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Avnet Closes Sale of Technology Solutions to Tech Data

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Electronics and IT distributor Avnet Inc. (AVT - Free Report) recently completed the divesture of its Technology Solutions business to Tech Data Corporation for approximately $2.645 billion. The transaction includes both cash and stock. Avnet will receive $2.4 billion in cash and $245 million based on the closing share price of Tech Data on Feb 25, 2017. The two IT distributor giants had entered into the agreement in Sep 2016.

Going forward, the company will now operate worldwide under one segment — Electronics Marketing (EM). The EM segment distributes semiconductors and Interconnect, passive and electromechanical devices (IP&E), and provides supply chain management, inventory replenishment system and non-complex engineering design services.

Benefits for Avnet

The divestment of the Technology Solution division will allow Avnet to focus on high growth areas such as marketing electronic components and related products in the supply chain. The company intends to use its resources to make investments in embedded solutions, IoT and critical digital platforms as well as expand its footprint in newer markets.

Based in Phoenix, AZ, Avnet is one of the world’s largest distributors of electronic components and computer products.  According to William Amelio, CEO of Avnet, “Today marks a critical stage in the transformation of Avnet. We have doubled down on our electronic components and integrated and embedded solutions business, which is complemented by our reach into a broader market of customers in the idea stage through our recent acquisitions of Premier Farnell and Hackster."

Benefits for Tech Data  

Having started off with selling computers and printing products, Tech Data has emerged as one of the key distributors of data center products such as storage and networking products over the years. Tech Data chief executive Bob Dutkowsky believes that the acquisition of Avnet's IT business will open up avenues for further expansion in this area.

Following the transaction, Tech Data will get access to a new market, i.e. Asia-Pacific region. Tech Data’s operations are now spread over 40 countries from the existing level of 35 countries. Apart from this, the buyout will strengthen Tech Data’s distribution capabilities in Europe and the Americas.

To Conclude

Avnet has been taking major restructuring steps to streamline its business. It intends to focus on high growth businesses only and divest low profit or loss making businesses.

The transaction seems to be a win-win situation for both the companies. Both companies expect that the transaction will allow them to focus on their respective core strategies and scale their businesses, thereby enhancing shareholders’ wealth.

Avnet through this major step will streamline its business for better long-term growth opportunities.

Despite the company’s strategic initiatives to expand in newer markets, the stock generated a return of just 12.32% over the last one year compared with the Zacks Electronic Parts Distributor industry's gain of 33.15%.

Furthermore, a significant portion of Avnet’s revenues comes from the sale of semiconductors, which is a cyclical industry, characterized by changes in technology and manufacturing capacity and subject to significant market upturns and downturns. Intensifying competition from Arrow Electronics Inc. (ARW - Free Report) also remains a headwind.

Currently, Avnet carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the technology sector is Seagate Technology plc (STX - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Seagate has a long-term expected earnings per share growth rate of 8.17%.

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