These spinoffs need a growth catalyst

Article Excerpt

Many spinoffs tend to move sideways immediately after becoming separate companies. Essentially, it takes time for them to overcome investor reticence to buy. That’s why we don’t yet recommend these two for your new buying. HOWARD HUGHES HOLDINGS INC. $73 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HHH; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 49.8 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.howardhughes.com) was originally part of billionaire businessman Howard Hughes’ real estate holdings. Today, it’s a Dallas-based developer of housing, commercial and mixed-use properties in six U.S. states. Activist investor Bill Ackman, through his Pershing Square hedge fund, holds roughly 37.5% of Hughes and serves as its chairman. On August 1, 2024, the company spun off Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (New York symbol SEG) as a separate firm. This business owns the Seaport entertainment district in lower Manhattan, a triple-A minor league baseball team in Las Vegas and other entertainment-related investments. Howard Hughes investors received one share of Seaport for every nine…