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Market Chatter: Activist Investor Proposes Sempra to Spin Off Electric Utility Subsidiary Oncor

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Voss Capital has asked California-based energy giant Sempra (SRE) to spin off its majority-owned utility subsidiary Oncor to create a Texas-focused utility and unburden it from Sempra's predominant California focus, Reuters reported Thursday, citing sources and a letter from the activist investor to investors.

In the letter seen by Reuters, the Houston-based hedge fund said an independent Oncor has the potential to be the country's highest-growth public transmission utility and reach a valuation of almost $78 billion by 2028, which compares to Sempra's near $59 billion market capitalization.

Sempra owns an 80% stake in Oncor and the value of its stake in an independent Oncor has the potential to be worth more than its current market value, Voss Capital said.

Voss Capital owns about 2 million shares, or under 1% stake, in Sempra, Reuters reported.

Sempra spent $9.45 billion in 2018 to acquire its stake in Oncor, which provides power to over 4 million homes and businesses in Texas through 144,000 miles of transmission lines, the report said.

has reached out to Sempra and Voss Capital for comments.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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