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Posts Tagged ‘Net Net Stock’

ARC Wireless Solutions (NASDAQ:ARCW)

Posted in Activist Investors, ARC Wireless Solutions (NASDAQ:ARCW), Brean Murray Carret, Stocks, tagged , , , , , on January 28, 2009| 3 Comments »

ARC Wireless Solutions (NASDAQ:ARCW) is a net cash stock with an activist investor, Brean Murray Carret, disclosing a 13.9% position on November 3 last year. ARCW closed yesterday at $2.86, giving it a market capitalization of just $8.8M. We estimate its liquidation value to be 57% higher at $13.9M. Brean Murray Carret’s original 13D filing disclosed its intention to tip out ARCW’s board and “nominate an alternative slate of directors for election to [ARCW’s]’s Board of Directors at the earliest possible opportunity.” Its subsequent 13D filing indicated that this occurred quickly, and Brean Murray Carret’s nominees were elected by the board of ARCW on November 12, 2008. This bodes well for the company chances of taking a new, shareholder-friendly direction.

About ARCW

ARCW is a provider of wireless network components. The company designs and manufactures antennas and related wireless communication systems, including cellular base station, mobile, cellular, conformal and flat panel antennas. ARCW also designs and distributes cable in the United States through original equipment manufacturers, retailers and the Internet. The company’s investor relations website is here.

The value proposition

ARCW’s most recent 10Q shows a loss-making, generally cash-consuming company. The company’s balance sheet has, however, retained 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):

arcw-summary

The value on ARCW’s balance sheet is as a result of its sale in 2006 of its wholly owned subsidiary Winncom for $17M. The company has since burned through some of that cash, but it does still have a net cash value of $12.5M or $4.04 per share. We estimate its liquidation value to be slightly higher at $13.9M or $4.49 per share.

The catalyst

Brean Murray Carret filed its original 13D notice in November last year, disclosing a 13.9% position in ARCW and calling for the removal of the board:

[Brean Murray Carret] intend to nominate an alternative slate of directors for election to [ARCW]’s Board of Directors at the earliest possible opportunity.

Brean Murray Carret amended its 13D filing later in November, by which time it had secured the board:

The annual meeting of shareholders of [ARCW], which was scheduled to occur on November 5, 2008, was adjourned until November 19, 2008. On November 17, 2008, [ARCW] announced that on November 19, 2008, the annual meeting of shareholders will be adjourned until a later date for which [ARCW]’s shareholders will be sent a written notice along with updated proxy materials for the meeting.

Effective November 12, 2008, Sigmund A. Balaban, Donald A. Huebner, Randall P. Marx and Robert E. Wade have resigned as members of [ARCW]’s Board of Directors. Messrs. Balaban, Huebner and Wade also resigned as members of the Board’s Audit Committee and Compensation Committee and Mr. Marx resigned as Chairman of the Board. In connection with their previously disclosed intention, [Brean Murray Carret]’s proposed Viktor Nemeth and Marco Vega to fill the vacancies thereby created on [ARCW]’s Board of Directors. [Brean Murray Carret]’s nominees were elected by the Board of Directors on November 12, 2008. [Brean Murray Carret]  expect that their nominees, and Jason Young, a current director, will be nominated for election to [ARCW]’s Board of Directors at the annual shareholders meeting as adjourned.

Effective November 12, 2008, Jason Young was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Board. Effective November 18, 2008, Randall P. Marx resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of [ARCW] and Jason Young was elected to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer.

Conclusion

ARCW is undervalued at $2.86 with a net cash value of $12.5M or $4.04 per share and a liquidation value of $13.9M or $4.49 per share. Whether it continues to be so will depend on the steps taken by the Brean Murray Carret. The value that remains on the balance sheet derives from the sale in 2006 of ARCW’s wholly owned subsidiary, Winncom, for $17M. Given ARCW’s marginal business prospects, with any luck Brean Murray Carret plans to pay out the cash received from the sale of Winncomm and then do what it can with the business.

ARCW closed yesterday at $2.86.

The S&P500 Index closed yesterday at 845.71.

[Full Disclosure:  We do not have a holding in ARCW. 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.]

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Ikanos Communications Inc (NASDAQ:IKAN)

Posted in Greenbackd Portfolio, Ikanos Communications Inc (NASDAQ:IKAN), Net Cash Stocks, Net Net Stocks, Stocks, tagged , , , , , on January 27, 2009| 2 Comments »

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):

ikan-summary

$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.]

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Changes to Greenbackd’s presentation of summary balance sheets

Posted in About, Greenbackd, Liquidation Value, Net Current Asset Value, Net Quick Value, tagged , , , on January 20, 2009| 4 Comments »

We are trialing a change to our summary presentation of company financial statements. The new summaries will look like this (this is our summary balance sheet for Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) – it’s cheap but there’s no catalyst):

aehr-summary-changes

A brief explanation of the various changes:

  1. A. shows the carrying value of the receivables ($14.8M), our estimate for the percentage of carrying value the receivables will yield in liquidation (80%), the liquidating value ($11.8M) and the liquidating value per share ($1.41).
  2. B. shows the net current asset value ($25.5M), which, when added to the non-current asset value ($0.9M), gives the liquidating value for the company ($26.4M).
  3. C. is the same calculation as B. but on a per share basis: the net current asset value per share ($3.03), which, when added to the non-current asset value per share ($0.11), gives the liquidating value per share ($3.15).
  4. D. is the amount of stock the company has on issue.
  5. E. shows the liquidating value of the company ($26.4M), the net cash value of the company ($7.9M) and the market capitalization ($15.12M). In this instance, the company is trading at approximately 60% of our estimate of its liquidation value.
  6. F. shows the same amounts as E. on a per share basis against the stock price.
  7. G. and H. are the estimated liquidating value on a company and per share basis, and the net cash value on company and per share basis.

We’re keen to hear what you think of the changes. We think it presents the discount applied to the carrying values and the net current asset values more clearly than the previous summaries.

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Valuing long-term and fixed assets

Posted in About, Greenbackd, Liquidation Value, Net Cash Stocks, Net Current Asset Value, Net Net Stocks, Net Quick Stocks, Net Quick Value, tagged , , , , , , on January 15, 2009| 14 Comments »

We’ve recently received several questions about our valuation methodology. Specifically, readers have asked why we include property, plant and equipment in our valuation, and why we only discount it by half, as opposed to a higher figure (two-thirds, four-fifths, one-hundred percent). They are concerned that by including property, plant and equipment in our assessment, or by failing to apply a sufficient discount to those assets, we are overstating the asset or liquidation value of the companies we cover and therefore overpaying for their stock. In this post, we better describe our approach to asset valuation. In the next post, we deal with our method for protecting ourselves from overpaying for stock.

Our valuation methodology is closely based on Benjamin Graham’s approach, which he set out in Security Analysis and The Interpretation of Financial Statements. Like Graham, we have a strong preference for current assets, and, in particular, cash. As we mention on the About Greenbackd page, our favorite stocks are those backed by greenbacks, hence our name: Greenbackd. We love to find what Graham described as gold-dollars-with-strings-attached that can be purchased for 50 cents. We believe that there is value in long-term and fixed assets, although not necessarily the value at which those assets are carried in the financial statements. The appropriate discount for long-term and fixed assets is something with which we (and we suspect other Grahamite / asset / liquidation investors) struggle. We think it’s useful to consider Graham’s approach, which we’ve set out below:

Graham’s approach to valuing long-term and fixed assets

Graham’s preference was clearly for current assets, as this quote from Chapter XXIV of The Interpretation of Financial Statements: The Classic 1937 Edition demonstrates:

It is particularly interesting when the current assets make up a relatively large part of the total assets, and the liabilities ahead of the common are relatively small. This is true because the current assets usually suffer a much smaller loss in liquidation than do the fixed assets. In some cases of liquidation it happens that the fixed assets realize only about enough to make up the shrinkage in the current assets.

Hence the “net current asset value” of an industrial security is likely to constitute a rough measure of its liquidating value. It is found by taking the net current assets (or “working capital”) alone and deducting therefrom the full claims of all senior securities. When a stock is selling at much less than its net current asset value, this fact is always of interest, although it is by no means conclusive proof that the issue is undervalued.

Despite Graham’s cautionary tone above, he did not necessarily exclude long-term and fixed assets from his assessment of value. He did, however, heavily discount those assets (from Chapter XLIII of Security Analysis: The Classic 1934 Edition “Significance of the Current Asset Value”):

The value to be ascribed to the assets however, will vary according to their character. The following schedule indicates fairly well the relative dependability of various types of assets in liquidation.

liquidation-value-schedule2

Graham then set out an example valuation for White Motor Company:

In studying this computation it must be borne in mind that our object is not to determine the exact liquidating value of White Motor, but merely to form a rough idea of this liquidating value in order ascertain whether or not the shares are selling for less than the stockholders could actually take of the business. The latter question is answered very definitively in the affirmative. With a full allowance for possible error, there was no doubt at all that White Motor would liquidate for a great deal more than $8 per share or $5,200,000 for the company. The striking fact that the cash assets alone considerably exceed this figure, after deducting all liabilities, completely clinched the argument on this score.

white-motor-example1

Current-asset Value a Rough Measure of Liquidating Value. – The estimate values in liquidation as given for White Motor are somewhat lower in respect of inventories and somewhat higher as regards the fixed and miscellaneous assets than one might be inclined to adopt in other examples. We are allowing for the fact that motor-truck inventories are likely to be less salable than the average. On the other hand some of the assets listed as noncurrent, in particular the investment in White Motor Securities Corporation, would be likely to yield a larger proportion of their book values than the ordinary property account. It will be seen that White Motor’s estimated liquidating value (about $31 per share) is not far from the current-asset value ($34 per share). In the typical case it may be said that the noncurrent assets are likely to realize enough to make up most of the shrinkage suffered in the liquidation of the quick assets. Hence our first thesis, viz., that the current-asset value affords a rough measure of the liquidating value.

Greenbackd’s approach to valuing long-term and fixed assets

The first thing to note is that we’ve got no particular insight into any of the companies that we write about or the actual value of the companies’ assets. The valuations are based on the same generalized, unsophisticated, purely mathematical application of Graham’s formula. Further, if the actual value of an asset is objectively known or determinable, then we don’t know it and, in most cases, can’t determine it. That puts us at a disadvantage to those who do know the assets’ real value or can make that determination. Secondly, we can’t make the fine judgements about value that Graham has made in the White Motor example above. Perhaps it’s blindingly obvious that “motor-truck inventories are likely to be less salable than the average,” but we don’t know anything about motor-truck inventories or the average. It’s specific knowledge that we don’t have, which means that we are forced to mechanically apply the same discount to all assets of the same type.

Given that we’ve disclaimed any ability to actually value an asset or class of assets, why not adopt the lower to middle end of Graham’s valuation range for those assets? (Editors note: What a good suggestion. From here on in, we’re taking Graham’s advice. It’s simply because, in our experience, as idiosyncratic as it has been, an 80% discount to property, plant and equipment is too much in most instances. We think that 50% is a conservative estimate. In our limited experience, commercial and industrial real estate rarely seems to sell at much less than 15% below book value, and that’s in the recent collapse.) At first blush, specialist plant and equipment might appear to be worthless because the resale market is too small, but it can also be sold at a premium to its carrying value. For example, in the recent resources boom, we heard from an acquaintance in the mining industry that mining truck tires were so scarce as to sell in many instances at a higher price second hand than new. Apparently entire junked mining trucks were purchased in one country and shipped to another simply for the tires. Without that specialist knowledge of the mining industry, one might have ascribed a minimal value to an irreparable mining truck or a pile of used mining truck tires and missed the opportunity. What these examples demonstrate, in our opinion, is that the sale price for an asset to be sold out of liquidation is extremely difficult to judge until the actual sale, by which time it’s way too late to make an investment decision.

The best that we can do is fix a point at which we feel that we a more likely to be right than wrong about the value but will also have enough opportunities to invest to make the exercise worthwhile. For us, that point is roughly 20% 50% for property, plant and equipment. That 20% 50% is not based on anything more than (Edit: Graham’s formula, which has stood the test of time and should be applied in most cases unless one has a very good reason not to do so our limited experience, which is insufficient to be statistically significant for any industry or sector, geographical location or time in the investment cycle.) We always set out for our readers our estimate so that you can amend our valuation if you think it’s not conservative enough or just plain wrong (if you do make that amendment, we’d love to hear about it, so that we can adjust our valuation in light of a better reasoned valuation).

We hope that this sheds some light on our process. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the problems with our reasoning.

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Network Engines Inc (NASDAQ:NENG)

Posted in Activist Investors, Net Net Stocks, Network Engines Inc (NASDAQ:NENG), Stocks, Trinad Management, tagged , , , on January 13, 2009| 3 Comments »

Network Engines Inc (NASDAQ:NENG) is a perennial inclusion on lists of net net stocks and so it should come as no surprise to see it back in net net land. In November 2007, an activist investor, Trinad Management, pushed the company to “immediately [implement] a share buy-back program.” The company demurred and has now seen its stock sink to all-time lows. In after-hours trading yesterday, NENG was up a little from those lows to $0.38 (it closed yesterday at $0.40), which gives it a market capitalization of $16.5M. We estimate its liquidation value at around 55% higher at $25.5M or $0.59 per share.

About NENG

NENG develops and manufactures application platform solutions that enable original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, and service providers to deliver software applications in the form of a network-ready device. The company offers application platform customers a suite of services associated with the design, development, manufacturing, brand fulfillment and post-sale support of these devices. It produces and fulfills devices for its customers, and derives revenues primarily from the sale of value-added hardware platforms to these customers. These customers subsequently resell and support the platforms under their own brands to their customer base. The company’s investor relations website can be found here.

The value proposition

NENG’s earnings and cash flow are patchy (its most recent 10K can be found here). Earnings have fallen in each of the last five quarters from $1.8M in the 2007 September quarter to -$9.7M in the 2008 September quarter. Cash from operating activities has been as high as $10.6M in the 12-months ending September 2007 and as low as -$5.4M in the preceding 12 months. As a result,   there is some vestigial value on the balance sheet (the “Carrying” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

neng-summary

NENG has $29M in receivables that we’ve written down by 20% to $23.2M or $0.54 per share, inventory of $21.4M that we’ve discounted by 33% to $14.3M or $0.33 per share and cash in the amount of $10M or $0.23 per share. The company has no debt. Deducting liabilities of $23.7M or $0.55 per share, we estimate NENG’s liquidation value at around $25.5M or $0.59.

NENG’s most recent 10K specifically sets out that it is not party to any special-purpose or off balance sheet entities created for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating parts of its business that are not consolidated into its financial statements.

The catalyst

Trinad Management filed its original 13D in November 2007 disclosing a 6.4% holding in NENG and attaching the following letter to NENG’s board:

The Board of Directors Network Engines, Inc.
25 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021
Dear Board Members:

We support Greg Shortell and the new management team at Network Engines and are encouraged by their accomplishments to date. We believe the focus of the sales and marketing efforts on diversifying the company’s customer base is yielding results and should allow for the continued generation of substantial free cash flow from operations.

Furthermore, we approve of management’s decision to acquire Alliance Systems, Inc. In our estimation, this acquisition should significantly increase shareholder value. It is our belief that the Company can realize increased sales through product portfolio expansion and cross selling opportunities. At the same time, synergies of the acquisition have provided Network Engines with the opportunity to significantly grow its business. The post-acquisition Network Engines should achieve economies of scale and will likely incur integration savings during FY 2008. The Alliance Systems acquisition and the shift in sales and marketing focus should result in an improved ability to successfully execute its business strategy.

Taking these positive events and Network Engines’ current and long term commitments into account, our financial analysis suggests that the Company currently has approximately $10 million in cash on its balance sheet and no funded indebtedness. In addition, our conservative projections indicate that the Company will generate an additional $10 million (or more) in free cash flow during the next 12 months. Accordingly, we strongly believe that this board and management has an obligation to dedicate a portion of its cash reserve and free cash flow to projects which have the greatest return to shareholders such as a share buy-back program. We request that the Board of Directors consider whether shareholder returns on other proposed uses of these excess funds are indeed superior to a share buy-back.

The Company’s stock hit a new 52 week low today (November 15, 2007) despite the impressive efforts and results posted by this management team. We appeal to the Board of Directors to consider immediately implementing a share buy-back program as it is in the best long-term interest of both the Company and its shareholders.

We believe that the Company is significantly undervalued and that a share buy-back program would improve investors’ overall perception of Network Engines’ equity value. Such a program could result in a reduction in the relative value discount currently applied to Network Engines’ stock by the investor community, by amongst other things demonstrating that this Board has confidence in the Company’s ability to execute its business plan. If the Board were to apply the same valuation metrics to its own stock as it did to the recently completed acquisition of Alliance Systems Inc., they would undoubtedly conclude that at these price levels the Company’s shares represent an equal or greater value than Alliance Systems. Most importantly, a smartly implemented buyback program could allow the company to materially reduce its number of outstanding shares thereby generating long term shareholder value in the most tax efficient manner. As a significant equity holder and long term investor, this is of far greater value then any short term impact to share price.

We encourage the Board of Directors and management to consider and adopt this strategy immediately and speak with other shareholders of the Company who may be equally frustrated and share our views. We would be willing to meet with the Board of Directors and work collaboratively to assist with the development of a long-term value creation plan that would benefit all shareholders.
Sincerely,

/s/ Jay Wolf
Trinad Management, LLC

Trinad Management continued to buy stock in NENG, disclosing in an amended 13D a slightly increased 6.98% holding in July last year.

Conclusion

As we mentioned in the introduction, NENG is a perennial net net stock. Jonathan Heller of Cheap Stocks-fame mentioned it back in October 2005 in a list of the Top 20 Market Cap Companies Trading Below Net Current Asset Value. It was then trading around $1.30 against a net current asset value of around $1.31. Investors buying back in October 2005 had plenty of opportunity to unload the stock at a profit while it traded up to $3.17 in March 2006. NENG’s stock has since dropped pretty consistently to its present $0.38, but its liquidating value has not fallen as far. At $0.59 per share, NENG’s liquidation value is 55% higher than its stock price, which is a significant margin of safety. We’re adding it to the Greenbackd Portfolio at $0.38.

NENG traded after hours yesterday at $0.38.

The S&P500 Index closed yesterday at 870.26.

[Full Disclosure:  We do not have a holding in NENG. 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.]

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Trilogy ups stake in ABTL

Posted in Activist Investors, Autobytel (NASDAQ:ABTL), Net Net Stocks, Trilogy, tagged , , , , , on January 4, 2009| 1 Comment »

Trilogy, Inc. has increased its stake in Autobytel Inc (NASDAQ:ABTL). On November 21, 2008, Trilogy, Inc. filed its Schedule 13D notice, declaring an interest of 5.01%. Trilogy, Inc has now filed an updated 13D notice, disclosing an increased 7.4% stake.

We started following ABTL last year because it was a net net stock with a market capitalization of $19.4M at its December 10, 2008 close of $0.43. We estimated the company’s liquidation value some 80% higher at $35.3M or $0.78 per share. Although the stock has risen some 18.6% to close Friday at $0.51, ABTL is still worth 50% more than its stock price indicates so we plan to maintain our position.

[Disclosure: We do not have a holding in ABTL. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only.]

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ValueVision Media Inc (NASDAQ:VVTV) Q3 Update

Posted in Activist Investors, Cannell Capital, J. Carlo Cannell, Net Net Stocks, Stocks, ValueVision Media (NASDAQ:VVTV), tagged , , , , , , on December 17, 2008| 3 Comments »

ValueVision Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VVTV), which we posted about on Wednesday last week, has filed its November 10Q. In our earlier post, we wrote that VVTV seemed to us to be one of the better opportunities available because it’s a net net stock (i.e. a stock trading for less than its net current assets) with other valuable assets and noted activist investor Carlo Cannell of Cannell Capital has an activist position in it. The company also seemed to us to be taking steps to realise that value, publicly announcing that it has appointed a special committee of independent directors to “review strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value.” The strategic alternative the company was pursuing was an auction that the company expected to complete by February 2, 2009. At $1.66 per share, VVTV’s liquidating value is still some 300% higher than its close yesterday of $0.41, which should provide a good margin of safety until the auction can be completed.

Updated value proposition

When we first looked at the company we wrote that we estimated its liquidating value, which included its property, FCC broadcasting licence, NBC trademark licence agreement and the Cable distribution and marketing agreement, at around $2.23 per share. We now see that value lower at $1.66 per share due to the increase in liabilities from $74M to $94M, which equates to an increase of $0.57 per share. Set out below is our updated summary analysis (the “Carrying” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

vvtv-summary-q3-update

At its close of $0.41, VVTV is trading at 25% of its liquidating value.

The Catalyst

Given the substantial deterioration in the company’s liquidating value in the last quarter (and in the last few years), we were expecting an update on the auction, which the company has not provided in this 10Q. The company has simply restated its earlier disclosure almost verbatim:

On September 11, 2008, our board of directors announced that it had appointed a special committee of independent directors to review strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The committee currently consists of three directors: George Vandeman, who serves as the committee’s chairman, Joseph Berardino and Robert Korkowski. The special committee retained Piper Jaffray & Co., a nationally-recognized investment banking firm, as its financial advisor. There can be no assurance that the review process will result in the announcement or consummation of a sale of our company or any other strategic alternative.

The company removed the final sentence from the last disclosure:

We do not intend to comment publicly with respect to any potential strategic alternatives we may consider pursuing unless or until a specific alternative is approved by our board of directors.

This may have been removed because Mr. George Vandeman, chairman of VVTV’s special committee of independent directors charged with administering the stategic review, made public statements that VVTV has received bids from a number of companies and instructed its advisers to invite several of the proposed buyers to take part in the next phase of the process.

There have been no further public statements from Cannell Capital. We will provide an update if one is made.

Conclusion

Provided that management will sell the company in the auction process if it receives a sensible bid, this still seems to us to be one of the better opportunities available in the market. Although it has deteriorated since the last 10Q, at $1.66 per share, VVTV’s liquidating value is still some 300% higher than its close yesterday of $0.41. Cannell Capital has previously publicly stated that he sees the value as high as $5.98 per share. The company seems to be taking steps to realise that value through an auction that it expects to complete by February 2, 2009. Any investor intending to take a position should bear in mind the company’s disclosure that “there can be no assurance that the review process will result in the announcement or consummation of a sale of our company or any other strategic alternative.”

VVTV closed yesterday at $0.41.

The S&P 500 Index closed yesterday at 913.18.

[Disclosure: We have a holding in VVTV. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only.]

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Autobytel Inc (NASDAQ:ABTL)

Posted in Autobytel (NASDAQ:ABTL), Net Cash Stocks, Net Net Stocks, Trilogy, tagged , , , on December 11, 2008| 4 Comments »

Autobytel Inc (NASDAQ:ABTL) is a net net stock with an investor declaring an active interest in late November. At yesterday’s close of $0.43, ABTL has a market capitalization of $19.4M and is trading at 55% of our estimate of its liquidation value of $35.3M. On November 21, 2008, Trilogy, Inc. filed its Schedule 13D notice, declaring an interest of 5.01%.

About ABTL

ABTL is a automotive media and marketing services company focused on helping dealers sell cars and services, and manufacturers build brands through marketing and advertising primarily through the Internet. The company owns and operates automotive websites MyRide.com, Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Car.com, CarSmart.com, AutoSite.com and CarTV.com. It connects automotive marketers with vehicle shoppers visiting these websites and third-party websites (primarily search engines, automotive information providers and other auto related venues). You can see the corporate website here.

The value proposition

ABTL’s most recent 10Q, specifically its earnings and cash flow, was abominable. The company lost $5.36M last year but surpassed that in the September quarter alone, losing$5.63M. ABTL had negative cash from operating activities last year of $6.91M and $2.88M in the quarter to September. As always we can find some value on the balance sheet, as our summary analysis demonstrates (the “Carrying” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

abtl-summary1

With $32.2M or $0.71 per share in cash and equivalents on the balance sheet and total liabilities of $12.7M or $0.28 per share, ABTL is trading at its net cash value of $0.43. If we add in receivables of $12.7M (which we’ve written down by 20% to $10.2M or $0.22 per share), property, plant and equipment of $9.2M (written down to $4.6M or $0.10 per share) and a nominal $0.9M or $0.02 per share for the prepaid expenses, ABTL has a a liquidating value of $35.3M or $0.78 per share. ABTL’s liquidating value of $0.78 is 82% higher than its stock price of $0.43, which is a substantial margin for error (or safety).

The catalyst

Trilogy, Inc. filed its Schedule 13D notice, declaring an interest of 5.01% on November 21, 2008. The filing contains the standard boilerplate that says a great deal without actually disclosing Trilogy’s true purpose for the purchase.  Trilogy is a private operating company in the technology consulting industry, not a fund manager, so there is little public information available about its strategy. It seems odd for a technology consulting business to buy a substantial active stake in a listed company. It’s possible that the filing is a precursor to a bid for ABTL. An affiliate of Trilogy, Trilogy Automotive Advertising Services, operates a business focussed on the automotive industry. ABTL might fit nicely into that business. We’re only speculating, but on the basis that it might turn into a bid, ABTL is worth watching.

Conclusion

At its close yesterday of $0.43 ABTL is trading at its net cash and at a 45% discount to its value in liquidation. In short, it’s a bargain. With Trilogy disclosing an active interest that could be a precursor to a takeover bid, ABTL is worth a look.

ABTL closed yesterday at $0.43.

The S&P 500 Index closed at 899.24.

[Disclosure: We do not have a holding in ABTL. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only.]

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ValueVision Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VVTV)

Posted in Activist Investors, Cannell Capital, J. Carlo Cannell, Stocks, ValueVision Media (NASDAQ:VVTV), tagged , , , , on December 10, 2008| 7 Comments »

ValueVision Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VVTV) is exactly the kind of opportunity we like to find: a net net stock with a management taking active steps to rectify the situation. At yesterday’s close of $0.44, VVTV has a market capitalization of $14.8M, which is half its net current asset value of around $29.5M, or $0.88 per share and 20% of our estimate of its value in liquidation of around $74.8M or $2.23 per share. After receiving some full and frank advice criticism on an August earnings call, VVTV’s board of directors has publicly announced that it has appointed a special committee of independent directors to “review strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value.” The company is currently conducting an auction expected to close in February 2009. The auction has uncovered a number of interested bidders, including GE Capital Equity Investments (most recent 13D filing here), which owns 13.7% of the company. Activist investor Carlo Cannell of Cannell Capital LLC has disclosed an interest in the company and has also sent a number of entertaining letters to the CEO (which we’ve reproduced below).

About VVTV

According to its website, VVTV is a direct marketing company that markets, sells and distributes products directly to consumers through various forms of electronic media and direct-to-consumer mailings. The company’s principal electronic media activity is the television home shopping business, which uses on-air spokespersons to market brand name merchandise and private label consumer products at competitive prices. A live around the clock television home shopping programming is distributed primarily through cable and satellite affiliation agreements and the purchase of month-to-month full- and part-time lease agreements of cable and broadcast television time. In addition, ValueVision Media distributes its programming through a television station in Boston, Massachusetts. It also markets and sells an array of merchandise through http://www.shopnbc.com and http://www.shopnbc.tv.

The value proposition

According to its most recent 10Q, VVTV lost $15.7M in the August quarter, which continues a string of five quarterly losses. Operating cash flow has also turned negative for the August quarter, which is particularly concerning. The company does have value on the balance sheet, however, as our summary analysis demonstrates (the “Carrying” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

vvtv-summary1

With $59.7M in cash and equivalents, $55.7M in receivables and $55.6M in inventory, VVTV’s is trading at a substantial discount to its current assets alone. The company has $1.78 per share in cash. We’ve discounted the receivables by 20% to $44.6M or $1.33 per share and the inventory by a third to $37.3M or  $1.11 per share. Subtracting all liabilities of $74M or $2.20  per share and the preferred stock of $44.1M or $1.31 per share gives us a net current asset value for VVTV of around $29.5M or $0.88 per share. At yesterday’s closing price of $0.44, VVTV is trading at a 50% discount to its net current asset value alone.

VVTV has other valuable assets, including substantial property, its FCC broadcasting licence, its NBC trademark licence agreement and its Cable distribution and marketing agreement. We have no idea how to value these assets, but discounted by an arbitrary 50%, they are worth an additional $45.3M or $1.35 per share. This puts our estimate of the company’s liquidating value at around $74.8M or $2.23 per share, which means that VVTV is trading at 20% of its value in liquidation.

Carlo Cannell suggested in the October 27 letter to the CEO (reproduced below) that VVTV’s value is much higher. He thinks the company is “worth closer to $6.00 per share, exclusive of the $120 million net operating loss and substantial intangible value in the broad 72 million reach enjoyed by ShopNBC.” Cannell’s analysis is as follows (all figures are $/share figures):

Net Working Capital – $3.73 (Includes $2.39/share in Cash. Excludes NOL and value of Shop NBC.)
Headquarters – $1.03
Television Station – $0.95
NBC License Agreement – $0.27
Total Asset Value – $5.98

VVTV is trading at less than 7% of Cannell’s valuation.

The catalyst

VVTV’s stock is down about 91% ($5.53 per share) this year. During VVTV’s second-quarter conference call in August, shareholders lambasted management and called for the sale of the company. As a result, VVTV disclosed in its 10Q that it was pursuing “strategic alternatives”:

On September 11, 2008, our board of directors announced that it had appointed a special committee of independent directors to review strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value. The committee currently consists of two directors: George Vandeman, who will serve as the committee’s chairman, and Robert Korkowski. We expect to appoint an additional independent director to the board, who we anticipate will serve on the special committee. The special committee retained Piper Jaffray & Co., a nationally-recognized investment banking firm, as its financial advisor. There can be no assurance that the review process will result in the announcement or consummation of a sale of our company or any other strategic alternative. We do not intend to comment publicly with respect to any potential strategic alternatives we may consider pursuing unless or until a specific alternative is approved by our board of directors.

On September 24, 2008 Cannell Capital amended an earlier 13G filing for VVTV in this 13D filing, annexing an entertaining letter from Carlo Cannell to Mr. John Buck, VVTV’s CEO (reproduced below):

Dear Mr. Buck

Cannell Capital LLC (“Cannell”), an investment adviser and General Partner to several private investment funds and partnerships, which own shares in ValueVision Media Inc. (“VVTV”), is amending its reporting requirements to reflect a more active stance.

Congratulations on your September 11, 2008 decision to appoint “a special committee of independent directors to review strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.” Cannell interprets this to mean that the representatives of the shareholders (aka “Directors”) have finally elected to monetize the assets on behalf of its owners.

ValueVision’s stock price is $2.20 per share. Based upon analysis our from Craig-Hallum it is our opinion the company is worth closer to $6.00 per share, exclusive of the $120 million net operating loss and substantial intangible value in the broad 72 million reach enjoyed by ShopNBC.(1)

                                                    $/Share
                                                    -------

                 Net Working Capital*                $3.73
                 Headquarters                        $1.03
                 Television Station                  $0.95
                 NBC License Agreement               $0.27
                 Total Asset Value                   $5.98

                 *Includes $2.39/share in Cash. Excludes NOL
                 and value of Shop NBC.

We will be watching carefully to make sure the committee’s actions are congruent with the interests of shareholders. We are concerned that the hiring of Piper Jaffray & Co. may be a ploy to continue to justify its pattern of wheel spinning and protection of jobs over what is best for the owners of the business. For example, on Monday, September 15, 2008 we were shocked to learn that your agent (Piper Jaffray & Co.) called to “permission” when and to whom we might talk at our Company. This is characteristic of Stalinist Russia, not America. This does not have a good taint to it. You may try to muzzle other investors, but not Cannell. It bites.

You further have called for representatives to the Board of Directors. We have several candidates in mind. Two will be contacting you shortly to present their credentials directly.

It is amazing to us how much value has been destroyed under your stewardship. That you would have to hire an agent at all to advise you on what should have been done long ago is shameful.

Godspeed!

J. Carlo Cannell
Managing Member
Cannell Capital LLC

————————-
(1) Robert J. Evans, Craig-Hallum Capital Group, 8/25/08

Cannell sent a follow up letter on October 27, 2008, which was annexed to this 13D filing and is reproduced below:

Dear Mr. Buck

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us this month. I imagine that you are busy consulting with sundry advisors as to ways to maximize shareholder value, including, but not limited to the immediate liquidation of our assets.

Regrettably, at this rate there will not be much value to realize. The price of the common stock has declined 65% this month alone.

I am sorry that you feel the name of the broker hired to sell our buildings at 6740, 6680 and 6690 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55334 to be material non-public information. I disagree.

Given the slope of shareholder wealth destruction and given the inconsistency of information delivered to us by sundry directors and officers of our Company I would like to suggest that you deliver a special dividend of $1.20 per share to its owners, the shareholders.(1) Although I can’t speak for all shareholders, it is my opinion that most would see copious opportunities to allocate their capital to other stewards of this capital than that of the current board of VVTV.

If the board agrees with me, please tell me by Halloween when my investors and other shareholders might get their dividend. (Time is of the essence. If Senator Barack Obama is elected President the taxation of dividends is likely to become less favorable.) If you disagree, please state the reasons behind your opposition.

In the case of the latter outcome, Cannell Capital LLC will review your opposition and, if appropriate, we will evaluate our options in calling a special meeting of all shareholders to vote upon whether: (i) our cash should be returned to its owners or (ii) the existing board should be allowed to continue to manage it.

Best regards!

Sincerely

J. Carlo Cannell
Managing Member

————————-
(1) As of August 2, 2008, VVTV had $79.4 million of cash – $48.8 million of liquid, $10.9 million of short term equivalent and $20.5 million of auction rate securities (which should likely be discounted by $1.5 million). That is $2.36 per share. I like the idea that returning this cash is tax efficient and will deter management from performing more “science projects.” More pressure is good in my opinion.

On a conference call with analysts to discuss VVTV’s third quarter results, Mr. George Vandeman, who is chairman of VVTV’s special committee of independent directors, said the company had received bids from a number of companies and instructed its advisers to invite several of the proposed buyers to take part in the next phase of the process. Final bids would be due after that phase is completed. One of those interested bidders is GE Capital Equity Investments, which disclosed its holding in this November 17, 2008 13D filing. Vandeman also said the committee was “evaluating other alternatives to boost value, including share buybacks, paying a dividend and monetizing its balance sheet.”

The special committee and its financial advisors continue to review the full range of strategic alternatives available to the company. We anticipate that the special committee will conclude its review by the end of the fiscal year.

VVTV’s fiscal year ends February 2. These are all promising developments for VVTV.

Conclusion

This seems to us to be one of the better opportunities available in the present market. VVTV, a net net stock with additional valuable assets, is very cheap. At yesterday’s close of $0.44, VVTV has a market capitalization of $14.8M, which is half its net current asset value of around $29.5M, or $0.88 per share. Including the other assets – its property, FCC broadcasting licence, NBC trademark licence agreement and the Cable distribution and marketing agreement – we estimate VVTV is worth closer to $2.23 per share. Cannell Capital sees the value as high as $5.98 per share. The company also seems to be taking steps to realise that value, publicly announcing that it has appointed a special committee of independent directors to “review strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value.” Currently, that means that the company is conducting an auction with a number of interested bidders but it may also mean the company buys back shares, pays a dividend or monetizes its balance sheet. The committee expect to complete this process by February 2, 2009, which means that this opportunity won’t be around for much longer.

VVTV closed yesterday at $0.44.

The S&P 500 Index closed at 888.67.

[Disclosure: We have a holding in VVTV. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only.]

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Chromcraft Revington (AMEX:CRC)

Posted in Activist Investors, Aldebran Capital, Chromcraft Revington (AMEX:CRC), Net Cash Stocks, Net Net Stocks, Stocks, tagged , , , , on December 9, 2008| 1 Comment »

Chromcraft Revington (AMEX:CRC) is a tiny, AMEX-listed net-net stock with a substantial stockholder calling for its sale or orderly liquidation. CRC has a market capitalization of only $2.8M, but the company’s written-down net current asset value is much higher at around $15M. The only problem? The company is in a liquidity crisis and risks entering bankruptcy if its fortunes don’t turn around. Aldebaran Capital, LLC, a 7.7% stockholder, sent a letter to the company on October 29 arguing that if CRC is unable to “promptly stabilize its business and rationalize its cost structure” it should be sold or liquidated.

About CRC

CRC is engaged in the design, production, sales and import of residential and commercial furniture. It markets its residential furniture products under the CR-Home banner with the brand names Chromcraft, Peters-Revington, Cochrane, Sumter and Silver. CRC distributes its products throughout the United States and Canada, primarily through furniture dealers. The history of the company is available on its website.

The value proposition

CRC is one of the most deeply undervalued asset situations we’ve uncovered, which is no surprise given the parlous state of its earnings and operating cash flow. The company made a loss of $14.87M last year and a loss of $3.39M in the 2006 financial year. Cash from Operating Activities has also been disappointing, negative to the tune of $3M in 2007 and $4M this quarter. All is not doom and gloom however: some residual value can still be found on the balance sheet.

Set out below is our summary analysis (the “Carrying” column shows the assets as they are carried in the financial statements, and the “Liquidating” column shows our estimate of the value of the assets in a liquidation):

crc-summary

A quick glance at the balance sheet shows that CRC is in a liquidity crisis. The company had $8.4M in cash 12 months ago, but has burned through it since then. In three quarters the receivables have reduced from $18.4M in March to $16.3M in this quarter, with none of it flowing through to cash. The company states in its 10Q that it has “several sources of cash” that it believes will be “adequate to meet its short term liquidity requirements.” These are as follows:

  • At September 27, 2008, [CRC] has unused borrowing capacity of approximately $14,231,000 under its Bank Facility.
  • [CRC] expects to receive asset sale proceeds of approximately $3,300,000 in 2009 from the sale of its Lincolnton, North Carolina buildings, machinery and equipment.
  • At September 27, 2008, [CRC] has refundable income taxes of $3,462,000, primarily from net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks, which are expected to be received in the fourth quarter of 2008.
  • [CRC] plans to sell excess inventories and generate cash of approximately $3,000,000 in 2009.
  • [CRC] has recently implemented spending controls and overhead expense reductions in personnel.
  • Future capital spending for information technology upgrades will be delayed to 2010.

CRC’s bankruptcy is not necessarily a problem for an investor if the assets are sufficient to pay out the liabilities and leave some residual value in excess of the current stock price. We think that there is a good chance that this is the case, provided that some action is taken soon to preserve the remaining value.

Assuming the board acts quickly to salvage what remains of CRC, we estimate the company’s per share value in liquidation at around $2.45 or $15M in toto. To reach this estimate, we’ve written down the receivables by a quarter to a little over $12M or $2.00 per share, inventory by two-thirds to $12M or $1.96 per share and Property, Plant and Equipment by 85% from $46M to $6.9M or $1.13 per share. Deducting Total Liabilities of $16.4M or $2.68 per share leaves a value in liquidation of around $2.45 per share.

The catalyst

Aldebran Capital acquired its 7.7% holding in CRC in September and October of this year, paying between $0.42 and $2.72 per share. In a letter to CRC’s chairman, Aldebran Capital has asked the board to take steps to preserve the remaining value. Aldebran Capital’s letter annexed to its 13D filing of October 29, 2008 is reproduced below:

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Aldebaran Capital, LLC is an Indiana limited liability company and registered investment advisor. As noted in our recent filing, we have acquired 7.7% of the outstanding shares of Chromcraft Revington, Inc.

We have followed the transformation of the company over the past few years, as Chromcraft has undergone a major change in its business model.

As security analysts, we recognize the challenges the company has faced in implementing its plan. In addition, we fully understand that current economic conditions are causing the task to be even more difficult.

However, the company is nearly three years into restructuring maneuvers that were begun in 2006. Along the way, Chromcraft has incurred significant losses and continues to accrue costs attendant with these changes. As shareholders, we believe that it is time for the company to demonstrate that these actions are bearing fruit.

In our opinion, if the company is unable to promptly stabilize its business and rationalize its cost structure, we believe that the Board should consider either: a) the sale of the company or, b) undertake an orderly liquidation of the company assets.

We look forward to speaking with you further about Chromcraft.

Sincerely,

Kenneth R. Skarbeck
Managing Member,
Aldebaran Capital, LLC

Conclusion

It’s always difficult to recommend a stock in a liquidity crisis, but crises are what create the wide disparities between value and price, or, in other words, the bargains. CRC is such a bargain. At its close yesterday of $0.46, CRC is trading at a tiny 20% of our estimate of its liquidation value of around $2.45 per share. While there is substantial value on the balance sheet relative to the stock price, the risk is that the company continues to trade and destroys that remaining value. This is always the risk with net net stocks. The good news is that Aldebaran Capital has already called for CRC’s board to take some stockholder friendly steps. We think that Aldebran Capital will be successful and CRC’s value will sooner or later be reflected in its stock.

Warning: When trading in tiny, thinly traded stocks with a wide bid-ask spread, make sure you set a limit on the stock order or you might end up paying more than you want.

CRC closed yesterday at $0.46.

The S&P 500 Index closed at 909.70.

[Disclosure: We do not have a holding in CRC. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only.]

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