Pfizer’s post-spinoff outlook is brighter

Article Excerpt

Study after study has shown that after an initial adjustment period of a few months, spinoffs tend to outperform groups of comparable stocks for several years. Still, in looking at two recent spinoff deals, we feel the spinoff of Pfizer’s generic drug business is more attractive than Artis REIT’s plan to separate its Canadian retail properties. PFIZER INC. $36 is a buy. The company (New York symbol PFE; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 5.55 billion; Market cap: $199.8 billion; Divd. yield: 4.2%; Takeover Target Rating: Lowest; www.pfizer.com) is one of the world’s largest makers of prescription drugs. Pfizer has received the necessary regulatory approvals for its plan to combine its Upjohn division (generic pharmaceuticals) with Netherlands-based Mylan N.V. (Nasdaq symbol MYL). As a result, on November 16, 2020, the company’s investors received 0.124079 of a share in the new firm—called Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq symbol VTRS)—for each PFE share they held. As a group, they now own 57% of Viatris, with Mylan’s investors…