Nov 09 (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp is considering splitting itself into three companies focused separately on infrastructure, devices and memory chips, a spokesperson said on Monday, a move that could address the Japanese firm's persistent conglomerate discount.
The move is also seen easing pressure from activist shareholders who now make up a large portion of the sprawling Japanese company's investor base. A conglomerate discount refers to investors' tendency to value a diversified group of businesses at less than the sum of the group's parts.
The plan calls for Toshiba to split the three businesses and list each of the companies in a few years, the spokesperson said. The move is one strategic option being considered, the company said in a statement.
Toshiba is in the process of drawing up a new mid-term plan to boost corporate value. The Nikkei newspaper earlier reported that Toshiba would aim to be split by 2023.
