Spinoff Spotlight

Article Excerpt

GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC (ADR) $42 (New York symbol GSK; Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.5 billion; Market cap: $105.0 billion; Dividend yield: 3.8%; Takeover Target Rating: Low; www.gsk.com) is a U.K.-based global health-care company that develops, makes and sells products in three main markets: pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer health care. It has about 99,000 employees. The stock moved up recently on speculation Glaxo (like Pfizer, see left) is considering the spinoff its consumer health-care operations. That business includes several well-known brands such as Sensodyne toothpaste, Otrivin nasal spray, Voltaren pain relief, Tums antacids and Abreva skincare products. Glaxo now owns 100% of its consumer health-care business after Swiss-based Novartis AG (see page 69) sold back to the company its 36.5% stake for $13 billion in March 2018. The consumer health-care business has an estimated value of around $33 billion, so it would be a big purchase for a potential buyer. As well, it’s likely that interested bidders would hold off until Pfizer finalizes plans for its own…