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Pershing Square Holdings has announced plans to delist shares from Euronext Amsterdam after Bill Ackman urged the board to do so last month. Here’s the latest.
Since the situation has deteriorated in Amsterdam, Pershing Square has wasted little time pulling up stakes.
Pershing Square chief Bill Ackman made the decision to advocate Pershing Square’s removal from Euronext Amsterdam after Israeli soccer fans experienced brutal antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam. Five people were treated at hospitals, while dozens more were arrested for participating in the hate attacks.
This was an old-school pogrom, and not an isolated affair. Against that backdrop, Ackman urged Universal Music Group to delist from Euronext Amsterdam in the wake of the attacks, though UMG pushed back against the statement.
The Ackman family holds a 23% stake in the investment holding company. Pershing Square has stated that its shares will continue to be traded in dollars and pounds on the main market of the London Stock exchange. Pershing Square Chairman Rupert Morley said the move would reduce regulatory complexity and improve liquidity.
Now, the question is what happens to Universal Music Group, particularly given Ackman’s activist approach to portfolio companies.
UMG first listed on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange in 2021 and Pershing Square owns 10.25% of UMG stock. A spokesperson from UMG confirms no one from UMG spoke with Ackman before he made his statement urging the major label to delist.
“As disclosed in UMG’s listing prospectus, Pershing has the right to request a listing in the U.S. subject to a Pershing entity selling at least $500 million in UMG shares as part of the listing. Pershing does not have any right to require UMG to become a U.S. domiciled company or delist from Euronext Amsterdam,” the UMG spokesperson said at the time.
“While the company will endeavor in good faith to comply with its contractual obligations with respect to undertaking the process of a U.S. listing at the request of Pershing, any actions or decisions beyond those necessary to comply will be based on an analysis taking into account what is value maximizing and in the best interests of all shareholders of the company.”