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	<title>NOT AN ANALYST &#187; Distressed Investing</title>
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	<description>From Chaos Comes Opportunity</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:21:45 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Harrah Entertainment: what looks good?</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/12/13/harrah-entertainment-what-looks-good/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/12/13/harrah-entertainment-what-looks-good/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:21:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrah Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restructuring Plan]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Background One of the most discussed topics in HY is Harrah Operating Company, one of the largest casino entertainment providers<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/12/13/harrah-entertainment-what-looks-good/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Background</strong> One of the most discussed topics in HY is Harrah Operating Company, one of the largest casino entertainment providers in the world. The enterprise has been taken private in January 2008 by a group of investors (Apollo, TPG and Paulson &amp; Co. Inc) through an LBO and since then it has been cutting expenditures, reducing costs and initiating several debt-to-equity exchanges to avoid Chapter 11 filing. Despite those actions, Harrah continues to be a highly leveraged Company with a 10.3x Net Debt/Projected 2010 EBITDA and a 1.1 Projected 2010 EBITDA/Interest Expense.</p>
<p><strong>Valuation and Leverage </strong>Harrah’s EBITDA has decreased in recent years, dropping to a projected 2 billion in 2010 from a peak of 2.8 billion in 2007. Despite debt exchanges, which have eliminated about 5 billion of debt, and substantial cost reductions, which have helped offset some of the decline in EBITDA, Harrah’s leverage in 2010 will be at 10.3x EBITDA and EBITDA coverage will be barely above 1. However, in 2011 the story is going to be a different. In June the equity sponsors announced a debt-to-equity swap that will cut about 1.118 billion in debt. Hence, in 2011 Harrah will have approximately 19.5 billion in net debt outstanding, assuming cash on hand remains constant. EBITDA will have to rise up to 2.4 billion or 20% (assuming 2010 EBITDA will be 2 billion) to reduce the multiple to 8.1x. At that level, Harrah’s debt is certainly something worth looking at, especially the second lien notes. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a leveraged capital structure, but certainly manageable giving the ample liquidity and an EBITDA at 2.4 billion/year. Although I expect the gaming industry to rebound next year, I don’t expect Harrah to reach its 2007 peak levels anytime soon. </p>
<p><strong>Public Offering</strong> <strong>and Implied Valuation</strong> A few weeks ago, Harrah Entertainment announced a plan to raise 575 million through an IPO for 9.75% of the Company to finance projects in Las Vegas and Ohio. The decision to invest capital rather than use it to reduce the already high debt level underlined the confidence of management in the turnaround of the business. Management probably expected to earn an IRR on the incremental capital that far exceeded the 13-15% pre-tax yield on the bonds if they were bought in the open market. However, the deal fell apart shortly after its announcement as market conditions were deemed hostile for private-equity backed IPOs but this scenario opened up a whole new valuation for Harrah. Let’s take a look. The IPO would have raised 575 million for a 9.75% stake in the Company, giving an implied equity value of 6.183 billion and an implied enterprise value of 25.63 billion after the 1.118 billion debt-to-equity exchange planned for next year. Considering that EBITDA for 2011 will probably be around 2.2 billion the implied EV/EBITDA multiple is 11.7x. Management is obviously extremely optimistic abut the outlook of the gaming industry but I think their projections and valuation are too generous and that the IPO is a bit pricy. However, I expect Harrah to launch another equity offering attempt next year, which will give us more information about the value of the enterprise.</p>
<p><strong>What looks good? </strong>The first lien debt seems to be well covered in case of bankruptcy (see below) even if EBITDA will be 1.6 billion, which is very conservative. The second lien debt will experience above par recovery only if EV will be between 17.6 to 20.8 billion, the high end of the valuation. If you believe in the rebound of the gaming industry, the 10% Senior Secured Noted due 2018 are a good investment. They are currently trading at 89, with a CY of 12% and an YTM of 12.8%. All the Unsecured Notes trade at a significant discount to par, ranging from 60 cents to 90 cents on the dollar, but I don’t expect any meaningful recovery since Harrah has been exchanging them for equity at rates significantly below par.</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="512">
<colgroup span="1">
<col span="8" width="64"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="17">
<td width="64" height="17"> </td>
<td width="64"> </td>
<td width="64" align="right">1600</td>
<td width="64" align="right">1800</td>
<td width="64" align="right">2000</td>
<td width="64" align="right">2200</td>
<td width="64" align="right">2400</td>
<td width="64" align="right">2600</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">EBITDA Multiples</td>
<td align="right">7.0</td>
<td align="right">11200</td>
<td align="right">12600</td>
<td align="right">14000</td>
<td align="right">15400</td>
<td align="right">16800</td>
<td align="right">18200</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td align="right">7.5</td>
<td align="right">12000</td>
<td align="right">13500</td>
<td align="right">15000</td>
<td align="right">16500</td>
<td align="right">18000</td>
<td align="right">19500</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td align="right">8.0</td>
<td align="right">12800</td>
<td align="right">14400</td>
<td align="right">16000</td>
<td align="right">17600</td>
<td align="right">19200</td>
<td align="right">20800</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">Estimated EV</td>
<td align="right">12800</td>
<td align="right">14400</td>
<td align="right">16000</td>
<td align="right">17600</td>
<td align="right">19200</td>
<td align="right">20800</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Cash </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
<td align="right">1324</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">1st Lien Debt</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
<td align="right">12527</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">Net 1st Lien Debt</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
<td align="right">11203</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Recovery</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">114%</td>
<td align="right">129%</td>
<td align="right">143%</td>
<td align="right">157%</td>
<td align="right">171%</td>
<td align="right">186%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Multiple</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">7.0</td>
<td align="right">6.2</td>
<td align="right">5.6</td>
<td align="right">5.1</td>
<td align="right">4.7</td>
<td align="right">4.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">2nd Lien Debt</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
<td align="right">19390</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">Net 2nd Lien Debt</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
<td align="right">18066</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Recovery</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">71%</td>
<td align="right">80%</td>
<td align="right">89%</td>
<td align="right">97%</td>
<td align="right">106%</td>
<td align="right">115%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Multiple</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">11.3</td>
<td align="right">10.0</td>
<td align="right">9.0</td>
<td align="right">8.2</td>
<td align="right">7.5</td>
<td align="right">6.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Total Debt</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
<td align="right">20772</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="2" height="17">Net Total Debt</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
<td align="right">19448</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Recovery</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">66%</td>
<td align="right">74%</td>
<td align="right">82%</td>
<td align="right">91%</td>
<td align="right">99%</td>
<td align="right">107%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17">Multiple</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">12.2</td>
<td align="right">10.8</td>
<td align="right">9.7</td>
<td align="right">8.8</td>
<td align="right">8.1</td>
<td align="right">7.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Risks </strong>Harrah is a highly levered company; hence it would take a less significant decline in EBITDA to generate a payment default compared to a less levered company. S&amp;P uses multiples of 5x to 8x EBITDA to value gaming companies, with an average multiple of 6.7x. This compares with the 5x to 7x used for most industrial sectors.</p>
<p>Bondholders will be pushed down the capital structure if the Revolver gets fully drawn (1,500 in available borrowing at the moment)</p>
<p>The presence of junior debt in the capital structures has resulted in higher recoveries for the loans senior to these obligations because senior lenders would have a priority claim to the total enterprise value of a firm. Harrah’s capital structure doesn’t contain many junior or subordinate notes.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion </strong>Although<strong> </strong>I don’t expect the economic recovery to allow the company to grow back to its 2007 peak, Harrah’ credit profile will get stronger in the next years. Looking at the capital structure, the best investment is to own the 10% Senior Secured Notes due 2018. Based on my calculations, above par recovery is possible if we apply a multiple of 8 to 2.4 billion in EBITDA, a plausible scenario in 2011 or 2012. <strong></strong></p>
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		<item>
		<title>High Yield opportunity in an anemic yield environment</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/10/06/high-yield-opportunity-in-an-anemic-yield-environment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/10/06/high-yield-opportunity-in-an-anemic-yield-environment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:02:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senior Sub]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solo Cup Notes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1279</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Investment Thesis I recommend readers to buy Solo Cup’s 8.5% Senior Subordinated notes due February 2014 for a price of<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/10/06/high-yield-opportunity-in-an-anemic-yield-environment/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Investment Thesis</strong> I recommend readers to buy Solo Cup’s 8.5% Senior Subordinated notes due February 2014 for a price of 92.5 with YTM of 10.1% and CY of 7.8%. The bonds are well positioned in the capital structure and offer an attractive high yield opportunity with minimal risk in a market that is crowded with anemic yields. Additionally the fairly low price implies a lower risk in comparison to similar bonds from other competitors.</p>
<p><strong>Company Description </strong>Solo Cup is a leading producer and manufacturer of products used to serve food companies and beverages in homes, restaurants and other food service settings. The Company manufactures and supplies a broad portfolio of single-use products including cups, lids, food containers, plates, bowls, portion cups, cutlery and straws. Products are available mostly in plastic and paper. Solo Cup has two main segments: the food service distributors and operators, and the retailers of consumer products. <strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Capital Structure </strong>Although the 8.5% Senior Subs are second lien notes and are junior to the 10.5% Senior Secured notes, they are well covered in case of bankruptcy because they are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries such as SF Holdings, SCOC and have an equity cushion of almost 300 million.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="295" valign="top"><strong>Security</strong></td>
<td width="295" valign="top"><strong>Outstanding Amount</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="295" valign="top">Revolving Credit Facility</td>
<td width="295" valign="top">115,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="295" valign="top">10.5% Senior Secured due 2013</td>
<td width="295" valign="top">300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="295" valign="top">8.5% Senior Subordinate due 2014</td>
<td width="295" valign="top">325,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Net Operating Losses </strong>As of June 27 2010, Solo Cup accumulated 308 million of net operating losses carry forwards that will expire between 2018 and 2030. I can reasonably expect that tax liabilities will low in the future, therefore improving the bottom line of the income statement and FCF.</p>
<p><strong>Valuation </strong>Although<strong> </strong>EBITDA and operating margins will not improve in the near future, I expect the Company to generate approximately 45 to 55 million of FCFE in each of the next three years as the lack of maturities will allow the company to accumulate a significant amount of cash. However, the FCFE generated will not be sufficient to repay the 8.5% Senior Subs, but it will reduce leverage ratios and improve the value and price of the bonds. Additionally, based on the last earnings report in August 2010, the borrowing capacity under the credit facility is 110 million.</p>
<p><strong>Catalysts </strong>Improving fundamentals: because there are no maturities until July 2013, I expect Solo Cup to accumulate around 150 million in free cash flow by 2013 in a base case scenario.  </p>
<p>Refinancing: In July 2009, the worst time to raise capital, Solo Cup issued 325 million of 8.5% Senior Subordinate Notes due in 2014. I can reasonably expect that the Company will have access to credit markets in 2014 and be able to refinance 325 million coming due.</p>
<p>Potential IPO: Solo Cup is a privately held organization but sponsors would like to take the Company public. A public offering will be a deleveraging event.</p>
<p><strong>Risks </strong>The power of buyers: approximately 81% of the 2009 annual sales comes from the food service operators and distributors. Customers of such segments are  well-known and include Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s Corp; hence they can exercise significant price power.</p>
<p>Concentration risk: five customers and one customer account respectively for 30% and 9% of 2009 total sales. Not only the power of buyers is strong, but it is also concentrated in a small group</p>
<p>Rising raw material costs: raw material costs make up 40% of COGS and the Company has historically not hedged its exposure to fluctuations in raw material prices.</p>
<p><strong>Summary </strong>Despite several headwinds along the value chain, I expect the bonds to experience a price appreciation above par in the next three to four years.</p>
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		<title>The latest on GGP: Credit Suisse initiates coverage</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/09/14/the-latest-on-ggp-credit-suisse-initiates-coverage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/09/14/the-latest-on-ggp-credit-suisse-initiates-coverage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:59:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Growth Properties]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1274</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The initiation of coverage is probably more meaningful than the information contained in the research itself. It’s a beginning of<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/09/14/the-latest-on-ggp-credit-suisse-initiates-coverage/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The initiation of coverage is probably more meaningful than the information contained in the research itself. It’s a beginning of a process that will open GGP to a completely new clientele and that will make GGP a “must” not only among mutual funds REITs but also among major REIT indexes.</p>
<p>The target price assigned by Credit Suisse is $16.50, a cautious estimate; however the timeframe for price appreciation is not disclosed. I hate sell-side research; it’s so vague and so long at the same time. That’s why my blog is called the way it is called.</p>
<p>However, there is some important information on the report, some regarding “Spinco” assets and its valuation, which I think it is worth a look:</p>
<ul>
<li>Several catalysts are mentioned for the price to reach $16.50; however I believe that it’s just a matter of when, rather than how, the company will reach its fair value value, which should be around $25, excluding Spinco, by the of 2011.</li>
<li>After the recapitalization, GGP will remain a fairly leveraged company, with a LTD/EBITDA of 8.2x by the end of 2012, a multiple that should be below 7x. Post bankruptcy, additional deleveraging will have to occur, which can be a catalyst for equity appreciation over the long-term but it will depress the dividend yield.</li>
<li>An interesting breakdown of “Spinco” assets and a highly subjective $4 price for “Spinco”.</li>
</ul>
<p>Enjoy the reading!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Credit-Suisse-Report.pdf">Credit Suisse Report</a></p>
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		<title>Pershing Square Q1 and Q2 letter to investors</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/27/pershing-square-q1-and-q2-letter-to-investors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/27/pershing-square-q1-and-q2-letter-to-investors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:26:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Comments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Growth Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pershing Square]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1268</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here you can find the Pershing Square Q1 and Q2 letter to investors. The Q3 letter highlights the possible consolidation<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/27/pershing-square-q1-and-q2-letter-to-investors/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here you can find the Pershing Square Q1 and Q2 letter to investors. The Q3 letter highlights the possible consolidation of the retail book industry, which increases the probability that BGP is included in that potential merger activity. The Q1 letter, talks about the $20 bid from Simon Properties and why the GGP board wisely turned it down. Enjoy the reading.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pershing-Q1-2010-Investor-Letter.pdf">Pershing-Q1-2010-Investor-Letter</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pershing-Square-Q2-10-Investor-Letter.pdf">Pershing-Square-Q2-10-Investor-Letter</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Return on capital vs return of capital</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/26/return-on-capital-vs-return-o-capital/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/26/return-on-capital-vs-return-o-capital/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:54:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domtar Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Return on capital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1266</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A high return on capital should outweigh a low return of capital in the case of Domtar Corp (UFS) at<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/08/26/return-on-capital-vs-return-o-capital/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A high return <strong>on</strong> capital should outweigh a low return <strong>of</strong> capital in the case of Domtar Corp (UFS) at current prices. In 2006, Domtar completed the acquisition of the Weyerhaeuser Fine Paper Business, which gave the company the #1 market share in North America for uncoated free sheet paper; this was a very important transaction for the company (and industry) as it turned the industry into an oligopoly.  Domtar is currently operating 10 paper mills with uncoated free sheet capacity of about 3.9mm tons and has the #1 market share in North America with about a 35% share; International Paper is #2 with about 25% share and Boise is #3 with about 10% share.</p>
<p><strong>Business:</strong></p>
<p>Domtar has three segments: (i.) Paper, which includes the uncoated free sheet manufacturing and pulp businesses, (ii.) Paper Merchant, which runs warehouses and distributes both Domtar paper and that of competitors, and (iii.) Wood, which the company has an agreement to sell and should close in the coming months.  The Wood business has been a money loser (even from an EBITDA perspective) over the past few years and the company will realize about $95mm in net cash proceeds from the sale.  The Paper Merchant business is not a meaningful cash flow perspective, but is noteworthy because sales of Domtar paper are much higher through this channel than with other distributors.</p>
<p><strong>Positives/Negatives:</strong></p>
<p>The biggest negative for the business overall is the structural industry decline of <strong>units</strong> of uncoated free sheet paper, which is due to increased use of computers, email, ipad, etc.  The management team pegs the decline in units at about 4% per annum, which we think is a reasonable estimate.  On the other hand, the consolidation of the industry has provided <strong>pricing power</strong> to the remaining players in the industry.  In fact, in one of the most difficult business environments in recent history (2008-2009) prices actually went up, which is shocking to anyone following the industry over time.</p>
<p><strong>Pulp:</strong></p>
<p>While the pure uncoated free sheet business has remained steady at about $200mm of EBITDA per quarter, the pulp business has been wildly volatile.  The pulp business lost about $75mm per quarter in the first half of 2009 and was positive by about $30mm in the 3/10Q.  The decline was primarily due to one of the sharpest declines in pricing ever in that industry.  The company has about 1.7mm ADMT per year of pulp in excess of the company&#8217;s internal requirements, which causes the swings in profitability.</p>
<p><strong>Balance Sheet:</strong></p>
<p>Net debt peaked in 2007 at about $2.4 billion following the Weyerhaeuser transaction and has steadily declined to about $1.3 billion at the end of the 3/10Q.  This can partially be attributed to strong cash flow from operations over that time frame, but also partially due to black liquor tax credits that the company received as a nice gift from the government.  I won&#8217;t get into the mechanics of the credit (Google it), but it basically provided the company with about $500mm in cash, of which the company will receive $350mm in the 6/10Q.  (Also noteworthy, the company is getting about $75mm from the Canadian government in tax credits to use to upgrade facilities.)  The company is using this cash initially to pay down debt; following a recently completed debt tender, the company should have ~$950mm of debt that is all senior notes (no bank debt) with most of the maturities after 2013.</p>
<p><strong>Cash Flow:</strong></p>
<p>Current sell-side estimates for EBITDA for 2010 and 2011 are about $1.0 billion and $900mm respectively.  We think the normalized over the next few years is about $775mm less $175mm main capex gets you to our normalized pretax unleveraged cash flow of about $600mm.  If you assume interest expense is $100mm and taxes of $125, the real free cash flow is about $375mm or about $8.75/share.  What are they going to do with all this cash if their debt is fixed for several years (and at their target leverage)?  Return it to shareholders.  The company reinstated its&#8217; dividend at $1.00/share annually and has a $150mm authorization to buy back stock, which we think will be utilized in the near future (and probably increased).</p>
<p><strong>Valuation:</strong></p>
<p>Less than 6x after-tax normalized free cash flow in a relatively unleveraged company even for a paper company with declining units is cheap.</p>
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		<title>Is LNET a bankruptcy candidate?</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/28/is-lnet-a-bankruptcy-candidate/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/28/is-lnet-a-bankruptcy-candidate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:12:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goodwill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNET]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1259</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Investment Thesis Lodge Net (NASDAQ:LNET) might be a candidate for bankruptcy filing probably for mid-2012. The current balance sheet deleveraging<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/28/is-lnet-a-bankruptcy-candidate/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Investment Thesis </strong>Lodge Net (NASDAQ:LNET) might be a candidate for bankruptcy filing probably for mid-2012. The current balance sheet deleveraging efforts are putting a cap on expenditures, which are vital element for a tech Company. These efforts cannot last long because technology rapidly changes and the Company will eventually be forced to spend again or profitability will be eroded and margins will start to decline. Lodge Net also records on its balance sheet a large amount of goodwill and intangibles, which will eventually have to be written down as a rapid shift in technology will cause these intangible assets to be worthless.</p>
<p><strong>Company description </strong>Lodge Net is a dominant provider of interactive television and media solutions solution to the hospitality industry in the US. The Company is divided in four main segments: Guest Entertainment, which provides a wide range of guest-paid entertainment options including movies, games, music and other interactive services delivered through the televisions, the Hotel Services segment, which provides services to hotels at a monthly fee, the System Sales segment, which delivers advertisement and TV commercials, and the Healthcare segment, which sells entertainment solutions to hospitals.</p>
<p><strong>The levering up period</strong> For the last couple of years, Lodge Net has been trying to deleverage its balance sheet. In 2007, Lode Net acquired two competitors through a debt offering, creating a highly leveraged Company. The deleveraging efforts have been successful so far, mainly due to reduced capital expenditures. However, this trend is not sustainable because rapid technological changes, which are inevitable, will force Lodge Net to upgrade its systems, increasing capital expenditures and decreasing free cash flow significantly. At that point, Lodge Net will be force to stop pay down debt, affecting the compliance with debt covenants under its Credit Facility.</p>
<p><strong>Misconception</strong> For the past 12 months, the company has shifted focus from increasing operating performance to optimizing its free cash flow, which has grown from 15mm in early 2009 to 23mm in Q110. The FCF is being used to reduce its long term debt which is currently at 417mm. Management is forced to undertake this strategy otherwise high leverage will cause non compliance with debt covenants in the near future. However, there is a flaw in the Management’s decision. Positive FCF is generated from reduction in capital expenditures and not from earning growth. Once Lodge Net will need to spend to keep up with new technology, capital expenditures will rise again, putting a dent on FCF and on the deleveraging efforts. The technology shift process is already in place. Lodge Net provides HD television system solutions, but its customers will eventually shift their taste, prefering 3D over HD TV for example, forcing Lodge Net to upgrade it system and write down intangibles.</p>
<p><strong>Scenarios </strong>A shift in technology and consumer taste, which I assume will occur in the next 2 years, will put the company at a crossroad. If the Company does nothing and continues to keep cap ex low and use FCF to reduce leverage, profitability will be eroded.  If the Company starts spending, it will be able to keep up with demand, but at the expense of leverage, which will remain high. Either scenario doesn’t look too good. I am working on crunching some numbers to show how the two scenarios will affect the Company.</p>
<p><strong>Goodwill and Intangibles </strong>Lodge Net has a significant amount of Goodwill and Intangibles on its balance sheet, approximately 206mm or 42% of all the assets. Considering tangible book value alone, the Company is highly overvalued at these levels.  Impairment of goodwill or intangibles will be warranted if technology or customer taste shift rapidly.</p>
<p><strong>Company vs. Peers </strong>It’s not easy to find a true comparable in the industry as the Company provides a unique product not offered by competitors. Relative valuation is not meaningful in this case.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong> Deleveraging is coming at the expense of profitability as the Company will not be able to increase its capital expenditures for some time. However, for a tech Company, R&amp;D is vital as the industry shifts quickly. Not being able to adapt to new technologies, it will put a dent on profitability. In the next post I will get into more details and work the valuation.</p>
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		<title>B/S adjustments and earnings manipulation</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/07/bs-adjustments-and-earnings-manipulation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/07/bs-adjustments-and-earnings-manipulation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:32:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Comments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goodwill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Off-balance sheet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Town Sports Int.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1256</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Adjustment Error On the previous post, I introduced a capital structure trade on Town Sports International, recommending to sell short<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/07/07/bs-adjustments-and-earnings-manipulation/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Adjustment Error</strong> On the previous post, I introduced a capital structure trade on Town Sports International, recommending to sell short the equity and to buy the 11% Senior Note. However, it was brought to my attention by an alert follower that the adjustment for off-balance sheet liabilities was a little off. The correct adjustment for operating leases is to capitalize them, adding the PV of minimum lease payments to assets and liabilities and adding rent expense or calculating EBITDAR. For Town Sports Intl, the adjustment creates an EV/EBIDTAR multiple of 7.1 and EBITDAR/Interest Expense of 1.93, a slight improvement from my previous calculations but the fundamental idea remains intact. Now I want to take some time to go over few key aspects of investing: warning signs of earning s manipulation and balance sheet adjustments.  </p>
<p><strong>Skeptical </strong>When you are valuing a company, as an investor, it is important to look at financial statements and management projections with skepticism. Sometimes management has an incentive to increase earnings or increase sales rather than maximize shareholders value. Sometimes financial statements need to be adjusted for valuation purposes, changing the picture of the overall company.</p>
<p><strong>Manipulation </strong>When financial information is reported to capital markets, security prices move. This creates a clear incentive for management to report financial performance that meets or exceeds current expectations. The target that a Company is trying to achieve is a moving benchmark: the consensus sell –side analyst forecast. Investors need to be particularly skeptical about reporting earnings when: top management has a significant portion of vested options in the money, the company is trying to maintain a track record of successively meeting analyst forecasts and is looking to raise additional financing. The presence of these risk factors can provide an incentive to accelerate recognition of earnings or report aggressive earnings, which are transitory and non-persistent. A good example is Microstrategy. Between the end of 1999 and early 2000, the stock price of Microstrategy rose from $25 to above $300. But in March 2000, they announced a restatement of earnings because they accelerated the recognition of revenue by booking legitimate future sales orders in the current fiscal period. At a first glance, this doesn’t seem particularly egregious: after all, these would have been legitimate sales. But placed in the context of significant capital market pressures, where analysts and investors were looking for exponential sales growth to support very lofty stock prices, the front loading of revenues allowed Microstrategy to report very large revenue increases over the 1998-1999 period. When investors learned that this run up in sales was the result of front loading future sales, there was a quick correction in price. Did management knowingly accelerated earnings recognition? We will probably never know that but it&#8217;s beyond our point. A skeptical view on earnings report will help you identify potential manipulations.</p>
<p><strong>Adjustments </strong>I will now introduce a brief discussion on two balance sheet issues, off-balance sheet debt and goodwill. Off-balance sheet debt includes items not reported in the body of the balance sheet but that might be associated with an obligation for future payments. The classic example is leases. US GAAP recognizes two types of leases (operating and capital) and provides different accounting rules for each. The treatment of operating leases relative to capital leases is dramatically different. An operating lease treats the cash outflow associated with the lease as a rental expense, which will be recorded on the income statement. With a capital lease, the PV of minimum lease payments is recognized on both assets and liabilities at the inception of the lease, and amortized over the life of the lease. Companies have a strong preference for operating leases, as this keeps the lease obligation off the balance sheet. The use of operating leases is pervasive in the retail sector with companies such as Walgreen, Wal-Mart, CVS and others having very large off-balance sheet operating leases obligations. The consequence of bringing these leases onto the balance sheet will be to increase leverage ratios; and depending on how these companies amortize the value of their assets, there could also be significant impact on reported earnings.</p>
<p>When a company acquires another company and records part of the acquisition price as goodwill, the goodwill is capitalized as an asset and no periodic amortization charges are taken against it. Instead, companies evaluate goodwill and other acquired intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever circumstances indicate that the value of such an asset is impaired. Disclosures for goodwill can be found in the supplemental information to the financial statements. Investors should look carefully at changes (or the absence of an impairment given overall economic conditions) in reported goodwill. Companies that continue to report goodwill on their balance sheet, but they have a market capitalization less than book value of equity, are certainly worth an examination to understand why an impairment charge was not taken.</p>
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		<title>Capital Structure Idea on Town Sports Int.</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/06/10/capital-structure-idea-on-town-sports-int/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/06/10/capital-structure-idea-on-town-sports-int/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:28:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Equities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Town Sports Int.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Investment Thesis Short Town Sports International (NASDAQ:CLUB) common stock and buy the Company’s 11% Senior Discount Notes. The amount of<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/06/10/capital-structure-idea-on-town-sports-int/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Investment Thesis </strong>Short Town Sports International (NASDAQ:CLUB) common stock and buy the Company’s 11% Senior Discount Notes. The amount of off-balance sheet liabilities adds a significant risk to equity holders, as the Company could face Bankruptcy (small chance but tangible). On the other hand, the Notes are undervalued with strong multiple and coverage ratios.</p>
<p><strong>Intro</strong> Town is the second largest owner and operator of fitness clubs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and the fifth largest fitness club owner and operator in the United States. The Company operates 161 fitness clubs under four key regional brand names; “New York Sports Clubs” (NYSC), “Boston Sports Clubs” (BSC), “Philadelphia Sports Clubs” (PSC) and “Washington Sports Clubs” (WSC).</p>
<p><strong>Industry Description </strong>The US fitness club industry is a growth industry and in the last decade has experienced a moderated growth with a CAGR of 6.8%, higher than the overall economy. According to the most recent information released by the International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association, or IHRSA, the industry grew from $10.6 billion in 1999 to $19.1 billion in 2008. During the economic recession of the last two years, attendance at health clubs has increased nearly 7%.</p>
<p><strong>Competition </strong>The level of competition comes on the basis of price, level of service and convenience of location. Primary competitors include Equinox Holdings, Inc., Lifetime Fitness (NASDAQ:LTM), Inc., Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, LA Fitness International LLC, 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation and other YMCA/small privately held clubs. Town is in the mid-range of the value/service ratio as prices are affordable and designed to appeal to a large portion of the population who utilize fitness facilities.</p>
<p><strong>Capital Structure </strong>As of March 31 2010<strong>, </strong>Consolidated Debt amounts to $317,900M and it’s comprised of $185,000M TL Facility (almost fully drawn), $75,000M Revolver and $138,500M of 11% Senior Discount Notes. The Notes (Hold Co Notes) are unsecured, structurally subordinated and ranked junior to the Bank Debt. Cash on hand is 25,000M and equity (shares outstanding) amounts to 60,356M. The Company has significant amount of operating leases from rentals (PV of minimum lease payments amounts to $844,911M), which represent off-balance sheet liabilities that need to be capitalized.</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="194">
<colgroup span="1">
<col span="1" width="125"></col>
<col span="1" width="69"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="125" height="20">EBITDA</td>
<td width="69" align="right">84,700</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Plus:Op. Leases</td>
<td align="right">82,227</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adj. EBITDA</td>
<td align="right">166,927</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Minus:Depr SL 20Y</td>
<td align="right">(42,246)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adj. EBIT </td>
<td align="right">124,681</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Capitalization</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">TL</td>
<td align="right">179,500</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Hold Co Note @ 85</td>
<td align="right">117,725</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Equity</td>
<td align="right">58,774</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Cash</td>
<td align="right">25,000</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">PV Leases @ 8%</td>
<td align="right">844,911</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">EV</td>
<td align="right">330,999</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adj. EV for Leases</td>
<td align="right">1,175,910</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Multiples</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">EV/EBTIDA</td>
<td align="right">3.91</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adj. EV/EBITDA</td>
<td align="right">9.43</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Int Exp on LTD</td>
<td align="right">19,000</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Lease Exp @ 8%</td>
<td align="right">67,492</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Total Int Exp</td>
<td align="right">86,492</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">EBITDA/Int Exp</td>
<td align="right">4.46</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adj EBITDA/Int Exp</td>
<td align="right">1.44</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Valuation</strong> Based on estimated 2010 EBITDA of $84,700M , Town  trades at an adjusted multiple of EBITDA of 9.43, which is much higher compared to the only true publicly traded company, Life Time Fitness (NASDAQ:LTM), which trades at multiple of 7.6. Town’s equity is overvalued on a relative bases, considering that the Company has a lower growth rate and higher required rate of return Life Time Fitness. For this reasons, Town should be trading at a multiple of 5-6 after adjustment for off-balance sheet liabilities. In this scenario, the equity should be zero. On the other hand, the 11% Hold Co notes are undervalued because of a low leverage and high coverage ratios. The Notes are subordinated to bank debt but they are well covered from a valuation prospective and can enjoy a significant recovery in a reorganization scenario.  </p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="256">
<colgroup span="1">
<col span="4" width="64"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="3" width="192" height="20">Hold Co Notes Ratios</td>
<td width="64"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Leverage </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">3.51</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="2" height="20">EBITDA/Int Exp </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">5.56</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="3" height="20">(EBITDA-Capex)/Int Exp</td>
<td align="right">3.26</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Catalysts </strong>Refinancing and improving fundamentals (higher EBITDA from increasing membership revenue) will be the two major catalysts for an appreciation of the Notes up to par. The Company expects to refinance the Notes prior to their maturity date in 2014. If they are refinanced before August 2013, which is the last day to keep the TL in place, the annualized return is 16%.</p>
<p><strong>Risks </strong>There is a small but tangible chance of Bankruptcy. Deterioration in memberships due to a decrease in consumer spending and increasing competition could severely affect the Company’s fundamentals and force bankruptcy. A deterioration in the Company’s credit rating could impair the ability to access capital markets.</p>
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		<title>Analysis of Chemtura Corp bonds</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/04/02/analysis-of-chemtura-corp-bonds/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/04/02/analysis-of-chemtura-corp-bonds/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:37:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chemtura Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restructuring Plan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.notananalyst.com/?p=1227</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Synopsis Chemtura Corp is among the largest publicly traded chemical Companies in the United States, dedicated to the manufacturing and<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/04/02/analysis-of-chemtura-corp-bonds/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Synopsis</strong> Chemtura Corp is among the largest publicly traded chemical Companies in the United States, dedicated to the manufacturing and marketing of specialty chemical products. The Company filed for bankruptcy protection on March 18, 2009, as a result of a sharp decline in demand for its products and restricted access to credit. The Debtor has until June 2010 to file a plan of reorganization and it estimates to emerge from bankruptcy by the 3<sup>rd</sup> Q of 2010.</p>
<p><strong>Investment Thesis </strong>Buy the 7% 2009 notes as they provide an attractive risk/reward ratio compared to other debt in the capital structure. The notes trade around 107 cents on the dollar and have virtually no downside and have significant upside potential if converted into equity.</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="448">
<colgroup span="1">
<col span="7" width="64"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="4" width="256" height="20">(All figures in millions &#8211; as of 04/01/2010)</td>
<td width="64"> </td>
<td width="64"> </td>
<td width="64"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="5" height="20">(Source: Fidelity Investments and SEC Filings)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td colspan="2" height="21">Capital Structure</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="2" height="20">DIP Term Loan</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">300</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="3" height="20">DIP Revolved &#8211; Unused</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">DIP Total</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">450</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="3" height="20">2007 Seniro Credit Facility</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">154</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="5" height="20">6.875% Sr Unsecured Guaranteed Note due 2016</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">500</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="5" height="20">7% Sr Unsecured Guaranteed Note due 2009</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">370</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="5" height="20">6.875% Unsecured Non-Guaranteed Note due 2026</td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="3" height="20">Other (Revenue Bond)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Total Debt</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td align="right">1477</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Valuation</strong> The Company is worth around $2,000 mm, which should cover all the unsecured debt and existing liabilities, including a large diacetyl claim. The valuation is based on 2009 EBITDA growth of 10% to 18% and a multiple of 7.72 derived from comparable Companies.</p>
<p><strong>EBITDA</strong> In 2010, EBITDA will range between $285 and $300 mm, which represents a growth of 10% to 18% from 2009 levels. The growth is justified by a stronger demand for the Company’s products and emergence from bankruptcy. Peak cycle EBITDA was recorded around $400-450 mm during 2005-2007, but these level will be probably be attainable after 2015.</p>
<p><strong>Multiple </strong>The 6.78 multiple represents an average of the EV/2010E EBITDA multiple extracted from Companies in the industry with similar fundamentals like market capitalization and debt (Albermale-ALB, Ashland-ASH and Lubrizol-LZ). I applied a 10% growth rate to the 2009 EBITDA level of the Companies analyzed. For reference, Chemtura’s market capitalization in 2007 was $1,050 and total debt to capital was 38.2%.</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="272">
<colgroup span="1">
<col span="2" width="64"></col>
<col span="1" width="80"></col>
<col span="1" width="64"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="21">
<td colspan="2" width="128" height="21">Industry Average</td>
<td width="80"> </td>
<td width="64"> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td height="21"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="2" height="20">EV/2009 EBITDA</td>
<td> </td>
<td>8.87</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td colspan="2" height="20">EV/2010E EBITDA</td>
<td> </td>
<td>7.72</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr height="21">
<td colspan="2" height="21">Toral Debt/Capital</td>
<td> </td>
<td>36.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Capital Structure</strong> The DIP loan was refinanced at a lower rate on February 12 and increased by $50 mm to $450 mm to fund bankruptcy charges and ongoing capital requirements. The Term Loan, which constitutes part of DIP financing, has been fully drawn as of February 12. Borrowing under the 2007 Credit Facility were $154 mm as of January 31<sup>st</sup> 2010, however this amount can increase following the drawing of certain letters of credit issued under the Facility. The 2009 notes<strong> </strong>and the 2016 notes<strong> </strong>are<strong> </strong>senior unsecured and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries. The 2026 notes<strong> </strong>senior unsecured parent Company notes and are not guaranteed by any subsidiary.  </p>
<p><strong>2009 Notes </strong>Senior unsecured and guaranteed by Great Lakes Chemical, a subsidiary of the Debtor, which merged with Crompton Corp. to form Chemtura Corp. in 2005. In virtue of their maturity, the notes cannot be reinstated. In the worst case scenario, they’ll be repaid out at par plus post-petition interest. In the best case scenario, they’ll be converted to equity and participate in an upside potential materially above par. <em> </em></p>
<p><strong>Other Liabilities</strong> The Debtor is subject to various other legacy liabilities, including environmental liabilities, estimated to be around $146 mm over 10 years, pension and OPEB (other-post-retirement-obligations) of about $172 mm. The Company, primarily through its non-Debtor subsidiary, Chemtura Canada, is also exposed to diacetyl litigation, estimated around $300 mm. Claims have been filed arguing that exposure to diacetyl, a chemical used to enhance and mimic food flavorings, caused workers to develop a disease that affected their lungs.</p>
<p><strong>Risks </strong>The 2009 notes have virtually no downside risk. However, the risk of reinstatement for the 2016 and 2026 notes, will force repayment for the 2009 notes. The negative pledge clause in the notes would be triggered, so the notes would need to be reinstated as secured debt. In case of a debt to equity conversion,<strong> </strong>the creditors will have a lower claim on the Company’s assets if the Equity Committee will push for a high valuation above $2,500 mm.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Chemtura_Analysis.xlsx"></a></p>
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		<title>The battle over GGP valuation</title>
		<link>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/01/30/the-battle-over-ggp-valuation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/01/30/the-battle-over-ggp-valuation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:38:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>michelangelo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Restructuring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Distressed Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Growth Properties]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Recent turmoil In the past few weeks, there have been a number of reports from different individuals trying to value<a href="http://www.notananalyst.com/2010/01/30/the-battle-over-ggp-valuation/" class="searchmore">Read the Rest...</a><div class="clr"></div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Recent turmoil</strong> In the past few weeks, there have been a number of reports from different individuals trying to value GGP and unfold how much equity will be created through reorganization. There are a lot of uncertainties over how much GGP is worth and we might see a valuation battle between the creditors and the owners. It’s clear that the Committees representing each side have different views: the Unsecured Creditors will want a lower valuation so they can have a higher equity stake and the shareholders will want a higher valuation so they can retain a higher residual stake.</p>
<p>For those who have not been following the GGP bankruptcy story, I will offer a brief synopsis:</p>
<ul>
<li>As of January 25, the restructuring of 74 secured mortgage loans aggregating approximately 9.4 billion has been completed. As a result, 180 GGP subsidiary debtors owning 96 properties are no longer in bankruptcy.</li>
<li>The restructuring of the remaining 16 loans aggregating approximately 2.1 billion was approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2009 and January 2010 and is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.</li>
<li>GGP has recently engaged UBS Investment Bank to assist the Company with exit strategies and Miller Buckfire &amp; Co., LLC as a financial advisor and investment banker.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now it all boils down to a restructuring plan for the remaining 2,590 mm in Bank Debt and 4,000 mm in Unsecured Debt. Valuation is rarely litigated in court; usually the Creditors and Equity Committee will submit a plan of reorganization which implies a valuation of the Debtor they both agreed upon. But in the case of GGP, there might be large discrepancies between Creditors and Owner, and we might see a valuation battle between the two. The Company is contractually obligated to de-lever its balance sheet based on the loan extension agreements with the Secured Mortgage Loans. Also, the fact that all the 6,590 mm remaining liabilities could be potentially reinstated at par and still have substantial equity left, it doesn’t mean that the Bankruptcy Court will allow it, as the Judge has to make sure that the Debtor will be able to survive as a going concern through another financial downturn.</p>
<p><strong>Key ingredients</strong> Let’s look at some key elements that will play a pivotal role in the valuation process:</p>
<p>Ownership: There is a strong bias towards generating a high equity value. The Company is held by insiders, the Bucksbaum family has a 25% ownership and William Ackman, which is Director and a member of the Board, has a 20% ownership.</p>
<p>Equity Committee: An honorable member is Luis A. Bucksbaum, ex-CEO of the Company, which will push for a high valuation, given the large equity interest by his family.</p>
<p>UBS compensation: The Investment Bank charges several fees, but the discretionary fee that caught my attention. There is a completion fee comprised of the greater of 17,500 mm and 0.33% on any amount by which the equity recovery exceeds 1,000 mm. UBS will be indifferent between the two if the residual equity is 5,300 mm or 16.6 dollars a share. This is an incentive for UBS to maximize shareholders’ value.</p>
<p>A Valuation Expert: If the creditors and owner cannot agree on a valuation, the Court will consider the opinion of a third party independent and credible expert. This could be good news for GGP as the positive report from William Ackman, which value the Debtor between 42 and 24 dollars a share, is highly valued and recognized by other institutions and Hedge Funds.</p>
<p>Hovde Capital: The Hedge Fund that highly criticized Pershing Square Capital valuation and rates the Company at 5 dollars a share will have no weight in Court. The Hedge Fund is not a member of any committee, doesn’t own any equity or debt and it’s not a valuation expert.</p>
<p><strong>De-leveraging</strong> How will de-leveraging be achieved? Two of the Rouse Bonds were due in 2009, and the Company will probably repay them at par plus post petition accrued interest. The 1,990 mm Term Loan under the 2006 Credit Facility will be refinanced with an Exit Facility and the 590 mm Revolver will be repaid in full. Eurohypo AG is the only creditor under the 2006 Facility and it’s a member of the Creditor Committee. How will the Debtor come up with the cash to pay off the bonds and Revolver ? With proceeds from equity issuance. If the three remaining Rouse bonds and the GGP LP notes, amounting to 1,650 mm and 1,550 mm respectively, are converted into new common, leverage will significantly decrease and equity will increase by 3,200 mm. That would mean that shareholders will face substantial dilution, probably around 40%. Let’s assume that the residual equity is valued at 5,000 mm, an addition 3,200 mm in equity will mean a 39% dilution for shareholders.</p>
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