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. In a down week for the market, with both the S&amp;P 500 and Russell 2000 declining 4.2% and 5.7%, respectively, 29 of the 30 stocks in our WTR-CMI Index likewise saw their prices fall 4.0%, with AVD being the only exception, appreciating 9.1% for the week.</li><li>YTD, the S&amp;P 500, heavily weighted toward tech and internet stocks, has increased 13.4%, while our WTR-CMI Index has increased 7.2%, outperforming the broader Russell 2000’s 3.2% rise, despite lithium stocks’ 50%- plus declines.</li><li>Recycled plastics market gaining acceptance. LYB announced the acquisition of German APK AG, a mechanical plastics recycler to bolster its circular economy and low-carbon credentials, while AVTN launched a pigment additive for plastics used in automotive plications made from recycled tires, as an alternative to carbon black, again aiming at helping its customers reduce their carbon impact while improving its own circular economy efforts.</li></ul>

WTR-CMI last week. In a down week for the market, with both the S&amp;P 500 and Russell 2000 declining 4.2% and 5.7%, respectively, 29 of the 30 stocks in our WTR-CMI Index likewise saw their prices fall 4.0%, with AVD being the only exception, appreciating 9.1% for the week.YTD, the S&amp;P 500, heavily weighted toward tech and internet stocks, has increased 13.4%, while our WTR-CMI Index has increased 7.2%, outperforming the broader Russell 2000’s 3.2% rise, despite lithium stocks’ 50%- plus declines.Recycled plastics market gaining acceptance. LYB announced the acquisition of German APK AG, a mechanical plastics recycler to bolster its circular economy and low-carbon credentials, while AVTN launched a pigment additive for plastics used in automotive plications made from recycled tires, as an alternative to carbon black, again aiming at helping its customers reduce their carbon impact while improving its own circular economy efforts.

Mat-Chem Notes - Weakness of Industrial, Ag, and EV Markets Leaves Few Options

Founder & Head of Research, Fortress Hill Advisors

Alex Ng

Founder & Head of Research

Fortress Hill Advisors

Founded in Hong Kong in 2019, Fortress Hill Advisor seeks to provide premium economic and financial researches.

Premium Economic & Investment Research

<ul>
<li>Recent improvements in solar and battery technologies have been driven by advances in materials science, manufacturing techniques, and system efficiency.</li>
<li>Solid-State batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in traditional lithium-ion batteries with a solid electrolyte, energy density, and charging speeds. They are seen as a game-changer, especially for electric vehicles.</li>
<li>Both solar and battery technologies are becoming cheaper, making renewable energy more accessible and economically viable.</li>
</ul>


Recent improvements in solar and battery technologies have been driven by advances in materials science, manufacturing techniques, and system efficiency.
Solid-State batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in traditional lithium-ion batteries with a solid electrolyte, energy density, and charging speeds. They are seen as a game-changer, especially for electric vehicles.
Both solar and battery technologies are becoming cheaper, making renewable energy more accessible and economically viable.


Improvement in Solar and Battery Technology

Breaking Down the Mining News of the Day, Money of Mine

Money of Mine

Breaking Down the Mining News of the Day

An ex-underground miner, an ex-investment banker, and an ex-equity research guy breaking down the mining news of the day. It's a bit of entertainment, information, and occasionally some alpha.

<ul><li>Over 90 resources companies released their quarterly reports on the last day of July, representing 15-20% of ASX-listed resources companies</li><li>Companies such as MC Mining, Bastion Minerals, and QX Resources reported financial struggles and cash balance concerns</li><li>Some companies, like Forrestania and African Gold, disclosed significant expenses on staff, admin, and related party transactions, raising questions about financial management and transparency.</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Over 90 resources companies released their quarterly reports on the last day of July, representing 15-20% of ASX-listed resources companiesCompanies such as MC Mining, Bastion Minerals, and QX Resources reported financial struggles and cash balance concernsSome companies, like Forrestania and African Gold, disclosed significant expenses on staff, admin, and related party transactions, raising questions about financial management and transparency.This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>There is 1 change for the S&amp;P/ASX20 Index, 1 change for the S&amp;P/ASX50 Index, 2 changes for the S&amp;P/ASX100 Index, and no regular changes for the S&amp;P/ASX200 INDEX in June.</li>
<li>The surprise inclusion of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wisetech-global-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22669:1" rel="noopener">Wisetech Global (WTC AU)</a> means that positioning is likely to be lower than the passive buying and there could be a move higher in the stock.</li>
<li>There will be one adhoc inclusion to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> at the close on 19 June following Cie De Saint-Gobain (SGO FP)'s acquisition of CSR Ltd (CSR AU). </li>
</ul>


There is 1 change for the S&amp;P/ASX20 Index, 1 change for the S&amp;P/ASX50 Index, 2 changes for the S&amp;P/ASX100 Index, and no regular changes for the S&amp;P/ASX200 INDEX in June.
The surprise inclusion of Wisetech Global (WTC AU) means that positioning is likely to be lower than the passive buying and there could be a move higher in the stock.
There will be one adhoc inclusion to the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) at the close on 19 June following Cie De Saint-Gobain (SGO FP)'s acquisition of CSR Ltd (CSR AU). 


S&P/​​​​ASX Index Rebalance (June 2024): Changes, Flows, Impact, Shorts & Positioning

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure Minerals (AZS AU)</a> shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the dual-track bid from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US)</a> and Hancock. The scheme offer is A$3.70 per share.</li>
<li>The shares fell 7%, seemingly due to concerns about FIRB approval sparked by FIRB’s request for an extension on 3 April and today’s <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/chinese-miners-in-2-5b-payday-from-australian-lithium-holdings-20240404-p5fhix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AFR article</a> on China’s Australian lithium holdings. </li>
<li>FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tianqi-lithium-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27789:1" rel="noopener">Tianqi Lithium (9696 HK)</a> small indirect interest in Andover, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lithium-power-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30603:1" rel="noopener">Lithium Power International (LPI AU)</a> precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained relationship. </li>
</ul>



Azure Minerals (AZS AU) shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the dual-track bid from Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM US) and Hancock. The scheme offer is A$3.70 per share.
The shares fell 7%, seemingly due to concerns about FIRB approval sparked by FIRB’s request for an extension on 3 April and today’s AFR article on China’s Australian lithium holdings. 
FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to Tianqi Lithium (9696 HK) small indirect interest in Andover, Lithium Power International (LPI AU) precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained relationship. 


Azure Minerals (AZS AU): FIRB Approval Concerns Are Overdone

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 - Weakness of Industrial, Ag, and EV Markets Leaves Few Options

YTD, the S&P 500, heavily weighted toward tech and internet stocks, has increased 13.4%, while our WTR-CMI Index has increased 7.2%, outperforming...

Water Tower Research

Improvement in Solar and Battery Technology

Advances in materials science and manufacturing are driving improvements in solar and battery technologies, making renewable energy more...

Alex Ng

Albemarle’s BIG Failure

Many resources companies reported low cash balances, high debts, and significant outflows in their quarterly reports released on the last day of July.

Money of Mine

S&P/ASX Index Rebalance (June 2024): Changes, Flows, Impact, Shorts & Positioning

There is 1 change for the ASX20, 1 change for the ASX50, 2 changes for the ASX100 in June. Codan and Judo Capital are locked in a race to replace...

Brian Freitas

Azure Minerals (AZS AU): FIRB Approval Concerns Are Overdone

FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to Tianqi's small indirect interest in Andover, Lithium Power precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained...

Arun George

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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Mat-Chem Notes - Weakness of Industrial, Ag, and EV Markets Leaves Few Options

YTD, the S&P 500, heavily weighted toward tech and internet stocks, has increased 13.4%, while our WTR-CMI Index has increased 7.2%, outperforming...

Water Tower Research

Improvement in Solar and Battery Technology

​Advances in materials science and manufacturing are driving improvements in solar and battery technologies, making renewable energy more...

Alex Ng

Albemarle’s BIG Failure

Many resources companies reported low cash balances, high debts, and significant outflows in their quarterly reports released on the last day of July.

Money of Mine

S&P/​​​​ASX Index Rebalance (June 2024): Changes, Flows, Impact, Shorts & Positioning

There is 1 change for the ASX20, 1 change for the ASX50, 2 changes for the ASX100 in June. Codan and Judo Capital are locked in a race to replace...

Brian Freitas

Azure Minerals (AZS AU): FIRB Approval Concerns Are Overdone

FIRB approval should be forthcoming due to Tianqi's small indirect interest in Andover, Lithium Power precedent, and SQM and Tianqi’s strained...

Arun George

Advances in materials science and manufacturing are driving improvements in solar and battery technologies, making renewable energy more...

S&P/ASX Index Rebalance (June 2024): Changes, Flows, Impact, Shorts & Positioning