amazon's future success will hinge on its ability to maintain leadership in AWS while driving greater efficiency and sustainable profitability in its retail operations. Despite its operational momentum, Amazon's stock has lagged this year—an underperformance that has drawn attention from high-profile investors like Bill Ackman. With strong institutional support, reflected in Wall Street's 'Strong Buy' consensus rating, and exposure to several high-growth sectors, Amazon remains a compelling long-term opportunity for investors. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Sign in to access your portfolio
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Billionaire Bill Ackman may get big payday from White House
Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged after U.S. President Donald Trump said he is working on taking the two government-controlled mortgage giants public, a move that many shareholders hailed. In a post on his Truth Social platform on May 27, Trump praised the two companies' "vital service" to the American dream of homeownership. The two entities help provide stability and affordability to the U.S. housing market by backing trillions of dollars in home loans. "I am working on TAKING THESE AMAZING COMPANIES PUBLIC, but I want to be clear, the U.S. Government will keep its implicit GUARANTEES, and I will stay strong in my position on overseeing them as President," Trump wrote. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that have been under federal conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis. The official names of the two enterprises are the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, respectively. Trump unsuccessfully attempted to remove Fannie and Freddie from U.S. government control in 2019 during his first administration. Despite being government-controlled, their shares are still traded on over-the-counter markets and have drawn strong interest from hedge funds and institutional investors. Earlier this month, Trump said he was giving "very serious consideration to bringing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public," noting they are "doing very well, throwing off a lot of CASH." Following the statement, the shares just hit their highest since 2008. Fannie shares (FNMA) rose 2.2% to $10.78, while Freddie (FMCC) gained 5.3% to $8 at the market close on May 28. Image source: Siskin/McMullan via Getty Images Among the investors cheering the announcement is billionaire fund manager Bill Ackman. In a recent X post, he responded to Trump with two thumbs up. Through his firm, Pershing Square Capital Management, Ackman has invested in both mortgage giants and has repeatedly pushed for their release from conservatorship. He called it the "biggest deal in history" and estimated that the government could make $300 billion if the companies are restructured and released, according to Bloomberg. "Fannie and Freddie represent a royalty on first mortgages secured by the U.S. housing market, which is a low-risk, high risk-adjusted return investment that will generate large and growing dividends that can be invested in other sovereign fund assets," Ackman said in a March post on X. Related: Billionaire Bill Ackman buys $2.8 billion of popular tech stock "The long-term returns on F2 [Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac] will significantly exceed the cost of U.S. Treasurys enabling our country to deleverage over time," he added. Ackman's interest in real estate extends beyond the mortgage agencies. Earlier this month, Pershing Square announced a $900 million deal to acquire 9 million newly issued shares of Howard Hughes Holdings (HHH) , a real estate company focused on developing large-scale communities and commercial districts. Ackman plans to turn Howard Hughes into a "modern-day version of Berkshire." More Real Estate: SALT income tax deduction takes critical step forwardBuffett's Berkshire predicts major housing market shift soonHomeownership trend surges among Gen Z and Millennials In 1965, legendary investor Warren Buffett bought control of Berkshire Hathaway, then a struggling textile manufacturer. He gradually sold off the textile businesses and invested heavily in insurance, utilities, retailing, and other businesses. "Fortunately, our starting base of assets won't be a dying textile company, but a very good business," Ackman said. "We will adopt similar, long-term, shareholder-oriented principles to Berkshire, and we intend to hold the stock forever." Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
