Planned IPO of 25% of shares in nutrition business targets unlocking value currently held down by Post's other units. Its competitors in cereal space as well as firms across broader food industry also may determine their acquired nutritional businesses could be higher valued operating separately.

Reckitt Benckiser's long-serving CEO, Rakesh Kapoor, has unexpectedly announced his intention to retire by the end of the year, with the company immediately kicking off the search for his replacement. Kapoor will be remembered for transforming RB's consumer health business, but also for a number of setbacks under his watch which have impacted results.

UK manufacturer in January begins operating with a separate health care division, representing 60% of sales with products including Mucinex and Mead Johnson infant and adult formulas, and a home care/hygiene division led by Lysol disinfectants. The plan piques analysts' expectations that operating the divisions separately will lead to divesting one.