market folly

Jay Petschek and Steven Major's hedge fund Corsair Capital Management recently filed a 13G with the SEC regarding shares of Wausau Paper (WPP).  Per the filing, Corsair disclosed a 5.6% ownership stake in WPP with 2,774,724 shares.

This marks an increase of 1,920% in the number of shares they own.  At the end of 2012, they only owned 137,323 shares.  The 13G was required due to portfolio activity as of March 13th.


Starboard Value Involved Too, Pushing For Change

Investment firm Starboard Value has been involved with shares of Wausau for some time.  Starboard had increased its stake in WPP, owning 14.8% of the company as of March and recently gained two seats on the board of directors.

Starboard has been fighting for Wausau to divest all its operations except for the tissue segment.  A few weeks ago, the company announced it planned to sell its specialty paper business for $130 million.  Wausau looks to be repositioning itself by turning focus to the tissue business.

Per Google Finance, Wausua Paper "manufactures, converts, and sells paper and paper products.  The Company operates in two principal segments: Tissue and Paper, with both business segments marketing their products under the Wausau Paper brand name. The Tissue segment produces a complete line of towel and tissue products that are marketed, along with soap and dispensing systems, for the away-from-home market."

For more on this hedge fund, we've also posted up Corsair's thesis on Acacia Research (ACTG).