Insiders and Billionaire George Soros Like American International Group Inc (AIG) and More

Soros was selling American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) during Q1, but still owned 2.9 million shares per the filing. One of AIG’s Board members bought 10,000 shares in May at a bit over $45 per share. With a number of hedge funds selling the stock during the first quarter of 2013, American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) lost its place as the most popular stock among hedge funds (which it had held at the beginning of the year) to Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). See our full top ten list of hedge funds’ favorite picks. Currently American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) is valued at 0.7 times the book value of its equity, making it still a value play on that basis, and consensus forecasts for 2014 imply a forward earnings multiple of 11.

Another of Soros’s picks- he disclosed ownership of 1.6 million shares, nearly triple what he had owned at the beginning of the year- where we’ve recorded an insider purchase is fertilizer company Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS). Fertilizer companies, and stocks tied to agriculture in general, are generally carrying low multiples at this time and Mosaic is no exception at 14 times trailing earnings. Earnings were up 26% in its most recent quarter compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, though revenue rose only 2%. We’re somewhat interested in agriculture over the long term, given the growing world population and intensity of meat consumption, and would be interested in comparing Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) to its peers.

Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) rounds out our list of stocks with an insider purchase in the last three months which Soros owned a sizable stake in at the beginning of April. The $19 billion market cap department store has actually been experiencing growth on both top and bottom lines, in contrast to struggling peers such as J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP). The stock carries trailing and forward P/Es of 15 and 11, respectively, as Wall Street analysts predict EPS growth over the next year and a half. Renaissance Technologies, founded by billionaire Jim Simons, initiated a position of 2.4 million shares (check out Renaissance’s stock picks).

Disclosure: I own no shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.