Activist hedge fund Elliott Management has taken a stake in Pernod Ricard aiming to improve what Elliott said was relative underperformance at the French drinks company.
Elliott said on Wednesday that funds advised by the company had a stake of just over 2.5% in Pernod.
"Successive operational improvement plans have failed to generate operating leverage, leaving operating margins at a five-percentage point discount to its closest peer Diageo. Pernod’s M&A track record has also been disappointing, with the €6 billion acquisition of Absolut in 2008 falling short of expectations," Elliott said in a statement.
"Elliott has met with Alexandre Ricard, Pernod’s CEO, and has written to the company’s board to share its analysis and views on value creation," Elliott said.
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