Topic: How To Invest

Spinoffs & Takeovers Hotline – Friday, May 15, 2020

Article Excerpt

NIELSEN HOLDINGS PLC, $12.71, symbol NLSN on New York, is a New York-based provider of information and measurement services that let companies develop a better understanding of consumer behaviour. It’s best known for its Nielsen TV ratings. The company has two main businesses. Its “Buy” operating segment, known as Global Connect, provides retailers and packaged-goods manufacturers with sales and market-share data. Its Global Media “Watch” segment comprises its core television-and-media ratings businesses. It has been doing significantly better than the Buy unit. Nielsen came under pressure last year from activist investor Elliott Management. After Elliott pushed Nielsen to pursue a sale, the company drew interest from potential suitors including Blackstone Group Inc. and Carlyle Group LP. However, there were no acceptable offers for the unit. In November 2019, Nielsen announced that it would spin off its Global Connect business into a separate, publicly traded company. It planned to distribute 100% of Nielsen Global Connect to its shareholders on a tax-free basis within nine to…