Shamrock Activist Value Fund urged Websense to maximize stockholders' value through a buyback program (See The Activist Spotlight, at left). Shamrock, a California investment firm run by Roy E. Disney, holds 4,689,165 shares (10.41% of the total outstanding).

Elliott Associates and its affiliates have asked the company whether it has considered exploring strategic alternatives. The Elliott group may meet with Epicor's management, board and other shareholders and to formulate plans or proposals regarding the company. The group beneficially owns about 5.98 million shares (9.9%).

Gamco Investors (GBL) wants Gaylord's board to redeem the preferred- share purchase rights issued under a poison-pill agreement. Gaylord issued one right for each common share, exercisable if a person or group acquires ownership of 15% or more of its common. Gamco wants the board to redeem the rights or submit the issue to a vote of the shareholders, and is seeking to have its proposal included in the proxy for Gaylord's 2009 annual shareholders' meeting. Gamco owns 3,981,383 shares (9.75%).

Advisory Research, a Chicago fund manager, asked Longs for more information to evaluate CVS Caremark 's (CVS) tender offer. Advisory Research wants to know more about Longs' assets, specifically the valuation of real estate it owns and leases, to determine if the CVS offer is in Longs' shareholders' best interests. CVS has begun a cash tender offer for all outstanding Longs shares for $2.61 billion, or $71.50 each. Advisory Research has 3,304,287 shares (9.2%).

Hill-Rom Holdings (HRC) Breeden Capital Management, the hedge fund run by Richard Breeden, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, reported ownership of 3,278,409 shares (5.25%). Breeden Capital has talked with HRC management about its business, financial performance, costs and capital allocation, including share repurchases, operations, strategic plans and potential for divestiture of noncore business units. Breeden intends to continue discussions with management and potentially with members of the board.

Hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I and affiliates increased their stake to 30.43 million shares (36.3%), from the 18.76 million (31.3%) reported March 28.

Microsoft (MSFT) founder Bill Gates raised his stake to 32.75 million shares (17.99%), by buying 4,202,789 through his Cascade Investment firm from Aug. 5 to 12 at prices ranging from $32.81 to $35.18.

A fund group managed by Gamco Investors raised its stake to 3,646,319 shares (6.28%) after buying 754,200 from June 17 to Aug. 14 at $14.88 to $23.73 each.