nycshooter/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
The aircraft manufacturer Boeing, listed on the New York Stock Exchange as BA, could be a potential target for activist action in light of a recent 13F filing from UBS. This development comes as Boeing shares demonstrated a modest uptick.
A disclosure in the UBS 13F filing revealed a notable increase in their ownership of Boeing (BA) to 636,000 shares at the close of Q4, up from 330,000 at the end of September. Although the holding is relatively small and does not raise immediate concerns, Don Bilson from Gordon Haskett commented that it is still an intriguing development.
Particular attention is drawn to UBS due to its historical association with activist investors employing swap positions through specific banks. Notably, UBS has close ties with prominent activist investor Elliott Management, who has utilized UBS for such purposes in the past.
Bilson further emphasized the possibility of activist involvement in Boeing, especially in the wake of the recent challenges the company faced with the Alaska Air (ALK) incident. He noted that a disclosure may be imminent as the deadline for board nominations at Boeing closed on January 19, with the release of the proxy expected in approximately a month.
Over the course of this year, Boeing (BA) shares have endured a 20% decline.