William Ackman

William Albert Ackman (born May 11, 1966) is an American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a hedge fund management company. Ackman is considered a contrarian investor but he considers himself an activist investor. Research published at The University of Oxford characterizes Bill Ackman's activities with Canadian Pacific Railway as paradigmatic of "engaged activism" – which is longer term in nature with correlated benefits to the real economy, as distinct from shorter term "financial activism". His investing style and investments have had its fair share of critical praise and criticism from U.S. federal and state government officials, heads of other hedge funds, various retail investors, and the general public. Ackman's most notable market plays include shorting MBIA's bonds during the 2008 financial crisis, his proxy battle with Canadian Pacific Railway, as well as his stakes in the Target Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Since 2012, he has held a US$1 billion short against the nutrition company Herbalife, claiming the company is a pyramid scheme designed as a multi-level marketing firm.