Activists aim to unlock investor value

Article Excerpt

Under pressure from activist investors, these two companies are taking big steps to boost their value for all investors. We feel now is a particularly good time for you to buy. MARATHON PETROLEUM CORP., $61.80, is a spinoff buy. The stock (New York symbol MPC; Resources sector; Shares o/s: 649.3 million; Market cap: $40.1 billion; Divd. yield: 3.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.marathonpetroluem.com) lets investors tap the company’s 16 U.S. oil refineries. Under pressure from activist investor Elliott Management, who owns 2.5% of the company, Marathon now plans to set up its Speedway division as a separate firm. It would then hand its investors shares in the spinoff company. Speedway operates over 3,900 gas stations and convenience stores in 36 U.S. states. In the quarter ended September 30, 2019, it contributed 17% of Marathon’s earnings. The company has yet to announce the details of the spinoff, although shareholders will be spared capital gains tax on any Speedway shares they receive until they sell them. Marathon aims to complete…