Hedge Fund News: Bill Ackman, Paul Singer, Steve Cohen

Ackman’s Returns Make Him a Top 20 Fund Manager (CNBC)
Billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman has been named one of the world’s top 20 hedge fund managers for the first time, after posting stellar outperformance in 2014 led by his bet on botox maker Allergan. Ackman broke into rankings, compiled by LCH Investments, at number 19, after his firm, Pershing Square, delivered $4.5 billion in net gains for investors last year. The figure brings the fund’s lifetime gains to $11.6 billion since its launch in 2004.

Elliott Reveals Informatica stake, May push Sale (Reuters)
Activist investor Elliott Management disclosed an 8 percent stake in enterprise software maker Informatica Corp (INFA.O) in a filing on Monday, and may push for the company to be sold, according to a person familiar with the matter. Elliott, the hedge fund founded by Paul Singer, said it was speaking to the company’s management and board about ways to maximize shareholder value. Informatica shares closed $2.61 higher on Monday, up 6.8 percent, at $41.04 per share.

Point72 Said to Mull Proposing Three-Year Ban as SEC Deal (Bloomberg)
Billionaire Steve Cohen, who shut down SAC Capital Advisors last year to settle charges of insider trading against the firm, may be looking to manage money for clients again. Executives at Point72, the firm where Cohen now manages his personal fortune, are considering asking the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to limit any potential ban on managing outside capital to three-years, according to two people familiar with the matter. When the SEC brought an administrative proceeding against the 58-year-old billionaire in 2013, regulators said they would seek to ban Cohen from the financial industry.