Business

Elliott Investment Management Pushes For Honeywell Break-up, Citing $5 Billion Stake

Elliott Investment Management, one of the most influential activist investors, has called for Honeywell International to break up its business into two separate entities on Tuesday. 

The firm, which has built a $5 billion stake in the industrial giant, argues that such a separation would unlock greater value for shareholders and help Honeywell perform better.

In a letter to Honeywell’s board, Elliott emphasised that the company’s current structure is holding it back. “Honeywell is an iconic pillar in American industry with market-leading assets, but uneven execution, inconsistent financial results, and an underperforming share price have hurt it over the last five years,” the letter stated. 

Elliott, which manages roughly $70 billion in assets, suggested that by splitting Honeywell into two standalone businesses—its aerospace and automation units—the company could boost its share price by 51% to 75% over the next two years.

Following the announcement, Honeywell’s stock surged nearly 5%, reaching $235.72 per share in early trading, and has gained almost 13% since the start of the year.

Elliott’s proposal marks the firm’s largest-ever investment and reflects its growing influence in corporate strategy. “We believe a separation could create two sector leaders that could perform better and benefit customers, employees, and shareholders,” the firm stated. 

It added that it hoped to work collaboratively with Honeywell’s management, requesting a meeting to discuss the proposal. 

Honeywell, valued at $153 billion, responded to the activist investor’s call, expressing its openness to engage in dialogue. “We look forward to engaging with Elliott,” said the company, which was unaware of Elliott’s investment prior to the letter.

CEO Vimal Kapur, who took the helm of Honeywell in 2023, has already made strides in reshaping the company. Under his leadership, Honeywell has focused on high-growth sectors such as automation, aviation, and energy transition, while shedding non-core assets. 

Last month, the company announced plans to spin off its advanced materials unit into a publicly traded company and is also exploring the sale of its personal protective equipment division.

Elliott, however, believes that a more dramatic move—a breakup of the company—would be more beneficial. It asserts that after separating its aerospace business, Honeywell’s automation division could emerge as a stronger, better-run company with a valuation of around $100 billion. 

“History has shown that companies like United Technologies, GE, and Ingersoll Rand have reaped significant rewards from similar separations,” Elliott noted in its letter. 

The activist investor surveyed shareholders, revealing that 81% of them believe pure-play industrial companies perform better than diversified conglomerates.

As one of the most powerful players in the activist investing space, Elliott has recently pushed for significant changes at other major corporations, including Southwest Airlines and Starbucks. The firm’s bold proposal to break up Honeywell signals its continued influence in reshaping corporate America’s biggest companies.

Honeywell, meanwhile, is poised to engage with Elliott as it weighs the next steps in its ongoing transformation.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Biden and Trump Meet in Oval Office, Stress Unity and Smooth Transition Before January Inauguration

Trump and Biden have met for the first time since the 2024 election, pledging a…

3 hours ago

Trump Selects Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, Rubio and Gabbard for Key Roles in Cabinet Shake-up

In a surprising Cabinet shake-up, Trump has appointed Gaetz as Attorney General, Rubio as Secretary…

3 hours ago

NNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO

NNPC has carried out a management shakeup, appointing a new CFO and two EVPs, to…

3 hours ago

Elon Musk Says New York to London ‘Now Possible’ in 30 minutes under Trump Administration

Elon Musk aims to redefine global travel with SpaceX’s Starship rocket, promising intercontinental flights under…

4 hours ago

Ogoni People Deserve Justice Through Nonviolence, Ledum Mitee Says, Calls For Lasting Recognition, Environmental Restoration

Ledum Mitee has affirmed that Ogoni people will present their demands to Tinubu within the…

4 hours ago

Armed Vandals Attack TCN’s Obajana Power Project, Critical Infrastructure Damaged

The TCN has revealed that armed vandals damaged critical infrastructure in an attack on the…

5 hours ago