Baker Hughes Completes Divestiture of Its PCI Unit to Crane

Core Insights - Baker Hughes Company (BKR) has completed the divestiture of its Precision, Sensors and Instrumentation (PSI) unit to Crane Company (CR) for $1.15 billion in cash [1][5] - The divestment includes technology, tools, physical locations, and approximately 1,600 employees from the PSI unit [2][5] - This strategic move aligns with Baker Hughes' focus on asset management, operational efficiency, and disciplined investment [2][5] Financial Impact - The divestiture is expected to generate cash that can be reinvested into more profitable business areas, thereby strengthening Baker Hughes' balance sheet and increasing investor appeal [2] - The current business environment for Baker Hughes is influenced by crude oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices below $60 per barrel, impacting revenues from oil and gas exploration and production companies [3] Industry Context - Other players in the oil and gas equipment and service industry, such as Halliburton Company (HAL) and Cactus, Inc. (WHD), are similarly affected by crude price volatility [4] - Halliburton currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), while Cactus has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [4]