Sara Lee Corp. (SLE, $19.40) is planning to split into two publicly traded companies during the first half of 2012 and also pay a special dividend of $3.00 per share prior to the stock spin-off.  Don't get too excited about that $3.00, though, because share prices are adjusted downward when dividends are paid.  The question here is: will one or both of the post-spin-off companies be fiscally healthy and competitive enough for the stock price(s) to subsequently rise?

The two post-spin-off stocks will represent Sara Lee's international coffee and tea business in one company, and North American operations in another company, which includes Jimmy Dean, Ball Park and Hillshire Farm meat products; baked goods, and the commercial food operations.