One of Guru
Arnold Van Den Berg
's fourth quarter new buys was aluminum producer, Alcoa Inc. (
AA
). He purchased 1,492,980 shares for an average price of $9, the
stock close to its three-year low of $8.01.
Days ago, Alcoa reported two insider buys from its directors,
Ratan Tata and Martin Sorrell. Both Sorrell and Tata were active
in trading the company's shares in 2012. Whether Van Den Berg
followed the lead of insiders in buying into Alcoa, or vice
versa, it looks like Alcoa has a pretty active insider trade
history to begin with.
Of course, as GuruFocus has mentioned before, when Gurus join
insiders in buying into certain stocks, it's good news.
Since 2007, Director Tata has purchased almost 30,000 shares of
Alcoa (
Market Overview
). Tata was elected as board director about five years ago, and
was the head of one of India's largest business conglomerates,
the Tata Group, before retiring in December.
About a year ago, Alcoa elected Sorrell to its board of
directors, and has acquired a little over 8,000 shares of Alcoa
since then. Sorrell is the founder and CEO of WPP, large
advertising and marketing services group. (
Market Overview
)
Since the year started, Alcoa has reported one sell from
Executive Vice President Olivier Jarrault, who eliminated 16,000
shares on Jan. 10.
For Alcoa, share buys have been more prevalent in recent quarters
among insiders, over sells. Its stock reached a three-year peak
in 2011 when it sold for about $18. Today, the stock trades at
$8.90.
AA data by GuruFocus.com
When Alcoa reported its fourth quarter earnings on Jan. 8, it
revealed that the company met its year-end expectations and that
it anticipates that global demand for aluminum will grow 7
percent this year. At this rate, the company forecasts that
global aluminum demand will double by year 2020.
While it reported that income from continuing operations in 2012
was $191 million, down 12 percent from the previous year, Alcoa
hit record profitability, delivering $1.3 billion in productivity
and overhead improvements, while cutting its debt and maintaining
its cash position.
(View the company's 10-Year Financials)
The beginning of a new year for Alcoa was not only met by Guru
and insider buys, but also a reshuffling of its executive team.
Alcoa Chief Financial Officer Charles D. McLane announced his
retirement and will be replaced by William Oplinger, COO of
Alcoa's primary-products business unit, taking effect April 1.
President of Alcoa Forgins and Extrusions has been named COO of
Alcoa Investment Castings, Forgings and Extrusions on Jan 9.
And lastly, Engineered Products Controller, Ken Giacobbe has been
appointed CFO of Alcoa's Engineered Products and Solutions.
None of the mentioned insiders have record of previous trading of
Alcoa shares, according to the site's database.
Alcoa is ranked one star in Business Predictability, 5 in
Financial Strength and 4 in Profitability and Growth. The company
remains 1.43 percent of Van Den Berg's portfolio.
Other Gurus who have stakes in the company include Manning &
Napier Advisors Inc., Mario Gabelli and John Burbank.
View Arnold Van Den Berg's fourth quarter buys here. Also view
Van Den Berg's stock picks, his undervalued stocks, high-yield
companies and top growth stocks.
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