Core Insights - Bill Ackman, a prominent billionaire investor, has made significant investments in three companies: Restaurant Brands International, Uber Technologies, and Amazon, which are considered strong picks in the current market environment [3][4][8]. Company Summaries Restaurant Brands International (QSR) - Restaurant Brands is currently trading at its lowest valuation in recent history, offering a dividend yield of 3.5% [4][6]. - The company has shown robust revenue and earnings growth, benefiting from its portfolio of well-known fast-food brands like Burger King, Popeye's, and Tim Horton's [5]. - The defensive business model positions Restaurant Brands favorably during economic downturns, as consumers may opt for more affordable dining options [5]. Uber Technologies (UBER) - Uber is Ackman's largest holding, with 30.3 million shares valued at over $2.8 billion [6][7]. - The company has transitioned from generating losses to achieving significant free cash flow and profit growth, with gross bookings increasing by 21% in the last quarter [7]. - As Uber's margins improve with scaling, it is viewed as a compelling growth stock opportunity [7]. Amazon (AMZN) - Amazon remains a top holding for Ackman, recognized for its impressive growth in both e-commerce and cloud services [8][9]. - Despite its large market capitalization, Amazon's scale and importance in global infrastructure make it a long-term investment favorite [8]. - The company's focus on reinvesting profits into growth rather than issuing dividends is seen as a strategic advantage for future profitability [9].

Core Viewpoint - Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management has a strong focus on individual stock analysis and has generated significant returns, with a notable investment in Restaurant Brands International (QSR) which provides reliable passive income through dividends [1][2]. Company Overview - Pershing Square Capital Management owned 10 stocks at the end of Q2, focusing on thorough bottom-up analysis [2]. - QSR has been part of Pershing's portfolio since its IPO in 2012 and owns popular fast-food chains like Burger King, Tim Horton's, and Popeye's [4]. Financial Performance - Over the past five years, QSR's stock has only increased by about 13%, facing challenges such as competition, supply chain issues, and inflation [5]. - QSR has a high debt level of approximately $13.4 billion and a debt-to-equity ratio exceeding 4 as of the end of Q2 [5]. Business Model and Strategy - Ackman and his team favor QSR for its "high-quality, capital-light" franchise model, which generates royalties from leading fast-food brands [6]. - Burger King International reported over 4% same-store sales growth year-over-year, outperforming McDonald's [6]. - QSR is revamping its U.S. business and plans to invest $500 million into the Carrols Restaurant Group to modernize over 600 restaurants before refranchising [7]. Dividend and Cash Flow - QSR offers a high dividend yield of approximately 3.90%, with $544 million paid in dividends in the first half of the year, translating to an annual run rate of about $1.09 billion [9][10]. - Over the past 12 months, QSR generated free cash flow of $1.35 billion, providing a buffer for dividend payments [10]. - Despite net income of $484 million in the first half of the year being below dividends paid, management remains optimistic about future food price cycles [10][11]. Investment Position - As of the end of Q2, Pershing's stake in QSR was valued at $1.52 billion, yielding approximately $59.5 million in dividends annually based on the 3.90% yield [12].