Copying the Legends: 3 Stocks Notable Managers Have Owned Recently

Copying the investment strategies of well-known billionaire money managers can be a useful way to generate ideas—especially when you treat it as a starting point, not a substitute for your own work.

Public disclosures such as SEC Form 13F give investors a legal window into many institutional equity holdings, but there are important limitations. Filings are quarterly and typically arrive with a delay, meaning you’re seeing a snapshot that may already be weeks old. They also don’t fully reflect a manager’s overall book—short positions, many derivatives, and intra-quarter trading activity often won’t show up in the same way (or at all).

Even with those caveats, “tracking the filings” can still help you surface themes, consensus positioning, and overlooked companies that have attracted serious analytical attention. Some academic work has found that certain “cloned” or “best-ideas” approaches can outperform benchmarks in specific periods—though results vary and discipline matters.

With that framework in mind, here are three stocks that have shown up in notable institutional portfolios recently, along with a practical way to think about each one.

Company: MGE Energy (SYM: MGEE) A steady utility with “quality” appeal Recent price: about $78.05 MGE Energy is a regulated utility holding company—typically not the kind of business that makes headlines. But that “boring” profile is exactly why certain long-term managers pay attention: regulated utilities can offer relatively predictable cash flows, a clearer earnings bridge, and a defensive ballast when markets get choppy. Why “legend-style” investors might care Utilities often attract investors who prioritize resilience and steady compounding over hype. In MGE’s case, institutional activity has been notable. For example, Gotham Asset Management (associated with Joel Greenblatt) has listed MGEE among its reported holdings. Also, recent institutional-ownership coverage has highlighted buying activity among professional managers, reinforcing the idea that MGEE is on the radar for “quality and stability” allocators. The core thesis to watch Defensive earnings profile: In uncertain macro regimes, investors often rotate toward businesses with steadier demand characteristics. Rate-base and infrastructure cadence: Many utilities have multi-year capital programs that can support earnings visibility if execution stays on track. Potential “re-rating” setup: If interest-rate expectations shift and the market begins to reward stability again, utilities can see valuation support. Key risks Rate sensitivity: Utilities can trade like “bond proxies.” If long rates rise, the group can face valuation pressure. Regulatory outcomes: Allowed returns and rate cases matter. One unfavorable decision can change the narrative quickly. Opportunity cost: In risk-on markets, slower growers can lag sharply. Practical takeaway: MGEE is best framed as a portfolio stabilizer with upside optionality—not a momentum rocket. If you’re using filings for idea generation, this is the type of name that can quietly compound while flashier trades whipsaw.

Company: InMode (SYM: INMD)
A high-margin aesthetic-med-tech name with deep-value characteristics

Recent price: about $14.26

InMode designs and sells minimally invasive aesthetic medical products. The category sits at the intersection of consumer spending, provider economics, and product-cycle execution—so it’s not risk-free. But when valuations compress, profitable med-tech can become attractive to quant managers and value-oriented investors alike.

Evidence of notable manager involvement

Renaissance Technologies has reported a sizable position in INMD across multiple quarters, with stockzoa’s 13F-based history showing continued ownership as of 2025-09-30.

Separately, Cathie Wood’s ARK Investment has also been listed among the institutional holders of INMD in third-party tracking coverage.

The core thesis to watch

• Valuation vs. profitability: When a profitable company trades at a depressed multiple, the stock can become asymmetric if fundamentals stabilize.


• Product momentum + distribution: Aesthetic platforms often hinge on adoption rates, physician demand, and compelling ROI for providers.


• Mean reversion potential: Names that have de-rated significantly can rebound sharply on merely “less bad” results.

What would change the story quickly

• Clear evidence of demand stabilization (procedure volumes, reorder trends, and pipeline execution).


• Signs that the company can defend margins while reigniting growth.


• A credible narrative around capital allocation (buybacks, M&A discipline, balance-sheet conservatism).

Key risks

• Cyclical sensitivity: Aesthetics can soften in downturns.


• Competitive pressure: If comparable platforms improve or price competition increases, margins can compress.


• Execution risk: Product cycles and channel health matter—missteps get punished.

Practical takeaway: INMD is a classic “show-me” value setup—high payoff if the business stabilizes, but it requires risk management and a willingness to be early (or patient).

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Company: Ziff Davis (SYM: ZD)
A digital media and internet asset aggregator with cash-flow focus

Recent price: about $35.00

Ziff Davis is a broad digital media and internet company with a portfolio of brands and properties across tech, shopping/deals, gaming, connectivity insights, and health content. In the market’s eyes, digital media can be a “guilty until proven innocent” category. But that pessimism can create opportunity when a company has durable properties and cash-flow characteristics that don’t match the headline narrative.

Notable portfolio presence

Bridgewater Associates (associated with Ray Dalio) has listed ZD among its reported holdings in public portfolio tracking. Gotham Asset Management has also shown ZD among reported holdings.

The core thesis to watch

• Cash-flow durability: If the company’s assets generate reliable free cash flow, the stock can re-rate when sentiment improves.


• Portfolio leverage: Businesses with multiple properties can optimize monetization, cross-sell, and rationalize costs—especially in ad-market recoveries.


• Event-driven optionality: Strategic reviews, asset sales, or disciplined buybacks can change the market’s perception.

Key risks

• Ad-cycle exposure: Digital advertising remains cyclical and competitive.


• Traffic/platform dependency: Changes in search/social algorithms can impact reach.


• Integration/complexity: “Roll-up” style portfolios require strong execution to avoid value leakage.

Practical takeaway: ZD can be viewed as a misunderstood cash-flow story—but investors should track operating performance closely and avoid assuming “cheap” automatically becomes “cheaper-proof.”