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Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Reveals Six New Holdings, Including Netflix, Visa, and Mastercard
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has initiated the most significant overhaul of his firm's investment portfolio in years, unveiling six new holdings that include a renewed position in Netflix (NFLX) and new stakes in payment processing giants Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA). The new investments were announced on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
A Major Portfolio Shift
The shares were acquired starting in the second quarter for Pershing Square's funds, including its new NYSE-listed vehicle, Pershing Square USA. Ackman stated his belief that the selected firms are poised for strong earnings growth, which he views as the primary driver of long-term investment value.
The six new companies added to the typically concentrated portfolio are:
- Netflix
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Eye care firm Alcon (ALC)
- Exchange operator Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
- Financial data provider S&P Global (SPGI)
Context and Recent Performance
AdThe portfolio changes come amid a period of recent underperformance for Ackman's funds. Through July, Pershing Square USA was down 3.5% for the year, while the London-listed Pershing Square Holdings had fallen 9.2%. In contrast, the S&P 500 index gained 13% over the same period.
This marks Ackman's second venture into Netflix, having previously bought and sold the stock in 2022 at a loss. These new positions will join existing major holdings in companies like Microsoft, Uber Technologies, and Meta Platforms.
Market Implications
Investors and market analysts are closely watching for the official disclosure of these holdings, which are expected to appear in Pershing Square's 13-F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These quarterly reports are widely scrutinized for insight into the strategies of major institutional investors.
The move reflects a strategic pivot for Ackman, who has in recent years adopted a quieter, more constructive approach to investing, shifting away from the vocal activist tactics that defined his early career.
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