DaVita HealthCare (DVA), Hospira (HSP), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) Lead LMR Partners’ Portfolio Into Q2

LMR’s position in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) is another of the ones it greatly reduced during the first quarter, slashing 41% of its holding to leave the fund with 90,443 Class B shares valued at $13.05 million. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A)’s Class B shares dipped by 3.88% during the first quarter following a strong two year run during which they appreciated by nearly 70%. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, managed by Michael Larson is the largest shareholder of Class B shares of Warren Buffett’s holding company, with those shares having been donated to the Trust by Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) was instrumental in facilitating the recent merger between H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) and Kraft Foods, contributing $5 billion in capital towards the deal, which was carried out by 3G Capital.

LMR increased its position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) by 293% during the first quarter, lifting its stake to 78,462 shares valued at $12.63 million.Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)shares increased by 9.66% over the quarter, during which the defense contractor signed a $267 million deal with the U.S Navy to upgrade the electronic warfare package of its warships. That followed a $657.4 million announced in December with the U.S Air Force that will supply ally South Korea with four Global Hawk unmanned drones. The stock was considered one to watch back in September, and has gained over 25% since then. Jean-Marie Eveillard’s First Eagle Investment management was the largest shareholder of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) in our database at the end of 2014.

Lastly is Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN), which LMR opened a new position in during the first quarter. While it was the fund’s only new position in the top five, ten of its next 20 top picks after Calpine were newly initiated positions. The new position in Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN) amounted to 488,000 shares valued at $11.16 million. Analysts are not overly bullish on the energy company short-term, though LMR clearly sees a potential trigger in the stock’s near-term performance, based on its investment practices. Shares have dipped thus far in the second quarter. Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN) has a couple of other bullish investors in Brahman Capital and Addison Clark Management, each of which had exposure to the stock of over 10% heading into 2015.

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