Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>WTR-CMI last week. After the momentous US election, the stock market has rallied on expectations of lower regulations, lower taxes, and a more confrontational approach to China and other geopolitical adversaries.</li><li>Last week saw some profit taking across the market, with the Russell 2000, which we view as a better proxy for the broader market, declining 4%, with the large- cap, tech-heavy S&amp;P 500 posting a 2.1% decline.</li><li>Our WTR-CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials companies fared similarly, losing 2.2% of its value. </li></ul>

WTR-CMI last week. After the momentous US election, the stock market has rallied on expectations of lower regulations, lower taxes, and a more confrontational approach to China and other geopolitical adversaries.Last week saw some profit taking across the market, with the Russell 2000, which we view as a better proxy for the broader market, declining 4%, with the large- cap, tech-heavy S&amp;P 500 posting a 2.1% decline.Our WTR-CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials companies fared similarly, losing 2.2% of its value. 

Mat-Chem Notes - Growth Remains Elusive as Geopolitics of Battery Metals Heats Up

<ul><li>Elections have consequences. The November 2024 elections in the US have ushered in not just a change in political landscape for the country and the makeup of the federal government but are likely to result in material changes to government policies and priorities for 2025 and beyond.</li><li>These include international trade, the federal regulatory environment, and tax policies that can affect consumer sentiment, company strategies when it comes to capital deployment, and end market dynamics.</li><li>While specifics could emerge in the coming months, we expect modest inflationary pressures from expected tariffs on imported goods to be largely offset by more constructive energy policies, tax incentives, and a reduced federal regulatory burden, along with a reduced federal government role in economic decision-making to lead to an improvement in economic growth in 2025.</li></ul>

Elections have consequences. The November 2024 elections in the US have ushered in not just a change in political landscape for the country and the makeup of the federal government but are likely to result in material changes to government policies and priorities for 2025 and beyond.These include international trade, the federal regulatory environment, and tax policies that can affect consumer sentiment, company strategies when it comes to capital deployment, and end market dynamics.While specifics could emerge in the coming months, we expect modest inflationary pressures from expected tariffs on imported goods to be largely offset by more constructive energy policies, tax incentives, and a reduced federal regulatory burden, along with a reduced federal government role in economic decision-making to lead to an improvement in economic growth in 2025.

The US Elections' Impact on 2025 Outlook - November 13, 2024

<ul><li>WTR-CMI this week. In a tough week for the market, the WTR- CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials technology stocks dipped 0.6%, while the large-cap heavy S&amp;P 500 declined 1.4%, with the Russell 2000 inching up 0.1%.</li><li>Strong rebounds in NGVT, ECVT, LAC, PLL, and AXTA nearly offset sharp declines in EAF, CMP, and HXL. YTD, our index is slightly outperforming the Russell 2000, increasing 10.4% versus the broader index’s 9.0% improvement, although both trail the S&amp;P 500’s 20.1% increase.</li><li>On a Y/Y basis, the WTR-CMI Index has narrowed the performance gap with the S&amp;P 500, improving 32.9% versus the large-cap index’s 35.2% appreciation, with the Russell 2000 bringing up the rear with a 32.4% rebound.</li></ul>

WTR-CMI this week. In a tough week for the market, the WTR- CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials technology stocks dipped 0.6%, while the large-cap heavy S&amp;P 500 declined 1.4%, with the Russell 2000 inching up 0.1%.Strong rebounds in NGVT, ECVT, LAC, PLL, and AXTA nearly offset sharp declines in EAF, CMP, and HXL. YTD, our index is slightly outperforming the Russell 2000, increasing 10.4% versus the broader index’s 9.0% improvement, although both trail the S&amp;P 500’s 20.1% increase.On a Y/Y basis, the WTR-CMI Index has narrowed the performance gap with the S&amp;P 500, improving 32.9% versus the large-cap index’s 35.2% appreciation, with the Russell 2000 bringing up the rear with a 32.4% rebound.

Mat-Chem Notes - Supply-Demand Balancing Act and Geopolitics of Energy Transition

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a></strong> has reached an agreement to buy <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arcadium-lithium-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40438:1" rel="noopener">Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arcadium-lithium-plc-2f9bfa3a-65a7-41f9-a157-e59603846420" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40439:1" rel="noopener">(ALTM US)</a></strong> for US$5.85/share (~A$8.70/share), a ~90% premium to the October 4th closing price of $US3.08/share.</li>
<li>Terms remain below where Arcadium was trading back in January of this year. But it is perhaps disingenuous to call the Offer Price opportunistic. More a counter-cyclical move.</li>
<li>The Scheme Offer is subject to a 75% shareholder vote and minimal regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025. The long stop is the 9th October 2025.</li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) has reached an agreement to buy Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU)/(ALTM US) for US$5.85/share (~A$8.70/share), a ~90% premium to the October 4th closing price of $US3.08/share.
Terms remain below where Arcadium was trading back in January of this year. But it is perhaps disingenuous to call the Offer Price opportunistic. More a counter-cyclical move.
The Scheme Offer is subject to a 75% shareholder vote and minimal regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025. The long stop is the 9th October 2025.


Rio Tinto/Arcadium: More Brine To Compliment Rocks

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

<ul>
<li>On October 9, Rio Tinto agreed to acquire Arcadium Lithium through a Jersey scheme of arrangement for $5.85/share, a 90% premium, valuing Arcadium’s diluted share capital at $6.7 billion.</li>
<li>As of October 4, Arcadium shares on the NYSE had fallen by approximately 54.1% since listing. Rio Tinto is taking advantage of low lithium prices to acquire high-quality lithium assets.</li>
<li>The offer price is generous: 17.3x 25e EBITDA vs. closest comparable Albemarle Corp (ALB US) at 12.2x 25e EBITDA. Gross spread is 5.1%. I set my PT at $5.85. Long.</li>
</ul>


On October 9, Rio Tinto agreed to acquire Arcadium Lithium through a Jersey scheme of arrangement for $5.85/share, a 90% premium, valuing Arcadium’s diluted share capital at $6.7 billion.
As of October 4, Arcadium shares on the NYSE had fallen by approximately 54.1% since listing. Rio Tinto is taking advantage of low lithium prices to acquire high-quality lithium assets.
The offer price is generous: 17.3x 25e EBITDA vs. closest comparable Albemarle Corp (ALB US) at 12.2x 25e EBITDA. Gross spread is 5.1%. I set my PT at $5.85. Long.


United States

Albemarle Corporation produces specialty and fine chemicals.  The Company's chemicals are additives to or intermediates for plastics, polymers and elastomers, cleaning products, agricultural compounds, pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, drilling compounds, and biocides.  Albemarle produces the majority of its products in the United States.

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Albemarle Corp (ALB US)

Mat-Chem Notes - Growth Remains Elusive as Geopolitics of Battery Metals Heats Up

After the momentous US election, the stock market has rallied on expectations of lower regulations, lower taxes, and a more confrontational...

Water Tower Research

The US Elections' Impact on 2025 Outlook - November 13, 2024

While specifics could emerge in the coming months, we expect modest inflationary pressures from expected tariffs on imported goods to be largely...

Water Tower Research

Mat-Chem Notes - Supply-Demand Balancing Act and Geopolitics of Energy Transition

In a tough week for the market, the WTR- CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials technology stocks dipped 0.6%, while the large-cap heavy...

Water Tower Research

Rio Tinto/Arcadium: More Brine To Compliment Rocks

This looks done.Trading at a 6.1%/8.6% gross/annualised return using mid 2025 completion. That's okay. Not super attractive. Additionally, run a...

David Blennerhassett

Rio to Fully Pay for Arcadium Lithium

Rio Tinto to acquire Arcadium Lithium for $5.85/share at a 90% premium, taking advantage of low lithium prices for high-quality assets.

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Mat-Chem Notes - Growth Remains Elusive as Geopolitics of Battery Metals Heats Up

After the momentous US election, the stock market has rallied on expectations of lower regulations, lower taxes, and a more confrontational...

Water Tower Research

The US Elections' Impact on 2025 Outlook - November 13, 2024

While specifics could emerge in the coming months, we expect modest inflationary pressures from expected tariffs on imported goods to be largely...

Water Tower Research

Mat-Chem Notes - Supply-Demand Balancing Act and Geopolitics of Energy Transition

In a tough week for the market, the WTR- CMI Index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials technology stocks dipped 0.6%, while the large-cap heavy...

Water Tower Research

Rio Tinto/Arcadium: More Brine To Compliment Rocks

This looks done.Trading at a 6.1%/8.6% gross/annualised return using mid 2025 completion. That's okay. Not super attractive. Additionally, run a...

David Blennerhassett

Rio to Fully Pay for Arcadium Lithium

​Rio Tinto to acquire Arcadium Lithium for $5.85/share at a 90% premium, taking advantage of low lithium prices for high-quality assets.

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Rio Tinto to acquire Arcadium Lithium for $5.85/share at a 90% premium, taking advantage of low lithium prices for high-quality assets.