13F Watch: Rising Profile for Activist Investors

Activist investors have raised their profiles significantly in recent years. According to Activist Insight, there were 237 activist campaigns launched in 2013 (71% against companies in the United States), up from less than 30 in 2000. And while activists used to fly mostly under the radar, many have now embraced new media platforms as a way to make their cases heard. Carl Icahn has been proven himself to be especially adept at exploiting new messaging channels, frequently taking to Twitter, and creating a website to promote his holdings and advance good governance practices.

The prominent investors whose portfolios we highlight below don’t all fit the activist mold, but a common bond is that they are not afraid to take significant positions — their top five long positions, on average, accounted for well over half of their portfolios’ value — and their moves are closely watched.

Here’s a quick recap of the notable changes made during the fourth quarter of 2013 by some widely followed portfolio managers:

Please note that the content of this site should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute.

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