Trellus Management Added These 5 Stocks to Its Portfolio in Q2

#3. Voya Financial Inc. (NYSE:VOYA)

 – Shares Owned by Trellus Management Company (as of June 30): 42,600

 – Value of Trellus Management Company’s Holding (as of June 30): $1.06 Million

Voya Financial Inc. (NYSE:VOYA) was yet another stock added to Trellus Management’s portfolio during the three months ended June 30. The New York-based asset manager owned 42,600 Voya shares at the end of June, which were valued at $1.06 million. Voya Financial provides products and services in two ongoing businesses: retirement and investment solutions, and insurance solutions. Specifically, the company serves as a custodian for various retirement and 401(k) programs, as well as sells annuities and operates a mutual fund and asset management business. The continued low interest rate environment has weighed massively on the company’s business in recent years, as it is difficult for Voya Financial to manufacture products that are attractive to customers and profitable at the same time. The retirement, investment and insurance company has lost 31% of its market value since the start of the year. David Einhorn’s Greenlight Capital had 4.39 million shares of Voya Financial Inc. (NYSE:VOYA) in its portfolio at the end of the first quarter.

#2. Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV)

 – Shares Owned by Trellus Management Company (as of June 30): 30,000

 – Value of Trellus Management Company’s Holding (as of June 30): $1.18 Million

Trellus Management initiated a position in Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) during the June quarter comprised of 30,000 shares and valued at $1.18 million on June 30. The shares of the Dallas-based passenger airline are down by a little less than 1% year-to-date and have largely treaded water over the past 18 months after a massive 2014 that saw them more than double in value. Southwest’s passenger revenue for the first quarter jumped by 5.3% year-over-year to $4.40 billion, primarily driven by a 9.2% increase in capacity as strong customer demand for low-fare air travel allowed the company to fill the additional seats. Just recently, the nation’s leading discount carrier unveiled a three-year initiative to revamp its reservation system, which could boost the company’s annual profit by $500 million by 2020, in addition to improving customers’ experience. Southwest shares are currently trading at 9.9-times expected earnings, but bullish analysts anticipate the stock to trade near its historical forward P/E multiple of 12 over the next year. John Armitage’s Egerton Capital Limited owned 16.30 million shares of Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) on March 31.

#1. Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE:AAN)

 – Shares Owned by Trellus Management Company (as of June 30): 65,000

 – Value of Trellus Management Company’s Holding (as of June 30): $1.42 Million

Trellus Management Company also acquired a stake of 65,000 shares of Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE:AAN) during the April-to-June period, which was worth $1.42 million at the end of the second quarter. Aaron’s, a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, computers, and home appliances, has seen its shares gain 3% in 2016. The company, which has more than 2,000 company-operated and franchised stores in 43 states and Canada, reported total revenue of $854.4 million for the first quarter, up by 4.0% year-over-year. The increase of $32.6 million was driven by a $55.0 million increase in revenue from leading virtual lease-to-own company Progressive, which was offset by a decrease of $27.2 million in revenue from its traditional lease-to-own store-based business. Ric Dillon’s Diamond Hill Capital had 3.15 million shares of Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE:AAN) among its holdings at the end of March.

Disclosure: None