Spin-off (Abspaltung)
A company separates a business unit and lists it as a company of its own.
In short
As of 8 October 2026In a spin-off (German: Abspaltung), a group separates a business unit and turns it into a company of its own, usually listed on the stock exchange. Existing shareholders often receive the new shares automatically and do not need to act. Well-known examples are Siemens Energy, spun off from Siemens in 2020, and Daimler Truck, spun off from Daimler in 2021.
In a spin-off, a group separates part of its business. The unit becomes a stock corporation of its own and is usually listed. Existing shareholders often receive the new shares automatically in their account, in proportion to their holding.
The idea: two focused companies are sometimes worth more on the stock market than one conglomerate. For you, a spin-off is not a purchase and you do not have to do anything. Unlike an IPO, usually no fresh money flows into the company. For tax, a spin-off can be neutral, but details depend on the case.
Example: Siemens Energy was spun off from Siemens in 2020, Daimler Truck from Daimler in 2021. A current case is the BASF agricultural spin-off.
As of 8 October 2026 · Educational content, not investment or tax advice.