Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC Q2 2014 vs. Q3 2014 13F Holdings Comparison

Life is full of ups and downs, and the stock market is no different. Investment firms are always looking to optimize their portfolios, and that means keeping an eye on 13F filings. These documents, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclose the holdings of investment management firms with at least $100 million in equities. They're a handy way to see what's happening in the market and identify investment opportunities.

In this article, we'll take a close look at the Q2 2014 vs. Q3 2014 13F Holdings Comparison for Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC. This report highlights changes in the firm's holdings of various stocks, and it can provide valuable insights for anyone interested in the stock market.

Let's dive in and see what these changes mean for Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC and for investors.

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When it comes to investment management firms, Legg Mason is a well-known name. Founded in 1899, the firm manages more than $830 billion in assets and provides investment strategies to individuals and institutions alike. Their 13F filings offer a snapshot of their investment decisions, and the Q2 2014 vs. Q3 2014 report is particularly interesting.

The report shows that Legg Mason made a number of significant changes to their holdings during this period. For instance, they increased their holdings of Apple Inc. (AAPL) by 10.9%. At the same time, they decreased their holdings of Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) by 13.2%.

What's behind these changes, and what do they mean for investors? Let's take a closer look at some of the key stocks and their performance during this period.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Apple Inc. has long been a favorite of investors, and for good reason. The tech giant's stock has performed well in recent years, and Legg Mason's decision to increase their holdings by 10.9% is a clear vote of confidence.

During the second and third quarters of 2014, Apple's stock experienced some ups and downs. In April 2014, the company's stock reached an all-time high when it hit $100 per share. However, in September 2014, shares dropped by more than 3% after the company experienced some technical issues with the release of its iOS 8 operating system.

Overall, though, Apple's stock demonstrated strong growth during this period, which may have contributed to Legg Mason's decision to increase its holdings.

Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB)

Schlumberger Ltd. is a global oilfield services company that offers technology, project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas industry. Legg Mason's decision to decrease their holdings of this stock by 13.2% may reflect some concern about the industry's outlook during this period.

Indeed, the oil and gas industry faced several challenges during this time frame. In June 2014, violence in Iraq led to increased oil prices, but by September 2014, prices had dropped significantly. Additionally, concerns about China's economic growth and the strength of the eurozone led to questions about demand for oil and gas projects.

Looking at the company's stock performance, it's clear that these challenges had an impact. During this period, Schlumberger's stock fell steadily, dropping from around $105 per share in June 2014 to just over $85 per share in September 2014.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD)

Gilead Sciences Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing treatments for life-threatening diseases. Legg Mason decreased its holdings of this stock by 4.2% during Q2 and Q3 2014, but the underlying reasons for this decision are less clear.

During this period, Gilead's stock experienced a significant amount of growth. In fact, the stock reached an all-time high of more than $116 per share in July 2014. This performance suggests that Legg Mason may have simply been looking to diversify its holdings rather than expressing concern about Gilead's prospects.

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In conclusion, Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC's Q2 2014 vs. Q3 2014 13F Holdings Comparison offers a glimpse into the firm's investment decisions during this time frame. While some changes reflect concerns about the industries in question (such as the decrease in holdings of Schlumberger Ltd.), others may simply reflect an effort to diversify holdings or take advantage of growth opportunities (such as the increase in holdings of Apple Inc.).

For investors, this report can serve as a useful tool for identifying trends in the stock market and making informed investment decisions. While it's impossible to predict the future, examining the decisions of successful investment management firms like Legg Mason can provide valuable insights and help investors make more informed choices.