The Bright and the Bleak: A Comparison of Vantage Investment Advisors' Q2 and Q3 2018 13F Holdings

Investment is often a gamble. Even when a company has a long history of success, there is always the possibility that fortunes could change. This is why it's important to regularly examine portfolio holdings and make adjustments to ride the tides of change. Vantage Investment Advisors, LLC recently released a report detailing their Q2 and Q3 2018 13F holdings. In this article, we'll compare the changes and evaluate what they could mean for the future of these holdings.

First up, the bright spots:

Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. is a dominant force in the world of technology, with products and services varying from phones and tablets to wearables and streaming. And according to the report, Vantage Investment Advisors maintained their position in the company, with holdings at 81,432 shares in both Q2 and Q3 2018. The value of these shares also saw a significant increase, jumping from $15,074,000 in Q2 to $18,338,000 in Q3, a 21.7% increase. With continued technological innovation, it's not difficult to imagine this trend will continue.

Honeywell International

Honeywell is a multinational conglomerate that produces products and services in fields from aerospace to energy. In the Q2 vs Q3 2018 comparison, Vantage Investment Advisors increased their holdings by over 1,000 shares, from 59,221 to 60,397. And while the dollar value of these shares didn't rise quite as significantly as with Apple, there was still a healthy 17.2% increase from $8,531,000 to $9,998,000.

Microsoft Corp

Another major player in the tech industry, Microsoft has been able to shift its focus from PCs to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, solidifying its position in the market. Vantage Investment Advisors added over 1,500 shares to their holdings between Q2 and Q3 2018, with 80,749 and 82,336 shares respectively. And like Apple, the dollar value of these shares saw a significant increase, jumping from $7,963,000 in Q2 to $9,417,000 in Q3, an 18.3% increase.

Now, on to the bleaker results:

iShares MSCI EAFE

While some holdings saw significant growth, others such as the iShares MSCI EAFE saw a significant decrease. Vantage Investment Advisors decreased their holdings by over 240,000 shares, dropping from 429,063 in Q2 to 184,756 in Q3, a 56.9% decrease. The dollar value of these shares also took a hit, dropping from $28,734,000 to $12,390,000, a 56.9% decrease. While there could be various factors contributing to this shift, it's important for investors to keep an eye on these types of patterns.

Exelon Corporation

Another company that saw a decrease in holdings and dollar value is Exelon Corporation. Vantage Investment Advisors decreased their holdings from 1,265 shares in Q2 to 94,920 shares in Q3, a whopping 98.7% decrease. The dollar value of these shares also dropped from $54,000 in Q2 to $4,144 in Q3, a 92.3% decrease. While Exelon Corporation is the only company on this list that saw such a drastic decrease, it's not uncommon for holdings that don't show immediate promise to be let go of.

In conclusion, the Q2 vs Q3 2018 13F Holdings Comparison report reveals a mixture of highs and lows. While some holdings saw significant growth, others saw significant decreases. It's important to note that just because holdings take a dip doesn't necessarily mean it's a death knell. There are many factors that contribute to this rise and fall, and it's up to investors to stay informed and make the best decisions they can.