Author Archives: Inelegant Investor
Paging Maverick and Iceman. Last June, Masco(MAS) CEO Keith Allman signaled that structural change was afoot. A year later, the company is poised to spinoff its Installation and Services business into TopBuild(BLD). Masco shareholders as of June 19, 2015 will, on June 30, 2015, receive one TopBuild share for every nine Masco shares held. Keith Allman, Masco’s President… Read More »
TriMas(TRS) has had a long and winding road as a company. It originally began life as Campbell Industries, headed up by former Masco(MAS) executive Brian Campbell. Masco backed Campbell and sold many of its smaller manufacturing businesses to Campbell, resulting in a name change to TriMas. TriMas, owned largely by Masco, continued to acquire manufacturing assets until its… Read More »
As previously discussed, Baxter International (BAX) will be spinning off Baxalta (BXLT) after the close of business on June 30. As is often the case with larger spinoffs this will result in some S&P index reshuffling. First, Baxter will no longer be large enough to remain a member of the S&P 100 and will be replaced by Priceline… Read More »
You may never heard of Baxter International(BAX), but the $37 Billion behemoth may have saved your life. Now, the company is slimming down, as the Board has approved the July 1 spinoff of Baxalta(BXLT). Shareholders of record as of June 17 will receive one share of Baxalta for each Baxter share owned. Baxter will retain 19.5% of Baxalta… Read More »
Though the majority of Johnson Controls(JCI) revenue derives from its automotive business, there has long been talk of spinning off the unit. Yesterday, the company announced that “it is exploring strategic options for the separation of its automotive business”. Of course, you know which strategic option we are rooting for. “Today’s announcement continues our strategy of proactive portfolio… Read More »
DuPont(DD) has not been lacking in drama, with a famously noisy battle with activist Nelson Peltz. The company is now in the final stretch of its spinoff of Chemours, with a date and ratio set. The stock will be distributed on July 1 to shareholders as of June 23. Shareholders will receive one share of Chemours for every… Read More »
By far, the world’s largest mining company, BHP Billiton(BHP) got a bit smaller this week with the spinoff(or demerger, if you prefer) of South32. South32 is a collection of non-core bauxite, alumina, aluminium, thermal and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc assets accounting for under 5% of BHP’s 2014 profit. BHP shareholders received 1 share of… Read More »
Yesterday, Yahoo(YHOO) shares plunged on word that the IRS was examining treatment of asset-rich spinoffs. In a statement emailed to the Wall Street Journal, a Yahoo spokesperson stated that they expect no impact to the spinoff that is planned. In an emailed statement, a Yahoo spokeswoman said that because the company filed its request with the IRS earlier… Read More »
In the last minute or so of trading today, Yahoo (YHOO) dropped 7.5% on huge volume. At the same time Alibaba (BABA) spiked. Readers will recall that Yahoo is spinning off its stake in Alibaba together with its small business unit. The move is expected to save billions of dollars in taxes. Though scant information is available, Twitter… Read More »
Countering published reports that Symantec(SYMC) was shopping its Veritas unit for sale despite a previous announcement of a spinoff, CEO Michael Brown said in an interview that he is moving ahead with the spin. It is thought that the tax implications of a sale make it an unattractive option for shareholders. “That’s the plan, to spin it,” Chief… Read More »
Less than 3 years after being spun off from then Kraft Foods (now the ill-named Mondelez [MDLZ]), Kraft Foods Group (KRFT) has agreed to a merger with Heinz. Heinz was taken private in 2013 by Brazilian private equity firm 3G capital, with backing from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway(BRKA,BRKB). Berkshire Hathaway and 3G will be injecting an additional $10 billion… Read More »
Last week, Starwood Hotels(HOT) announced it would be spinning off its timeshare business. One week later, CEO Frits van Paasschen “resigned by mutual agreement with the Board of Directors as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director.” The company has appointed director Adam Aron as interim CEO and has stated that they wanted to see more growth than… Read More »
For nearly four million customers in seven states NiSource (NI) is a utility providing gas and electricity. At the same time, the company operates a large non-regulated gas pipeline, storage and midstream business. In September, the company announced plans to spin off this business as the Columbia Pipeline Group. The company expects that the spinoff will be completed… Read More »
Much like Real Estate Investment Trusts(REITs), Business Development Companies(BDCs) are a corporate structure that bypasses corporate taxes, and has shareholders pay taxes at their own rates, according to their ownership. Capital Southwest Corporation(CSWC) is a Dallas-based BDC which has built up an Industrials business through decades of acquisitions. In December, CEO Joe Armes announced a plan to spin… Read More »
Alliant Techsystems(ATK) has taken another step forward towards its spinoff of Vista Outdoor and subsequent merger with Orbital Sciences(ORB). The transaction, which is back on track after a delay caused by the fiery explosion of an Orbital Sciences Antares rocket, is now expected to be completed on February 9. ATK shareholders will receive two shares of Vista Outdoor,… Read More »