Spinoff will unlock value for Brunswick

Article Excerpt

BRUNSWICK CORP. $49 (New York symbol BC; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 86.7 million; Market cap: $4.2 billion; Dividend yield: 1.7%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.brunswick.com) is a leading maker of leisure and recreational products. Its lines include Life Fitness and Hammer Strength exercise equipment; Sea Ray, Bayliner, and Boston Whaler boats; and Mercury, Mariner, and MerCruiser engines. Brunswick Billiards is among its other brands. In 2014 and 2015, the company sold its bowling-related operations (bowling centres as well as products such as bowling balls and pins). If you exclude those businesses, Brunswick’s sales rose 33.4%, from $3.38 billion in 2013 to $4.51 billion in 2017. Brunswick Corp.: Founded in 1845 by John Brunswick as a maker of billiard tables In 1961, Brunswick acquired the maker of Mercury Marine equipment Sells its products through 16,000 dealers in 130 countries Earnings from ongoing operations fell 74.9%, from $779.0 million in 2013 to $195.5 million in 2014. That’s mainly because the 2013 results included a $599.5 million…