SYMC split unlocks value

Article Excerpt

SYMANTEC CORP. $23.71 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (650-527-8000; www.symantec.com; Shares o/s: 617.5 million; Market cap: $14.7 billion; Divd. yield: 1.3%) jumped as high as $26.07 in early July 2019 on reports that it was in advanced talks with a potential buyer for the company, Broadcom Inc. (symbol AVGO on Nasdaq). However, Broadcom will instead buy Symantec’s Enterprise Security business for as much as $10.7 billion. That division serves corporate clients and contributes half of the company’s $5 billion in annual revenue. Symantec’s consumer segment contributes the rest. After the sale, the company will become a pure-play consumer cyber-security provider, with the Norton and LifeLock brands at its core. In addition, Symantec plans to pay a $12-a-share special dividend. It will also raise its quarterly dividend 66.7% after the deal closes. The stock yields 2.2% based on that new rate. Symantec is still a buy. buy…