Slow starts have attracted activists

Article Excerpt

These two medical-related spinoffs have struggled since they became separate companies. That has attracted the interest of activist investors. While that attention improves the prospects of both firms, we see better opportunities elsewhere. KENVUE INC. $24 is a hold. The company (New York symbol KVUE; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $45.6 billion; Dividend yield: 3.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.kenvue.com) makes a variety of over-the-counter drugs and health products, including Tylenol, Band-Aid and Listerine. In May 2023, medical products giant Johnson & Johnson (New York symbol JNJ) sold shares in Kenvue to the public at $22.00 a share. It later let its own shareholders exchange JNJ shares for Kenvue shares at a 7% discount. Kenvue’s sales in the third quarter of 2024, fell 0.4%, to $3.90 billion from $3.92 billion a year earlier. Excluding currency rates, sales improved 0.9%. However, earnings before unusual items fell 9.7%, to $0.28 from $0.31. The stock is down 10% since the spinoff. Activist investment firm Starboard Value recently announced…