Jim Simons Betting On Microsoft, Colgate-Palmolive, Novo Nordisk & Alaska Air

On Friday, Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies filed its Form 13F for the second quarter of the year, disclosing its long equity positions as of June 30, 2015. So, let’s take a look at the firm’s portfolio and some of its most interesting moves and positions.

After 479 new stock purchases, the closing of 416 positions, an increase in 1777 stakes, and the reduction in 924 of them, the fund’s equity portfolio’s market value fell from $46.95 billion to $43.89 billion. In terms of allocation, diversification continues to rule the portfolio, although there is a slight focus on information technology (19 percent of the total value), healthcare (15 percent) and consumer discretionary (13 percent) stocks.

The top three positions remained the same as in the previous quarter, even though Simons trimmed his exposure –slightly- to all of them. The podium is occupied by Colgate-Palmolive Company CL, Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR) (NYSE: NVO) and Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), of which Renaissance Technologies declared holding 12,590,800 shares, 14,087,000 shares and 6,045,200 shares, respectively, worth about $823 million, $771 million and $389 million, correspondingly.

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One of the most bullish moves was the one made in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). Over the quarter, the firm acquired more than $300 million in stock, or 6,935,684 shares, making it its sixth largest holding. Also betting on the tech behemoth are the Vanguard Group and State Street Corp, which last disclosed ownership of 463,803,325 shares and 310,763,146 shares, respectively. Among hedge funds, Jean-Marie Eveillard’s First Eagle Investment Management’s position, comprising 33,972,915 shares, could be highlighted.

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On the bearish side, two moves should be pointed out: the closing of Renaissance’s stakes in Facebook Inc FB and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC). Over the period, the fund disposed of all of its 2,646,695 Facebook shares, and all of its 6,871,594 Intel shares.

Another fund that closed its position in Facebook over the second quarter is Ken Griffin’s Citadel Advisors, which sold all of its 1,840,747 shares, 2,331,700 put options and 2,682,200 call options.