market folly

Barry Rosenstein's hedge fund firm JANA Partners has filed a 13D on shares of Bloomin' Brands (BLMN).  Per the filing, JANA now owns 9% of the company with over 7.81 million shares.  This is a brand new stake for the firm.

JANA was buying throughout August at with the bulk of their recent purchases coming at prices of around $16.08 and $16.21. 

The 13D contains the standard boilerplate:

"The Reporting Person acquired the Shares because it believes the Shares are undervalued and represent an attractive investment opportunity. The Reporting Person intends to have discussions with the Issuer’s board of directors and management regarding a sale of the Issuer, divestitures, capital allocation, operations and board composition. The Reporting Person expects to have discussions with the Issuer’s management and board of directors, shareholders and other interested parties relating to such matters."

Per Yahoo Finance, Bloomin' Brands, Inc., "through its subsidiaries, owns and operates casual, upscale casual, and fine dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, U.S. and International. Its restaurant portfolio has four concepts, including Outback Steakhouse, a casual steakhouse restaurant; Carrabba's Italian Grill, a casual Italian restaurant; Bonefish Grill, an upscale casual seafood restaurant; and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, a contemporary steakhouse. As of December 30, 2018, the company owned and operated 1,068 restaurants and franchised 164 restaurants across 48 states; and owned and operated 125 restaurants and franchised 131 restaurants across 20 countries, Puerto Rico and Guam. Bloomin' Brands, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida."