The year 2023 has been a banner year for stocks, with the S&P 500 up more than 20%. However, navigating the volatility in the market has not been easy. Investors have had to deal with concerns about economic slowdown, aggressive rate hikes, surging bond yields, and domestic politics. Despite these challenges, some big-name investors have managed to outshine the market.
Bill Ackman: Short Bet on Treasuries
Bill Ackman of Pershing Square made a short bet against long-term Treasuries in August. He predicted elevated yields due to higher levels of long-term inflation. After yields surged and peaked in October, Ackman covered his position as geopolitical risks emerged. Pershing Square has returned 25.2% through December 19, beating the S&P 500.
Cathie Wood: Strong Year for Innovative Technology Stocks
Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) has had a great year, with a 70% increase in value. The comeback of innovative technology stocks and declining Treasury yields contributed to this growth. Coinbase, Archer Aviation, DraftKings, Meta Platforms, and Palantir were among the top contributors to ARKK’s performance.
David Einhorn: Stellar Performance from Greenlight Capital
David Einhorn’s Greenlight Capital returned 27.7% through the third quarter, surpassing the S&P 500. Einhorn reduced his gross exposure and focused on specific new ideas due to unpredictable geopolitics. His winning stocks included Consol Energy, Capri Holdings, and Black Knight.
Warren Buffett: Solid Year with Apple and Occidental Petroleum
Warren Buffett’s equity portfolio had a solid year, thanks to the soaring value of his Apple holding. Berkshire Hathaway also added to its Occidental Petroleum stake. Buffett took a defensive approach by increasing Berkshire’s cash pile and selling down big stakes in companies like Chevron and HP.
Jim Chanos: Transition from Hedge Funds to Family Office
Longtime short seller Jim Chanos converted his hedge funds to a family office after nearly four decades. He believes that this is a golden age of fraud with plenty of short opportunities. However, his short bets against Tesla and Coinbase have been painful, as both stocks performed well in 2023.
Carl Icahn: Challenging Year for Icahn Enterprises
Carl Icahn’s Icahn Enterprises conglomerate has experienced a significant decline, plunging 65% in 2023. This makes it the worst-performing company among U.S. companies with a market cap of $5 billion or more. Short seller Hindenburg Research’s allegations of inflated asset valuations have contributed to the sell-off.
Hot Take: A Year of Ups and Downs for Investors
The year 2023 has been full of ups and downs for investors. While some have managed to outshine the market and achieve stellar returns, others have faced significant challenges. Navigating the volatility in the market amid macroeconomic uncertainties is no easy task. However, these big-name investors have demonstrated their ability to adapt and make profitable moves in the face of adversity.
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