Ackman Cuts Beam Stake Yet Again

In what has seemingly become routine selling, Bill Ackman's hedge fund firm Pershing Square has filed another amended 13D with the SEC regarding their Beam Inc (BEAM) stake.

Per the filing, they've basically cut their stake in half since their last sales only a few weeks ago.  As we've mentioned before, BEAM shares are effectively a risk arbitrage play since Suntory made an $83.50 per share offer for the company.  With the spread so thin, it looks as though Ackman has been cashing in his chips to deploy the capital to other potential ideas.

The latest 13D shows that Pershing Square now owns only 5.6 million shares, or 3.4% of the company.  The hedge fund was out selling on April 16th and 17th at a price of $83.27.

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Trims Beam Stake Again

Bill Ackman's hedge fund firm Pershing Square Capital Management has filed an amended 13D with the SEC regarding their position in Beam Inc (BEAM).  Per the filing, Pershing now owns 5.5% of the company with 9.1 million shares.

Pershing previously trimmed its BEAM stake just a few months ago and since then, they've reduced their position size even further, down 2.55 million more shares. 

The filing notes that they sold the bulk of their shares on April 11th, 14th, and 15th at prices of $83.26.  This marks a total decrease in their position size of 11.7 million shares since the end of 2013.

BEAM has received a $16 billion takeover offer from Suntory via $83.50 per share in cash.  Since the spread has narrowed, it looks like Ackman is raising capital to potentially deploy into ideas with higher potential returns.

You can view other recent portfolio activity from Ackman here.

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Trims Beam Position

Bill Ackman's hedge fund firm Pershing Square Capital Management has filed an amended 13D and a Form 4 with the SEC regarding their stake in Beam Inc (BEAM).

Per the 13D, Pershing Square has trimmed its position in BEAM by 7.3 million shares.  After the sale, they're still left with a stake of over 13.5 million shares, or 8.3% of the company.

The Form 4 indicates they sold 6 million shares on January 30th at a price of $83.28 and then they sold 1.3 million more shares on January 31st at a price of $83.36.

Beam Inc has received a $16 billion takeover offer from Suntory, or $83.50 in cash.  Perhaps Ackman is raising some cash to potentially deploy elsewhere since BEAM shares are now effectively a merger-arb play trading with a thin spread.

You can view more recent portfolio activity from Bill Ackman here.

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