Activist Investor Is Catalyst To Unlock Significant Value At Edgewater Technology

ByFilings Analysis:Activist investors are interesting to follow since they often hold positions that they've completed significant due diligence on and are willing to drive change to unlock shareholder value. Of course this doesn't always work, so following their investments lockstep isn't necessarily the best strategy. However, understanding what drives their decisions can lead to worthy independent investment ideas.

In what mutual fund manager IA Clarington Investments is calling the first of its kind in Canada, retail investors are being offered a product that “will invest in companies where an activist investor has disclosed an intention to change or influence the management or control of a company.”

The official term is “shareholder rights plan.” The unofficial term is “poison pill.” It’s what companies do in the face of a hostile takeover bid. And it’s what Allergan Inc., the company best known for Botox, is doing in the face of a bid from hedge fund manager and activist investor Bill Ackman. Not that he can pull it off alone; he’s teaming up with Allergan’s bigger rival Valeant Pharmaceuticals to launch a bid worth $46 billion for Allergan.

By Behavioral Investors:In business since 1967, Ambassadors Group (EPAX) organizes, markets, and conducts educational travel packages to a variety of international destinations.

ByMarc Melendez: Editors' Note: This article covers a stock trading at less than $1 per share and/or with less than a $100 million market cap. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

By Bret Jensen:The market continues to march to new highs even as breadth continues to weaken. The rally is starting to feel a little long in the tooth to me. I think it is time to take some profits and rotate to some defensive picks with high yields that should provide some protection if we do get an inevitable pullback. One stock that makes sense to me right here is Vodafone (VOD).

Edgewater Technology Inc. (EDGW) Q4 2011 Earnings Call February 29, 2012 10:00 AM ET Executives Paul McNeice - Director, Finance Shirley Singleton - President and CEO Tim Oakes - CFO Analysts Lee Jagoda - CJS Securities Nick Halen - Sidoti & Company Presentation Operator

Edgewater Technology Inc. (EDGW) Q2 2011 Earnings Call August 3, 2011 10:00 AM ET Executives Paul McNiece – Director, Finance Shirley Singleton – President and CEO Timothy Oaks – CFO Analysts Lee Jagoda – CJS Securities Presentation Operator