Hedge Funds Like What They See From Gray Television As It Strikes Major Deal

Page 1 of 2

Another week, another acquisition, this time from Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTNin the rapidly consolidating TV market. The company has announced the acquisition of the stable of television and radio stations owned by Schurz Communications, Inc., an Indiana-based television, radio and newspaper media group. Gray is set to cough up $442.5 million in the transaction, which will lift its portfolio to 49 television markets in 28 states, including 39 stations that are ranked number one in their respective markets.

Most Expensive Televisions In the World

Concept Photo/Shutterstock.com

The deal is expected to be closed later this year or in the beginning of 2016 and is expected to immediately impact Gray’s financial bottom line. Schurz Communications will maintain all its non-broadcast assets. Shares of Gray Television have jumped by over 11% in pre-market trading this morning following a 5.29% increase during yesterday’s regular session. Although the number of hedge funds holding the stock did not change during the second quarter, the value of their positions rose by 9.8% to $295 million. Hedge fund legends Ken Griffin and Dmitry Balyasny are among the managers that boosted their investments in Gray Television during the quarter.

Let’s take a step back and analyze how tracking hedge funds can help an everyday investor. Through our research we discovered that a portfolio of the 15 most popular small-cap picks of hedge funds beat the S&P 500 Total Return Index by nearly a percentage point per month on average between 1999 and 2012. On the other hand the most popular large-cap picks of hedge funds underperformed the same index by seven basis points per month during the same period. This is likely a surprise to many investors, who think of small-caps as risky, unpredictable stocks and put more faith (and money) in large-cap stocks. In forward tests since August 2012 these top small-cap stocks beat the market by an impressive 60 percentage points, returning 118% (read the details here). Follow the smart money into only their best investment ideas all while avoiding their high fees.

Although its a minor position in the massive portfolio of Citadel Investment Group, Ken Griffin decided to step up his interest in Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTN), increasing his holding of the stock by 152% to 860,658 shares worth $13.5 million at the end of the second quarter. Dmitry Balyasny also sees upside potential for the stock, boosting his stake by 116% to 809,647 shares valued at $12.6 million according to his fund Balyasny Asset Management’s latest 13F filing. Donald Chiboucis also joined the party during the second quarter, having initiated a position that amasses 853,510 shares worth a reported $13.3 million.

Page 1 of 2