Crystal Tse 2.5 8 ideas

Elliott Management has built a >10% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH). Starboard is targeting TripAdvisor (TRIP) for an outright sale. Jana Partners has a stake in Fiserv (FI). Activist involvement, particularly from heavyweights like Elliott and Starboard, historically catalyzes value unlocking through forced sales, operational overhauls, or board changes. The specific push for a sale of TripAdvisor makes it a direct acquisition target. LONG the activist targets (NCLH, TRIP, FI). Management successfully fends off activists; deal markets freeze up.

Activist activity is surging. Elliott has a >10% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH). Starboard is pushing TripAdvisor (TRIP) for a sale. Jana Partners is in Pfizer (PFE). Danaher (DHR) is acquiring Masimo (MASI). Activists (Elliott, Starboard) are aggressively pushing for immediate value unlocking via sales, splits, or operational overhauls. This historically creates a floor for the stock price and drives short-term upside as the market prices in M&A premiums. Long the activist targets (NCLH, TRIP, MASI). Deal talks fail; activists exit without forcing change.