Two large investors have accumulated substantial positions in Barnes and Noble stock in the last two months, the most recent coming to light last week in a filing.  Aletheia Research & Management, an investment firm founded in 1997 by a former Bear Sterns managing director, revealed that it had accumulated 10.8% of the outstanding stock as of the end of November. 

Supermarket mogul Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Companies acquired a 17.8% share of the company in November, in response to which Barnes & Noble adopted a poison pill provision to discourage the accumulation of over 20% of its stock. 

Chairman Leonard Riggio is the largest shareholder, with 29.4% of the shares.