United Technologies’ Split: The Breakup Everyone Saw Coming

TL;DR

Industrial manufacturing company United Technologies is splitting into three separate entities - United Technologies, Otis, and Carrier. Amazon's Cyber Monday sales broke records, while President Trump's suggestion of tariffs on iPhones and laptops from China could impact Apple's business.

Transcript

Mac Greer: It's Tuesday, November 27th. Welcome to MarketFoolery! I'm Mac Greer. Joining me in studio, we have Motley Fool analysts Andy Cross and Ron Gross. Gentlemen, welcome! How are we feeling today? Ron Gross: How are you doing, Mac? Andy Cross: I'm feeling great! Post-Thanksgiving, doing great! Gross: Still a little full. Cross: Me too! Greer... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔓 Splitting a company into separate entities can unlock shareholder value and provide focus on specific industries.
• 😌 Amazon's success lies in its dominance of the online sales market and its ability to leverage its platform for advertising sales.
• 🧭 President Trump's suggested tariffs on iPhones and laptops from China are likely a negotiation tactic, but if implemented, Apple could pass on price increases to consumers or absorb the costs.
• 👨‍💼 Amazon's growth drivers include Prime, AWS, and advertising, with the latter expected to become a highly profitable business.
• 😃 Amazon's stock, along with other big tech stocks, has seen a decrease in value recently, but long-term investors should focus on the company's innovation and ecosystem.
• 👋 Imitation Crocs are not a good investment, unlike the potential for growth in Amazon's advertising business.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is United Technologies splitting into three companies?

United Technologies aims to unlock shareholder value and improve its adaptability in growing markets. The split allows investors to choose which industry they want to focus on - aerospace, elevators, or HVAC businesses.

Q: How did Amazon perform on Cyber Monday?

Amazon's Cyber Monday sales were record-breaking, though specific numbers were not revealed. The success of Amazon's sales is attributed to its dominant online market share and its ability to generate revenues from advertising within its platform.

Q: How would tariffs on iPhones and laptops imported from China impact Apple?

While President Trump's suggestion of tariffs is likely a negotiation tactic, a 10% tariff could result in a $1 billion decrease in Apple's operating profit over a few quarters. However, given Apple's size and consumer loyalty, it could weather the storm by either passing on price increases to consumers or absorbing the cost.

Q: What are the main growth drivers for Amazon besides e-commerce sales?

Amazon's main growth drivers are Prime, its web services (AWS), and advertising sales. Prime has over 100 million subscribers, AWS is a strong revenue generator, and advertising on the platform is poised to become a highly profitable business.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• United Technologies is splitting into three companies - United Technologies, Otis, and Carrier - to unlock shareholder value. The company, valued at $100 billion, aims to become nimbler and deliver stronger results to shareholders.

• Amazon's Cyber Monday sales became the biggest shopping day in its history, though specific numbers were not disclosed. The company's success lies in its dominance in the online sales market and its ability to leverage its platform for advertising sales.

• President Trump's suggestion of implementing 10% tariffs on iPhones and laptops imported from China is likely a negotiation tactic. If implemented, Apple could potentially weather the storm by passing on price increases to consumers, though the impact on the company's profits and valuation will be short-term.