Pershing Square exits Alphabet, adds Netflix, Visa, Mastercard in Q2

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Reviewed by
Ritika DScanX News Team
Key Highlights

Pershing Square's Q2 13F filing reveals a complete exit from Alphabet and new investments in Netflix, Visa, Mastercard, S&P Global, and Pershing Square USA. The fund increased its largest holding, Uber, by 14.6% and boosted its Meta Platforms stake by 20.1%, while reducing its Amazon position by 25.2%.

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Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management completed a full exit from Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL) during the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, according to the latest Form 13F filing. The hedge fund simultaneously initiated five new positions, including a substantial entry into Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX), adding 13,081,465 shares.

The portfolio reshuffle signals a strategic rotation away from certain large-cap technology names toward financial services and consumer discretionary sectors. Pershing Square added stakes in Visa Inc (NYSE: V), Mastercard (NYSE: MA), and S&P Global Inc (NYSE: SPGI), all of which entered the top 10 holdings by quarter-end. The fund also added 4,000,000 shares of its own listed vehicle, Pershing Square USA (NYSE: PSUS).

Portfolio Adjustments

The second-quarter filing revealed significant percentage changes in existing holdings. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) saw the largest increase among existing positions, rising 20.1%, followed by Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) at 14.6% and Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) at 14.0%. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) stake grew by 9.8%.

Conversely, the fund reduced its exposure to Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) by 25.2%, Brookfield Corp (NYSE: BN) by 3.7%, and Hertz Global Holdings (NASDAQ: HTZ) by 1.6%. Despite the reduction, Amazon remained a top-five holding.

Top Holdings

At the end of the second quarter, Uber was the largest position in the Pershing Square portfolio valued at $2.48 billion. Brookfield followed closely at $2.45 billion, with Microsoft at $2.32 billion. The new entries in Visa ($1.12 billion), Mastercard ($1.09 billion), and S&P Global ($1.06 billion) immediately secured spots in the top 10.

Holding Value
Uber $2.48 billion
Brookfield $2.45 billion
Microsoft $2.32 billion
Amazon $2.04 billion
Howard Hughes $1.99 billion
Restaurant Brands $1.87 billion
Meta Platforms $1.80 billion
Visa $1.12 billion
Mastercard $1.09 billion
S&P Global $1.06 billion
Netflix $934 million

What the Numbers Show

The data highlights a divergence in Ackman’s approach to the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks. While the fund exited Alphabet entirely and cut Amazon, it increased exposure to Microsoft and Meta. This selective engagement suggests a company-specific valuation view rather than a broad sector bet. Additionally, the addition of high-margin financial networks like Visa and Mastercard, alongside the new Netflix stake, points to a focus on businesses with strong cash flow generation potential, as evidenced by these positions quickly becoming top-10 holdings.

Disclaimer: This article is AI-generated using data from ViewTrade. ScanX is not liable for any inaccuracies.

How might Pershing Square's full exit from Alphabet signal a broader shift in institutional sentiment toward search and advertising giants amidst rising AI infrastructure costs?

What specific valuation metrics or competitive advantages led Ackman to favor Netflix's streaming model over other consumer discretionary peers in this rotation?

Could the simultaneous increase in stakes in Visa, Mastercard, and S&P Global indicate a hedge against economic volatility by targeting companies with pricing power and essential service flows?

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Pershing Square Q2 adj EPS $0.14 beats $0.12 estimate; sales miss

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Reviewed by
Suketu GScanX News Team
Key Highlights

Pershing Square Inc. (NYSE: PS) reported Q2 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.14, beating the $0.12 estimate by 16.67% and rising 16.67% YoY. However, sales of $54.177 million missed the $74.440 million forecast by 27.22%. The firm paid a $0.122 dividend.

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Pershing Square Inc. (NYSE: PS) reported second quarter 2026 financial results that beat analyst expectations on earnings but missed on revenue. The investment firm posted an adjusted profit of $0.14 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by 16.67 percent. This represents a 16.67 percent increase over earnings of $0.12 per share from the same period last year. Quarterly sales came in at $54.177 million, missing the projected $74.440 million by 27.22 percent.

Despite the revenue miss, the company maintained its capital return program, paying a dividend of $0.122 per common share on July 21, 2026. This payout targeted shareholders who held records as of the close of business on July 13, 2026.

Earnings Call and Investor Engagement

CEO Bill Ackman and CIO Ryan Israel are scheduled to host a live audio webcast and conference call on August 13, 2026, at 9:00 am ET. Participants can access the call via dial-in or through the audio webcast on the company’s website. A replay will be available approximately 24 hours after the event.

Following the conference call, Ackman and Israel will host a live Spaces Q&A event on X at 10:00 am ET. This session is open to all investors, media, and the public, with simulcasting available on the investor relations page.

Key Dates

Event Date Time
Dividend Payment July 21, 2026 N/A
Record Date July 13, 2026 Close of Business
Earnings Call August 13, 2026 9:00 am ET
X Spaces Q&A August 13, 2026 10:00 am ET

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between the dividend payout and the operational results highlights the firm's strategy of returning capital regardless of quarterly performance volatility. While the adjusted EPS of $0.14 represents a beat against the $0.12 estimate, the company continues to distribute cash to shareholders, paying $0.122 per share in a quarter where it recorded lower-than-expected sales. This suggests the dividend is funded from accumulated reserves or other income sources rather than current period operating profits alone.

Disclaimer: This article is AI-generated using data from ViewTrade. ScanX is not liable for any inaccuracies.

How might the significant 27% revenue miss impact Pershing Square's future capital allocation strategy and dividend sustainability?

What specific operational or market factors contributed to the divergence between the earnings beat and the substantial revenue shortfall?

Will Bill Ackman address potential changes to the firm's investment thesis or portfolio composition during the upcoming August 13 earnings call?

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