Here are two new ‘pure-play’ buys

Article Excerpt

WestRock Co.— a leading cardboard-packaging maker—recently spun off its specialty chemical operations as Ingevity Corp. The spinoff created two “pure play” companies that can now focus on expanding their main businesses. For example, WestRock recently announced a deal to buy rival paper maker KapStone. That will help it profit from rising demand for cardboard boxes as more consumers shop online. Ingevity also recently acquired an Arkansas-based chemicals firm that should spur its growth. WESTROCK CO. $65 (New York symbol WRK; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 255.1 million; Market cap: $16.6 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; TSINetwork Rating: Extra risk; www.westrock.com) is a leading provider of packaging materials and systems. It operates through 302 locations across North America, South America, Europe and Asia. WestRock was formed by the July 1, 2015, merger of Rock-Tenn Company and Mead-Westvaco Corporation. Since then, the combined firm has focused on expanding its core paper and packaging businesses by acquiring new operations and divesting itself of others. That includes…