Pershing Square Capital's William Ackman: Buys, Sells, Portfolio

William Ackman is an aggressive activist value investor who heads Pershing Square Capital Management, a $1.6+ billion hedge fund. Ackman takes large long positions in a concentrated portfolio of companies, then often pressures management to extract value for shareholders.

Ackman founded Pershing Square in 2003, after the dissolution of Gotham Partners in 2002. The latest SEC 13F filing for Pershing Capital shows his new position in Ceridian (CEN) -- where he's already agitated for significant change -- along with his increased holdings in McDonald's (MCD), which now constitutes over half the fund. Data from quarter ending 12/31/2006; filed 2/14/2007:

Recent Buys for Pershing Square Capital Management:

• Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS): bought 249 thousand shares = 1.2% of overall fund; total position now 5.5 million shares
• Borders Group Inc (BGP): bought 1.7 million shares = 3% of overall fund; total position now 6.85 million shares
• Ceridian Corp (CEN): NEW POSITION bought 15.7 million shares = 27% of overall fund; total position now 15.7 million shares
• McDonald's Corp (MCD): bought 18 million shares = 50% of overall fund; total position now 18.5 million shares

Pershing Square Capital Management Portfolio as of 12/31/2006:

Number of shares; position's % of overall fund

• Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS): 5.5 million shares; 13.4%
• Borders Group Inc (BGP): 6.8 million shares; 9.4%
• Ceridian Corp (CEN): 15.7 million shares; 27%
• McDonald's Corp (MCD): 18.5 million shares; 50.2%

Total Holdings $1.63+ billion