Toyota Group’s decision to privatize Toyota Industries Corp. $6201.T has triggered significant discontent across the investment community. The proposed buyout, valued at 4.7 trillion JPY (33 billion USD), entails a tender price of 16,300 JPY per share. This offer represents an 11% discount to the manufacturer's share price at Tuesday’s close, a rare occurrence in large-scale take-private deals. Toyota Industries, known for textile machinery, material handling equipment, and automotive components, stands as a central figure within the broader Toyota ecosystem.
In an unexpected move, Engine Capital, an activist investor, announced on Friday that it would cease its campaign to push for changes at Lyft $LYFT, the popular ride-hailing platform. The company also revealed that it would withdraw its nominees for the board of directors. This decision came after Lyft responded to Engine Capital’s demands by significantly increasing its share buyback program, aligning it with the investor’s proposed level.
In a move that signals growing responsiveness to shareholder activism, Match Group Inc. $MTCH, a leading player in the online dating industry, has announced significant governance changes following pressure from Anson Funds. The $7.6 billion company will introduce a new board director with deep expertise in consumer technology and will transition to annual elections for all board members—two key concessions aimed at diffusing investor dissatisfaction.
Harley-Davidson $HOG has once again found itself in the spotlight of the American financial community—not for a new motorcycle release, but due to a high-stakes move by one of its largest shareholders, investment firm H Partners. As the company faces declining sales and a weakened share price, H Partners is calling for sweeping changes at the top, setting the stage for a potential overhaul of the brand’s strategic direction.
