Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at activist investors in the wake of Elliott's interest in BP, listing the many companies in similar positions. He explains the four principal things they are looking for and they only tend to get loud and aggressive if they feel they are being ignored. Any CEOs whose companies fit the criteria should be prepared for activist interest, particularly as the UK market is so cheap compared to the US. Private investors may benefit from activist investors, providing they are interested in the long-term health of the company concerned.

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