WYN preps for split

Article Excerpt

WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE $94.50 (New York symbol WYN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (973-753-6000; www.wyndham worldwide.com; Shares outstanding: 104.4 million; Market cap: $10.0 billion; Divd. yield: 2.5%) has confirmed that it is now preparing for the possible spinoff of its vacation ownership business. This includes hiring Mike Brown, who was the chief operating officer of Hilton Grand Vacations (symbol HGV on New York) when that business was spun off from Hilton Worldwide (symbol HLT on New York) in January 2017. Wyndham itself was spun off from Cendant Corp. in 2006. Wyndham shares have more than tripled since the split. The move adds appeal to Wyndham shares: in our experience, and in most academic studies of the subject, both the parent and the spinoff generally do better than comparable firms for at least several years after the split takes place. Meanwhile, though, Wyndham’s rapid growth by acquisitions adds considerable risk. Wyndham is a hold. hold…