T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund's Strategic Moves: News Corp Reduction Highlights Q1 2025

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T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) recently submitted its N-PORT filing for the first quarter of 2025, revealing strategic investment decisions. Established in 1985, the fund is managed by John Linehan since November 2015 and is part of the Baltimore-based asset management firm, T. Rowe Price. The fund employs a conservative, value-oriented approach, focusing on large-cap stocks with a strong dividend history or perceived undervaluation. Its primary objective is to achieve high dividend income and long-term capital growth by investing at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks.
T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) added a total of three stocks, including:
The most significant addition was Ferguson Enterprises Inc (NYSE:FERG), with 340,000 shares, accounting for 0.33% of the portfolio and a total value of $54.48 million.
The second largest addition to the portfolio was Hess Corp (NYSE:HES), consisting of 325,000 shares, representing approximately 0.31% of the portfolio, with a total value of $51.91 million.
The third largest addition was Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX), with 315,000 shares, accounting for 0.24% of the portfolio and a total value of $38.90 million.
T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) also increased stakes in a total of 34 stocks, among them:
The most notable increase was Colgate-Palmolive Co (NYSE:CL), with an additional 510,000 shares, bringing the total to 1,615,000 shares. This adjustment represents a significant 46.15% increase in share count, a 0.29% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of $151.33 million.
The second largest increase was Fortive Corp (NYSE:FTV), with an additional 485,000 shares, bringing the total to 1,000,000. This adjustment represents a significant 94.17% increase in share count, with a total value of $73.18 million.
T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) completely exited two holdings in the first quarter of 2025, as detailed below:
Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ:HON): The fund sold all 55,000 shares, resulting in a -0.07% impact on the portfolio.
News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS): The fund liquidated all 315,000 shares, causing a -0.06% impact on the portfolio.
T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio) also reduced positions in 86 stocks. The most significant changes include:
Reduced News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) by 2,665,000 shares, resulting in a -26.03% decrease in shares and a -0.44% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $27.97 during the quarter and has returned -6.31% over the past 3 months and -6.44% year-to-date.
Reduced American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) by 925,000 shares, resulting in a -22.32% reduction in shares and a -0.4% impact on the portfolio. The stock traded at an average price of $77.72 during the quarter and has returned 9.05% over the past 3 months and 11.76% year-to-date.
At the end of the first quarter of 2025, T Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio included 125 stocks. The top holdings included 2.22% in Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC), 2.21% in MetLife Inc (NYSE:MET), 2.1% in Southern Co (NYSE:SO), 2.08% in Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV), and 1.93% in Chubb Ltd (NYSE:CB).
The holdings are mainly concentrated in 11 industries: Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials, Technology, Energy, Consumer Defensive, Utilities, Real Estate, Consumer Cyclical, Communication Services, and Basic Materials.
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.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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