Settling with activists lifts their outlook

Article Excerpt

These two firms have reached new deals with activists, including giving them greater board representation. While that improves their outlook, we prefer Autodesk for your new buying. HOWARD HUGHES HOLDINGS INC. $71 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HHH; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 50.4 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.howardhughes.com) was originally part of billionaire businessman Howard Hughes’ real estate holdings. Today, it’s a Dallas-based developer of housing, commercial and mixed-use properties in five U.S. states. The company has formed a new alliance with activist investor Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square hedge fund. Pershing has now acquired 9.0 million new Howard Hughes shares at $100 each, for a total investment of $900.0 million. As a result, Pershing now owns 46.9% of the outstanding shares, but will limit its voting power to 40%. The deal will also turn Howard Hughes into a holding company that will seek to acquire controlling stakes in smaller firms, including insurance providers. Meantime, the company’s…