Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) was another one of Lodge Hill’s strong performers as it appreciated by 15.72% during the first quarter. Lodge hill’s stake in the real estate company amounted to 445,000 shares valued at $19.94 million. The largest stockholder of Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) among the funds that we track is Ken Heebner‘s Capital Growth Management. The recent data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that home ownership is continuing its strong growth. Sale of single-family houses increased by 15.2% in February from last month to 539,000, which is also about 24.8% higher than last year’s figure for the same month. Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) is rising on the back of this trend.
Murray also faced some disappointments during the first quarter, and Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) was a top contender in that department as it fell by about 53.58% during this period. The fund’s stake in the retailer of hardwood flooring stood at 277,500 shares valued at $18.40 million. The fate of Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) was sealed by the TV show ’60 Minutes’ which alleged that the levels of formaldehyde in some of the company’s flooring products exceeded the safety range. An investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still underway. Sharlyn C. Heslam‘s Stockbridge Partners also suffered at the hands of Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL) as it held about 1.97 million shares valued at $130.64 million at the end of 2014.
Gencorp Inc (NYSE:GY)‘s first quarter gains of 26.72% make it the best performer on this list of Lodge Hill’s top holdings. The fund’s stake amounted to 988,500 shares valued at $18.09 million. A subsidiary of Gencorp, European Space Propulsion (ESP), which provides in-space chemical and propulsion products recently received a contract for the development of a 5 kilowatt Hall Thruster Thermo Throttle from Airbus Space and Defense and Thales Alenia Space. The company also has Mario Gabelli’s vote of confidence as his fund, GAMCO Investors holds about 5.32 million shares of Gencorp Inc (NYSE:GY) valued at $97.40 million.
Another hit for Lodge Hill from the first quarter is Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE:DECK), whose stock slid by 19.96% during the period. The stock of the manufacturer of innovative footwear, apparel and accessories slid after an earnings miss for the third fiscal quarter and a weak guidance provided by the company. The analysts at Goldman Sachs feel positive about the company’s future prospects as they raised their rating to buy from neutral in February, but cut the price target to $90 from $95. Murray holds about 196,700 shares of Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE:DECK) valued at $17.91 million. The largest stockholder of the company is Donald Chiboucis’ Columbus Circle Investors, according to our database of hedge funds.
Disclosure: None
