Bill Ackmann Explains "Activist Investing"

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Activist investing involves investing in companies, becoming a significant stakeholder, and actively participating in improving the company's performance. This approach contrasts with passive index funds, where no human judgment is involved. Activists focus on companies that may have lost their way and work towards helping them succeed. Activists engage with management, often taking a seat on the company's board to influence decisions and improve operations. By gaining credibility and media attention, activists can motivate management teams to make necessary changes. In extreme cases, activists can replace the board and management of a company. Over time, activist investing has helped restore a balance of power between shareholders and company management, leading to better stock market performance. Activists, although not controlling shareholders, aim to influence other shareholders to support their ideas and drive company direction. This more democratic approach to running companies benefits from thought leaders like activists, who dedicate time and resources to identifying opportunities and shaping company strategies.

Bill Ackman is an investor who has led some of the biggest and controversial financial trades in history. He is founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/bill-ackman-transcript

EPISODE LINKS:
Bill’s X: https://twitter.com/BillAckman
Pershing Square Holdings: https://pershingsquareholdings.com/
Pershing Square Foundation: https://pershingsquarefoundation.org
Neri Oxman conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPHojL_61U
Books mentioned:
The Intelligent Investor: https://amzn.to/3ONnaZy
America’s Cultural Revolution: https://amzn.to/3SDz1dY

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:55) – Investing basics
(13:47) – Investing in music
(22:08) – Process of researching companies
(26:47) – Investing in restaurants
(32:16) – Investing in Google
(37:58) – AI
(43:13) – Warren Buffet
(45:22) – Psychology of investing
(54:53) – Activist investing
(1:04:41) – General Growth Properties
(1:20:57) – Canadian Pacific Railway
(1:28:21) – OpenAI
(1:32:32) – Biggest loss and lowest point
(1:47:21) – Herbalife and Carl Icahn
(2:04:11) – Oct 7
(2:10:42) – College campus protests
(2:29:09) – DEI in universities
(2:50:00) – Neri Oxman
(3:15:30) – X and free speech
(3:19:54) – Trump
(3:27:30) – Dean Phillips
(3:34:36) – Future