Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management has made a significant move by investing $900 million to acquire 9 million newly issued shares of Howard Hughes Holdings. This purchase increases Pershing Square's stake in the company from 37.6% to 46.9%. The acquisition is part of Ackman's strategic plan to transform Howard Hughes into a diversified holding company.
In this latest development, Ackman also returns as executive chairman of Howard Hughes, with Ryan Israel, Pershing Square's Chief Investment Officer, stepping into the role of CIO at Howard Hughes. Addressing governance concerns, Pershing Square has agreed to cap its voting power at 40% and limit ownership to 47%. The market responded positively to the news, with Howard Hughes shares climbing 11% in premarket trading, as reported by Reuters.
Ackman's ambitions with Howard Hughes resemble the likes of Berkshire Hathaway, aiming to craft a diversified financial conglomerate through strategic acquisitions. This approach aligns with his broader vision of acquiring controlling interests in smaller businesses, positioning Howard Hughes as a leader in its sector.