KBR rises after co to spin-off mission technology solutions unit

** Government contractor KBR's shares KBR.N rise 2.4% to $49 premarket

** Co to pursue tax-free spin-off of its mission technology solutions (MTS) segment, which caters to military and other government agencies

** CFO Mark Sopp to transition into a newly created role to oversee the team responsible for spinning off MTS

** Sopp will be succeeded by Shad Evans, the current senior vice president of financial operations.

** Last year, WSJ reported activist investor Irenic plans to push KBR to separate its segment that serves the private sector after building stake in co

** As of last close, stock had fallen 17.42% YTD