Our advice differs from activist Icahn

Article Excerpt

One of the world’s most prominent activist investors, Carl Icahn has a long history of successfully targeting troubled companies that are ripe for a quick turnaround. Even so, we advise investors to avoid these two firms that are now in his crosshairs. FIRSTENERGY CORP. $37 is a hold. The company (New York symbol FE; Utility sector; Shares outstanding: 543.9 million; Market cap: $20.1 billion; Dividend yield: 4.1%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.firstenergycorp.com) generates and distributes electricity to 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York State. The stock fell 35% in July 2020 on accusations the company secretly paid $60 million to Ohio legislators in exchange for state funds that would help its struggling nuclear power plants in that state. In response, FirstEnergy replaced its CEO and fired employees implicated in the scheme. The situation attracted the attention of billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, who now owns roughly 3% of FirstEnergy. The company recently placed two of Icahn’s…