On December 1, 2023, Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio), a renowned investment management firm, made a significant addition to its holdings in Shopify Inc. (SHOP, Financial), an e-commerce giant. The transaction saw the firm acquire 1,419,749 additional shares at a trade price of $73.86, impacting its portfolio by 0.1%. This purchase increased Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s total share count in Shopify to 64,164,758, representing a 4.32% position in its portfolio and a 5.32% stake in the company.
Investment Management Approach of Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)
With over a century of experience, Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio) has established itself as a leading investment management partnership, prioritizing the interests of existing clients and maintaining a high standard of professional excellence. The firm manages assets for some of the world's largest professional investors, adopting a long-term, bottom-up investment approach. Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s strategy focuses on identifying companies with the potential for sustainable, above-average growth over a typical five-year horizon or more. 
Shopify Inc.: A Leader in E-Commerce Solutions
Shopify Inc., headquartered in Canada, has been revolutionizing the e-commerce space since its IPO on May 21, 2015. The company's platform empowers small and medium-sized businesses to sell online across various channels, including websites, physical stores, and social media. Shopify's business is divided into two main segments: Merchant solutions and Subscription solutions, providing a comprehensive suite of services to facilitate online commerce. 
Shopify's Financial Footing and Market Performance
As of the latest data, Shopify boasts a market capitalization of $104.73 billion, with a current stock price of $81.55. Despite not having a PE Ratio due to being unprofitable, the company is considered "Fairly Valued" according to GuruFocus's exclusive GF Value, with a Price to GF Value ratio of 1.07. Since Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s trade, Shopify's stock has seen a gain of 10.41%, with a year-to-date increase of 10.46%.
Shopify's Role in Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s Portfolio
Shopify Inc. holds a significant place in Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment portfolio, ranking among its top holdings alongside giants like Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN, Financial) and NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA, Financial). The recent acquisition of shares underscores the firm's confidence in Shopify's growth prospects and strategic importance within the technology and consumer cyclical sectors.
Shopify's Performance Metrics and Industry Standing
Shopify's GF Score stands at an impressive 80/100, indicating strong potential for outperformance. The company's financial strength, profitability, and growth prospects are reflected in its ranks, with a Balance Sheet Rank of 7/10 and a Growth Rank of 8/10. However, its Profitability Rank is lower at 4/10, indicating areas for improvement.
Comparative Analysis with Other Investors
Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio) is not the only investment firm with a stake in Shopify. Other notable investors include Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio), Tom Gayner (Trades, Portfolio), and Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio). Baron Funds holds the largest share percentage among the gurus, but Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s recent move has further solidified its position as a key investor in Shopify.
Conclusion
Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s recent acquisition of Shopify Inc. shares is a testament to the firm's belief in the e-commerce platform's growth trajectory and its strategic fit within the technology and consumer cyclical sectors. As Shopify continues to innovate and expand its reach, Baillie Gifford (Trades, Portfolio)'s increased stake may well position the firm to benefit from the company's future successes in the dynamic online retail market.
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.
