Activists spur changes at two leaders

Article Excerpt

HUDSON’S BAY CO. $11 (Toronto symbol HBC; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 182.7 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; Dividend yield: 0.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Specualtive; www. hbc.com) operates Canadian retail chains Hudson’s Bay and Home Outfitters; HBC Europe; Lord & Taylor; Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. The retailer seems to be taking some of the advice of activist investor Jonathan Litt, who holds roughly 5% of the company. Litt wants Hudson’s Bay to unlock the value of its real estate assets, which could be worth $13 billion. In line with that, the company recently announced a deal to sell its flagship Lord & Taylor store in New York City for $850 million U.S.—that alone equals 49% of its market cap. Following the sale, the company will lease back a portion of the building for continued use as a department store. Hudson’s Bay also plans to sell its main Vancouver location. The company recently received a $4.5 billion…