Kimberly-Clark's Healthcare Spin-off Will Enhance Shareholder Value

Conglomerates often unlock shareholder value by either divesting a slow-moving segment or spinning off an unrelated segment to concentrate their efforts on their core businesses. Recently, Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB ) revealed its intent to spin-off its health care business to focus on its larger personal care, consumer tissue, and K-C professional segments. The company will make a tax-free distribution of 100% of the new health care company's stock to existing Kimberly-Clark shareholders.

In 2012, the health care business generated $1.62 billion in sales, or 7.7% of total sales, and $229 million in operating profit, which accounted for 8.5% of total profit. Compared to other business segments, the health care business had the lowest return on assets. After spinning off the health care business, Kimberly-Clark can focus on its more profitable segments: personal care, K-C professional, and consumer tissue. The health care spin-off could drive Kimberly-Clark's long-term shareholder value as the company can focus its efforts on growing other consumer businesses. Kimberly-Clark could fit into the long-term portfolio of an income investor with its juicy 3% dividend yield.

Source: Motley Fool

Related Articles:
- 5 Stocks With A Strong Cash To Dividend Coverage
- Dividend Stocks Are My Conviction
- Are The Dividends Safe For These High-Yielding Stocks?
- My 2012 Top And Bottom Performing Dividend Stocks
- 7 Dividend Stocks With Room To Increase Their Payout