Dig Into Grand Canyon, Weatherford Shares Says Thornburg Value Manager

Shares of Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) have fallen over 18% so far in 2015, but they have still outperformed the rest of the beleaguered for-profit education sector.

Shares of Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) have fallen over 18% so far in 2015, but they have still outperformed the rest of the beleaguered for-profit education sector. Connor Browne, portfolio manager of the Thornburg Value Fund (TVAFX), said Grand Canyon has the best chance of the bunch to dig itself out of its current hole. 'They operate a ground campus in Arizona, it’s a beautiful campus that you can look up on the Web site,' said Browne. 'Growing that ground campus where they are getting good outcomes for a student at a good price strengthens the online brand.' The Thornburg Value Fund is up 2.7% so far this year, according to fund-tracker Morningstar. The $925 million fund is outpacing 85% of its peers in Morningstar’s large blend category. Browne is also positive on shares of Seattle Genetics (SGEN), which are up over 31% year-to-date even after a wild ride in the market. He said the company’s antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer have tremendous upside, especially its lead product Adcetris, which he says is just scratching the surface. 'They have seven clinical programs, early stage clinical programs and another four headed into the clinic later this year,' said Browne. 'That’s a lot of shots on goal, if one of them hits it could double the market cap of the business.'