TCI May Divest Liberty, International Units

Tele-Communications Inc. said it may spin off its Tele-Communications International Inc. and Liberty Media Corp. units to shareholders, in an effort to boost the value of its stock. The company’s board will vote today on whether to submit a request to the Internal Revenue Service for a tax-free spinoff of the units. Any move would be contingent on a favorable tax ruling from the IRS. Tele-Communications International, or Tinta, would be spun off to shareholders of TCI Group, the company’s cable TV arm. Shareholders of Liberty Media, TCI’s programming arm, would receive the shares of Liberty Media. The announcement came after TCI Chairman John Malone met with its biggest investors and analysts Tuesday. The cable TV company is trying to stem losses and reduce its $14.5-billion debt.