Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<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> has reached an agreement to buy <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> 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.


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/arcadium-lithium-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40438:1" rel="noopener">Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU)</a> has disclosed a binding offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22114:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto PLC (RIO LN)</a> at US$5.85 per share, a 90% premium to the undisturbed price of US$3.08 (4 October).</li>
<li>The offer is attractive compared to analyst price targets and peer multiples but unattractive compared to cyclical low timing and precedent transactions.</li>
<li>The shareholder structure requires an activist to disrupt the vote. The long-dated offer provides optionality on a bump if lithium prices materially re-rates. </li>
</ul>



Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU) has disclosed a binding offer from Rio Tinto PLC (RIO LN) at US$5.85 per share, a 90% premium to the undisturbed price of US$3.08 (4 October).
The offer is attractive compared to analyst price targets and peer multiples but unattractive compared to cyclical low timing and precedent transactions.
The shareholder structure requires an activist to disrupt the vote. The long-dated offer provides optionality on a bump if lithium prices materially re-rates. 


Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio’s Binding Proposal

<ul>
<li>In response to media reports, <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> confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from <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>. No terms were disclosed.</li>
<li>According to press reports, Rio aims to acquire Arcadium at a valuation range of US$4-6 billion (A$5.9-8.8 billion). Blackwattle thinks a fair price is closer to US$8 billion. </li>
<li>The rumoured valuation range is unattractive and arguably a bear case valuation assuming no significant recovery in lithium prices.  </li>
</ul>


In response to media reports, Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU) confirmed receiving a non-binding proposal from Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU). No terms were disclosed.
According to press reports, Rio aims to acquire Arcadium at a valuation range of US$4-6 billion (A$5.9-8.8 billion). Blackwattle thinks a fair price is closer to US$8 billion. 
The rumoured valuation range is unattractive and arguably a bear case valuation assuming no significant recovery in lithium prices.  


Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio Tinto’s Rumoured Bid Is Light

<ul>
<li>
<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> has <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20241007/pdf/068tbs6fnf3fnj.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> it has approached <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> regarding a potential acquisition. </li>
<li>No Offer Price has been announced; however a proposed bid with a 30%+ premium, on top of last week's 11% bounce, has been rumoured. That implies a price of ~$6/share.</li>
<li>Given shares were trading ~A$10/share in January this year, one Aussie-based fund reckons such an Offer would be highly opportunistic; and that a bid 2.5-3x higher is reasonable. </li>
</ul>



Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) has confirmed it has approached Arcadium Lithium (LTM AU)/(ALTM US) regarding a potential acquisition. 
No Offer Price has been announced; however a proposed bid with a 30%+ premium, on top of last week's 11% bounce, has been rumoured. That implies a price of ~$6/share.
Given shares were trading ~A$10/share in January this year, one Aussie-based fund reckons such an Offer would be highly opportunistic; and that a bid 2.5-3x higher is reasonable. 


Rio Tinto Taps Arcadium As Lithium Prices Sag

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)

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

Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio’s Binding Proposal

The offer is not a knockout bid but the shareholder structure requires an activist to disrupt the vote. The long-dated offer provides optionality...

Arun George

Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio Tinto’s Rumoured Bid Is Light

The rumoured valuation range is unattractive and arguably a bear case valuation assuming no significant recovery in lithium prices.

Arun George

Rio Tinto Taps Arcadium As Lithium Prices Sag

Arcadium IS in play. And the share price has recently rebounded from a multi-year low. I'd be getting involved around here, and on any weakness.

David Blennerhassett

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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

Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio’s Binding Proposal

The offer is not a knockout bid but the shareholder structure requires an activist to disrupt the vote. The long-dated offer provides optionality...

Arun George

Arcadium Lithium (ALTM US/LTM AU): Rio Tinto’s Rumoured Bid Is Light

The rumoured valuation range is unattractive and arguably a bear case valuation assuming no significant recovery in lithium prices.

Arun George

Rio Tinto Taps Arcadium As Lithium Prices Sag

Arcadium IS in play. And the share price has recently rebounded from a multi-year low. I'd be getting involved around here, and on any weakness.

David Blennerhassett

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