Equity Position: Yahoo (YHOO)
Last week, we sold approximately two-thirds of our stake in Yahoo. In addition, the three Third Point nominees to the company's Board of Directors βDaniel Loeb, Harry Wilson, and Michael Wolf β submitted their resignations as required by the settlement agreement ending our proxy contest in 2012. We continue to hold approximately 20 million shares and the investment's IRR is just over 50%since inception.
Since Third Point initiated its position, over $15 billion of value has been created, growing the company's market cap from $15 billion to $30 billion today, while over $5.2 billion of cash has been returned to shareholders. Since Third Point made "The Case for Alibaba" in our original investment presentation, our Fourth Quarter 2011 Investor Letter, and on our valueyahoo.com shareholder advocacy website, consensus Wall Street estimates for Alibaba's value have increased from $20 billion to over $80 billion. In addition, and consistent with our views on Japan, Yahoo Japan's value has also more than doubled during this period.
In governance and leadership terms, Yahoo's Board is far stronger, with over 90% new members. This Board's hire, Marissa Mayer, has done an outstanding job transforming the company and has surrounded herself with new, high-caliber leaders. Yahoo has increased engagement and seen a surge of talent return to the company. Momentum around new products β particularly for mobile β has increased dramatically.
We are pleased with our contribution to Yahoo since we became involved and believe the company will continue to thrive under Ms. Mayer's leadership.
From Third Point's second quarter 2013 letter.
Last week, we sold approximately two-thirds of our stake in Yahoo. In addition, the three Third Point nominees to the company's Board of Directors βDaniel Loeb, Harry Wilson, and Michael Wolf β submitted their resignations as required by the settlement agreement ending our proxy contest in 2012. We continue to hold approximately 20 million shares and the investment's IRR is just over 50%since inception.
Since Third Point initiated its position, over $15 billion of value has been created, growing the company's market cap from $15 billion to $30 billion today, while over $5.2 billion of cash has been returned to shareholders. Since Third Point made "The Case for Alibaba" in our original investment presentation, our Fourth Quarter 2011 Investor Letter, and on our valueyahoo.com shareholder advocacy website, consensus Wall Street estimates for Alibaba's value have increased from $20 billion to over $80 billion. In addition, and consistent with our views on Japan, Yahoo Japan's value has also more than doubled during this period.
In governance and leadership terms, Yahoo's Board is far stronger, with over 90% new members. This Board's hire, Marissa Mayer, has done an outstanding job transforming the company and has surrounded herself with new, high-caliber leaders. Yahoo has increased engagement and seen a surge of talent return to the company. Momentum around new products β particularly for mobile β has increased dramatically.
We are pleased with our contribution to Yahoo since we became involved and believe the company will continue to thrive under Ms. Mayer's leadership.
From Third Point's second quarter 2013 letter.
