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Asset Manager Picks and Rankings

Nov 16, 2025

Overview

The transcript reviews recent SEC filings highlighting five large stock purchases by a major asset manager, with commentary, performance data, valuation notes, and final rankings.

BlackRock Purchases Summary

  • Focus on five largest increases by percentage in the last quarter.
  • Emphasis on defense-related names and high-growth software and ad tech.
  • All highlighted stocks trade at notable premiums versus sector averages.
CompanyTickerPurchase SizeStake ChangeBusiness FocusRecent Performance HighlightsValuation/Income NotesRank
RTX CorporationRTX~$440M<3%Aerospace and defense contractorSales +13%; free cash flow more than doubled; backlog ~$250B; raised full-year guidance~50% pricier than sector; dividend ~1.5% yield; long dividend growth history3
GE AerospaceGE>$1B>5%Aircraft engines and aerospace tech; major US military supplierDefense/propulsion profit +75%; sales +26%; EPS +44% YoY~100% premium on forward P/E; dividend ~0.5%4
Palantir TechnologiesPLTR~$1.8BNot specifiedData platforms and AI for commercial and governmentUS commercial customers +65%; triple-digit US commercial sales; >200 $1M+ deals; new large US Army dealPEG >3 (~80% above sector median ~1.8); seen as expensive but high potential1
IntuitINTU~$1.2B>6%Consumer and SMB fintech ecosystem (TurboTax, QuickBooks, Credit Karma, Mailchimp)Expanding AI features; global expansion with ~5% TAM penetrationP/E and PEG ~20%–30% above sector; strong software margins2 (ahead of RTX in narrative rank explanation places it below PLTR and above GE, but later list places RTX above; final table aligns with closing ranks: PLTR 1, APP 2, RTX 3, INTU 4? See Rankings section for clarity)
AppLovin CorporationAPP>$3.2B~31%Ad tech for app monetization; AI engine Axon 2.0Revenue +68% YoY; adjusted EBITDA +79%; margins ~82%; added to S&P 500Expensive on current P/E; PEG 38% lower than sector; recent dip noted2

RTX Corporation

  • Formerly Raytheon; among largest aerospace and defense contractors.
  • Strong demand from global conflicts and rising military budgets.
  • Financials: Sales +13%; free cash flow doubled; backlog ~$250B; raised sales and profit guidance.
  • Stock up ~50% YTD; valuation ~50% above sector; dividend ~1.5% with decades of raises.
  • Analyst average target roughly flat near current price.
  • Viewed as reliable long term; limited near-term upside versus cheaper alternatives.
  • Not currently owned by the presenter; ranked 3.

GE Aerospace

  • Result of General Electric split; retains GE ticker.
  • Supplies engines for an estimated two-thirds of US military aircraft.
  • Won multi-year $5B F110 engine contract for F-15 and F-16.
  • Financials: Defense/propulsion profit +75%; sales +26%; EPS +44% YoY.
  • Stock up >50% YTD; forward P/E ~100% premium; dividend ~0.5%; average analyst target slightly below current price.
  • Considered similar to RTX but less attractive on income and valuation; ranked 4.

Palantir Technologies

  • AI-driven data integration and analytics for enterprises and government.
  • US commercial customer count +65% YoY; triple-digit US commercial sales growth.
  • 200 deals over $1M; $5M+ deals 5x; $1M+ deals more than doubled.

  • Credited with operational gains for clients: time savings, cost savings, high returns.
  • Partnership momentum includes Nvidia; large new US Army software and data contract (~$10B).
  • Valuation rich; PEG >3 (~80% above sector median). Market cap under $500B; long-term trillion potential suggested.
  • Presenter holds a large position; ranked 1.

Intuit

  • Dominant tax software (TurboTax) and broader fintech ecosystem (QuickBooks, Credit Karma, Mailchimp).
  • High stickiness from integrated suite; serves consumers, businesses, and government.
  • Growth levers: AI integration improving efficiency and profitability; global expansion with ~5% TAM penetration.
  • Software margins support strong bottom-line expansion.
  • Stock up ~560% over a decade; P/E and PEG ~20%–30% above sector.
  • Considered a solid long-term hold; valuation keeps presenter on sidelines now.
  • Ranked between RTX and GE in narrative, ultimately placed below RTX in final ranks; not currently owned.

AppLovin Corporation

  • Ad tech platform focused on app advertising and monetization; some TV presence.
  • AI engine Axon 2.0 optimizes ad placement and addresses privacy rule shifts.
  • Added to S&P 500 in September.
  • Financials: Revenue +68% YoY; adjusted EBITDA +79%; ~82% margins.
  • Stock up >800% since 2021 IPO; expensive on current P/E but PEG 38% below sector.
  • Experiencing a dip that increases interest; not currently owned.
  • Ranked 2, below Palantir due to perceived higher speculation.

Final Rankings

  • 1: Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
  • 2: AppLovin Corporation (APP)
  • 3: RTX Corporation (RTX)
  • 4: Intuit (INTU)
  • 5: GE Aerospace (GE)

Decisions

  • Presenter ranks Palantir first for highest long-term potential despite premium valuation.
  • AppLovin placed second for strong AI-driven growth and improving profitability.
  • RTX placed third for reliability and backlog strength but limited near-term upside.
  • Intuit placed fourth for quality and stickiness, tempered by valuation.
  • GE placed fifth due to premium valuation and lower income appeal versus peers.

Action Items

  • Monitor AppLovin’s dip for potential small position consideration.
  • Avoid chasing high-valuation names; seek better-valued alternatives in the market.
  • Reassess around tax season for potential Intuit timing benefits.