A. O. Smith Corporation（AOS）資訊與事件AOSA. O. Smith Corporation

A. O. Smith Signs Agreement with CPE to Sell 81% Stake in China Business

A. O. Smith announced definitive agreements with CPE, under which CPE will acquire an 81% interest in A. O. Smith's China business. A. O. Smith will retain a 19% interest and enter into a long-term brand licensing agreement, both of which allow it to participate in the business's future growth. The transaction values the China business at approximately $400M on a cash-free, debt-free basis, before taking into account the long-term brand licensing royalty stream. The total value, including the net present value of the ongoing licensing economics payable to A. O. Smith over the multi-decade period, is expected to exceed $500M. In addition, the transaction structure will enable A. O. Smith to repatriate approximately $80M in cash that is currently being held in China. Consistent with its commitment to returning capital to shareholders, the Company intends to prioritize share repurchases as a use of the after-tax proceeds and repatriated cash following the closing of the transaction. The agreements follow a review of strategic alternatives for the China business, announced in July 2025. After evaluating a broad range of options, A. O. Smith's board of directors concluded that a strategic transaction with CPE is the best path forward for the China business, the company and its shareholders. The transaction will enable A. O. Smith to sharpen its portfolio focus while retaining the opportunity to participate in future value creation in China. CPE will acquire an 81% equity interest in A. O. Smith Investment, the holding company for A. O. Smith's China business, and A. O. Smith will retain a 19% interest. A. O. Smith will also receive ongoing royalties under a long-term license for the A. O. Smith brand in China. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

A. O. Smith Board Approves 6% Dividend Increase to $0.38 per Share

The board of directors of A. O. Smith approved a 6% increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend rate to 38c per share. The dividend increase affects the company's common stock and Class A common stock.

ITT Appoints Bertrand Loy and Kevin Wheeler to Board of Directors

ITT (ITT) announced the election of Bertrand Loy and Kevin Wheeler to its board of directors. The appointments are effective as of August 1. The board also appointed Loy to the audit committee and Wheeler to the nominating and governance committee, in each case effective August 1. Loy is executive chairman and former CEO of Entegris (ENTG). Wheeler is executive chairman and former CEO of A. O. Smith (AOS).