Activist attention adds to its appeal

Article Excerpt

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP. $125 (New York symbol UTX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 800.1 million; Market cap: $100.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Divd. yield: 2.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.utc.com) aims to complete its $30 billion acquisition of Rockwell Collins (New York symbol COL) by the end of 2018. That firm is a leading maker of aircraft components such as cabin interiors and computerized flight controls. Two prominent activist investors—Third Point Management and Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital—want United Technologies to split into three businesses: Otis (elevators); Climate Controls; and Aerospace. The company has put off that action until it completes the Rockwell acquisition. However, the likelihood of a spinoff adds to its appeal. United Technologies is still a buy. buy…