Author Archives: Inelegant Investor
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 »
Two years after successfully fending off legendary activist Carl Icahn and his plan to break up the company, some think that Oshkosh Corp(OSK) management may be planning a spinoff of its own. Maureen Farrell of the Wall Street Journal reports on a recent note by CreditSights analyst Jeff Wichmann. Wichmann suggested that Oshkosh may be considering a spinoff… Read More »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsvUVDTgPoI The dramatic explosion of Orbital Sciences'(ORB) Antares rocket on October 28 delayed a planned merger with Alliant Techsystems(ATK), but it will not derail it. Last April, Alliant announced it would spin off its sporting goods business and subsequently merge its defense business with Orbital. The sporting goods business will be known as Vista Outdoor,Inc. As might be… Read More »
After 31 rounds, the FCC’s AWS-3 auction has reached $36 Billion in bids. This has pushed up the value of Dish Network’s(DISH) shares, as the company already owns spectrum that, in the eyes of some analysts, is more valuable than what is currently being auctioned. In addition, TMF Associates identifies Dish as a major bidder in the current… Read More »
Late last month, Procter & Gamble(PG) announced that it would be divesting its Duracell business. At the time, its preferred outcome was to spin off the division to shareholders. The second step is the exit of the Duracell business. Although no decision has been made on the form of the exit, P&G’s current preference is a split-off of… Read More »