European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

Anglo American PLC is a global mining company. The Company's mining portfolio includes bulk commodities including iron ore, manganese and metallurgical coal, base metals including copper and nickel and precious metals and minerals including platinum and diamonds.  Anglo American PLC has mining operations in Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

<ul>
<li>On 27 April, Reuters reported that BHP is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its initial proposal was rejected. Anglo's shares trade at 0.3% discount to proposal.</li>
<li>BHP is not paying any control premium. Despite its robust portfolio and recent share price appreciation, Anglo trades at a 18% discount compared to the sum of its parts (3018p). </li>
<li>Interloper risk is high. Antitrust risk seems low. As a defence, Anglo may conduct some portfolio simplification to unlock value. I would be long at current prices.</li>
</ul>


On 27 April, Reuters reported that BHP is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its initial proposal was rejected. Anglo's shares trade at 0.3% discount to proposal.
BHP is not paying any control premium. Despite its robust portfolio and recent share price appreciation, Anglo trades at a 18% discount compared to the sum of its parts (3018p). 
Interloper risk is high. Antitrust risk seems low. As a defence, Anglo may conduct some portfolio simplification to unlock value. I would be long at current prices.


BHP to Consider Sweetened Proposal for Anglo

Applus Services, S.A. provides certification services. The Company offers consultancy, engineering, inspection, non-destructive testing, technical assistance, and type approval.

<ul>
<li>I Squared and TDR presented a final offer price of €12.78/share in cash, marking a 16.2% increase over their prior bid and surpassing Apollo Global Management's final offer of €12.51/share.</li>
<li>The winning offer values the share capital at €1,649 million (7.3x EV/Fwd NTM EBITDA, 13.2x Fwd P/E), 34% above Apollo's initial offer.</li>
<li>Gross spread is 0.2%. Settlement could happen around 27 May, with 3.7% estimated annual return.</li>
</ul>


I Squared and TDR presented a final offer price of €12.78/share in cash, marking a 16.2% increase over their prior bid and surpassing Apollo Global Management's final offer of €12.51/share.
The winning offer values the share capital at €1,649 million (7.3x EV/Fwd NTM EBITDA, 13.2x Fwd P/E), 34% above Apollo's initial offer.
Gross spread is 0.2%. Settlement could happen around 27 May, with 3.7% estimated annual return.


I Squared & TDR Win the Long Battle for Applus at the Final Auction

DS Smith Plc is an International paper company focused on packaging and office products. The Group collects waste paper, manufactures paper, converts corrugated packaging and produces bag-in-box, plastic corrugated and heavy duty corrugated packaging, as well as wholesales office supplies.

<ul>
<li>Following the withdrawal of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mondi-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22048:1" rel="noopener">Mondi PLC (MNDI LN)</a> from the contest to acquire <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ds-smith-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22150:1" rel="noopener">DS Smith PLC (SMDS LN)</a>, the gross spread to the deal turned negative (from &gt;10%).</li>
<li>At the median 7.07x EV/Fwd NTM EBITDA (within the range of former transactions), the implied equity value of DS Smith would be 388.4p. (vs. an IBES consensus TP of 395p).</li>
<li>IP is giving away most of the synergies. Spread is 1.91%/2.86% (gross, annualized assuming settlement by Y/E). I would wait for the spread to widen, before setting it up.</li>
</ul>


Following the withdrawal of Mondi PLC (MNDI LN) from the contest to acquire DS Smith PLC (SMDS LN), the gross spread to the deal turned negative (from &gt;10%).
At the median 7.07x EV/Fwd NTM EBITDA (within the range of former transactions), the implied equity value of DS Smith would be 388.4p. (vs. an IBES consensus TP of 395p).
IP is giving away most of the synergies. Spread is 1.91%/2.86% (gross, annualized assuming settlement by Y/E). I would wait for the spread to widen, before setting it up.


United States Steel Corporation operates as an integrated steel producer. The Company manufactures flat-rolled and tubular products with production operations in North America and Europe. United States Steel serves the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction, and oil and gas industries.

<ul>
<li>On 18 April, a White House official said that any review of the deal between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-steel-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:961:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Steel Corporation (5401 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-states-steel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:202:1" rel="noopener">United States Steel (X US)</a> by CFIUS will continue as scheduled.</li>
<li>X shares trade at ~5.2x on NTM IBES-consensus EBITDA given priced-in deal risk vs. implied 7x at the time of the winning NSC's bid, and look attractive relative to comparables.</li>
<li>There remains a possibility that Nippon could finalize the takeover after the U.S. presidential election, presenting potential upside.</li>
</ul>


On 18 April, a White House official said that any review of the deal between Nippon Steel Corporation (5401 JP) and United States Steel (X US) by CFIUS will continue as scheduled.
X shares trade at ~5.2x on NTM IBES-consensus EBITDA given priced-in deal risk vs. implied 7x at the time of the winning NSC's bid, and look attractive relative to comparables.
There remains a possibility that Nippon could finalize the takeover after the U.S. presidential election, presenting potential upside.


Nippon Steel/United States Steel Corp: Valuation

Naturgy Energy Group S.A. distributes natural gas. The Company operates gas storage facilities, as well as owns and operates a fiber optic backbone telecommunications networks. Naturgy Energy Group also markets energy management products, household gas appliances, and installs gas heating systems. Naturgy Energy serves clients worldwide.

<ul>
<li>TAQA has admitted considering a full takeover of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naturgy-energy-group-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21271:1" rel="noopener">Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM)</a> and discussions with CriteriaCaixa regarding a possible cooperation pact, with CriteriaCaixa remaining a shareholder.</li>
<li>GIP and CVC have exceeded the typical investment maturity period and may be willing to dispose of their stakes in Naturgy if presented with a good offer.</li>
<li>The possibility of corporate actions could bolster the stock from these levels. I assign a &gt;50% probability to a full/partial takeover bid at around €25/26 per share actually materializing.</li>
</ul>


TAQA has admitted considering a full takeover of Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM) and discussions with CriteriaCaixa regarding a possible cooperation pact, with CriteriaCaixa remaining a shareholder.
GIP and CVC have exceeded the typical investment maturity period and may be willing to dispose of their stakes in Naturgy if presented with a good offer.
The possibility of corporate actions could bolster the stock from these levels. I assign a &gt;50% probability to a full/partial takeover bid at around €25/26 per share actually materializing.


Jesús is an Insight Provider (Event-driven) on the Smartkarma network, where he looks across sectors at opportunities arising from securities mispricing (both credit and equity), share classes, bid announcements, prospective bids, and special situations. He has served as Economic and Business Advisor at the Spanish Congress in Madrid. Prior to that, he has worked in the City of London: as a Credit Analyst at Bloomberg; Event-driven associate at former boutique European Research; and doubled as Special Situations and Equity-linked VP (convertible bonds) at Merrill Lynch. Jesús has an MBA from the London Business School, a BA (Hons.) degree in Economics from the Complutense University in Madrid, and a BA (Hons.) in Law from U.N.E.D., also in Madrid.

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar
European Event-Driven Analyst

BHP to Consider Sweetened Proposal for Anglo

On 27 April, Reuters reported that BHP is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its initial proposal was rejected. Anglo's...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

I Squared & TDR Win the Long Battle for Applus at the Final Auction

I Squared and TDR presented a final offer price of €12.78/share in cash, marking a 16.2% increase over their prior bid and surpassing Apollo Global...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

International Paper/DS Smith: Spread

Following the withdrawal of Mondi from the contest to acquire DS Smith, the IP/SMDS gross spread to the deal turned negative (from +10%)....

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Nippon Steel/United States Steel Corp: Valuation

White House official confirms CFIUS review of Nippon Steel's deal with US Steel will proceed as planned, X shares trade attractively with...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

TAQA/Naturgy: Takeover Interest

TAQA has admitted considering a full takeover of Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM) and discussions with CriteriaCaixa regarding a possible...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

BHP to Consider Sweetened Proposal for Anglo

On 27 April, Reuters reported that BHP is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its initial proposal was rejected. Anglo's...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

I Squared & TDR Win the Long Battle for Applus at the Final Auction

I Squared and TDR presented a final offer price of €12.78/share in cash, marking a 16.2% increase over their prior bid and surpassing Apollo Global...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

International Paper/DS Smith: Spread

Following the withdrawal of Mondi from the contest to acquire DS Smith, the IP/SMDS gross spread to the deal turned negative (from +10%)....

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Nippon Steel/United States Steel Corp: Valuation

​White House official confirms CFIUS review of Nippon Steel's deal with US Steel will proceed as planned, X shares trade attractively with...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

TAQA/Naturgy: Takeover Interest

TAQA has admitted considering a full takeover of Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM) and discussions with CriteriaCaixa regarding a possible...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

White House official confirms CFIUS review of Nippon Steel's deal with US Steel will proceed as planned, X shares trade attractively with...