Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of Marathon Oil
So what: The move is intended to free Marathon's promising upstream operations from its highly volatile, less-profitable, and capital-intensive downstream business, so it's no surprise that Mr. Market is applauding the decision. Marathon had previously considered the split in 2008 but held off on the move in the wake of collapsing financial and commodities markets.
Now what: Marathon Oil and the soon-to-be-public refining business, Marathon Petroleum, are both worth keeping a close eye on. For a number of reasons, both parents and their spin-off spawn traditionally trounce the market for several years following the split. Marathon's plan comes just a day after ITT
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