Pershing Square Starts Hilton Stake Again

Bill Ackman's investment firm Pershing Square Capital Management today revealed that they've started a new position in Hilton (HLT).  Pershing now owns a 3.7% stake, or around 10.9 million HLT shares.

This isn't the first time Pershing has owned HLT shares in recent memory.  They sold their previous stake in Q2 of 2017 after the company split itself up into a real estate company, an asset light management company, and a timeshare business.

This time around, they've bought HLT, which is just the asset light hotel management business.  This year, HLT shares have dropped from a high of $87.62 to a low of $63.76 before slightly rebounding to current levels of around $67.

For more on this fund, we've also highlighted their Pershing Square's new position in Starbucks (SBUX) and thesis presentation.

Bill Ackman Long Starbucks: Pershing Square Presentation

At the Grant's Interest Rate Observer Conference, Bill Ackman of Pershing Square unveiled a new long position: Starbucks (SBUX).  The presentation is entitled 'Doppio' and Pershing now owns over 15 million shares with a cost basis of $51 and they've used forward contracts.  It's around a $900 million stake.

Pershing notes SBUX is trading at 22x, a discount to the average of 26x and they feel premium coffee is a secularly growth category.  If same store sales and valuation can return to average levels, SBUX shares can double in three years.

Pershing's thesis is that this is a rare opportunity to own one of the world's best franchises at a discount.  They're encouraged by actions of the new leadership team, as they've streamlined the portfolio (sold Tazo, closed Teavana stores, sold the consumer packaged goods business to Nestle).  They're also initiating cost savings and a significant share buyback plan (~$19bn three year target).

Pershing Square: Long Starbucks Presentation

Embedded below is the .pdf of the presentation:



You can download a copy here.

For other recent hedge fund commentary, we also posted up David Einhorn & Greenlight Capital's Q3 letter.

Pershing Square Annual Report 2017: Sold Nike, Covered Herbalife Short

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square is out with its annual report for 2017.  For the year, they lost 4% net.

The report gives updates on their positions in Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Restaurant Brands (QSR), Mondelez (MDLZ), Howard Hughes (HHC), Chipotle (CMG), Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, and Platform Specialty Products (PAH).

Pershing Square Sold Nike (NKE) Position Already

Pershing Square reveals they already sold their new Nike (NKE) position and explain the rationale below:

"During the course of our four-month ownership of Nike (we sold the position recently), the stock price appreciated by34%, reducing the returns to be earned from our investment to a level at which we believed our capital could be allocated to more attractive opportunities.  It is rare that we are a short-term investor.That said,we are always willing to redeploy capital if an investment appreciates to a level that no longer offers sufficient returns relative to other potential opportunities."


Rationale For Covering Herbalife (HLF) Short

They also outline why they covered their Herbalife (HLF) short position:

"While we have been correct in our belief that Herbalife’s business fundamentals would deteriorate as earnings per share, revenue growth, and other measures of business performance weakened substantially since we initiated the investment, we underestimated Herbalife’s ability to access debt capital and use financial engineering which–coupled with Mr.Icahn’s share purchases to materially reduce the company’s free float–has driven share price appreciation."


Embedded below is Pershing Square's 2017 annual report:



You can download a .pdf copy here.

Pershing Square Trims Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Position

Bill Ackman's activist investment firm Pershing Square Capital has filed an amended 13D with the SEC regarding its position in Automatic Data Processing (ADP).  Per the filing, Pershing now owns 7.2% of the company with 31.79 million shares.

It notes that, Pershing "sold a net amount of 5,004,633 shares of Common Stock and American-style call options for portfolio management purposes.”  You can view the full list of transactions here.

For more on this fund, we highlighted some other recent portfolio activity from Pershing Square here.

Per Google Finance, ADP is "a provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions to employers, offering solutions to businesses of various sizes. The Company also provides business process outsourcing solutions. Its segments include Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services. The Employer Services segment offers a range of human resources (HR) business process outsourcing and technology-enabled HCM solutions. These offerings include payroll services, benefits administration, talent management, HR management, time and attendance management, insurance services, retirement services, and tax and compliance services. ADP TotalSource, ADP's PEO business, offers small and mid-sized businesses a HR outsourcing solution through a co-employment model. As a PEO, ADP TotalSource provides HR management services while the client continues to direct the day-to-day job-related duties of the employees."

Pershing Square Building United Technologies Stake; Covers Herbalife Short

Per CNBC, Bill Ackman's Pershing Square has reportedly been building a stake in United Technologies (UTX).  Ackman told Scott Wapner that he thought the company was "great."  The company has been awaiting the closure of its acquisition of Rockwell Collins (COL).  Additionally, UTX management has said they've been evaluating splitting up into a few different entities.

Secondly, Ackman has exited his bet against Herbalife (HLF).  He had previously been outright short shares, but then this past November restructured the short via put options.  Now, he's out of his short bet entirely.  

This comes after he said back in 2013 that he'd go to the "ends of the earth" to shut the company down, dubbing it a pyramid scheme.  Shares of HLF are already up 36% year-to-date after being up a similar amount already last year.

Pershing Square has been active lately, as it also recently revealed a new Nike (NKE) position.

For more from this investor, you can view a recent Pershing Square presentation here.

Pershing Square Portfolio Update Presentation: Nike, S&P Global & More

Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square recently made a presentation to investors about the current state of their portfolio and how they're re-tooling the organization after a few years of poor performance.  In 2017, Pershing was down 4%.

The presentation provides brief updates on all their holdings, including their new Nike (NKE) stake.


Pershing Square on New Nike Stake (NKE)

They bought Nike because it's "a high quality business that should compound long-term earnings at a high rate due to strong revenue growth and margin expansion."

They see it as an iconic brand with a dominant market position.  The company has assets via patents, a huge marketing budget, brand loyalty, manufacturing skill, and leverage with suppliers and customers.

Pershing thinks the company can continue to grow revenue in the high single digits.  They note positive secular trends of health/wellness and emerging market growth as key contributors, as well as pricing power.

The firm sees Nike expanding margins via new manufacturing processes and growth in distribution channels with "more favorable economics."


Ackman Bought & Sold S&P Global (SPGI)

The presentation also reveals that Pershing Square was buying shares of S&P Global (SPGI) during 2017 but sold the stake because they couldn't build a full position size as markets rose.

Their thesis was that "S&P is an annuity-like business with pricing power, strong secular growth and a margin opportunity."  It's a credit ratings and financial data services firm with the former comprising 55% of EBIT and the latter 45%.


Lastly, Pershing Square also bought an undisclosed position but sold that as well.  It's interesting that they aren't revealing the name.  Does this mean perhaps they might want to revisit it if the share price hits a level they're comfortable with? Who knows.

The presentation also includes updates on their stakes in: ADP, Chipotle, Howard Hughes, Mondelez,  Restaurant Brands, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, Platform Specialty Products, and their short of Herbalife (HLF).

Embedded below is Pershing Square's portfolio update presentation:



For more from this fund you can also read Pershing Square's Q3 letter.

Pershing Square Takes Nike Stake

Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square has taken a passive stake in Nike (NKE), according to a Reuters report.  Ackman apparently announced the position at an investor event but doesn't plan to go activist as the company is already heading down the right path.  The fund manager reportedly accumulated the stake since October.

We joked on Twitter that perhaps he read Shoe Dog recently?  Shoe Dog, of course, is the book about Nike's founder Phil Knight and has been recommended by the likes of Warren Buffett and numerous other investors.

For more on this fund we've also previously posted Pershing Square's Q3 letter.

Per Yahoo Finance, Nike is "designs, develops, markets, and sells athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories worldwide. It offers NIKE brand products in nine categories: running, NIKE basketball, the Jordan brand, football, men's training, women's training, action sports, sportswear, and golf. The company also markets products designed for kids, as well as for other athletic and recreational uses, such as cricket, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, walking, and outdoor activities. In addition, it sells sports apparel; and markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Further, the company sells a line of performance equipment, including bags, socks, sport balls, eyewear, timepieces, digital devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, and other equipment under the NIKE brand for sports activities; various plastic products to other manufacturers; athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories under the Jumpman trademark; action sports and youth lifestyle apparel and accessories under the Hurley trademark; and casual sneakers, apparel, and accessories under the Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Star Chevron, and Jack Purcell trademarks. Additionally, it licenses agreements that permit unaffiliated parties to manufacture and sell apparel, digital devices, and applications and other equipment for sports activities under NIKE-owned trademarks. The company sells its products to footwear stores, sporting goods stores, athletic specialty stores, department stores, skate, tennis and golf shops, and other retail accounts through NIKE-owned retail stores and Internet Websites, mobile applications, independent distributors, and licensees. The company was formerly known as Blue Ribbon Sports, Inc. and changed its name to NIKE, Inc. in 1971. NIKE, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon."

Pershing Square Q3 Letter: Restructures Herbalife Short

Bill Ackman is out with Pershing Square's third quarter letter to investors.  Pershing Square returned -3.7% net in the third quarter and was down 4.2% for the year at that time.

Pershing has restructured its short position in Herbalife (HLF).  Rather than shorting common stock, they've covered that and are now short via put options.

Ackman is also quite bullish on Mondelez (MDLZ): "We believe MDLZ is currently substantially undervalued given its high business quality, long-term secular growth potential - especially in emerging markets - and substantial opportunity to improve profit margins.  Today, Mondelez trades at 17 times our estimate for 2018 earnings per share, a discount to the S&P 500 market multiple, for a business whose attributes are substantially better than the average company in the S&P 500."

The letter also provides updates on their holdings: Restaurant Brands (QSR), ADP (ADP), Howard Hughes (HHC), Chipotle (CMG), Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac, Platform Specialty Products (PAH).

Embedded below is Pershing Square's Q3 letter:



For more recent hedge fund commentary, we've also posted up Third Point's Q3 letter as well as Greenlight Capital's Q3 letter.

Pershing Square To Sell Entire Nomad Foods Stake

Nomad Foods (NOMD) today issued a press release stating that they were commencing an offering of 33.33 million shares from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square.

This means that Pershing is selling its entire stake in the company and will no longer be a shareholder.

For more from this hedge fund, we've also posted up Pershing Square's Q2 letter.

Per the press release, Nomad Foods is "a leading frozen foods company building a global portfolio of best-in-class food companies and brands within the frozen category and across the broader food sector. Nomad Foods produces, markets and distributes brands in 17 countries and has the leading market share in Western Europe. The Company’s portfolio of leading frozen food brands includes Birds Eye, Iglo, and Findus."

Pershing Square Q2 Letter: Sold Undisclosed Hilton Stake

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square has put out its mid-year report which includes commentary on their investments.  They also disclose that they previously owned a stake in Hilton (HLT) but recently sold it after the spin-offs took place.

In the letter, they also write about their latest investment, Automatic Data Processing (ADP):

"ADP is a classic Pershing Square investment. It is a simple, predictable, free-cash-flow generative business that has under performed its potential. As a conservatively financed, capital-light business with long-term customer relationships in a sector with substantial positive growth, we believe it has modest downside. If it is able to achieve its potential, we believe it offers substantial upside. We acquired ADP for the funds along with a co-investment vehicle (PSVI) which we recently raised to increase our ownership of the company.  We believe that ADP is one of the highest quality businesses we have owned, and one which offers an enormous opportunity for operational improvement.

They also provide an update on their stake in Chipotle (CMG), noting that the company has battled another setback with a norovirus incident in Virginia.  That said, Pershing feels that the company is still on the right track.  They write,

"We made our investment in Chipotle anticipating that the sales recovery would be neither smooth nor predictable,but with a belief that the key drivers of Chipotle’s powerful economic moat and long-term success would remain intact. With the steps that the company has taken to improve its business, we continue to believe there is an enormous long-term growth opportunity for Chipotle given: (1) the significant potential to drive sales per restaurant higher through mobile and digital ordering, menu innovation, catering, and improved operations, (2) the opportunity to expand its vastly under penetrated restaurant base in the U.S., and (3) the considerable potential to build the brand internationally."

Their letter also touches on Mondelez (MDLZ), Howard Hughes (HHC), Air Products (APD), Restaurant Brands (QSR), Platform Specialty Products (PAH), Nomad Foods (NOMD), and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, as well its short position: Herbalife (HLF).


Embedded below is Pershing Square's Q2 letter:



You can download a .pdf copy here.

Pershing Square's ADP Presentation

Bill Ackman's activist investment firm Pershing Square has a new position: Automatic Data Processing (ADP).  The firm recently released a slideshow presentation on their investment.

Their transformation plan for ADP includes the following:

- Fix corporate structure, corporate bloat and inefficiency
- Accelerate investments in product and back-end improvements
- Accelerate product migrations
- Reduce excess support personnel, focus on value-add services
- Increase sales force productivity

As a result, they see the company increasing growth and margins.  Pershing has also been trying to gain board representation but so far has been unsuccessful.  

Embedded below is Pershing Square's ADP Presentation: "The Time Is Now"



You can download a .pdf copy here.

For more information, they've also started a website on their stake: www.adpascending.com

Pershing Square Builds Automatic Data Processing Stake

Recently, Bloomberg reported that Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square Capital Management had built a stake in Automatic Data Processing (ADP).  Then today, Ackman told CNBC that he's "still buying the stock as of this morning" and that he is "not seeking control of the company."

Per Ackman's recent interview, he feels the company can expand profit margins by more than 50%.  Pershing now reportedly owns 8% of the company mainly via derivatives.

Apparently, Ackman was seeking to push back the board nomination window.  ADP responded: "The Board has unanimously determined that it is not in the best interests of ADP or its other shareholders to accede to Pershing Square's last-minute request for an extension."

ADP also appeared to take a dig at Pershing in its statement as well: "Since Carlos Rodriguez became CEO nearly six years ago, ADP's total shareholder return of 202% is well in excess of the S&P 500 TSR of 128% - and is many multiples of Pershing's TSR of 29%."

For more on this fund, we've also highlighted other recent portfolio activity from Pershing Square here.

Per Google Finance, Automatic Data Processing is "a provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions to employers, offering solutions to businesses of various sizes. The Company also provides business process outsourcing solutions. Its segments include Employer Services and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services. The Employer Services segment offers a range of human resources (HR) business process outsourcing and technology-enabled HCM solutions. These offerings include payroll services, benefits administration, talent management, HR management, time and attendance management, insurance services, retirement services, and tax and compliance services. ADP TotalSource, ADP's PEO business, offers small and mid-sized businesses a HR outsourcing solution through a co-employment model. As a PEO, ADP TotalSource provides HR management services while the client continues to direct the day-to-day job-related duties of the employees."

Pershing Square Trims Restaurant Brands Stake: Report

CNBC is reporting that Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square Capital Management has sold $610 million worth of Restaurant Brands (QSR) in a block trade, selling 10 million shares at $61 per share.

After this trade, Pershing would still own 29 million shares of QSR using the latest figures from their first quarter 13F filing.  While QSR was previously Ackman's top holding, this sale means there's potential for it to slip down a spot to his second largest holding, behind Air Products (APD).

For more on this hedge fund, check out Pershing Square's Q1 letter here.

Per Google Finance, Restaurant Brands is "a quick service restaurant (QSR) company. The Company had over 20,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and the United States territories, as of December 31, 2016. It operates through two segments: Tim Hortons (TH) and Burger King (BK). Tim Hortons restaurants are quick service restaurants with a menu that includes blend coffee, tea, espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks, baked goods, including donuts, Timbits, bagels, muffins, cookies and pastries, grilled paninis, classic sandwiches, wraps and soups, among others. Burger King restaurants are quick service restaurants that feature flame-grilled hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches, French fries, soft drinks and other food items. The Company operates coffee roasting facilities in Hamilton, Ontario and Rochester, New York. The Company sells its raw materials and supplies, including coffee, sugar, paper goods and other restaurant supplies to Tim Hortons restaurants."

Pershing Square's Q1 Letter

Bill Ackman is out with Pershing Square's first quarter 2017 letter.  Pershing returned -2.6% net in the first quarter of the year.

We've already highlighted how Ackman pitched Howard Hughes at the recent Sohn conference. 

His Q1 letter provides updates on other stocks such as Mondelez (MDLZ), Air Products (APD), Restaurant Brands (QSR), Chipotle (CMG), Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, as well as Platform Specialty Products (PAH), Nomad Foods (NOMD), and their short of Herbalife (HLF).



Embedded below is Pershing Square's Q1 letter:



You can download a .pdf copy here.

Bill Ackman's Sohn Presentation on Howard Hughes: SimCities

We've posted up notes from the Sohn New York Investment Conference and at the event Pershing Square's Bill Ackman pitched a long of Howard Hughes (HHC).

He's actually the Chairman of the company and has been a longtime shareholder.  His pitch is included here in its entirety.

Embedded below is Bill Ackman's Sohn Conference presentation on Howard Hughes entitled 'SimCities':



You can download a .pdf copy here.

Be sure to also check out notes from the Sohn Conference New York as well as Next Wave Sohn.

Betting on Zero Trailer: Documentary on Bill Ackman's Fight Against Herbalife

Bill Ackman and Pershing Square's short bet against Herbalife (HLF) has been dragging on for quite some time now.  Simply put, he argues the company is a pyramid scheme.

Now, a documentary has been released called Betting on Zero.  It details Bill Ackman's 'holy war' against the company and also touches on Carl Icahn's long position. 

The documentary is available on iTunes now, but here's a teaser of what you can expect.

Embedded below is the video trailer for Betting on Zero:



For more on this fund, we've detailed Pershing Square's 2016 annual report.

Pershing Square's 2016 Annual Report: VRX, APD, FNMA, HLF, HHC, MDLZ, NOMD, PAH, QSR

Bill Ackman's hedge fund firm Pershing Square Capital Management is out with its 2016 annual report.

Pershing Square lost 13.5% net in 2016.  The bulk of this loss was attributed to its previous position in Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX).

Ackman writes about why they ended up selling VRX:

"If the stock price had increased even very substantially from here, the impact on our overall performance would have been modest, and would not compensate  us for the human resources and substantial mindshare that this investment had and would have continued to consume  if we had remained a shareholder.  Furthermore, while Valeant has made significant progress and we expect  management to continue to do so, there is still a lot of work to be done.  

Clearly, our investment in Valeant was a huge mistake.  Th e highly acquisitive nature of Valeant’s business required  flawless capital allocation and operational execution, and th erefore, a larger than no rmal degree of reliance on  management.  In retrospect, we misjudged the prior management team and this contributed to our loss.  We deeply  regret this mistake, which has cost  all of us a tremendous amount, and whic h has damaged the record of success of  our firm." 

Despite the poor 2016, Pershing points out that they've generated a compound annual return of 14.8% compared to S&P returns of 7.7% over the same time period.

The report also details portfolio updates on numerous positions, including: Air Products & Chemicals (APD), Fannie Mae (FNMA) / Freddie Mac (FMCC), their short of Herbalife (HLF), Howard Hughes (HHC), Mondelez (MDLZ), Nomad Foods (NOMD), Platform Specialty Products (PAH), and Restaurant Brands (QSR).

They also touch on some of the positions they've exited.

Embedded below is Pershing Square's 2016 annual report:



You can download a .pdf copy here.

Pershing Square Exits Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square Capital Management has announced it sold 27 million shares and options in Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX). 

Per the release, "We elected to sell our investment and realize a large tax loss which will enable us to dedicate more time to our other portfolio companies and new investment opportunities."

Around the time of sale, Pershing's VRX position size was smaller by their standards, between 1.5% to 3% of their funds.  Like many hedge funds involved, they suffered sharp losses.

With this news, the only other major funds involved with Valeant as of the end of 2016 include ValueAct Capital (who have now roundtripped their investment) and Paulson & Co.

Per Google Finance, Valeant Pharmaceuticals is "a pharmaceutical and medical device company. The Company is engaged in developing and marketing a range of branded, generic and branded generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and medical devices (contact lenses, intraocular lenses, ophthalmic surgical equipment, and aesthetics devices). It operates through two segments: Developed markets and Emerging markets. In the Developed Markets segment, it focuses on the areas of dermatology, neurology, gastrointestinal disorders, and eye health therapeutic classes. In the Emerging Markets segment, it focuses on primarily on branded generics, OTC products and medical devices. Its pharmaceutical products include Xifaxan, Solodyn and Glumetza. Its OTC products include PreserVision, Biotrue and Boston. Its other generic products include Latanoprost and Metronidazole. Its ophthalmic surgical products include intraocular lenses, such as Akreos, enVista, Crystalens and Trulign."

Pershing Square Trims Platform Specialty Products Position

Bill Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square has filed an amended 13D with the SEC regarding its position in Platform Specialty Products (PAH).  Per the filing, Pershing now owns 14.5% of the company with 40.45 million shares.

This is a decrease of 2.28 million shares since the end of the second quarter when they owned over 42.73 million PAH shares.  The filing was made due to activity on November 10th when they sold shares at $8.78.

For more from this firm, we've highlighted other recent Pershing Square portfolio activity.

Per Yahoo Finance, Platform Specialty Products is "produces and sells specialty chemical products in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. It operates through two segments, Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions."

Pershing Square Exercises Chipotle Options

Bill Ackman's activist firm Pershing Square Capital Management filed an amended 13D with the SEC regarding their position in Chipotle (CMG).  Per the filing, Pershing's ownership stake remains unchanged at 9.9% of the company.

However, the filing notes that they exercised forward purchase contracts on CMG on October 20th.  Total trade amount was just over $947 million and yielded them over 2.32 million shares of Chipotle common stock.

Chipotle just reported earnings yesterday and the stock is trading down 8% today.

You can view other recent Pershing Square portfolio activity here.

Per Google Finance, Chipotle "operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. The Company's Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants serve a menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads. The Company operates approximately 1,970 Chipotle restaurants throughout the United States, over 10 in Canada, seven in England, four in France and one in Germany. The Company's restaurants include over 10 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, serving Asian-inspired cuisine. The Company owned and operated approximately three Pizzeria Locale restaurants, a fast casual pizza concept, resulting in a totaling of approximately 2,010 restaurants. The Company sells gift cards which do not have an expiration date."