Peltz's Trian Fund says it will not pursue takeover bid for Wendy's

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Trian Fund Management, run by activist investor Nelson Peltz, said on Friday it will not pursue a takeover of Wendy's Co (WEN.O), opens new tab, months after the company's largest shareholder said it was considering a potential bid for the burger chain.

Shares of Wendy's, which had fallen about 5% in 2022, were down about 1% in premarket trading.

Trian said in May last year it was exploring taking over Wendy's, either on its own or with others, almost two decades after Peltz invested in the company.

On Friday, Wendy's separately announced a new $500 million share buyback plan and doubled its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share.

The hedge fund in a filing said the company's move to return additional capital to shareholders through share repurchases and increased cash dividends "was the appropriate path to enhance shareholder value at this time."

The firm added it believes Wendy's is well positioned to deliver significant long-term value for shareholders.

Wendy's said in an emailed statement to Reuters that it looks forward to continuing its partnership with Trian and "are pleased with Trian's confidence in our growth strategy."

The company has had a long history with Peltz and Trian after the firm first invested in Wendy's in 2005 and began pushing for changes in late 2008.

According to a latest regulatory filing, opens new tab, Peltz, along with Trian and affiliates, owns a 19.35% stake in Wendy's.

Peltz on Thursday also formally launched a battle for a board seat at Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), opens new tab, seen as a serious challenge to Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, who recently returned from retirement to lead the company for a second time.