Siemens Said to Favor Direct Spinoff of Healthineers Stake

Siemens AG is leaning toward handing a large stake in its Siemens Healthineers AG unit to its own shareholders as a dividend in kind, according to people familiar with the matter.

The conglomerate, which currently holds just over 71% in the medical equipment maker, has been preparing to reduce its stake through a so-called direct spinoff, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The company could announce the plans as early as next week, they said.