market folly

Jeff Smith's activist investment firm Starboard Value has taken a stake in Newell Brands (NWL).  They've teamed up with former Jarden management players in order to force change at the company.

We also highlighted last week that Carl Icahn owns Newell shares as well, though it doesn't look like they've teamed up at this point.

Starboard is seeking to replace the board of directors and today released a letter to Newell shareholders.  They write,

"While these have been  extremely challenging times for Newell, we believe that the recent poor financial  and  stock  price  performance  has  created  a unique  opportunity  to  invest  in  an  iconic company and embark on a multi-year operational turnaround that can deliver outstanding returns to  shareholders."

Embedded below is Starboard Value's letter to Newell Brands shareholders:



You can download a .pdf copy here.