market folly

Jeff Ubben's activist firm ValueAct Capital has filed two Form 4's with the SEC.


ValueAct Acquires Some Trinity Industries Shares

First, they've purchased more Trinity Industries (TRN) according to their SEC filing.  On August 7th, 8th, and 9th they acquired a total of 60,819 shares at prices of $28.3, $28.5, and $28.47.  After these buys, ValueAct now owns over 15.96 million TRN shares.

Per Google Finance, Trinity Industries is "a diversified industrial company that owns businesses providing products and services to the energy, chemical, agriculture, transportation and construction sectors. The Company's products and services include railcars and railcar parts; parts and steel components; the leasing, management and maintenance of railcars; highway products; construction aggregates; inland barges; structural wind towers; steel utility structures; storage and distribution containers, and trench shields and shoring products. The Company's segments include the Rail Group, Construction Products Group, Inland Barge Group, Energy Equipment Group, Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group, and All Other. Its All Other segment includes its captive insurance and transportation companies, and other peripheral businesses. It manufactures a line of railcars, including autorack cars, box cars, covered hopper cars, gondola cars, intermodal cars, open hopper cars and tank cars."


Ubben's Firm Trims Willis Towers Watson Stake

Second, ValueAct has sold some Willis Towers Watson (WLTW) according to a separate Form 4 filed with the SEC.  On the same dates (August 7th through 9th), Ubben's firm sold 820,000 shares of WLTW at prices of $149.78, $149.76, and $149.53.  After these sales, ValueAct still owns over 5.78 million WLTW shares.

Per Google Finance, Willis Towers Watson is "a holding company. The Company operates as a global advisory, broking and solutions company. It is engaged in offering risk management, insurance broking, consulting, technology and solutions, and private exchanges. The Company operates through eight segments: Willis International; Willis North America; Willis Capital, Wholesale & Reinsurance (CWR); Willis GB; Towers Watson Benefits; Towers Watson Exchange Solutions; Towers Watson Risk and Financial Services; and Towers Watson Talent and Rewards. The Willis GB segment comprises four business units: Property and Casualty, Transport, Financial Lines and Retail Networks. The Willis Capital Wholesale and Reinsurance segment includes Willis Re; Willis Capital Markets & Advisory; Willis' wholesale business, and Willis Portfolio Underwriting Services. The Willis North America segment provides risk management, insurance brokerage and related risk services."

We just touched on some other portfolio activity from ValueAct yesterday as well.