10 Stocks Institutional Investors Loved Last Quarter

The world of institutional investors is worth watching if investors know where to look. Here's an aggregate list of 10 stocks hedge funds, and other investment firms who register 13Fs, loved last quarter.

10) Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B)'s Class B stock was the tenth most popular in the fourth quarter. More than 1,500 institutions hold the stock and, amongst them, 313 can count it in its top 10 picks.

Some notable institutions betting on this company are The Vanguard Group, which holds about $13.1 billion in stock (this makes it its eighth most valuable position) and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, which has its largest bet placed on Mr. Buffett’s firm.

9) Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company WFC counts the support of more than 1,600 institutional investors.

Of them, 353 have one of their top 10 stakes in Wells Fargo’s stock. This is Buffett’s top position, valued at more than $25.4 billion.

8) Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Company PG is up next, with approximately 1,750 institutional backers; 381 have it as a top-10 position. Once again, The Vanguard Group and Berkshire Hathaway can be included in this list.

Related Link: 9 Stocks Institutional Investors Bought En Masse Last Quarter

7) J P Morgan Chase

J P Morgan Chase & Co JPM came in seventh, with 393 institutions holding big chunks of its stock. Among these 393 funds and firms there’s, yet again, The Vanguard Group, FMR LLC and Harris Associates.

6) General Electric

General Electric Company GE is held by 395 financial institutions, including The Vanguard Group and Credit Suisse AG.

5) S&P 500

Number five in this list is an ETF: SPDR S&P 500 ETF SPY. Six hundred funds and investment firms like J P Morgan Chase, The Goldman Sachs Group, Barclays PLC and Morgan Stanley own billions.

4) Exxon Mobil

Despite the steep fall in oil prices, Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM remains a favorite among institutional investors, with 611 of them having it in their top 10 holdings. 

3) Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson JNJ came in third with 628 funds’ top picks. The Vanguard Group and State Street are included in this list, along with others like Yacktman Asset Management and Fisher Asset Management.

2) Microsoft

No. 2 is Microsoft Corporation MSFT, held by 685 funds. Large investors include ValueAct Holdings and First Eagle Investment Management.

1) Apple

Apple Inc. AAPL is the undisputed king. The tech giant is in the top 10 holdings of 1,130 institutional investors, including Icahn Capital, The Vanguard Group, State Street, FMR and Fisher Asset Management.