Not all spinoffs help investors

These two companies hope to boost investor value with spinoffs. However, their deep-rooted problems will more than offset any short-term benefit for investors.
L BRANDS INC. $11 is a sell. The merchant (New York symbol LB; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 276.5 million; Market cap: $3.0 billion; Dividend suspended… Read More

Q: Hi, all. I wonder what your thoughts are on Carnival Corporation. We only own 100 shares, but as we spend about a month a year with Princess, owning 100 shares gets us about $500 U.S. in spending credits on their cruises as a shareholder benefit. Plus, it has a nice, decent dividend. Thanks.

A: Carnival Corp., $44.68, symbol CCL on New York (Shares outstanding: 718.6 million; Market cap: $31.7 billion; www.carnival.com), operates a fleet of 104 cruise ships worldwide and is based in Doral, Florida.

Carnival’s portfolio of cruise line brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess… Read More