Where The Smart Money Is Investing

When it comes to investing, there are no bonus points for originality. Returns are returns, regardless of whether the trade was your idea or a hot tip from your brother in law.

The good news is that the SEC makes available far better trading moves than those of your brother in law. Large institutional investors are required to disclose their portfolio holdings at least quarterly, giving the investing public a chance to look over their shoulders.

You don’t want to mindlessly ape another investor’s moves because you have no way of knowing their rationale for buying or selling. But it never hurts to see how your own portfolio stacks up against some of the best in the business.

So with that said, let’s take a look at the asset allocations of three managers that have left the competition in the dust over their long careers.

I’ll start with Baupost Capital’s Seth Klarman, a man whose reputation in value investor circles makes him close to demigod status. Klarman runs a multi-billion-dollar portfolio with just 40 stocks in it. That’s how confident he is in his picks.

So, what is Mr. Klarman betting on?

Try energy. Lots of energy. 39% of his portfolio was invested in energy as of quarter end with nearly half of that amount in a single stock.

It’s worth noting here that Klarman isn’t betting on the price of oil rising or on “Big Oil” stocks in general. His bet is a targeted one on liquefied natural gas exportation. But it goes to show that, even in a full-blown crisis, there can be pockets of opportunity.

Next, let’s take a look at Dan Loeb, principal of hedge fund Third Point. Loeb is not a passive investor. He’s a notorious activist investor known for taking large stakes in companies and then agitating for major change. You and I don’t have that kind of power, but we can still take a peek over his shoulder and see where he sees the most value.

Today, it’s in healthcare. About 40% of his portfolio is currently invested in health and biotech stocks.