Tracinda
Tracinda is a privately held American investment corporation founded by Kirk Kerkorian, known for major stakes and takeover proposals involving automotive and gaming companies.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Tracinda Corporation is a privately held American investment company established by entrepreneur and investor Kirk Kerkorian. The name combines the names of Kerkorian's daughters, Tracy and Linda. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company became closely associated with Kerkorian's strategy of taking substantial positions in large public companies and, at times, seeking influence through proposed acquisitions or changes in ownership. Tracinda's best-known investments were concentrated in the automotive and casino industries. It formerly held a significant minority position in General Motors, amounting to approximately 10 percent of the company, before disposing of the entire position in November 2006. The company also became involved in Chrysler's ownership history. In April 2007, Tracinda offered approximately $4.5 billion for Chrysler, a proposal that followed Kerkorian's earlier, unsuccessful attempt to acquire the automaker in 1995. The 2007 proposal was ultimately unsuccessful, and Chrysler was instead sold to Cerberus Capital Management. Tracinda also accumulated and later sold shares in Ford Motor Company during the 2008 financial crisis. In May 2008, the company approached Ford shareholders with a proposal to purchase 20 million shares at $8.50 per share. The acquisition was subsequently carried out through investor Ahmed Adnan. As Ford's share price declined during the crisis, Tracinda sold more than seven million shares in October 2008 at an average price of approximately $2.44 per share and disposed of its remaining Ford holdings in December 2008. The company had an especially important relationship with MGM Mirage, later renamed MGM Resorts International. Kerkorian and Tracinda were the gaming company's controlling shareholders for a period. Following a $1 billion stock offering completed in 2009, their ownership declined from 53.8 percent to approximately 39 percent, leaving them as minority owners even though Kerkorian indicated an intention to purchase a portion of the new shares. After Kerkorian's death in June 2015, Tracinda continued to hold an interest in MGM Resorts for several years. In September 2019, MGM Resorts announced that Tracinda had disposed of its remaining stake, consistent with instructions in Kerkorian's will to sell the interest within a reasonable period after his death. Tracinda is therefore best understood not as a consumer-facing product brand but as a private investment vehicle identified with Kerkorian's capital-allocation activities. Its public profile has derived from disclosed equity positions, takeover bids, and ownership changes involving prominent American corporations rather than from a marketed portfolio of products or services. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current operating business, current owner, or current investment portfolio, so its present status is recorded conservatively.
History
Tracinda Corporation was founded by Kirk Kerkorian as a private investment corporation. Its name was formed from the names of Kerkorian's daughters, Tracy and Linda. The company was headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and became a vehicle for Kerkorian's investments in large publicly traded businesses, particularly automotive manufacturers and gaming companies. One of Tracinda's major holdings was General Motors. The company held approximately 10 percent of GM before selling its entire position in November 2006. The exit ended one of the most visible phases of Tracinda's involvement in the American automotive sector, although the company soon returned to the industry through a proposed Chrysler acquisition. On April 5, 2007, Tracinda offered approximately $4.5 billion to purchase Chrysler. The bid echoed Kerkorian's earlier unsuccessful effort to take over Chrysler in 1995. The 2007 proposal briefly affected DaimlerChrysler's share price, but it did not lead to an acquisition. Chrysler was ultimately sold to Cerberus Capital Management. Tracinda next became active in Ford's share register. In May 2008, it contacted Ford shareholders seeking to buy 20 million shares at $8.50 each. The purchase was later processed through investor Ahmed Adnan. During the severe market decline of 2008, Tracinda sold more than seven million Ford shares on October 20 at an average price of about $2.44 per share. It sold the rest of its Ford position on December 29, 2008. The company's other defining investment was MGM Mirage, the casino operator later known as MGM Resorts International. Kerkorian and Tracinda held a controlling position in the company for a time. When MGM Mirage completed a $1 billion stock offering in May 2009, their ownership fell from 53.8 percent to about 39 percent. Although Kerkorian and Tracinda planned to subscribe for part of the new offering, they remained minority owners after the transaction. Kerkorian died on June 15, 2015. His death changed the context of Tracinda's continuing ownership of MGM Resorts. On September 16, 2019, MGM Resorts announced that Tracinda had informed the company that it had disposed of its stake. The sale followed instructions in Kerkorian's will calling for the interest to be sold within a reasonable period after his death. Public reference material does not provide a confirmed founding year, current executive roster, current owner, active website, or detailed present-day portfolio. Tracinda's documented public identity is consequently tied primarily to the investment transactions and corporate-control efforts associated with Kerkorian. It is not documented as a conventional consumer brand with retail products, recurring advertising campaigns, or a broad public-facing operating network.
- 2019
Exit from MGM Resorts International
[1]MGM Resorts announces that Tracinda has disposed of its stake in the resort company.
- 2015
Death of founder Kirk Kerkorian
[1]Kirk Kerkorian dies, beginning the succession-related process that ultimately leads to the disposal of Tracinda's MGM Resorts interest.
- 2009
MGM Mirage ownership becomes a minority position
[1]A $1 billion MGM Mirage stock offering reduces Kerkorian and Tracinda's combined ownership from 53.8 percent to approximately 39 percent.
- 2008
Ford investment and disposal
[1]Tracinda acquires Ford shares and sells them in stages during the financial crisis, completing its exit by December.
- 2007
Unsuccessful Chrysler acquisition proposal
[1]Tracinda offers approximately $4.5 billion for Chrysler, but the proposal does not result in an acquisition.
- 2006
Exit from General Motors
[1]Tracinda sells its entire General Motors position after holding approximately 10 percent of the automaker.
Tracinda is founded
[1]Kirk Kerkorian establishes Tracinda Corporation as a private investment company; the name refers to his daughters Tracy and Linda.
Products and positioning
A private investment vehicle focused historically on sizeable positions, strategic influence, and takeover proposals involving major American automotive and gaming companies.
Brand decisions
2019
Disposal of MGM Resorts stakeStrategyBackground
After Kirk Kerkorian's death, his will directed that Tracinda dispose of its interest in the resort company within a reasonable period.
Action taken
Tracinda sold its remaining stake in MGM Resorts International.
Aftermath
Tracinda ended its documented ownership relationship with MGM Resorts.
2009
Response to MGM Mirage stock offeringOtherBackground
MGM Mirage completed a $1 billion stock offering while Kerkorian and Tracinda were its controlling shareholders.
Action taken
Kerkorian and Tracinda lost majority ownership as their combined stake declined from 53.8 percent to approximately 39 percent; they nevertheless planned to purchase part of the new offering.
Aftermath
The investors became minority owners of the gaming company.
MGM Mirage stock offering and ownership. 53.8 percent combined ownership → Approximately 39 percent combined ownership after a $1 billion offering (May 2009)
2008
Ford share acquisition and exitStrategyBackground
Tracinda pursued an equity position in Ford during a period of severe stress in the automotive sector and financial markets.
Action taken
It sought 20 million Ford shares at $8.50 per share, later sold more than seven million shares in October, and disposed of the remainder in December.
Aftermath
Tracinda no longer held Ford shares after its December 2008 sale.
Ford share transactions. Offer to purchase 20 million shares at $8.50 per share → More than 7 million shares sold at an average of approximately $2.44 per share, followed by sale of the remaining position (May–December 2008)
2007
Proposal to acquire ChryslerM&ABackground
Tracinda sought to expand its role in the automotive industry through a proposed acquisition of Chrysler, following Kerkorian's earlier attempt to acquire the company in 1995.
Action taken
The company offered approximately $4.5 billion for Chrysler in April 2007.
Aftermath
The offer failed, and Chrysler was later sold to Cerberus Capital Management.
Proposed acquisition value. $4.5 billion offer (April 5, 2007)
Recent events
- 2019
Tracinda disposes of its MGM Resorts stake[1]
Other
MGM Resorts International announced that Tracinda had sold its remaining interest in the company in accordance with instructions associated with Kerkorian's will.
- 2019
Tracinda disposes of MGM Resorts stake[1]
Other
MGM Resorts International announced that Tracinda had sold its remaining interest in the resort company in accordance with instructions associated with Kerkorian's will.
- 2015
Kirk Kerkorian dies[1]
Leadership change
Tracinda founder Kirk Kerkorian died on June 15, 2015, at the age of 98.
- 2009
MGM Mirage offering reduces Tracinda's ownership[1]
Other
After MGM Mirage completed a $1 billion stock offering, Kerkorian and Tracinda's combined ownership declined from 53.8 percent to approximately 39 percent.
- 2009
MGM Mirage stock offering dilutes Tracinda ownership[1]
Other
Following MGM Mirage's completion of a $1 billion stock offering, Kerkorian and Tracinda's combined ownership declined from approximately 53.8 percent to about 39 percent, leaving them minority owners.
- 2008
Tracinda seeks to acquire Ford shares[1]
Other
Tracinda contacted Ford shareholders with an offer to purchase 20 million shares at $8.50 per share. The transaction was later completed through investor Ahmed Adnan.
- 2008
Tracinda exits its Ford investment[1]
Other
Tracinda sold more than seven million Ford shares in October and disposed of its remaining Ford holdings in December during the global financial crisis.
- 2008
Tracinda builds a Ford Motor Company position[1]
Other
Tracinda contacted Ford shareholders with an offer to purchase 20 million shares at $8.50 per share. The acquisition was subsequently processed through investor Ahmed Adnan.
- 2008
Tracinda sells Ford shares during the financial crisis[1]
Other
Tracinda sold more than seven million Ford shares in October at an average price of approximately $2.44 per share and sold its remaining Ford holdings in December.
- 2007
Tracinda proposes a bid for Chrysler[1]
M&A
Tracinda made an approximately $4.5 billion proposal to acquire Chrysler. The bid was not successful, and Chrysler was subsequently sold to Cerberus Capital Management.
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