New filings show additional hedge funds for Apple but company still loses out to Samsung

Apple's shares fell flat in the second quarter but this did not stop the company from gaining additional funds. However, as top U.S. hedge funds add shares to Apple, the company loses at the other side of the fence with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reexamining a key patent dispute against Samsung. The organisation claims that Apple's description of the design patent is lacking.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released filings last Aug. 14 revealing 860,000 shares for Apple under Philippe Laffont's Coatue Management. The funds were added in three months ending June 30 and amounting to 8.5 million Apple shares overall. Further, 13F filings revealed another 751,000 shares under London-based hedge fund manager Nevsky Capital LLP, increasing stakes to 2.56 million shares.

Tiger Eye Capital LLC, on other hand, added 25,00 shares, totaling to 356,502 shares. During the first quarter, Apple became one of the most popular stocks under hedge funds. Further, Goldman Sachs says that out of the 685 hedge funds and approximately AUS $1.36 trillion in equity, Apple ranked among the top ten holdings in 69 funds.

However, despite the company's performance, Apple may have to prepare for another onslaught of legal disputes as the USPTO reexamines its patent dispute against Samsung. Previous reporting stipulates that the iPhone design patent that Apple leveraged successfully against Samsung during its initial court action was invalid. According to The Verge, whereas previous reports said that USPTO already invalidated patent D618677, the organisation is still reexamining the case. The patent has not been completely invalidated. Apple and Samsung may have to wait for further decision on the matter.

The Apple v. Samsung jury made a decision three years ago but the case continues to be processed as both parties exhaust all means to appeal. Samsung reduced its AU $1.4 billion penalty to AU $747 million via partial retrial including a successful appeal to the Federal circuit.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.