Activists take aim at struggling retailers

Article Excerpt

Shares of retail chains suffered in 2020 and 2021 as COVID-19 shutdowns hurt customer traffic and sales. Those lower share prices have attracted activist investors who are demanding retailers add value by finding new buyers or spinning off their smaller assets . That pressure should benefit both of these firms—as well as Dollar Tree (see box). Still, we see only Dollar Tree as a buy for right now. KOHL’S CORP. $61 is a hold. The company (New York symbol KSS; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 128.6 million; Market cap: $7.8 billion; Dividend yield: 3.3%; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.kohls.com) operates 1,165 department stores in all states except Hawaii. It also sells goods online. Kohl’ recently hired financial advisers, including Goldman Sachs, to review several potential takeover offers. According to media reports, those bids include a $70-a-share offer from the now-private Hudson’s Bay Company. Other possible bidders include Franchise Group Inc. (Nasdaq symbol FRG) and activist firms Sycamore Partners, Leonard Green & Partners, Starboard Value, and Acacia Research Corp. Kohl’s…