Spinoff will unlock pure-play value

Article Excerpt

Rent-to-own furniture retailer Aaron’s is now spinning off its faster-growing Progressive financing division. The separation creates two pure-play businesses that will be easier for investors to value, particularly as COVID-19 continues to slow in-store customer traffic. AARON’S INC. $57 is a spinoff buy. The company (New York symbol AAN; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 67.1 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; Dividend yield: 0.3%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.aarons.com) sells furniture and electronics through over 1,500 company-owned and franchised stores in 46 states and Canada. It sells these goods under a “rent-to-own” model,. where customers make payments over a fixed term and take full ownership at the end contract. Aaron’s also operates the Aarons.com e-commerce site and Woodhaven Furniture Industries, a manufacturer of American-made furniture. In April 2014, the company acquired Progressive Leasing for $700.0 million. Progressive offers rent-to-own financing contracts though 19,000 affiliated stores, including Best Buy, Lowe’s and Ashley Homestore. Aaron’s third business—Vive Financial—provides financing to customers who don’t qualify for traditional bank loans. Thanks to rising contributions from…