TripAdvisor(TRIP) began trading as an independent company today after its spinoff from Expedia(EXPE). Later, founder and CEO Stephen Kaufer, granted a fascinating interview to Chris Dixon of TechCrunchspeaking about his experience as founder of TripAdvisor, and about the company’s evolution and history. The video is a must-watch for anyone considering investing in the company. Disclosure: The author holds… Read More »
On the heels of last year’s spinoff of Howard Hughes Corp(HHC) which we wrote about here and here, General Growth Properties(GGP) approved plans today to spin off Rouse Properties on January 12, 2012 to shareholders as of December 30, 2011. The spinoff, which will be treated as a taxable dividend, is expected to trade as a REIT under… Read More »
In a transaction we previously discussed here, Expedia(EXPE) will complete the spinoff of TripAdvisor(TRIP) on or around December 20. Immediately prior to the spin, Expedia will execute a 1 for 2 reverse split, and on December 20, TripAdvisor will be added to the S&P 500, replacing Tellabs(TLAB). Expedia, itself spun off several years ago by Barry Diller’s IAC(IAC),… Read More »
Whopper Investments asks the question we’ve been puzzling over: What is the purpose of the preferred stock being issued to Sears(SHLD) shareholders as part of the Orchard Supply(OSH) spinoff? We’ve previously written in general terms about the spinoff here, but haven’t much discussed the prospects of the securities that will be distributed. Sears has its own issues which… Read More »
Much like Halloween, the end of the year is also shaping up to be an extremely busy period for spinoffs. The latest to join the party is Sears Holding (SHLD) whose board of directors approved the spin offof Orchard Supply Hardware Stores earlier this week. The spinoff will take place on December 30 to shareholders as of today,… Read More »
After successfully completing an IPO this past July, Sunoco (SUN) announced that it is ready to move on to the second stage of its planned spinoff of SunCoke Energy (SXC). On January 17th, 2012 Sunoco will issue a special stock dividend distributing its remaining ~81% stake in SunCoke to shareholders as of January 5th. SUN shareholders will receive… Read More »
New Year’s Eve is one of those ‘big events’ that rarely lives up to its hype and often ends up pretty anti-climactic. Doesn’t bode well for this ensemble flick(actually, I am sure it will suck for a host of other reasons). The board of directors at Williams Companies (WMB) believes they have found the solution for a great… Read More »
Alexander & Baldwin(ALEX) announced plans this morningto spin off Matson, its ocean transportation and domestic logistics company. Alexander & Baldwin, which has owned Matson since 1969, is the 4th largest private landowner in Hawaii, where it owns 88,000 acres. A & B is the largest farmer in the state, a developer of condos and other projects, and owns… Read More »
Another day, another spin goes by the wayside. The big news yesterday was the AMR Corporation (AMR and parent corporation of American Airlines) filing for Chapter 11 reorganization in what will be the second largest airline bankruptcy since 1980. A lot has been written about this situation already, but it is worth mentioning here because the company’s planned… Read More »
Marriott Vacations Worldwide(VAC) which we discussed previously, has now completed its spinoff. Timeshares are a challenging industry; they sell a product that many buyers seem unhappy with. Goldman Sachs started the company with a Neutral rating, and in the current economic environment is likely to be challenging for the new company. The former parent, Marriott International(MAR), has… Read More »
Spinoffs take a lot of time. It really isn’t so surprising considering the plethora of regulatory and logistical issues that arise from splitting up a business. While often overlooked as one time charges, companies spend millions upon millions planning and executing these transactions. As a result, at least 6 months usually pass between the date of announcement and… Read More »
Why not catch up on some news while we await word of the potential ‘spinoff’ of countries from the Euro Zone? Activist investors have recently notched a number of wins by getting companies to agree to break up (McGraw-Hill, L-3 etc.) in order to generate shareholder value. I am sure they also don’t mind the boost in their… Read More »
After a busy Halloween, it is time to look ahead to the next spinoff opportunities. Luckily we won’t have to wait long as Marriott International’s (MAR) board of directors recently approved the spinoff of its vacation club, Marriott Vacations Worldwide. The distribution is expected to take place on November 21st (to shareholders as of Nov 10th) and shareholders… Read More »
Abbott Laboratories(ABT) is joining the parade and splitting itself into two. Like many other recent spinners, Abbott is a spinoff veteran, having spun off Hospira(HSP) in 2004. Though at times, even recently, Hospira has traded much higher, on the whole, returns for the two pieces 7 years later have been unimpressive. Hospira is now barely up 10%, and… Read More »
ITT’s(ITT) long awaited spinoffs, Xylem(XYL) and Exelis (XLS) are set to be distributed to shareholders on 10/31. Standard & Poor has announced that Xylem will take ITT’s place in the S&P 500 index. Both Exelis and ITT will join the S&P MidCap 400, replacing Eastman Kodak(EK) and Kindred Healthcare(KND). Lumos Holdings, being spun out of NTELOS(NTLS) on the… Read More »