Bill Ackman Bolsters Stake in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc

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Introduction to the Transaction

Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio), through Pershing Square Capital Management, has recently increased the firm's investment in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc (HHH, Financial). On November 27, 2023, the firm added 164,286 shares to its position, marking a 0.89% change in shares held. This transaction impacted the portfolio by 0.11%, with the shares purchased at a price of $73.06 each. Following this acquisition, Pershing Square now holds a total of 18,690,182 shares in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc, representing a significant 37.30% of the company's outstanding shares and a 13% position in Ackman's portfolio.

Profile of Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio)

William Ackman, the co-investment manager for hedge-fund group Gotham Partners LP, established Pershing Square Capital Management in November 2003. Starting with a modest $54 million from three investors, Ackman has a background in real estate, which he leveraged before founding Gotham. Pershing Square is known for its activist investment approach, where Ackman targets undervalued companies, initiates changes to unlock value, and sells upon reaching the appraised value. With a portfolio equity of $10.49 billion, the firm's top holdings include Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG, Financial), Howard Hughes Holdings Inc (HHH, Financial), and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (HLT, Financial), predominantly in the Consumer Cyclical and Communication Services sectors.1729773300290220032.png

Overview of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc

Howard Hughes Holdings Inc, trading under the stock symbol HHH in the USA, has been a public entity since its IPO on November 5, 2010. The company is a major player in the real estate industry, owning, managing, and developing a diverse portfolio of commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties across the United States. Its business segments include Master Planned Communities, Operating Assets, Seaport, Strategic Developments, and Corporate revenues. With a market capitalization of $3.67 billion and a current stock price of $73.20, Howard Hughes Holdings Inc is positioned as one of the robust real estate platforms in the country.1729773278005882880.png

Financial and Market Analysis of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc

Despite a market capitalization of $3.67 billion, Howard Hughes Holdings Inc is currently deemed as "Modestly Overvalued" with a GF Value of $62.56 and a price to GF Value ratio of 1.17. The stock's performance reflects a PE Percentage of 0.00, indicating the company is not generating profits at the moment. The stock has seen a slight gain of 0.19% since the transaction date and has experienced a 136.13% increase since its IPO. However, the year-to-date performance shows a decline of 3.89%.

Position of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc in Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio)'s Portfolio

The recent transaction underscores the importance of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc in Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment strategy. The addition of shares has solidified the company's position as a key holding within the portfolio, aligning with Ackman's preference for undervalued companies with potential for value realization. The trade has further concentrated the firm's focus on the real estate sector, which is a testament to Ackman's confidence in Howard Hughes Holdings Inc's future prospects.

Performance Metrics of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc

Howard Hughes Holdings Inc's financial health and growth prospects are mixed. The company has a GF Score of 72/100, indicating likely average performance. Its Financial Strength and Profitability Rank stand at 4/10 and 6/10, respectively, while the Growth Rank is at 5/10. The GF Value Rank and Momentum Rank are at 3/10 and 8/10, respectively. However, the Piotroski F-Score is low at 3, and the Altman Z-Score is at 0.38, suggesting some financial distress. The company's Operating Margin and interest coverage are also areas of concern, with ranks of 1145 and 1299, respectively, in these categories.

Market Sentiment and Other Gurus' Positions

Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. remains the largest guru shareholder of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc, with a commanding share percentage. Other notable gurus with positions in the company include Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Donald Smith & Co, and Keeley-Teton Advisors, LLC (Trades, Portfolio), indicating a broader interest in the stock among savvy investors.

Conclusion

The recent acquisition by Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio)'s firm is a strategic move that may significantly influence the value of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. It aligns with Pershing Square's investment philosophy of identifying undervalued opportunities and advocating for value realization. As the company navigates through its financial challenges, the increased stake by a prominent investor like Ackman could signal a vote of confidence to the market, potentially impacting the stock's future performance and Ackman's portfolio returns.

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.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.