Soapstone Networks Inc (NASDAQ:SOAP) closed Friday at $0.495 following the payment last week of a $57.5M or $3.75 per share special dividend. The company estimates the final distribution at between $0.25 and $0.75 per share. The higher end of the distribution range represents a ~50% upside from Friday’s close, so we’re going to do some work now to determine whether we hold on to the stub, buy some more or close out the position.
We opened the position in SOAP on February 2nd (see our post archive here) because it was trading well below our estimate of its net cash value. An activist investor, Mithras Capital, had disclosed an 8.7% holding and called on the company to liquidate. After some urging on Mithras Capital’s part, management acceded to the request and announced a liquidation. SOAP stockholders approved the liquidation of the company last week and were paid a special dividend of $3.75 per share. Based on our $2.50 purchase price, the $3.75 per share special dividend returns our initial capital plus 50%. At the Friday close, the $0.495 stub represents an additional 20% on our initial purchase price for a total return to date of 70%. Management estimates the final distribution will be between $0.25 and $0.75 per share, which means the stub is trading at a fraction under the midpoint of the distribution range.
The value proposition for the SOAP stub
Following the payment of the special dividend, SOAP has cash of around $17.5M or a little over $1.00 per share. The basis for SOAP management’s calculation of the $0.25 and $0.75 per share distribution is set out below (extracted from the Preliminary Proxy Statement):
(The table above has been modified from the original to fit this space)
(1) Estimated balance is net of cash used for the period April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 for estimated operating expenses ($4.2 million), severance costs ($1.7 million) and accounts payable and accrued liabilities ($1.5 million), partially offset by interest income ($0.1 million).
(2) Estimated Extraordinary Dividend payments of $55.8 million are associated with 14,886,107 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 16, 2009 and Extraordinary Dividend payments of $1.7 million are associated with 460,828 shares of our common stock subject to currently vested options that are in-the-money at $4.13, the per share closing price of our stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 16, 2009, which options are assumed to be exercised prior to the dividend payment.
(3) Estimated proceeds from the exercise of currently vested options for 460,828 shares of our common stock that are in-the-money at $4.13, the per share closing price of our stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 16, 2009, which options are assumed to be exercised prior to the dividend payment.
(4) Estimated range of cash proceeds from sale of assets, including technology, intellectual property, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
(5) Estimated operating expenses for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 for personnel, facilities and other expenses to conduct our wind up operations but exclusive of all other line items specifically allocated in the table above.
(6) Estimated severance costs for remaining employees involved in the wind up operations.
(7) Estimated accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2009.
(8) Estimated range of cash payments associated primarily with lease and lease related commitments for our headquarters facility.
(9) Estimated range of cash use for the purchase of insurance, including Directors and Officers liability insurance covering the six years from the date of stockholder approval of the plan of dissolution.
(10) Estimated range of cash use for professional fees related to our liquidation and dissolution, as well as ongoing SEC reporting requirements.
(11) Estimated range of cash use for unanticipated claims and contingencies, including potential deductibles and retentions associated with potential insurance claims.
Set out below is an analysis of SOAP management’s estimates, showing the differences between the upper and lower estimates:
It becomes clear from the preceding table that two categories account for the majority (80%) of the difference between the upper and lower estimates of the final distribution:
- Real Estate and Equipment Lease termination costs: Around $3.8M or $0.25 per share.
- Proceeds from the sale of Assets: Around $2.2M or $0.14 per share.
We’ve got no real idea about the likely final figures in either of these categories, which means we won’t be buying any more at this stage. Given that the stock is trading at a fraction under the midpoint of management’s estimate of the final distribution, we’re going to hold on to our remaining stock for the time being and see how it plays out.
[Full Disclosure: We have a holding in SOAP. 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.]
In the second quarter of 2007, SOAP paid a special cash dividend of $28.3 million or $2.00 per share. Even after paying the dividend SOAP’s balance sheet value is still predominantly cash in the amount of $98.1M. Deducting its total liabilities of $6.9M, we estimate SOAP’s net cash value to be $91.2M or $6.15 per share. The company is now largely a cash box with little ongoing business.
Greenbackd 