Dodge & Cox Increases Stake in XP Inc with Significant Share Acquisition

GuruFocus
14 Feb

Transaction Overview

On December 31, 2024, Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio) executed a notable transaction involving XP Inc, a technology-driven financial services platform. The firm added 8,291,500 shares of XP Inc at a trade price of $11.85, marking a 23.78% increase in its position. This strategic move reflects Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio)'s confidence in XP Inc's potential, as the firm now holds a total of 43,153,245 shares, representing 9.90% of its portfolio. The transaction had a 0.06 impact on the firm's overall portfolio, indicating a calculated approach to enhancing its investment in XP Inc.

About Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio)

Founded in 1930 by Van Duyn Dodge and E. Morris Cox, Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio) is renowned for its team research approach in making investment decisions. The firm emphasizes long-term ownership of undervalued companies, steering clear of popular choices with high valuations. This philosophy is guided by the Investment Policy Committees, which ensure continuity in the firm's investing philosophy, research, and culture. Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio)'s top holdings include Fiserv Inc (FI, Financial), Johnson Controls International PLC (JCI, Financial), Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW, Financial), RTX Corp (RTX, Financial), and Wells Fargo & Co (WFC, Financial), with a total equity of $171.84 billion. The firm's primary focus sectors are healthcare and financial services.

XP Inc: A Financial Services Platform

XP Inc, based in the Cayman Islands, operates primarily in Brazil as a technology-driven financial services platform. The company offers a range of low-fee financial products and services, generating revenue through brokerage commissions and other financial services. With a market capitalization of $7.7 billion, XP Inc is a significant player in the capital markets industry. The company's current stock price is $14.34, with a PE ratio of 9.40, suggesting potential undervaluation. However, the GF Valuation indicates a "Possible Value Trap," with a GF Value of $54.53 and a Price to GF Value ratio of 0.26.

Impact of the Transaction

The acquisition of additional shares in XP Inc by Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio) has increased the firm's total holdings to 43,153,245 shares. This move underscores the firm's confidence in XP Inc's long-term prospects, despite the stock's current challenges. The transaction's impact on Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio is relatively modest, with a 0.06 change, yet it signifies a strategic commitment to XP Inc's potential growth and value.

Financial Metrics and Valuation

XP Inc's financial metrics present a mixed picture. The company has shown a 21.01% gain since the transaction, yet its IPO price has decreased by 56.21%. The [GF Score](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/gf-score/XP) of 70/100 indicates poor future performance potential, despite strong growth metrics like a 25.60% EBITDA growth over three years. The [Financial Strength](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/rank-balancesheet/XP) is ranked 3/10, and the [Profitability Rank](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/rank-profitability/XP) is 6/10, reflecting challenges in maintaining robust financial health.

Performance and Growth Indicators

XP Inc's growth indicators reveal a complex scenario. The company's [Growth Rank](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/rank-growth/XP) is 10/10, highlighting strong growth potential, yet the [GF Value Rank](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/rank-gf-value/XP) is 2/10, suggesting caution. The [Piotroski F-Score](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/fscore/XP) of 7 indicates moderate financial health, while the [Altman Z score](https://www.gurufocus.com/term/zscore/XP) of 0.15 suggests potential financial distress. These metrics underscore the need for careful evaluation of XP Inc's future performance.

Comparative Analysis with Other Investors

In addition to Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio), other notable investors in XP Inc include Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) and Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio). However, Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio) holds the largest share percentage among these investors, highlighting its confidence in XP Inc's long-term prospects. This significant stake positions Dodge & Cox (Trades, Portfolio) as a key player in influencing XP Inc's strategic direction and underscores the firm's commitment to identifying undervalued opportunities in the financial services sector.

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.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10