Despite a history and reputation for outperformance, not every spinoff turns into a winner. I know, shocking, right? In this week’s edition of Odds & Ends we look at a few situations where shareholders have not been rewarded for holding on: FTD Companies (FTD), the flower delivery company, recently warned that it was hovering on life support. The… Read More »
When it comes to spinoffs, once it’s announced, most investors just focus on when it’s done. Maybe there a few people who eagerly await the Form 10 filings or delight at mocking a new company name, but really it’s about the closing. Of course, someone actually has to go about the unheralded business of making sure the new… Read More »
If you owned United Online(UNTD) prior to Friday and are trying to figure out what happened to your portfolio, better get a scorecard. The security underwent a series of changes Friday as the company completed its spin off of FTD Companies(FTD). For every five shares of United owned, shareholders received one share of FTD. Following the spinoff, United… Read More »
United Online (UNTD) has had a rough time trying to break itself up. Its planned spinoff of well known flower company FTD Companies has been delayed several times and the transaction was pushed off another month as the company was unable to secure the necessary approvals in time. Maybe its having an existential crisis – after all its… Read More »
When United Online (UNTD) first announced plans to spin off its FTD floral business last summer, the company anticipated it would be completed this quarter. In November, the company hoped to complete the transaction by August. Yesterday, the company released its fourth quarter earnings, and now hopes to complete the transaction by the end of the third quarter.… Read More »
United Online (UNTD) reported solid Q3 results last week and also provided a brief update on the status of its upcoming spinoff. According to Chairman, President & CEO (all 3? corporate governance issue anyone?) Mark Goldston the company is “continuing to make progress in our plan to spin-off FTD as an independent, publicly-traded company,” and expects the process… Read More »
Remember dial up internet? Remember Juno and NetZero? United Online(UNTD) owns both brands and continues to generate cash flow from its legacy dial up business, though it continues to decline. The company has used this cash to pay a nearly 10% dividend, and to diversify its revenue stream by acquiring other businesses. Yesterday, United decided it was time… Read More »