The board of directors at Medifast Inc. (MED—NYSE) has put in place a one-year stockholder rights plan or “poison pill” intended to discourage a hostile takeover from outside the company.
The weight-loss company adopted the plan “in response to the recent rapid accumulations of significant portions of Medifast’s outstanding common stock.” Waltham, Massachusetts-based ModusLink most recently built up a significant stake in Medifast. The supply chain and logistics company acquired 9.9 percent of Medifast stock through a series of transactions in July and August.
In its Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Medifast states the plan was not adopted in response to any specific takeover bid or acquisition proposal. The rights plan would trigger should an outside investor acquire 10 percent or more of the company’s stock. Existing stockholders would then have the opportunity to purchase additional common stock at a discounted price.
Medifast markets its products through several channels, including the personal coaching division Take Shape For Life. The direct selling subsidiary is Medifast’s most profitable division. Take Shape For Life generated $229 million in revenue last year to claim the No. 52 spot on the DSN Global 100.
