When Prem Watsa makes a move, markets tend to pay attention — not because it's flashy, but because it's usually patient, deliberate and deeply conviction-driven.
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That's why his latest bet on Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) is raising eyebrows across Wall Street.
Through Fairfax Financial Holdings, Watsa — often dubbed the "Warren Buffett of Canada" — boosted his Under Armour stake by more than 560%, turning it into nearly 10% of Fairfax's portfolio.
That's not portfolio tinkering. It's a statement.
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Watsa isn't known for chasing short-term momentum. His style leans heavily toward buying misunderstood companies when expectations are low and patience is required. A position of this size suggests he sees Under Armour as materially undervalued — and believes the downside is increasingly limited.
In other words, this looks like a turnaround bet, not a bounce play.
Under Armour has spent the last few years doing the unglamorous work: cutting excess inventory, exiting unprofitable channels and refocusing on performance apparel rather than fashion cycles. Revenue growth hasn't impressed, but cost discipline and balance-sheet cleanup have quietly improved.
For value investors, that's often where opportunity starts — not when headlines turn positive, but when operational risk begins to stabilize.
This isn't a clean comeback story yet. Under Armour still faces intense competition from bigger rivals, uneven consumer demand, and margin pressure. A large investor stepping in doesn't guarantee execution follows.
Turnarounds also take time — and the stock can stay volatile along the way.
Watsa's aggressive accumulation doesn't mean Under Armour's problems are solved. But it does suggest that smart money believes the risk-reward has shifted.
For investors, the question isn't whether UA rallies tomorrow — it's whether this is the phase where long-term recoveries quietly begin.
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