Apple Inc. (AAPL), Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (QIHU), Mallinckrodt PLC (MNK): Chris Hansen’s Top Stock Picks

Valiant Capital Management, a long/short equity fund run by Christopher Hansen, has recently filed its 13F for the second quarter, disclosing a total of 18 equity positions, with a total value of $1.1 billion. The investor seems to remain focused mainly on large market cap tech stocks, which make around half of his portfolio. The remaining half is filled with investments in the services industry, consumer goods and healthcare. The share of the healthcare industry has in fact increased this quarter with the acquisition of a stake in Mallinckrodt PLC (NYSE:MNK), a Dublin, Ireland-based pharmaceutical company.

AAPL Apple Store

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stays in the first place as the largest acquisition yet, though Valiant has decreased its stake this quarter by selling 215,000 shares. It still holds close to 1.6 million shares which have a market value of $149 million and make as much as 13.34% of the entire portfolio. According to experts, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is set to launch its new smartphone, iPhone 6, in September,  hoping to improve eroding margins as it is under increasing pressure from cheaper alternatives. In addition, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may launch a new iPad

The second place in Hansens’s portfolio is taken by a new investment in Mallinckrodt PLC (NYSE:MNK), where the Seattle-based investor has acquired 1.1 million shares for a total value of $92 million. The stake in the pharmaceutical company is making 8.31% of the portfolio. The business seems to go well at Mallinckrodt PLC (NYSE:MNK), earlier this year it announced the acquisition of Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:QCOR), a $5.75 billion market cap US peer. Also important, yesterday, one of the company’s directors, namely J Martin Carroll, announced the acquisition of 2,000 shares worth around $140.000. In addition, legendary hedge fund Paulson & Co, which is one of the largest shareholders, increased its stake to 6,724,800 shares, purchasing an additional 467,900 shares for a total of $32 million.

On the third place in the Hansen’s portfolio sits Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU), a $24 billion market cap tech company located in Beijing which sells anti-virus software in China. Hansen owns 1 million shares in the company, which is unchanged from the last quarter. The stake has a market value of $91 million and makes 8.25% of the total portfolio value. In addition to Valiant, Jat Capital Management, a hedge fund run by John Thaler is bullish on Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU), holding 1.1 million shares worth $110 million.

Disclosure: none