The facts about … our Takeover Target Rating

Article Excerpt

Study after study has shown that after an adjustment period of a few months, spinoffs tend to outperform groups of comparable stocks for several years. One reason for the gap is that spinoffs often attract takeover bids. Here’s a look at some of the key factors that enhance a spinoff’s takeover appeal. We use these factors to calculate our TSI Takeover Target Rating: • General profitability, with low debt • Hidden assets such as a strong customer base, real estate, or well-known brand names • The absence of a major shareholder and little regulatory or anti-trust contraints • A total market value that makes the spinoff a manageable purchase for a major competitor • Top-quality, but underperforming, assets. Prospective buyers within an industry look at a spinoff company’s poor management or the lack of financial resources limiting its growth as an opportunity for a big profit boost. Spinoffs with most of these factors receive our Highest Takeover Probability rating; those with many, a Medium rating; those…