Jim Simons Bolsters Position in The L S Starrett Co

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Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' Latest Investment Move

On December 29, 2023, Renaissance Technologies, led by Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio), made a notable addition to its investment portfolio by acquiring 10,016 shares of The L S Starrett Co (SCX, Financial). This transaction was executed at a trade price of $12.10 per share, increasing the firm's total holdings in SCX to 377,239 shares. The trade has a marginal impact on the portfolio, representing a 0.01% position, while Renaissance Technologies now holds a 5.44% stake in the company.

Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) and Renaissance Technologies

Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio), a renowned mathematician and quantitative investor, founded Renaissance Technologies in 1982. The firm has since become one of the most successful hedge funds globally, known for its sophisticated mathematical models and automated trading strategies. Renaissance Technologies' approach to the market is grounded in data analysis and scientific thinking, aiming to identify non-random price movements for predictive trading. As of the latest data, the firm manages an equity portfolio worth $64.61 billion, with a strong focus on the Technology and Healthcare sectors.1757678149908459520.png

Understanding The L S Starrett Co

The L S Starrett Co, based in the USA and publicly traded since October 17, 1929, specializes in manufacturing industrial, professional, and consumer measuring and cutting tools. The company operates through segments such as North American Operations, International Operations, and Global Test and Measurement, with North American Operations being a significant revenue contributor. SCX's diverse product range serves various industries, including metalworking, automotive, and construction.

Financial Overview of SCX

As of the date of this article, The L S Starrett Co has a market capitalization of approximately $99.982 million, with a current stock price of $13.36. The stock's PE Ratio stands at 4.39, indicating profitability, but GuruFocus deems it Significantly Overvalued with a GF Value of $9.41 and a price to GF Value ratio of 1.42. Despite this valuation, SCX has experienced a gain of 10.41% since the reported trade and a year-to-date increase of 7.22%.

SCX's Performance Metrics

The L S Starrett Co's stock performance is further illuminated by its GF Score of 53/100, suggesting a poor future performance potential. The company's Financial Strength is rated 7/10, while its Profitability Rank is 6/10. However, SCX's Growth Rank and GF Value Rank are both at the lower end, with scores of 1/10, indicating challenges in these areas.1757678131117977600.png

Comparative Analysis of Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' SCX Position

When compared to the largest guru shareholder in SCX, GAMCO Investors, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' position is significant, though specific comparative data is not provided. The addition of SCX shares by Renaissance Technologies has a negligible impact on the overall portfolio due to its small position size relative to the total shares held.

Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' Sector Focus and Top Holdings

Renaissance Technologies' investment strategy is heavily weighted towards the Technology and Healthcare sectors. Among the firm's top holdings are Meta Platforms Inc (META, Financial), NVIDIA Corp (NVDA, Financial), Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO, Financial), Uber Technologies Inc (UBER, Financial), and Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR, Financial), which provide context for the addition of SCX to its diverse portfolio.

Concluding Thoughts on Simons' SCX Trade

The acquisition of additional shares in The L S Starrett Co by Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' Renaissance Technologies underscores the firm's confidence in SCX's potential. While the trade represents a small fraction of the portfolio, it aligns with Simons' data-driven investment philosophy. Value investors may find the transaction noteworthy, as it could signal an opportunity within the industrial products sector, despite the company's current overvaluation according to GuruFocus metrics. As always, investors should conduct their due diligence to understand the potential risks and rewards associated with such investments.

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.