New York Post – Atticus Capital, a hedge fund that doesn’t shy away from boardroom drama, is now the New York Stock Exchange’s second-largest shareholder.
Atticus, with $12 billion under management, was busy last week buying nearly 2.5 million Big Board shares on the open market. Several traders pointed to the rumor of Atticus’ position for the Big Board’s $3.90 run up to $72.50.
A one-time owner of 12 percent of Archipelago, the West 57th St. fund now has 9.4 million shares – or a 6.03 percent stake – just behind General Atlantic Partners’ 10.3 million shares, according to SEC filings.
A prime player in last year’s Deutsche Boerse-London Stock Exchange merger saga, Atticus is making all the right sounds about deeply believing in NYSE chief John Thain’s vision.
“We are a big believer in the global exchange sector,” Atticus’ investor relations chief Robert Coburn told The Post. “And we really think the market isn’t seeing the earnings power of the NYSE franchise.”
