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Elliott to call unique investor conference to oust Southwest CEO

Activist investor Elliott Investment Management on Tuesday escalated its boardroom fight with Southwest Airlines, stating it prepares to request a special shareholder meeting as quickly as next week to overhaul the airline's management.

The U.S. carrier, however, once again ruled out any leadership change, saying CEO Bob Jordan was the right leader to effectively perform its technique to enhance monetary efficiency and drive investor worth.

The hedge fund has actually introduced a project to oust Jordan and other magnates, blaming them for the business's. underperformance. It wants Southwest to change the method it runs. its organization and has actually laid out plans to replace two-thirds of the. board's 15 directors.

Elliott owns more than 10% of Southwest stock, enough for it. to call an unique conference.

The hedge fund shared its plan ahead of the airline company's. financier day on Thursday, where Jordan is anticipated to outline a. turnaround technique.

In reaction, Southwest stated its board would evaluate the. request for an unique shareholder meeting, however implicated the hedge. fund of attempting to disrupt its investor day.

The Dallas-based airline company has actually struggled to find its footing. after the pandemic, in part due to Boeing's airplane. shipment hold-ups and industry-wide overcapacity in the domestic. market.

Its operating margin decreased to 0.2% in the first half of. this year from more than 13% in 2019. In contrast, Delta Air. Lines published an operating margin of 9.5% in the first. 6 months, with United Airlines at 7.4%.

Southwest's shares have actually lost about 43% in the previous 3. years, compared with a 9% gain in Delta's shares.

To turn around its fortunes, Southwest prepares to provide. assigned and extra-legroom seats to draw in premium travelers,. and start overnight flights. The company also plans to bring. out network modifications, and has said it would share more information on. Thursday.

Any management change in the middle of such a considerable. change would be destructive to all shareholders,. Southwest said late on Tuesday.

In a bid to prevent a proxy battle, the business this month. stated six directors would step down in November and Executive. Chairman Gary Kelly would retire next year.

Southwest would appoint 4 brand-new independent directors in. the future and would potentially include up to three. prospects proposed by Elliott, it stated at the time.

In a letter to shareholders on Tuesday, Elliott accused the. airline company of blocking a management change.

We do not support the business's existing course, which is. being charted in a haphazard manner by a group of executives in. full self-preservation mode, it said.

The seriousness of management and board change at Southwest. could not be clearer.

On Tuesday, Southwest said while its investors desire it to. seek a compromise with Elliott, acquiescing to a single. shareholder's demand for absolute control of the business is not. a compromise.

Southwest's last annual shareholder meeting remained in May. The. next conference is not scheduled until next spring.

(source: Reuters)