Drugmaker opts for spinoff over sale

Article Excerpt

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline recently rejected a takeover offer from Unilever for its consumer drug business and will continue with its original plan to spin it off as a separate company. The spinoff will let Glaxo better focus on its main prescription drug and vaccine operations. We also expect the new consumer drug stock to move higher over the next few years. GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC ADRs $44 is a spinoff buy. The company (New York symbol GSK; Manufacturing sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.5 billion; Market cap: $110.0 billion; Dividend yield: 5.0%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.gsk.com) is a U.K.-based global healthcare company that develops, makes and sells products in three main markets: pharmaceuticals (52% of 2021 revenue), vaccines (20%) and consumer healthcare (28%). Thanks to the launch of several new drugs and vaccines, Glaxo’s revenue rose 13.0%, from 30.19 billion British pounds in 2017 to 34.11 billion pounds in 2021 (1 pound=$1.59 Canadian). At the same time, the company cut its operating costs through a major restructuring plan. If you disregard one-time…