We want to introduce a new author to the site. The Limey is a sell side equity analyst based in London and is also (more importantly) a long time reader of this site. The Limey will look at spinoff situations in Europe and elsewhere. Xerox (XRX) completed the spinoff of its business process outsourcing (BPO) division Conduent (CNDT)… Read More »
Are you a business journalist on deadline with no idea what to write about? An editor with some space to fill? There are some stories that will work every time. How about this? Propose a spinoff that will never happen, like Amazon(AMZN) spinning off its web services business. Then, tell us why it won’t happen. Now, punch out,… Read More »
For years, Disney (DIS) shares were propelled upwards by consistently better results at its media network unit including ABC and ESPN. As ‘Event TV’ became live TV’s stand against streaming and recording options, sports became especially lucrative due to the high fees they were able to charge. Of course, things change. Costs went up, NFL & ABC ratings… Read More »
Hilton (HLT) completed the spinoff of a lodging REIT, Park Hotels & Resorts (PK), and of its timeshare business, Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV), earlier this week. The new companies begin trading the ‘regular way’ yesterday and shareholders should have received 1 HGV share for every 10 HLT shares owned and 1 PK share for every 5 HLT shares… Read More »
Nearly three years after its April 2014 spinoff from Sears Holdings(SHLD), Lands’ End(LE) is fairing only marginally better than its former parent, which is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Lands End, which just after its spinoff had a market capitalization of $900 million, is worth just $485 million today. The company has nearly $500 million in long… Read More »
A decade after a divorce, a couple strongly considers getting back together, only to call it off. The plot of It’s Complicated? No, the latest in the saga of Viacom(VIA) and CBS(CBS). At the very end of 2005, Viacom and CBS split into two independent companies. Late this summer, as Shari Redstone cemented her control over her father… Read More »
Varian Medical Systems (VAR) is currently in the process of spinning off its imaging component business, Varex Imaging. As part of the transaction, Varex will now send Varian a $200m parting ‘gift‘ (or dividend) to be funded by new borrowings. According to Varian’s CEO Dow Wilson, ‘the Imaging Components business has gained momentum since last May when we… Read More »
There is just something exciting about a three-way split. It’s just such a radical transformation and in some ways it’s hard to believe that a company like hotelier Hilton Worldwide (HLT) could pull it off. ITT sure, but Hilton? January 3rd is the day though when Hilton will officially spin off a) Hilton Grand Vacations, its timeshare business… Read More »
The year is coming to an end and it’s really cold outside. Warm up and start your weekend with a few spinoff related links: The always excellent Value and Opportunity took a close look at the recent spinoff of Italian gas distributor Italgas (IG.MI) from SNAM spa (SNMRF). In his opinion, although there is real risk in the name,… Read More »
The Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) completed the taxable spinoff of International Seaways (INSW) on schedule last week. On November 30th, OSG shareholders should have received 0.3333 shares of INSW and the first day of trading was on December 1st. As discussed in our earlier piece, the situation for warrantholders was slightly different. As per usual, the internal goodwill was… Read More »
It’s not surprising to see companies experienced with spinoffs go back to the same playbook, but Varian Medical System’s (VAR) upcoming Imaging Components spinoff is still a bit surprising. After all, it’s been 17 loooong years since Varian Associates broke itself into three different parts, including Varian Medical Systems. The new business will be named Varex Imaging Systems and… Read More »
To everything there is a season, and the season for magazines has passed and will not return. In the summer of 2014, Time Warner(TWX) spun off Time, Inc.(TIME), its magazine publishing division. Joe Ripp, the CEO who presided over the spinoff, valiantly tried to cut costs and move to digital, but his efforts fell short. This summer, he… Read More »
Overseas Shipholding Group(OSG) is in the process of spinning off its International Flag business, International Seaways. On November 30, OSG shareholders will receive 0.3333 shares of International Seaways common stock for each share of OSG held on November 18. In addition, holders of OSG warrants will receive approximately .06332 shares per warrant held. International Seaways, which is already trading… Read More »
On November 1, Alcoa(AA) completed its spinoff from the former Alcoa, now named Arconic(ARNC). The new Alcoa is “is a globally cost-competitive industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, positioned to succeed throughout the market cycle.” “We are launching Alcoa Corporation as a world leader in the aluminum industry with distinct competitive advantages across the value chain,”… Read More »
Johnson Controls (JCI) completed its inversion deal/merger with Tyco in early September creating a powerhouse in building solutions for efficiency and fire and safety. With the merger complete, the company can now complete the spinoff of its non-core automotive and interiors business, Adient. The spin was announced way back in 2015, but rumors of a spin existed even earlier.… Read More »