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Barnes & Noble

Why family businesses should use poison pills

May 30, 2013

Poison pills are back in the news. But are they as sinister as the term suggests? Not necessarily if you are a family business.

What exactly are poison pills? Put simply, they are shareholder structures that make it harder for hostile takeovers of businesses. They normally work by using discount share purchase agreements, whereby the existing shareholders are able to buy shares at a cheaper price than outsiders.

Poison pills gained notoriety during the 1980s when they were typically used to defend against the leverage buyout craze of the times.

Family business roundup: Profits down at Bouygues and Antofagasta, L’Oreal earnings flat, Barnes & Noble narrows losses

August 29, 2012

Family businesses Bouygues and Antofagasta saw half-yearly profits fall this week, while cosmetics giant L’Oreal missed analyst earnings estimates for the same period.

Family businesses Bouygues and Antofagasta saw half-yearly profits fall this week, while cosmetics giant L’Oreal missed analyst earnings estimates for the same period. Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble managed to narrow losses for its fiscal first quarter.

Bookstore family business considers digital spin-off

January 6, 2012

Barnes & Noble, the bookstore chain controlled by the Riggio family, plans to spin off its electronic-reader operations in an attempt to help its digital business grow.

The New York City-based family business, which is the second-largest magazine retailer in America, said in a statement that it will “pursue strategic exploratory work to separate the Nook business”.

Bitter battle comes to a head at Barnes & Noble

October 1, 2010

The war of words between the Riggio family and activist investor Ron Burkle came to a head this week at the Barnes & Noble annual general meeting when shareholders voted on Burkle’s proposals to change the company’s governance structure, writes Katie Barker

The war of words between the Riggio family and activist investor Ron Burkle came to a head this week at the Barnes & Noble annual general meeting when shareholders voted on Burkle's proposals to change the company's governance structure, writes Katie Barker.

The Riggio family succeeded in defending its position when shareholders voted to reinstate Leonard Riggio as chairman of the board and failed to pass Burkle's plan to loosen a poison pill provision that allows the family to hold the largest share.

Battle intensifies between activist investor and Riggio family

September 15, 2010

Yucaipa Companies, the investment firm of activist shareholder Ron Burkle, has sent a letter to his fellow shareholders to “set facts straight on company performance” and dispute claims made by the Barnes & Noble board on 9 September.

Yucaipa Companies, the investment firm of activist shareholder Ron Burkle, has sent a letter to his fellow shareholders to "set facts straight on company performance" and dispute claims made by the Barnes & Noble board on 9 September.

The letter, entitled "Enough with the fiction", accuses the Barnes & Noble board of attempting to "scare you with misleading statements about Yucaipa to distract you from the real issues."

Family business versus activist investor

September 10, 2010

Barnes & Noble, the US bookseller controlled by the Riggio family, has sent a letter to shareholders urging them to vote against proposals made by activist shareholder Ron Burkle.

In the letter, sent 9 September, the Barnes & Noble board asks shareholders to vote against both of Burkle's proposals at the annual general meeting on 28 September. It also attempts to outline how decisions taken by company management have increased shareholder value, contrary to Burkle's claims.

Activist shareholder to challenge court ruling at Barnes & Noble

September 3, 2010

US activist investor Ron Burkle shows no signs of giving up his efforts to gain greater control of bookseller Barnes & Noble when he announced that he is appealing a court decision involving control of the family-controlled company.

In August, a court in Delaware ruled against Burkle's legal attempt to have the poison pill provision removed, which allows the founding Riggio family to remain as the company's largest shareholders with 34% of shares.

Barnes & Noble results strengthen hand of activist investor

August 25, 2010

US bookstore group Barnes and Noble is unlikely to have fended off activist shareholder Ron Burkle, who is attempting to wrestle control of the family-controlled business, following the release of its end of quarter results on Tuesday.

The company reported a net loss of $63 million for the quarter ending 31 July, despite total sales increasing by 21% to $1.4 billion, compared with the same period last year.

Shareholders weren't impressed, with the stock price in the New York-based group falling 2.2% to $14.66.

Activist shareholder continues pressure on family business despite set back

August 13, 2010

Despite losing his bid to remove a poison pill provision at family controlled Barnes & Noble, Ron Burkle, the activist investor, looks set to continue his pressure on the New York-based bookseller.

A court in Delaware ruled against Burkle's legal attempt to have the provision removed, which allows the founding Riggio family to remain as the company's largest shareholders with 34%.

Family behind biggest bookseller looks to acquire business

August 4, 2010

Len Riggio, chairman of Barnes & Noble, the largest US bookstore chain, is looking to buy a further stake in the company to consolidate his family’s holding in the iconic book company.

Len Riggio, chairman of Barnes & Noble, the largest US bookstore chain, is looking to buy a further stake in the company to consolidate his family's holding in the iconic book company.

The Riggio family controls 34% of Barnes & Noble, and have used a poison pill provision that prevents outside investors having a similar stake.

A statement from the company said the board believed its shares were "significantly undervalued".