Spinoff creates two takeover targets

Article Excerpt

A key benefit for spinoffs is that the resulting companies often become attractive takeover targets for larger firms. That’s what happened to media firm Gannett, which split its newspaper and TV broadcasting operations in 2015. While one of those recent takeover deals has been cancelled, we still see both of these firms as worthwhile holds. TEGNA INC. $16 is a hold. The company (New York symbol TGNA; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 222.9 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion; Dividend yield: 2.8%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.tegna.com) owns 64 TV stations and two radio stations in 51 U.S. markets. In June 2015, the old Gannett spun off its newspaper operation as a separate company that kept the Gannett name (see below). Gannett’s remaining broadcasting and Internet unit was then renamed Tegna. Under the deal, for every two shares investors held, they received one share of the spinoff company and two shares in Tegna. In February 2022, Tegna accepted a $24.00-a-share takeover offer from private equity firm Standard General. However, due…