Insightful Analysis of Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio)'s Fourth Quarter 2024 13F Filing

Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) recently submitted the 13F filing for the fourth quarter of 2024, providing insights into his investment moves during this period. Born on August 5, 1950, Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) hails from a small Christian community in Mangalore, India. He pursued chemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology before moving to Canada in 1972 with just $8. Watsa completed his MBA at the University of Western Ontario and began his career at Confederation Life. Inspired by Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment strategies, Watsa founded Fairfax Financial, a holding company focused on property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and investment management. Fairfax aims to achieve high returns on invested capital through disciplined underwriting and a total return investment approach. Watsa's conservative value investment philosophy emphasizes long-term gains, both realized and unrealized.Prem Watsa's Strategic Moves: CVS Health Corp Takes Center Stage with 7.82% Portfolio Share

Summary of New Buy

Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) added a total of four stocks, among them:

The most significant addition was CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS), with 2,712,000 shares, accounting for 7.82% of the portfolio and a total value of $121,741,680 million. The second largest addition to the portfolio was Molson Coors Beverage Co (NYSE:TAP), consisting of 1,186,500 shares, representing approximately 4.37% of the portfolio, with a total value of $68,010,180. The third largest addition was Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF), with 5,899,273 shares, accounting for 3.56% of the portfolio and a total value of $55,453,170.

Key Position Increases

Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) also increased stakes in a total of six stocks, among them:

The most notable increase was The Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), with an additional 2,564,000 shares, bringing the total to 3,314,000 shares. This adjustment represents a significant 341.87% increase in share count, a 5.06% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of $101,772,940. The second largest increase was ATS Corp (NYSE:ATS), with an additional 2,429,700 shares, bringing the total to 2,486,400. This adjustment represents a significant 4,285.19% increase in share count, with a total value of $73,870,690.

Summary of Sold Out

Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) completely exited four holdings in the fourth quarter of 2024, as detailed below:

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL): Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) sold all 274,620 shares, resulting in a -4.14% impact on the portfolio. Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC): Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) liquidated all 190,000 shares, causing a -0.41% impact on the portfolio.

Story Continues

Key Position Reduces

Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio) also reduced positions in two stocks. The most significant changes include:

Reduced Capri Holdings Ltd (NYSE:CPRI) by 124,000 shares, resulting in a -61.36% decrease in shares and a -0.48% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $26.96 during the quarter and has returned 15.17% over the past three months and 7.45% year-to-date. Reduced Xeris Biopharma Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:XERS) by 31,250 shares, resulting in a -18.28% reduction in shares and a -0.01% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $3.22 during the quarter and has returned 14.29% over the past three months and 6.19% year-to-date.

Portfolio Overview

At the fourth quarter of 2024, Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio included 31 stocks. The top holdings included 19.97% in Orla Mining Ltd (ORLA), 19.11% in Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:OXY), 11.35% in BlackBerry Ltd (NYSE:BB), 8.56% in Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc (NYSE:KW), and 7.82% in CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS).Prem Watsa's Strategic Moves: CVS Health Corp Takes Center Stage with 7.82% Portfolio Share

The holdings are mainly concentrated in 10 of the 11 industries: Basic Materials, Energy, Technology, Consumer Defensive, Healthcare, Real Estate, Consumer Cyclical, Industrials, Financial Services, and Communication Services.Prem Watsa's Strategic Moves: CVS Health Corp Takes Center Stage with 7.82% Portfolio Share

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

View Comments