George Soros News: The Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) Bet, One Intriguing Possibility & More

Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), SPDR Gold Trust (ETF) (NYSEARCA:GLD), US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC), AMR Corporation (PINK:AAMRQ), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

George Soros, Carl Icahn buy shares in Herbalife (JournalNow)
Billionaires George Soros and Carl Icahn bought a combined 5.65 million shares in Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) in the second quarter in a bet that hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman is wrong about the nutrition and weight-loss supplement company. Soros Fund Management LLC, the investor’s family office, bought a 4.9 percent stake in Herbalife valued at $227.5 million at the end of the quarter, according to a filing. The company was Soros’s third-largest U.S. stock-listed holding as of June 30. Icahn added 611,354 shares of Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), bringing his stake to 17 million shares, valued at $765.9 million at the end of the second quarter, according to a separate filing.

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Here’s What Smart Investor George Soros Has Bought (DailyFinance)
Every quarter, many money managers have to disclose what they’ve bought and sold, via “13F” filings. Their latest moves can shine a bright light on smart stock picks. George Soros is known to some folks these days for his politics and philanthropy, but his fame stems from his wealth, which is a result of his outstanding investing prowess. He founded Soros Fund Management back in 1973, and under its umbrella, the Quantum funds racked up an amazing record, reportedly averaging close to 20% annual growth over four decades. He has noted, though, that hedge funds can’t beat the market due to fees.

Buy Gold Now That Soros, Paulson Are Out (WatchlistNews)
The big drop in gold prices may be over but the rebound is volatile. Gold futures surged 4.5% to close at $1,371 an ounce–its highest price in two months. Investors including hedge fund managers John Paulson and George Soros had been liquidating positions in the popular SPDR Gold Trust (ETF) (NYSEARCA:GLD), which ?really killed gold.? “Buy Gold Now That Soros, Paulson Are Out” is categorized as “business”. This video was licensed from Grab Networks.

Who Will Protect the Fleeced? (Heartland)
Katya Wachtel and Sam Forgione of Reuters wrote this in a recent investment recap piece: “Billionaire investor George Soros dumped 7.85 million shares of US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC) in the second quarter, a regulatory filing on Wednesday showed. “It was a timely move by the investor’s Soros Fund Management. On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block the proposed merger of US Airways and AMR Corporation (PINK:AAMRQ), the parent company of American Airlines.”

Fast Money Final Trade (CNBC)

Might Elsztain bring Steinhardt, Soros into IDB? (Globes)
There is never a dull moment in the IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. (TASE:IDBH) debt settlement saga. …Elsztain’s aides today floated the names of US billionaires Michael Steinhardt and George Soros as possible participants in his investment in IDB, provided that the bondholders accept the offer. The sources said that Steinhardt and Soros would receive 25% of IDB Development. Elsztain made joint investments with Soros in the early 1990s, including in real estate developer Alrov (Israel) Ltd. (TASE: ALRO), controlled by Alfred Akirov.

George Soros Is Getting Bearish on the Market (InvestorPlace)
George Soros might be bullish on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), but he’s bearish on America. The hedge fund manager recently filed Soros Fund Management’s 13F for the second quarter. Headlines have been focusing on Soros’ stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), which increased by nearly 150% from the quarter prior, but fewer have noticed his huge put option stake on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). For those who aren’t familiar with options, buying a put is a bearish move. Translation: Soros is making a huge bet that the S&P 500 will head lower.