Two well-known veteran investors moved in opposing directions on a set of large technology names in early 2026, according to regulatory filings and public comments. One fund added to Microsoft, while the other reduced and ultimately liquidated its Microsoft holding. Both, however, moved to add exposure to Meta Platforms in the first quarter.
Pershing Square, led by Bill Ackman, said on X that the firm began building a new position in Microsoft in February after the stock fell. Ackman argued that investors were not adequately valuing Microsoft 365 and the company’s artificial intelligence investments as drivers of future profit.
By contrast, Third Point, the hedge fund run by Daniel Loeb, sold 925,000 Microsoft shares during the first quarter, according to a regulatory filing, effectively liquidating a position the firm had held since late 2022.
The two managers also took opposite actions in Alphabet. Third Point reported a purchase of 175,000 shares in Alphabet during the first quarter, while Pershing Square reduced the bulk of its Alphabet stake in the same period and, according to a source, completed the exit of the remainder in the second quarter.
Despite their divergent moves on Microsoft and Alphabet, both Pershing Square and Third Point established new positions in Meta Platforms during the first quarter, filings show. Ackman has communicated to clients that the social media and technology company stands to benefit from developments in artificial intelligence, a view he discussed publicly in February.
The regulatory filings from these and other large investors that reported quarterly 13F holdings indicate a more selective approach toward the so-called "Magnificent Seven" group of AI-focused technology companies. That group includes Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta Platforms, and the filings reflect varied bets among major investors rather than a uniform push into the sector.
Context for investors
The moves highlight how different large investors can interpret the same market signals and fundamentals and respond with opposite portfolio actions. One manager’s view that Microsoft’s productivity software and AI initiatives are undervalued led to accumulation, while another manager chose to reduce and ultimately exit a long-standing position.
At the same time, the addition of Meta positions by both funds signals continued investor interest in social media companies’ potential linkage to AI advances.
Summary of filings and public statements
- Pershing Square began building a new Microsoft position in February and cited Microsoft 365 and AI investments as underappreciated.
- Third Point sold 925,000 Microsoft shares in the first quarter, liquidating a position held since late 2022.
- Third Point bought 175,000 shares of Alphabet in the first quarter while Pershing Square sold down most of its Alphabet stake and exited the remainder in the second quarter, according to a source.
- Both Pershing Square and Third Point established new positions in Meta Platforms during the first quarter.