Wednesday, October 17, 2007

NYT Stock Tanking

Looks like a major stock holder of the New York Times has had enough and is bailing out.

Shockingly enough, the Times reports this itself.

WSJ account here.
Morgan Stanley has sold off its 7.2 percent stake in The New York Times Company, people with knowledge of the matter told DealBook Wednesday. The divestiture marks the end of a bitter two-year fight between one of the bank’s asset managers and the beleaguered newspaper company, which publishes DealBook.

The sale took place in a block trade handled by Merrill Lynch, these people said. It is unclear who the buyer or buyers were.

In a statement, Morgan Stanley said: “As a matter of policy, Morgan Stanley Investment Management does not publicly comment on changes in its portfolio.”

Morgan Stanley will file a 13D regulatory document Thursday, these people said.

The New York Times Co.’s stock fell about 2.5 percent to $18.44 in midmorning trading, a 52-week low amid an annus horribilis for the industry in general and the company in particular.

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