Motorola Delays Its Break-up Plan

Article Excerpt

MOTOROLA INC. $4.15 (New York symbol MOT; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 2.3 billion; Market cap: $9.5 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) has postponed its plan to split itself into two publicly traded companies — the mobile business (52% of sales in 2007), and the wireless infrastructure and home equipment operations (48%). It had aimed to complete the split in the third quarter of 2009. However, the credit crisis could make it difficult for the new companies to borrow money. Meanwhile, Motorola lost $0.18 a share (total $397 million) in the three months ended September 30, 2008. Higher losses at the mobile division offset stronger earnings at the other two operations. The company earned $0.02 a share ($40 million) in the year-earlier quarter. Sales fell 15.1%, to $7.5 billion from $8.8 billion. Sales at the mobile phone business fell 31% in the latest quarter. The company is now aggressively cutting costs, and aims to save $800 million a year…