Author Archives: Inelegant Investor
We’ve previously written about Barnes & Noble (BKS) separating its Nook division in preparation for a possible spinoff (here, here, here and here). Spinoff king John Malone has some involvement. We guess what was really missing was for a man with no history as an activist, who has not disclosed any stake in the company, to present some… Read More »
It’s an old story – when will Edward S. Lampert, genius hedge fund manager, finally figure out how to create value out of the cobbled together pile of assets known as Sears Holdings (SHLD)? Recently, Lampert has gone from lackadaisical to peripatetic, spinning off Orchard Supply (OSH), Sears Hometown And Outlets (SHOS), and part of Sears Canada (SCC.TO). … Read More »
It’s not easy being analog in a digital world, just ask Kodak. This is the predicament that Osram finds itself in. With 39,000 employees in 44 plants in 16 countries- but only two plants which manufacture LEDs, no wonder that parent Siemens(SI) was forced to spin the division off when it couldn’t find a buyer. It was announced… Read More »
Not too long ago, Treasury Wine Estates(TSRYY) was a subsidiary of Fosters(FGL.AX). Since its own spin, it has been dogged by discussions that it should spin its profitable Penfolds business off as a separate firm. Though Treasury doesn’t break out numbers Speculation about a spin-off was given a boost last week when Macquarie analyst Greg Dring published a… Read More »
Abbott’s(ABT) spinoff of AbbVie(ABBV) passed its final hurdle yesterday as the Board approved the plan. Shareholders of Abbott at the close of business on December 12 will receive, on January 1, one share of AbbVie for each share of Abbott that they own. The shares are expected to begin trading on the ew York Stock Exchange on January… Read More »
As we reported earlier, Siemens(SI) board was meeting today to discuss moving forward with the spinoff of its Osram lighting division. Today, the company announced that the board will propose the spinoff to shareholders at its Annual General Meeting on January 23. The plan requires 75% approval at the AGM. The company will be distributing 80.5% of Osram… Read More »
We’ll admit it, when we wrote, with more than a little derision, about U.S Rare Earth Minerals'(USMN) planned spinoff of Bio Multimin, we assumed it would slink back into the mud, where it belongs, never to be heard of again. We were surprised then, to see today, nine months later, that the company not only still existed, but… Read More »
In July, we reported that VMWare(VMW) had plans to spin off its CloudFoundry business. Two days later, we reported that the company denied the rumor in an internal memo. Now, GigaOm is reporting that the spinoff is on. Its is expected that the move will be announced next week. The report states that all non-core VMWare divisions will… Read More »
Some spinoffs, like Bogen, have practically happened before you know about them. Others seem to be perpetually upcoming, with periodic reports indicating little progress. The long-discussed spinoff of Osram by Siemens(SI) falls into the latter category. We most recently discussed this in the summer, over a year after our first mention. As you may recall, after being unable… Read More »
Earlier this month, AbbVie (ABBV) completed a debt offering totaling $14.7 billion, making it the largest high grade offering in U.S history by over $1 billion and the largest of the year by nearly $5 billion. The offering was said to be hugely oversubscribed with word of $47 billion in orders. AbbVie, which will be spun off to… Read More »
What to do when your company, whose main business is building and managing high quality roads, also owns a securities business? Alert readers here will instantly know the correct answer- SPIN! Zhejiang Expressway(ZHEXY), a Chinese company “is an infrastructure company principally engaged in investing in, developing and operating high-grade roads. The Group also carries on certain other businesses… Read More »
Bogen Communications International(BOGN) announced yesterday that it would be spinning off its subsidiary, Bogen Corporation. Interested in participating or in just learning more? Too bad. The company, which delisted and stopped filing with the SEC in 2004, actually made the decision on October 31, and applied it to shareholders as of November 19, before it announced its plans… Read More »
After several years of delays, Gavin Thomas, CEO of Australian miner Kingsgate Consolidated, tells Dealbook Australia that the company’s Thai unit, Akara Mining, may IPO in Thailand next June. Presumably, no shares of the newly separated unit would be distributed to shareholders, but this would allow the company to raise money to fund the development of its Thai… Read More »
Shareholders of Sears Holdings(SHLD) have been once again reminded that entropy is inexorably increasing, at least in their brokerage accounts. Less than a year ago they had only Sears, but since then, they have received in three separate transactions, Orchard Supply Hardware common (OSH) and preferred (OSHSP), warrants to buy Sears Hometown and Outlets (SHOS), and now, Sears… Read More »
ADT(ADT) is home, even when you’re not, and Fitch thinks they’re reasonably likely to pay back any money you might lend them. The home security giant, which was spun off from Tyco(TYC) on September 28, has strong free cash flow and market share and is easily able to service its significant debt. Said Fitch: ADT’s ratings and Outlook… Read More »