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SAC Capital Partners Bets A Quarter Billion On Gold, Silver, & Mining Shares

Takoa Da Silva

February 19, 2013

While the mainstream media continues to spew out bearish news and headlines on precious metals and (especially) mining shares, SAC Capital Partners LP, a $20 billion dollar group of hedge funds founded by Stephen A. Cohen, quietly positioned itself in over $240 million dollars worth of gold, silver, and mining share investments during Q4 2012.

Of great interest is the structure of those positions. They are indicating, that the firm is expecting a massive spike in both gold and silver, as well as a staggering move higher in the mining shares.

Starting out, the firm increased it’s holdings in gold and silver mining shares from roughly $54.9 million to $122.2 million, a total increase of over $65 million. Companies included many of the major producers such as AngloGold, Barrick, Goldcorp, and surprisingly, included junior producers, such as Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

-The firm took an over $20 million dollar “straddle” position on the SLV ETF, which indicates the firm believes we will see a massive and volatile spike coming in the price of silver—either up or down.

-The firm took an over $61 million dollar “straddle” position on the GLD, which similar to the SLV position, indicates the firm believes we will see a massive and volatile spike coming in the price of gold—either up or down.

(For reference, an option “straddle” position entails buying both a call and a put option against an underlying security, for a specified date and strike price. To become profitable, the underlying security must spike up or down far enough to offset the premium cost of both the call and put options. This strategy can be thought of as “betting on volatility”)

-Lastly, the firm purchased over $36 million dollars worth of call options on various gold and silver mining companies—indicating the firm is expecting a staggering move higher in mining shares sometime in the next two years or less.

Bottom Line: While some funds may be experiencing redemptions and forced selling of metals and mining shares, this firm is taking monstrously large positions—many of them being in call options—with the expectation of staggering moves higher in the months and years ahead.

To view the entire 13-f filing as reported by S.A.C. Capital Advisors, L.P., visit this page link at: SEC.gov