Most undervalued companies are mispriced because of solvable governance problems—not broken businesses. Buxton Helmsley engages first as a partner: candid, patient, and committed to a constructive resolution at the boardroom table. When that path fails to protect investors, we are equally prepared to escalate by whatever legitimate means the situation requires.
Latest Dispatch · Featured Insights Article
Going Concern, Going Missing: How the Auditor's Most Important Opinion Disappeared as Bankruptcies Climbed
"On February 24, 2023, KPMG LLP signed an unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements of SVB Financial Group, the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank.¹ The opinion contained no reference to substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. KPMG had served as the company's auditor since 1994.¹ Fourteen days later, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed after customers attempted to withdraw approximately $140 billion in deposits over the course of two days, in what became the second-largest bank failure in United States history.² A subsequent congressional review found that KPMG had considered 64 risks that could indicate SVB was in jeopardy and concluded that none applied.³ Litigation followed.⁴"
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2014
Brand Established
As Buxton Helmsley.
Top 15%
Global Activist
Bloomberg, based on number of campaigns.
+505%
Shareholder Return*
For Fossil Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) shareholders within approximately 2 years of securing board representation.
$20B+
Market Fraud Exposed / Vindicated
Through disclosure changes, SEC enforcement action, or bankruptcies.
* Full disclosure in the Metrics at a Glance section below.
Buxton Helmsley employs a concentrated, research-intensive investment process grounded in forensic financial analysis and an institutional understanding of securities regulation. The firm takes meaningful positions in a select number of companies where it has developed high-conviction views on value, and engages constructively with management and boards to realize that value for all investors.
I.Conviction
Concentrated portfolio of high-conviction positions in companies undervalued by solvable governance failures—not broken businesses.
II.Diligence
Investment process rooted in forensic financial analysis—distinguishing fixable inefficiencies from structural decline.
III.Partnership
Constructive engagement with boards and management teams—collaborative, candid, and patient as our default path.
IV.Resolve
Disciplined escalation, by every legitimate means, when constructive engagement falls short of protecting investors.
Shareholder Return
+505%
for Fossil Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) shareholders within approximately 2 years of securing board representation
Market Fraud Exposed/Vindicated
$20B+
Through disclosure changes, SEC enforcement action, or bankruptcies
Global Activist
Top 15%
Bloomberg, based on number of campaigns
Brand Established
2014
As Buxton Helmsley
* The +505% return figure for Fossil Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) assumes a shareholder held their shares continuously from March 24, 2024, for approximately two years forward.
Buxton Helmsley has been recognized by leading financial publications and industry analysts for our commitment to excellence and results.
Partner with Buxton Helmsley
Rigorous analysis.
Proactive engagement.
Disciplined execution.
Discover how our disciplined approach to governance and management expertise delivers exceptional outcomes.
Learn how our approach to active ownership, fundamental research, and corporate engagement drives long-term value creation across market environments.
