Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) is recruiting activist hedge funds to take a stake in General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) and prod GM into a merger, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, is allegedly behind the strategy, which has been unsuccessful thus far.
Activist investors had success in prompting GM to return money to shareholders in the form of $5 billion in share buybacks. Mr. Marchionne hopes that this indicates that the GM board would be receptive to pressure on other management areas. For Fiat Chrysler, the merger could help the automaker reduce costs and improve North American margins, which are currently at 3.7 percent, half of GM's.
Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?
New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.
ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO
Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!
Marchionne is attempting to get out ahead of consolidation he sees coming in the industry. In the future, Marchionne expects that GM, Toyota and Volkswagen will be the mega-manufacturers.
However, inside the GM boardroom, CEO Mary Bara has repeatedly noted that the company would not be distracted from continuing an internal consolidation that has reduced costs and improved ROI. Bara will continue to make this case during GM's annual shareholder meeting, which begins today.
Fiat Chrysler stock has gained nearly 35 percent year to date, compared with flat performance in GM stock. However, comparing market caps, GM is more than 2.5 times the size of Fiat at $56.44 billion compared with $20.11 billion.
Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?
New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.