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The number of activist investors in the business sector has grown during the past several years. Sometimes for political or ethical motives, other times for merely financial ones, these investors purchase enough voting shares to have an impact on a company's actions. The objective of these investors, who may act alone or in groups, is to amass enough stock stake in a firm to have a say in its decisions. To influence corporate governance, activist shareholders could only require 10% of the stock.

An activist investor is a person or a group of people who invest in a company's shares with the intention of using their ownership stake to influence the company's management and strategy. Activist investors typically have a specific agenda and want to push for changes within the company, such as the sale of assets, cost-cutting measures, or management changes. They often seek to maximize the company's shareholder value and increase their own returns on investment.

Activist investors can have both positive and negative impacts on a company. On the positive side, activist investors can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to a company's management, pushing for changes that can lead to improved efficiency, increased profitability, and higher shareholder returns. On the negative side, activist investors can be disruptive and push for changes that may not be in the long-term interest of the company or its stakeholders.

Activist investors can also be categorized based on their motivations for investing in a company. Some activist investors have a social or political agenda and use their ownership stake to push for changes that align with their values. For example, an investor may push for a company to adopt more sustainable business practices or to take a stand on social justice issues. These investors may also advocate for diversity and inclusion on a company's board of directors.

Other activist investors are solely focused on financial returns and use their ownership stake to push for changes that will increase the company's profitability and shareholder value. These investors may push for cost-cutting measures, divestitures, or changes in management to improve the company's financial performance. In some cases, these investors may even advocate for the sale of the company or a merger with another company to unlock value for shareholders.

Activist investors can act in different ways to achieve their goals. Some investors will engage with the company's management and board of directors privately, seeking to influence decisions behind the scenes. Others will take a more public approach, using the media or shareholder proposals to bring attention to their agenda and push for change. In some cases, activist investors may even launch a proxy fight, seeking to replace the company's board of directors with their own candidates.

It is important to note that not all activist investors are successful in achieving their goals. Companies may resist the demands of activist investors, and shareholders may not always support the activist's agenda. In some cases, activist investors may even sell their stake in a company if they are unable to achieve their desired outcomes.

The rise of activist investing has also led to increased scrutiny and regulation of these investors. Some argue that activist investors can have a short-term focus and may not always act in the best long-term interests of a company or its stakeholders. There are also concerns that activist investors may engage in insider trading or other illegal activities to achieve their goals.

Some nations have put in place rules requiring activist investors to disclose their ownership interests and intentions when investing in a company in order to allay these worries. These rules are designed to increase accountability and transparency so that other shareholders may make wise decisions regarding the company's future.

In conclusion, activist investors are investors who buy enough voting shares to influence the decisions of a company. They can act alone or in groups, and their goals can range from purely financial to social or political. While activist investors can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to a company's management, they can also be disruptive and may not always act in the best long-term interests.

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