Southeastern Asset Takes 12 Percent Stake in News Corp.

By: Andy Fixmer | Bloomberg

Southeastern Asset Management Inc. (NWS), the investment firm that joined Carl Icahn in opposing Dell Inc. (DELL)’s buyout, acquired a 12 percent voting stake in News Corp., the largest holding behind Chairman Rupert Murdoch.

The 23.8 million-share Class B stake, disclosed in a regulatory filing yesterday, is valued at about $397 million, based on a closing price of $16.72. The investment accounts for about a 4.1 percent economic interest in New York-based News Corp., the publishing business split off in June from Murdoch’s film and television division.