Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR): Billionaire Mason Hawkins Adds More Shares; See His Other Top Picks

Next on the list is the aforementioned Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), in which Southeastern owned 73.87 million shares, valued at $1.45 billion. Earlier this year, Mr. Hawkins was quoted as saying that Chesapeake was doing a good job at reducing its debt, selling assets at reasonable prices and using $1.0 billion to buyback shares at discounted prices. The company has indeed delivered a strong 2014 with revenues growing to $20.95 billion from $17.51 billion a year earlier and diluted EPS of $1.87, up from $0.73. However, the exploration and production company has been affected by commodity prices, which led to a 37% decline of its stock in the last 52 weeks. Another large shareholder of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) is billionaire Carl Icahn, who owned 66.45 million shares, according to his last 13F filing.

S0utheastern also disclosed ownership of 34.01 million shares of Loews Corporation (NYSE:L), the $1.43 billion stake being the third largest in the fund’s 13F portfolio. The company is part of the financial services sector, which amasses the largest part of Southeastern’s equity portfolio (26%). However, Loews Corporation (NYSE:L) is a diversified company that is also engaged via several subsidiaries (both wholly and partly-owned) in the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs, the exploration and production of natural gas, the operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems, and the management of luxury hotels and resorts. The company’s stock had a volatile year in 2014, falling by around 13% amid a decline in revenues. Another shareholder of Loews Corporation (NYSE:L) is Boykin Curry’s Eagle Capital Management, which held 4.99 million shares at the end of last year.

Disclosure: None