Why a Sharper Knife Cuts Better
When these vastly different businesses are forced to compete for money and attention under one roof, it’s the corporate version of a dysfunctional family dinner. Everyone is fighting for the last roast potato. By splitting them up, each new, smaller company can focus on what it does best. According to research from Nemo, the market tends to reward this kind of clarity. Focused companies, like Mondelez International, which was itself spun out of the old Kraft Foods, often outperform their more muddled, diversified peers.
This great unbundling creates some rather interesting packaged food investment opportunities. You have companies like Campbell Soup Company, which is wrestling with a portfolio that includes everything from its iconic soups to snacks and beverages. The pressure is on for them to follow suit, which could unlock value for shareholders. This is a trend that appears to be just getting started, and for those of us watching the markets, it’s a fascinating spectacle.