Extreme Value Hedging: How Activist Hedge Fund Managers Are Taking on the World

By Ronald D. Orol

Book Overview

Activist hedge fund managers represent a small part of the $1.5 trillion hedge fund industry, but their approach is causing a stir among traditional managers and the investment community because they are shaking up the corporate establishment and making money for their investors. These types of managers are here to stay and Extreme Value Hedging tells the story of their rise to power in the U.S. and how they are spreading their influential gospel around the globe to places like China, Ukraine, South Korea and Sweden. Author Ronald D. Orol has a unique understanding of this world and through this book he shares his unparalleled insights in an easy to comprehend manner. He discusses everything from activist investor efforts to breakup the clubby insider world of corporate boardrooms to their deal-making or breaking pressure tactics and courtroom battles. Orol skillfully makes his case for each subject by offering revelations and examples from insiders like Ralph Whitworth, (Relational Investors), Guy Wyser-Pratte, (Wyser-Pratte Management), Mark Schwarz, (Newcastle Capital Group LLC), Robert Chapman (Chapman Capital), Phillip Goldstein (Opportunity Partners), Jeffrey Ubben (ValueAct Capital), Jeffrey M. Solomon (Ramius Capital Group LLC), Michael Van Biema (Van Biema Value Partners), Eric Rosenfeld (Crescendo Partners), Lars Forberg (Cevian Capital) and Emanuel Pearlman (Liberation Investment Group), among many, many others.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470128003
• ISBN13: 9780470128008
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.2" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A Provocative Look

Ron Orol has written a thoughtful and provocative book that gives an inside view into the world of activist hedge funds and how they are transforming the business world. Not since the "greenmailers" of the 1980s have corporate boards of directors and managers been so challenged by activist shareholders. The book explores the different kinds of thinking and strategies employed by activist funds and the challenges they pose to corporate insiders. "Extreme Value Hedging's" extensive analysis, documentation and insight are invaluable in understanding this new world. The book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand corporate governance dynamics in the 21st century. Owen Kurtin

Great insight

Very useful book for those trying to understand how activism works today. Great detail and use of examples.

Valuable material for newcomers and experts alike

This thoroughly researched book is a good introduction to the arena of hedge fund activism. The chapters are sprinkled with examples from the activist playbook - and the tactics of companies dealing with an activist uprising. The writing is even-handed and the anectodes -- especially the several regarding public-pressure campaigns by activist managers -- make for engaging reading.

GREAT INSIGHTS

This is a great distillation of what is happening all around us in the world of activist fund management. While the book is highly accessible to the average reader, the behind the scenes glimpse at the personalities and strategies in the activist fund world are a treat for anyone with an interest in finance/investing.

It's a must read!

I work with a number of hedge funds, including many reputable shareholder activist groups. This book by Ron Orol is the best book I've ever read about the shareholder activist investment. It's a must read!