Hedge fund Western Investment has requested, pursuant to New York law, that the closed-end equity mutual fund deliver to it a list of shareholders. Such a move is often a precursor to a proxy fight. In May, Western proposed that the investment-management agreement between DWS Global Commodities Stock Fund and Deutsche Investment Management Americas be terminated. Western cited inferior returns posted by the commodities-focused fund and a "lack of confidence" in the investment manager, an affiliate of Deutsche Bank (DB). Western owns 2,121,839 shares (11.8% of the total outstanding) and has teamed with Benchmark Plus Partners, owner of 552,040 shares (3.1% of the total outstanding), to form a shareholder group.

Investment-advisor Avenir Corporation flipped from a passive to an active investor, saying it may consult with Reddy Ice's management "on a wide range of matters relating to protecting and enhancing existing shareholder value. Such matters may include, but are not limited to, capital structure, capital allocation, management and strategic direction." Avenir currently owns 1,777,724 shares (9.4% of the total outstanding). The firm originally emerged as a more-than-5% shareholder in early 2008, but its stake dropped below the 5% threshold in May of this year. From June 5 to July 30, Avenir acquired 336,217 shares at $1.52 to $2.56 per share.

Yucaipa Companies flipped to an active investor after purchasing $115 million in preferred shares and securing two board seats. The firm also owns 2,592,610 shares (4.5%).

Rhone Group disclosed that it holds warrants to purchase 25,653,831 shares (16.67%) at $1.86 per share. The firm acquired the warrants by providing Quiksilver with $150 million in five-year senior secured term loans.

Steel Partners increased its holdings to 11,603,006 shares (9.7%), after buying 1,465,800 shares from August 3 to August 5 at $2.78 to $2.85 per share.

Silver Lake Partners reduced its holdings to 10,133,768 shares (10.7%), after selling 1,000,000 on August 11 at $16.22 each.

Key Colony Management decreased its holdings to 1,860,410 shares (8.3%), after selling 340,239 from June 5 to August 10 at prices ranging from $4.24 to $6.07 a share.

PershingSquareCapital reduced its holdings to 32,994,586 shares (4.4%), after selling 25,396,649 shares and settling options trades between June 10 and August 7. The sales were transacted at prices ranging from $37.74 to $39.39 apiece.