Topic: How To Invest

Spinoffs & Takeovers Hotline – Friday, March 13, 2020

Article Excerpt

BIG LOTS INC., $14.13, symbol BIG on New York, is a discount closeout retailer operating 1,402 Big Lots stores in 47 states. One-third of its locations are in California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida. The average store is 31,800 square feet and sells everything from food to furniture to toys. On March 6, 2020, a group of activist investors that includes Macellum Capital Management and Ancora Advisors, issued a public letter to the board of directors and shareholders. The activists, who own 11.0% of Big Lots stock, are looking for major changes at the discount retailer. Last year, Macellum and Ancora pressured Bed, Bath & Beyond (symbol BBBY on Nasdaq) to replace long-time CEO Steven Temares and looked to shake up that company’s board as well. Temares later stepped down. The activists believe that if Big Lots were to get a new board of directors, monetize its real estate assets, and do a better job of allocating capital, it would add considerable shareholder value. When…