Greenbackd

Ikanos Communications Inc (NASDAQ:IKAN) is a net cash stock that has retained a financial advisor to “assist it in exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.” IKAN closed yesterday at $1.14, giving it a market capitalization of $32.9M. Based on its September 10Q, we estimate the company’s liquidating value to be more than 90% higher at $63.2M or $2.19 per share. IKAN’s liquidating value is predominantly cash, and it has a net cash value of $41.2M or $1.43 per share. With a deeply undervalued stock and a board and management taking proactive steps to realise the value, we think IKAN presents a good investment opportunity.

About IKAN

IKAN is a developer and provider of semiconductors and silicon and software solutions for “interactive triple-play broadband.” Its customers consist primarily of original design manufacturers (ODM), contract manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as NEC Corporation, Sagem Communications, Uniquest Corporation and Altima. Its customers include Alcatel-Lucent, Dasan Networks, Inc., Innomedia, Inc. and Millinet Co., Ltd. The company’s investor relations website can be found here.

The value proposition

As its September 10Q demonstrates, IKAN’s income statement is a horror show. The company has consistently generated losses for the last five quarters. IKAN’s balance sheet has some value (the “Book Value” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating Value” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

$66.2M of IKAN’s $85.8M current asset value is in cash. After deducting total liabilities of $25M, we estimate IKAN’s net current asset value at $60.8M, and its liquidating value at $63.2M or $2.19 per share. IKAN’s net cash value is $41.2M or $1.43 per share.

Contractual commitments and Off-balance sheet arrangements

According to the September 10Q, IKAN does not use off balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities or related parties, nor does it use other forms of off balance sheet arrangements such as special purpose entities and research and development arrangements. Its liquidity and capital resources are not subject to off balance sheet risks from unconsolidated entities. IKAN leases office facilities, equipment and software under “non-cancelable” operating leases. Its contractual obligations as of September 28, 2008 are around $4.7M in total. In the normal course of business, IKAN provides indemnifications of varying scope to customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of our products. Historically, costs related to these indemnification provisions have not been significant, but IKAN is unable to estimate the maximum potential impact of these indemnification provisions on its future consolidated results of operations.

The catalyst

The company disclosed in its September 10Q that it has retained investment bankers to advise the board about IKAN’s strategic options:

We recently decided to retain Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers) to provide financial advice regarding potential strategic options for the Company. Such options include, without limitation, financing transactions, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and other activities. There can be no assurance that the evaluation of our options will result in the identification, announcement or consummation of any transaction. If the Board of Directors does decide to authorize a transaction, that decision could cause significant volatility in the price of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Moreover, any transactions we do sign may not be acceptable to our stockholders. In addition, our investigation of strategic options may result in added costs, potential loss of customers and key employees as well as management’s distraction from ordinary-course business operations.

There seems to be some appetite for acquisitions in this industry. IKAN competitor Centillium Communications Inc (NASDAQ: CTLM) was acquired in October last year.

Conclusion

At $1.14, IKAN is trading at a little over half its liquidating value of $2.19 per share. With the board proactively seeking a new strategic direction, which might include “financing transactions, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, corporate restructuring and other activities,” we think there’s a good chance that IKAN can realise at least its liquidating value. We’re adding IKAN to the Greenbackd Portfolio.

IKAN closed yesterday at $1.14.

The S&P500 Index closed yesterday at 836.57.

Hat tip to Steven Lobo.

[Full Disclosure:  We do not have a holding in IKAN. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only. Do your own research before investing in any security.]