Elliott Boosts Alcoa Stake to 7.3%
January 25 2016 - 11:00AM
Dow Jones News
Hedge fund Elliott Management Corp. has increased its stake in
Alcoa Inc. to 7.4%, reiterating its support of the
lightweight-metals manufacturer's previously announced split.
In November, the hedge fund had accumulated at 6.4% stake in the
company after its decision to spin off its more diverse
parts-making business from its raw-aluminum operations.
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Elliott bought more Alcoa shares from mid-December
through last week. In the filing, it noted that Alcoa shares "are
dramatically undervalued by the public market" and that the spinoff
"will create value substantially above the current share
price."
Representatives of Elliott, a New York hedge fund founded by
Paul Singer, have been meeting with senior Alcoa executives,
including Chief Executive Klaus Kleinfeld. Elliott's determination
that Alcoa is the most undervalued of U.S. metals and mining
companies prompted the initial investment, people familiar with the
matter have told The Wall Street Journal.
Prices for raw aluminum have fallen sharply since 2011, a
decline, Alcoa and Elliott believe, that masks the prosperity of
the company's aerospace and auto businesses and was behind the
aluminum company's announcement in late September that it would
spin off its more profitable and diverse parts-making units. The
deal is expected to close in the second half of the year, with
Alcoa shareholders owning all shares outstanding of both
companies.
Roy Harvey, currently executive vice president and president of
global primary products at Alcoa, will serve as chief executive of
the new upstream company, which will include the raw-metals
business and keep the Alcoa name.
Mr. Kleinfeld, meanwhile, will lead the so-called "value-add"
company as chairman and CEO. He will also serve as chairman of the
upstream company "for the critical initial phase, ensuring a smooth
and effective transition," Alcoa has said.
Shares of Alcoa rose 4 cents to $6.91 in early trading.
Write to Anne Steele at Anne.Steele@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 25, 2016 10:45 ET (15:45 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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