Rolls-Royce ponders a spinoff

Article Excerpt

ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS PLC (ADR) $13 (U.S. over-the-counter symbol RYCEY on the market; Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $24.7 billion; Dividend yield: 1.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.rolls-royce.com) is a U.K.-based aircraft engine maker. (The company is no longer affiliated with the luxury-car maker of the same name.) ValueAct Capital Management, which owns 12.5% of Rolls-Royce, continues to pressure the company to boost shareholder value. Rolls-Royce is in the middle of conducting a strategic review of its commercial-marine business, which makes engines for ships. Even if it decides to spin off that segment, the company will hang on to a profitable contract accounting for 25% of the unit’s annual revenue. That agreement to build engines for warships of the British Royal Navy also includes building its aircraft carriers. The company continues to simplify its other operations. For example, it will now sell its L’Orange diesel parts business for $859 million. Rolls-Royce is a hold, but only for aggressive investors. investors…