Macy's stock leaps on report activist investor pushing for changes

Investing.com -- Activist investor Barington Capital has taken a stake in Macy’s Inc (NYSE:M) and is advocating for strategic changes to revitalize the retailer’s struggling stock. Among its proposals is the creation of a separate real estate division within the company.

Macy’s shares climbed over 3% in premarket trading Monday.

Barington revealed its position in a PowerPoint presentation shared with Macy’s shareholders on Monday, confirming an earlier report by the Wall Street Journal. The size of the stake was not disclosed. The firm has partnered with property owner Thor Equities on the initiative.

The investors argue that Macy’s shares are deeply undervalued and suggest forming a real estate subsidiary to unlock the potential of its owned and leased properties, which they estimate to be worth between $5 billion and $9 billion—well above Macy’s current market valuation.

Moreover, Barington and Thor are urging Macy’s to explore strategic options for its other brands, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, which they view as premium chains that could achieve higher valuations independently.

They are also pressing Macy’s to reduce capital expenditures to 1.5%-2% of total sales from the current level of about 4%, and to initiate stock buybacks worth $2 billion to $3 billion over the next three years. According to their presentation, these measures could boost Macy’s stock by as much as 200% within three years.

The activist investors are also calling for representation on Macy’s board.

This is not Macy’s first encounter with activist investors. Earlier this year, the company avoided a boardroom battle by adding two new directors while fending off a takeover attempt. In July, Macy’s ended discussions with Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management, who had offered $6.9 billion to take the company private.

Macy’s CEO Tony Spring, who assumed leadership earlier this year, is working to address declining sales through store remodeling, improving the customer experience, and opening smaller, modernized store formats.

The retailer currently operates over 470 Macy’s stores, 30 Bloomingdale’s locations, and 160 Bluemercury shops.