Third Point counters Sotheby’s latest position

Apr 15th, 2014 | By | Category: Journal
Olivier Reza, one of the candidates suggested by Loeb to join the Sotheby's board

Olivier Reza, one of the candidates suggested by Loeb to join the Sotheby’s board

Dan Loeb’s Third Point LLC has produced a vigorous response to Sotheby’s latest position by submitting a well researched new filing to the  SEC.  In a form schedule 14A, citing ‘Definitive Additional Materials,’  Third Point shows how that slumping profits and falling revenue back up their claims that Sotheby’s needs some new directors, a clearer vision and could do better for shareholders.  For the full letter see :-

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/823094/000119312514142543/d708993ddfan14a.htm

As opposed to Loeb’s first open letter to Sotheby’s which was a more personal attack on the chairman Bill Ruprecht the latest letter is a well researched critique on the auction house.  Such a review and analysis would have cost Sotheby’s a considerable sum if they had commissioned it themselves from a management consultancy like Bain, and irrespective of the outcome of this battle, Loeb’s comments will surely be useful to the auction room to make improvements going forward.

 

 

 

Tags: Activist investors, art market, Loeb's battle with Sotheby's, Sotheby's performance, Third Point LLC

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