market folly

Jeff Ubben's activist firm ValueAct Capital has submitted a few filings to the SEC recently regarding his positions.

ValueAct Adds To Alliance Data Systems

First, Ubben's firm has filed an amended 13D regarding their newer position in Alliance Data Systems (ADS).  Per the filing, ValueAct now owns 8.5% of the company with 5 million shares.

This is an increase over the 3.28 million shares they owned at the end of the second quarter.  They've been buying as recently as late August at prices of $199.13 - $204.07.

The 13D also notes that ValueAct intends to have conversations with management and the board on ways to enhance shareholder value.

We recently detailed the rest of ValueAct's portfolio (and 24 other hedge funds) in the brand new issue of our newsletter.

Per Google Finance, Alliance Data Systems is "is a provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving consumer-based businesses in a range of industries. The Company offers a portfolio of integrated outsourced marketing solutions, including customer loyalty programs, database marketing services, end-to-end marketing services, analytics and creative services, direct marketing services, and private label and co-brand retail credit card programs. The Company operates through three segments: LoyaltyOne, which provides coalition and short-term loyalty programs through the Company's Canadian AIR MILES Reward Program and BrandLoyalty; Epsilon, which provides end-to-end, integrated marketing solutions, and Card Services, which provides risk management solutions, account origination, funding, transaction processing, customer care, collections and marketing services for the Company's private label and co-brand retail credit card programs."


Jeff Ubben Buys More 21st Century Fox

Second, ValueAct Capital has filed a Form 4 with the SEC regarding its stake in 21st Century Fox (FOX / FOXA).  Per the filing, ValueAct was out buying FOX shares on August 16th - 18th.

Ubben purchased 3 million shares in total at prices ranging from $25.86 - $26.13.  After these buys, they now own over $47.3 million shares.  Ubben is on FOX's board and it seems they want the company to go more direct to consumer with their media offerings.

You can view the rest of Jeff Ubben's portfolio here.

Per Google Finance, 21st Century Fox is "a media and entertainment company. The Company operates through segments: Cable Network Programming, Television, Filmed Entertainment, and Other, Corporate and Eliminations. The Company produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, factual entertainment and movie programming for distribution primarily through cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite operators, telecommunications companies and online video distributors in the United States and internationally. The Company is engaged in the operation of broadcast television stations and the broadcasting of network programming in the United States. The Company is engaged in the production and acquisition of live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in all formats in all entertainment media, and the production and licensing of television programming around the world."