Market rebound leads to more spinoffs

Article Excerpt

As stock markets rebound from a disappointing 2022, more companies are turning to spinoffs to further increase value for their shareholders. Here’s our take on two upcoming spinoffs. KELLOGG COMPANY $67 is a spinoff buy. The company (New York symbol K; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 342.8 million; Market cap: $23.0 billion; Divd.ield: 3.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.kelloggcompany.com) will spin off its North American (U.S., Canadian, and Caribbean) cereal business in the fourth quarter of 2023. This business will be called WK Kellogg Co.; it currently contributes 20% of the company’s overall sales. The remaining operations (80% of sales), to be renamed Kellanova (New York symbol K), will include the global snacking, international cereal, noodles, and North American frozen breakfast businesses. This business will also hold Kellogg’s plant-based foods business. Note that after the split, both companies will continue to use the Kellogg name for their products. Going forward, both companies will find it harder to raise prices and pass along higher input costs to customers. As…