ViacomCBS announced on Wednesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its book publishing business, Simon & Schuster, to Penguin Random House LLC in an all-cash deal worth $2.175 billion.
ViacomCBS (VIAC) revealed that asset divestment is a part of its strategy to move away from non-core businesses. The diversified multinational mass media conglomerate intends to use the proceeds for investment in growth strategies, debt repayments, and dividend payments to shareholders. The transaction is expected to close next year.
According to ViacomCBS, “LionTree Advisors is acting as the exclusive financial advisor and Shearman & Sterling LLP is acting as legal advisor to ViacomCBS in this transaction.” (See VIAC stock analysis on TipRanks).
On Nov. 16, Rosenblatt Securities analyst Bernie McTernan raised the stock’s price target to $30 (13.8% downside potential) from $28 but maintained a Hold rating. In a note to investors, McTernan wrote, “While we like the company’s multi-pronged distribution points in streaming, over the medium term we have concerns over balancing share gains with their own stream services and licensing to third parties.”
Currently, the Street has a cautiously optimistic outlook on the stock. The Moderate Buy analyst consensus is based on 4 Buys and 8 Holds. The average price target stands at $31.25 and implies downside potential of about 10.3% to current levels. Shares are down by about 17% year-to-date.
Related News:
ViacomCBS Drops 6% As 3Q Profit Drops 17%; Needham Says Buy
Nestle To Sell China Yinlu Business To Food Wise
Snap Rolls Out TikTok-Style Short Video Feature; Stifel Is Bullish
