Top brands could make it a target

Article Excerpt

In July 2015, Energizer Holdings split into personal-care products maker Edgewell and battery-manufacturer Energizer—a move that created two pure-play leaders in their markets. Edgewell has dropped 55% since the split. That’s partly due to lower demand for shaving products during the pandemic. However, sales of its sunscreen products are rebounding as more countries lift their COVID-19 travel restrictions. The company’s new cost-cutting plan should boost its profitability. That, along with its well-known brands and moderate market cap, could make Edgewell a highly attractive takeover target. EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE CO. $44 is a buy for aggressive investors. The company (New York symbol EPC; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 51.4 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion; Dividend yield: 1.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.edgewell.com) has three main businesses: Wet Shave (52% of sales, 40% of earnings) makes razors, shaving gels and creams, mainly under the Wilkinson Sword and Schick brands. Sun and Skin Care (35%, 46%) makes sunscreen lotions (under the Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat brands), skin creams (Bulldog) and hand wipes…