The Motley Fool·2025-12-09 17:45Core Insights - Bill Ackman, a prominent hedge fund manager, is focusing on concentrated investments in high-conviction companies through Pershing Square Holdings, including significant stakes in Uber, Nike, and Amazon [2][3]. Group 1: Uber - Ackman disclosed a $2 billion investment in Uber, acquiring 30.3 million shares, believing the stock was undervalued due to excessive concerns about self-driving cars [5][9]. - Uber's stock has risen 50% year-to-date, supported by strong operating metrics, including a 17% increase in monthly active users and a 22% rise in total trips booked [6][9]. - Ackman anticipates a 30% growth in earnings per share for Uber, with the stock trading at 25 times forward earnings, indicating it remains undervalued [9]. Group 2: Nike - Ackman initially invested in Nike in 2024, holding over 18 million shares, but later shifted to deep in-the-money call options, aiming for double the returns if Nike's turnaround is successful [10][15]. - Nike's shares have declined 13% this year, but the company is showing signs of improvement under new CEO Elliott Hill's "Win Now" strategy, focusing on branding and wholesale partnerships [11][12]. - Management expects revenue growth from wholesale channels, while direct sales may decline due to the removal of clearance items, leading to improved margins [12][14]. Group 3: Amazon - Ackman purchased 5.8 million shares of Amazon for approximately $1 billion during an April sell-off, viewing it as a long-term investment despite the stock's performance aligning with the S&P 500 [16][17]. - Amazon's cloud computing segment is experiencing increased demand, particularly driven by AI, with CEO Andy Jassy indicating continued growth in Amazon Web Services [18][19]. - The retail segment is also showing strong margin expansion as Amazon optimizes its logistics network, leading to reduced shipping costs and increased revenue growth [20][21].