Brooks opts for a sale over a spinoff

Article Excerpt

In May 2021, Brooks Automation, a leading supplier of robotic handling and sorting equipment to manufacturers, announced that it would spin off its semiconductor-related operations as a separate firm. However, Brooks decided instead to sell this business to private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners for $3.0 billion in cash. It plans to use the proceeds to build up its remaining life sciences business, which makes equipment and storage systems for medical labs. After the sale, in the first half of 2022, Brooks will rename its remaining business and the stock will trade under a new symbol. The stock jumped over 10% on news of the sale. We feel investors will continue to benefit from this break-up, particularly as the remaining firm could become an attractive takeover target. BROOKS AUTOMATION INC. $106 is a buy for aggressive investors. The company (Nasdaq symbol BRKS; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 73.2 million; Market cap: $7.8 billion; Dividend yield 0.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.brooks.com) has two main businesses: 1)…