On Thursday, Ark Invest, led by the renowned investor Cathie Wood, executed a series of high-profile trades, indicating strategic shifts within its portfolios. Among the prominent moves were transactions involving Tesla Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Palantir Technologies Inc., and Block Inc. Ark Invest's decision to offload Tesla shares is particularly noteworthy. Through its ARK Innovation ETF and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF, the firm sold 8,384 shares of Tesla, valued at roughly $2.09 million based on Tesla's closing price of $249.85. This aligns with Ark's ongoing trend of reducing exposure to Tesla, despite the company's promising vision for autonomous ride-hailing services, which Ark projects could unlock significant revenue by offering rides well below current market costs.
Conversely, Ark made a bold acquisition in the tech sphere by purchasing 34,076 shares of Meta Platforms, totaling an investment of approximately $19.34 million. This move followed Meta's robust third-quarter earnings report, which surpassed revenue and EPS expectations, reinforcing Ark's confidence in Meta's growth trajectory under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg. In contrast, Ark divested a substantial number of shares from Palantir Technologies, selling 334,767 shares at around $13.9 million. This decision was made despite positive signals for Palantir, such as an upgrade of a key partner, L3Harris Technologies, by BofA Securities.
Another significant sell-off involved Block Inc., where Ark offloaded 243,549 shares worth approximately $17.6 million. The timing coincides with internal restructuring at Block, where CEO Jack Dorsey announced layoffs to return the company to its entrepreneurial roots. This reduction in workforce is part of Dorsey's vision to streamline operations amidst the firm's ongoing focus on cryptocurrency, notably Bitcoin, which is nearing its all-time highs. In addition to these key trades, Ark also made smaller, strategic adjustments by acquiring shares in Roku Inc. and Twist Bioscience Corp, while reducing its stake in Moderna Inc. These maneuvers highlight Ark's dynamic investment strategy under Cathie Wood's leadership, reflecting confidence in certain innovative sectors while reallocating resources for optimal growth potential.