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$AVNR Very upbeat story at the DB Health Care Conference. Personally I think this could hit $4 short term. May 30, 2013
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$RMCF More about the company, read http://seekingalpha.com/a/m6q7 May 18, 2013
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$RMCF could fuel now cereal project with Kellogg is hitting some selected stores. http://bit.ly/12jdNB7 May 18, 2013
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Cleantech Solutions, What Happened Last Week?
In my article "3 China Stocks For 2013" I was bullish about Cleantech Solutions (CLNT) going forward. Looking to several fundamentals of the company, Cleantech was severely undervalued even when you take the "China Discount" of 30% in consideration.
Last Wednesday the company announced that it has become a certified supplier of components to China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). This positive message was well received by the market. China's oil and natural gas industry is a new end market for the company, that is expected to contribute to Q3 revenues.
But does this news explain the surge in stock price? From $3.75 to a closing price of $9.67 on Wednesday. A profit of more than 158%.
CLNT data by YCharts
A reason for the spike in stock price could be related to the company's S-3 filing.
In order to sell common stocks and other securities, a company must register them with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The form you choose will depend on the size of the company as well as the type of securities you are registering. In this case, Cleantech was able to use the short form S-3, because the company's float is less than $75 million.
Cleantech's offering price of up to $5,000,000 could already be consummated last Wednesday.
Another plausible reason is just the fact that from a fundamental view the company is undervalued and until now recognized by the market.
The company's first quarter 2013 were good. Revenues increased 47.6% to $13.9 million, compared to $9.4 million for the same period of 2012. Revenue from the sale of forged rolled rings to the wind power industry and other industries increased 16.9% to $6.5 million, compared to $5.6 million. Gross profit increased with 66.3% to $3.1 million and gross margin increased to 22.5% from 20.0%.
The increase in gross margin for the first quarter was primarily attributable to:
Net income was $1.6 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $0.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share.
In 2013, the company expects their dyeing machine segment to continue to perform well. Cleantech mentioned that they have a number of new contracts in the pipeline. One of these contracts was officially announced last Wednesday. So we are curious which contracts have still to be announced.
Final Note
It is expected that the company's EPS 2013 will be above $2. With the current price of $7.68, there is still undervaluation left. Despite that we took some money from the table by selling our entire position and are looking now for a new entry price for the stock.
Cleantech Solutions is still a trader's playing ball and day traders use it to reap daily profits. We are still waiting if the company will be responsive to Geoinvesting's request of an independent verification of cash accounts and independent verification of the company's SAIC/SAT filings.
Despite that it offers great value below $10, only sometimes it's better to take profits and wait a little.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, but may initiate a long position in CLNT over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
A Small Canadian Health Care Provider With Potential
The landscape of healthcare is changing and whoever is smart will watch closely. With the introduction of Obamacare in 2013, the US stands to see a substantial increase in the number of insured individuals. And because the correlation between time and age has always been positive, Uncle Sam will be attending to millions of North Americans turning 65 yearly, their growing healthcare bill in tow.
While the US moves towards a government dominated system, familiar in Europe and Canada, the latter are beginning to loosen the reigns, creating an interesting effect where the two systems shall meet in the middle.
After reading Bain and Company's 2013 Global Healthcare Private Equity Report, I became interested in acquisition targets in the healthcare services field. One such target, Greenestone Healthcare Corp. is positioned well for growth, trading in the US while operating in Canada, where supplementary care is attractive and in high demand. The company could quite possibly be a diamond in the rough, easy to miss if you are not watching.
In total, $21 billion worth of private equity capital was invested in healthcare companies in 2012. The shape of deal activity shifted in 2012, with fewer mega-deals and more middle market deals. Interest in the healthcare provider and services sector outstripped other sectors in 2012.
Top 10 healthcare private equity buyout deals announced in 2012
(click to enlarge)
The provider and services sector leads North American buyouts, while activity is more evenly distributed in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
(click to enlarge)
Macro Environment North America
Healthcare private equity buyout activity in North America is dominated by the US where both cost pressures and incentives to contain costs are robust. US-based employers, especially the larger employers that typically subsidize healthcare insurance for employees, have long been trying to contain their costs for pragmatic reasons. Legislative reforms-namely the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)-are expected to accelerate the trend by creating more incentives for healthcare organizations and insurance companies to reduce costs themselves while improving outcomes.
For the most part, private equity investors in the US are looking to ride the trends that have been set in motion or accelerated by healthcare reform, such as cost containment, payment reform, new care-delivery models and hospital-physician alignment, without getting ensnared in the uncertainty about future reimbursement levels.
That theme has led to meaningful increases in the number of deals within the provider and services categories with more limited or indirect reimbursement risk, such as retail health, healthcare-related IT and outsourced services; however, an influx of new entrants in these "healthcare light" sectors is leading to increased valuations and trickier return equations.
Looking ahead, there is no question that healthcare investing remains attractive, thanks to the unique combination of stability and innovation it offers. Fortunately, some of the major drivers of the market are trending in investors' favor. Debt is cheap, making it easier to finance deals, and the hunting ground is large. At the same time, the stock market is rebounding and the appetite of strategic buyers remains strong, portending more and bigger exits. These are ripe conditions for investors with healthcare expertise to achieve excellent returns if they choose the right opportunities.
Within the provider and services sector that was so popular in 2012, consolidation opportunities should remain plentiful. Healthcare reform in multiple countries is intensifying the drive toward better outcomes at lower costs, such as in Canada, as more providers aim to get smarter about their operations, both in terms of supply chains and treatment outcomes.
Healthcare continues to be an attractive area not only for private equity investment, but also for private investors alike, thanks to its historically strong returns and low default rates.
The following three companies could be interesting acquisition targets going forward.
Vanguard Health Systems
Vanguard Health Systems, Inc. (VHS) is an operator of healthcare delivery networks with a presence in various urban and suburban markets. The company had 28 acute care and specialty hospitals with 6424 licensed beds with outpatient facilities and related businesses, which allow it to provide a range of inpatient and outpatient services in the communities it serves.
The company has about $6 billion in revenue and management. Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, and Capital Partners own 60% of the company. The stock trades around $15, with price targets between $15 and $18. Most analysts consider the company a BUY.
LifePoint Hospitals
LifePoint Hospitals (LPNT) was founded in 1999 and has grown to a leading hospital company with more than $3.5 billion in revenues and nearly 60 hospital campuses in 20 states.
The company's fourth quarter revenues from continuing operations grew to $893 million, up 14% from the same period last year. EBITDA was $135 million, up 3.8% over last year and EPS was $0.76, exceeding the high end of the adjusted guidance range. And for the year, revenues from continuing operations were up 12% compared to 2011. EBITDA increased 1.8% over the prior year and EPS was $3.14.
During 2012, LifePoint completed three hospital acquisitions with over $400 million in annualized revenues. Management indicates that their acquisition pipeline remains very active.
During the past several years the company has taken a deliberate approach to invest in growth opportunities and maintaining a balanced capital deployment strategy. Since 2010, approximately $470 million was spent to acquire nine hospitals with approximately $700 million in annual revenues.
During this same time, the company invested $600 million in CapEx to support organic growth and quality initiatives and the company repurchased $400 million in stock, representing approximately 20% of LifePoint's outstanding common shares.
Given LifePoint's strong cash flow, the company can invest more going forward without increasing leverage. The stock trades around $45, with price targets between $36 and $48. Most analysts consider the company a HOLD.
GreeneStone Healthcare Corp.
GreeneStone Healthcare Corp.(GRST.OB) is a Canadian healthcare company listed in the US focusing on mental health and behavioral treatment. The company is an attractive candidate to play the role of the next big healthcare sector private equity buyout target. The company has had early success building and operating a residential treatment facility, along with an outpatient and aftercare facility. With their 2013 expansion plans, GreeneStone is poised for its next major phase of revenue growth.
The company operates in a highly underserviced sub-sector of the healthcare space that has been undergoing consolidation in the recent past. Private equity and strategic buyers have scooped up many of the available facilities in the US at valuations averaging $800K - $900K per bed. With many niche service areas still untouched (such as eating disorders), GreeneStone is capitalizing on this opportunity by opening complementary practice areas through a 'buy and build' growth strategy.
On April 2, 2013 the company released their 2012 results. For the twelve months ending December 31, 2012, the company reported total revenues increase of 230% to $5,540,909, as compared to $1,678,804 for the same period in 2011. For the same twelve-month period, the company reported total net loss of ($1,553,797), or ($0.08) EPS, compared to ($2,462,288), or ($0.34) EPS for the same period ending in 2011.
This increase in revenue was mainly attributable to a steady increase in business volume since the company began operations. The company believes that revenue growth will continue to increase steadily and the company will become more profitable as most of its costs, such as rent and salaries and wages are relatively fixed, and therefore will reduce, as a percentage, as business and bed capacity volume grows.
Shawn Leon, President and Chief Executive Officer of GreeneStone Healthcare Corporation, commented, "The Company expected these operational results for the fiscal year 2012, and we anticipate even stronger growth in 2013 where we have all the reasons to believe that by the end of our second quarter the Company will be profitable."
The 'buy and build' growth strategy will lead to expansion in their current addiction treatment capacity to 184 beds from 36 beds through strategic acquisitions and internal growth.
Final Note
Healthcare in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded system that covers all "medically necessary" hospital and physician care, as well as prescription drugs for seniors, and curbs the role of private medicine.
While the system has widespread public and political support, costs have soared well above the rate of inflation and are expected to climb further as the baby-boom generation ages.
It is often stated that Canadian healthcare costs much less than American healthcare. This is of course a myth. Canadian costs are set per procedure. Hidden healthcare costs are high in Canada because of excessive wait times. The costs of under or non-performance at work due to these longer wait times are huge costs on employers and the economy, not to mention the individual patients who are laid up. These are the hidden factors that hide the massive cost of universal healthcare in Canada.
Changes are needed include more treatment of patients outside of hospitals - GreeneStone's medical clinics are a great opportunity to play the healthcare field in Canada.
From a valuation point of view, Healthcare provides the most upside potential. GreeneStone currently trades at an implied per bed valuation of $160,000, a discount of 68% to the very conservative rate for facilities acquisitions of ~$500,000. The current valuation of $0.21 looks absurd and I think with the coming expansion plans the stock price could see a nice short term rebound to levels above $1.00. Current analysts target prices are around $5.
Private investors can still jump on the bandwagon before private equity steps in.
Disclosure: I am long GRST.OB.
Cooling Down With Majesco Entertainment
In my first article first article about Majesco Entertainment (COOL) I was thrilled about motion-controlled games. The greatness of motion controlled gaming is that it is immersive, entertaining and, above all else, fun. Personally I am still waiting for a great sword game where you can fight as a real knight with a sword in your hands. Majesco is the right company to bring this game to millions of wannabe knights.
Majesco's Q3 results were quite disappointing, so I sold my shares with a 12 cent loss and will wait for a better entry point. The poor results are blamed on seasonality and "challenging retail conditions for interactive entertainment." Wii game sales (61% of total) fell 60% year-over-year to $5.5 million. Majesco now expects FQ4 results to be "in the lower end" of a revenue guidance range of $130 million - $140 million and an EPS range of $0.20-$0.30.
Personally I found those excuses weak, maybe because I am not familiar with the gaming business. A brilliant investor would say "invest in what you know". I knew the financials and I thought I could predict the future, but I guess I was wrong this time.
I already mentioned in my former article that the company is depending too much on their Zumba Fitness franchise. Sales of Zumba products accounted for approximately 79% of Majesco's sales during the 9-month period compared with 70% a year ago. Depending on such small number of "hit" titles attracts competitors that could develop something similar or better and take away sales or reduce the ability to get a premium price.
If their latest releases NBA Baller Beats and Mini Putt Park can turn the coin the coming quarters the stock price could run to levels of $1.75 again, but for now I am looking for a new entrance at $1. The technical picture looks very weak, so we will see what happens the coming months.
Detailed Opinion as of Monday, Sep 17th, 2012
Source: www.barchart.com
Final Note
Last week, NBA Baller Beats was launched as the first-ever full body motion-based NBA licensed video game that lets you perform like a pro using a real basketball. At Amazon it received already some good reviews. I think this game could become a "hit" title too, just like their Zumba Fitness franchise.
The holiday period will be crucial for the company's future, especially because Nintendo's "Wii U" will hit US store shelves on November 18 and aims to lure gamers back from the internet and mobile devices.
The Wii U will allow users to make personal TV and video programming lists and record shows through TiVo and other digital recording services.
The Wii U is the first console machine to be sold by a major gaming industry company in more than six years. With a new Microsoft Xbox and updated Sony Playstation expected in 2013, sales will offer clues as to whether more advanced, next-generation game hardware can boost the ailing video game console and packaged games market.
The Wii has been a bonanza for Nintendo (NTDOY.PK), with 100 million sold, but demand is waning. In the three months to June 30, Wii sales more than halved to 710,000 from 1.56 million a year earlier.
For Majesco Entertainment the last quarter of 2012 and the year 2013 are important because it could lead to unexpected high growth numbers if gaming fans start to embrace the video game console market again.
The company's current line-up of interesting new games such as NBA Baller Beats could bring renewed interest in the stock again. If sales succeed expectations investors are going to jump on the bandwagon again.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.