Spinoff spotlight

Article Excerpt

GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC ADRs $46 is a spinoff buy. The company (New York symbol GSK; Manufacturing sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.7 billion; Market cap: $124.2 billion; Dividend yield: 4.7%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.gsk.com) is a U.K.-based global healthcare firm that develops and sells products in three main markets: pharmaceuticals (50% of 2020 revenue), vaccines (21%) and consumer healthcare (29%). In June 2021, Glaxo announced that it would spin off its consumer operations as a separate firm; it owns 68% of this business, with Pfizer Inc. (New York symbol PFE) holding the remaining 32%. Brands involved in the spinoff include Advil, Voltaren, Centrum, Sensodyne and Otrivin. Glaxo will initially hand out 80% of its stake in the new firm to its own investors by mid-2022. It will eventually sell the remaining 20%. However, Unilever PLC (New York symbol UL) has reportedly offered to buy the consumer business for $68 billion. Glaxo has rejected the offer, but it’s possible Unilever could come back with a higher bid. Either outcome would help…