Sales, spins and splits — what are the differences and why do they matter for investors like us?

While each transaction needs to be evaluated on its own merits, the Club has come to recognize that sometimes, less is more.

Sales, spins and splits — what are the differences and why do they matter for investors like us?

Johnson and Johnson hygiene products for sale in a supermarket in Madrid, Spain.

Cristina Arias | Cover | Getty Images

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) — an iconic, 136-year-old American enterprise — will soon reshape itself, separating its division that makes Tylenol, Band-Aids, and other consumer health products into a standalone public company. The Club holding's upcoming transaction highlights an advantageous tool that management teams can use to boost shareholder value: divestitures.