Westport, Conn., hedge fund behemoth Bridgewater Associates last quarter increased its stake in blue-chip stocks, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The firm’s most recent Schedule 13F document, which discloses its equity holdings as of March 31, was filed last week. SEC Rule 13F states that investment firms with stock holdings worth $100 million or more must disclose these to the public. A Bridgewater spokesman did not return calls.
According to the document, Bridgewater’s largest stakes at the close of Q1 were in Ford Motor (752,800 shares), General Electric (493,300), Microsoft (394,800), Pfizer (323,900) and the embattled General Motors (269,700). With each, the firm increased its position over the prior quarter (see chart). It also increased its holdings in blue-chips such as Coca-Cola, American Express, Pepsico and Wal-Mart.
At press time, the share prices of Coke, Pepsico, GM and Wal-Mart had increased since March 31, while Ford, GE, Microsoft, Pfizer and Amex were down