Hedge-Fund Favorites Rose 23% In The Past Year

Core Insights - The article discusses five hedge fund-favored stocks that have outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index, which rose 15.3%, with the selected stocks rising 23.6% over the past year [3]. Group 1: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) - TSMC is a leading semiconductor manufacturer, with a net profit margin of 42%, and is utilized by nearly all major semiconductor companies except Intel [4]. - The stock is currently priced at 30 times recent earnings and 26 times the expected earnings for 2026, indicating it is not overly expensive despite geopolitical risks [5]. Group 2: Berkshire Hathaway - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has a low debt-to-equity ratio of 19%, positioning it well to acquire distressed companies during economic downturns [7]. - The company continues to attract hedge fund investments despite Buffett's impending retirement [6]. Group 3: Walmart - Walmart is expected to perform well during economic downturns due to its low-price strategy, which helps retain existing customers and attract new ones [9]. - The stock is currently valued at $107, with a recommendation to buy if it falls below $100 and to purchase enthusiastically at $90 [10]. Group 4: JPMorgan Chase - JPMorgan Chase has maintained a return on assets of 1.00% or more in six of the past seven years, indicating strong financial health [11]. - A potential scenario where the Federal Reserve cuts short-term interest rates while long-term rates remain stable could benefit JPMorgan [12]. Group 5: Caterpillar - Caterpillar is benefiting from a weak dollar, which enhances its export capabilities, as over half of its sales come from outside the U.S. [13]. - The company faces challenges from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, but the positive effects of the weak dollar are expected to outweigh these challenges [13]. Group 6: Performance of Previous Recommendations - The previous year's hedge fund favorites included H&E Equipment Services, which saw a 68% gain after being acquired, and Customers Bancorp, which returned 29% [14]. - D.R. Horton experienced a 14% loss, while Loews Corp and Toyota Motor Corp achieved returns of 22% and 13%, respectively [14].