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 week when the broad market index (Russell 2000) declined 3.6%, our WTR-CMI index of 30 chemicals and materials technology companies modestly outperformed, dropping 2.3%.</li>
<li>This nonetheless trailed the large-cap S&amp;P 500 index, which lost only 1.8% of its value during the week.</li>
<li>Benefiting from improved investor sentiment on possibly higher summer sales of insecticides, improving automotive and construction markets, and lower raw material costs that we discussed last week, ag-chem and coatings companies led the performance of our index.</li>
</ul>


WTR-CMI last week. In a week when the broad market index (Russell 2000) declined 3.6%, our WTR-CMI index of 30 chemicals and materials technology companies modestly outperformed, dropping 2.3%.
This nonetheless trailed the large-cap S&amp;P 500 index, which lost only 1.8% of its value during the week.
Benefiting from improved investor sentiment on possibly higher summer sales of insecticides, improving automotive and construction markets, and lower raw material costs that we discussed last week, ag-chem and coatings companies led the performance of our index.


Industry Report - Chemicals & Materials Technology

<ul><li>WTR-CMI last week. In what was a mixed week for the market, with S&amp;P 500 appreciating 0.9% and the Russell 2000 slipping 1.3%, our WTR-CMI index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials stocks outperformed both broader indexes by appreciating 1.1%, led by a recovery in prices of lithium stocks, which took a tumble the previous week after the announcement of the Chilean government’s intention to increase its financial participation in large lithium projects in the country.</li><li>Better weather drives stronger planting progress. Following last year’s planting delays caused by unseasonal weather, the 2023 planting season in the US is picking up the pace after a slower start, with both corn and soybean planting well ahead of last year<span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);"> and the five-year average, boding well for North American crop protection and the fertilizer market, at least when it comes to demand.</span></li><li>Chinese auto sales look to rise. According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, the country should see a 50% surge in Y/Y new passenger vehicle sales<span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);"> in April, following a strong March, compared with the COVID lockdown period a year ago.</span></li></ul>

WTR-CMI last week. In what was a mixed week for the market, with S&amp;P 500 appreciating 0.9% and the Russell 2000 slipping 1.3%, our WTR-CMI index of 30 specialty chemicals and materials stocks outperformed both broader indexes by appreciating 1.1%, led by a recovery in prices of lithium stocks, which took a tumble the previous week after the announcement of the Chilean government’s intention to increase its financial participation in large lithium projects in the country.Better weather drives stronger planting progress. Following last year’s planting delays caused by unseasonal weather, the 2023 planting season in the US is picking up the pace after a slower start, with both corn and soybean planting well ahead of last year and the five-year average, boding well for North American crop protection and the fertilizer market, at least when it comes to demand.Chinese auto sales look to rise. According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, the country should see a 50% surge in Y/Y new passenger vehicle sales in April, following a strong March, compared with the COVID lockdown period a year ago.

Mat-Chem Notes : For the Week Ended April 28, 2023

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/syngenta-ag-84b1a20a-a381-401b-aa06-25b303fce01e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25035:1" rel="noopener">Syngenta AG (SYNN SW)</a>, a world-class agribusiness, is seeking to raise US$9.5bn in Shanghai’s STAR market at a valuation of US$50bn. The Shanghai bourse will review the filing on 29-March.</li>
<li>The business is in rude health with accelerating growth, market share gains, solid margins and cash generation. The IPO proceeds will help reduce leverage. </li>
<li>A US$50 billion valuation is justifiable and implies a modest discount to peer multiples (including an AH premium). The IPO is worth a look.</li>
</ul>



Syngenta AG (SYNN SW), a world-class agribusiness, is seeking to raise US$9.5bn in Shanghai’s STAR market at a valuation of US$50bn. The Shanghai bourse will review the filing on 29-March.
The business is in rude health with accelerating growth, market share gains, solid margins and cash generation. The IPO proceeds will help reduce leverage. 
A US$50 billion valuation is justifiable and implies a modest discount to peer multiples (including an AH premium). The IPO is worth a look.


Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Credit

<ul><li>FMC Corporation is a major agricultural sciences player in the U.S.</li><li>The company has been witnessing high volume growth and its aggressive pricing has helped build a strong financial position.</li><li>Agricultural markets remain strong with high commodity prices, expanding cropland, and optimistic grower sentiment.</li></ul>

FMC Corporation is a major agricultural sciences player in the U.S.The company has been witnessing high volume growth and its aggressive pricing has helped build a strong financial position.Agricultural markets remain strong with high commodity prices, expanding cropland, and optimistic grower sentiment.

FMC Corporation: Detailed Credit Analysis & Financial Strength Evaluation Report

<ul><li>This is our first report on FMC Corporation, a major agricultural sciences company in the U.S.</li><li>FMC achieved significant results in the quarter because of high volume growth and aggressive pricing and it managed to deliver an all-around beat.</li><li>Its new product sales are growing quickly, nearly doubling year over year, accounting for 11% of overall sales in the quarter.</li></ul>

This is our first report on FMC Corporation, a major agricultural sciences company in the U.S.FMC achieved significant results in the quarter because of high volume growth and aggressive pricing and it managed to deliver an all-around beat.Its new product sales are growing quickly, nearly doubling year over year, accounting for 11% of overall sales in the quarter.

FMC Corporation: Initiation of Coverage – Business Strategy & Key Drivers

United States

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty performance ingredients for the food, feed, and medical sterilization industries. The Company micro-encapsulates performance ingredients, and also repackages and markets specialty gases. Balchem sells its products through its own sales force, independent distributors, and sales agents.

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. manufactures, markets and distributes coatings systems. The Company offers products and services which includes paint, color matching tools, application technologies, and customer  training and business management systems. Axalta Coating Systems serves automotive, transportation,  general industrial, and architectural and decorative sectors.

Ashland Global Holdings Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, produces and distributes chemicals and thermoplastic resins. Ashland Global Holdings serves construction, automotive, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors worldwide.

NewMarket Corporation develops, manufactures, and blends fuel and lubricant additives marketed worldwide to refiners and others who sell petroleum products. The Company's products are used in transportation and industrial equipment.

H.B. Fuller Company manufactures and markets adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints, and other specialty chemical products worldwide.  The Company's products are sold in countries that include North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, India, the Middle East and Africa.

The Mosaic Company produces and distributes crop nutrients to the agricultural communities located in North America and other countries.  The Company's principal products include concentrated phosphates, and potash.

Cabot Corporation has businesses in chemicals, performance materials, and specialty fluids.  The Company manufactures and sells carbon black, fumed silica, plastics, ink jet colorants, tantalum, niobium, and germanium.  Cabot's specialty fluids business produces and markets cesium formate as a drilling and completion fluid for use in oil and gas well operations.

Olin Corporation manufactures chemicals and ammunition products. The Company manufactures and sells chlorine, caustic soda, sodium hydrosulfite, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, sodium chlorate, bleach products, and potassium hydroxide. Olin also manufactures products that include sporting ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and industrial cartridges.

Element Solutions Inc operates as a specialty chemicals company. The Company manufactures and supplies specialty chemicals used by the electronics, metal and plastic plating, graphic arts, and offshore oil production and drilling industries. Element Solutions serves customers worldwide.

Quaker Chemical Corporation produces, develops, and markets custom-formulated chemical specialty products.  The Company also provides fluid management services for manufacturers around the world, primarily in the steel, automotive, and can industries.

TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. manufactures yarns, synthetic fibers, and man-made leather used as apparel and industrial materials.  The Company also makes chemical products such as polyester films, engineering plastics, and resin materials.  Toray develops information equipment such as electronic circuit and liquid crystal color filter.

Orica Limited is a diversified manufacturing company.  The Company produces industrial and specialty chemicals, polyethylene, surface coatings for vehicles, food and beverage flavoring and fragrances, packaging and appliances. The Company also supplies explosive and blasting services to the mining, quarrying and construction industries.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. manufactures and markets a variety of chemical products. The Company's products include ethylene, propylene and other petrochemicals, basic chemicals, synthetic resins, and fine chemicals.  The Company operates worldwide.

Zhejiang Huafeng Spandex Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets spandex products.

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation manufactures and markets petrochemical products, nylon fiber, and rayon staple fiber.  Formosa sells its products in Taiwan and exports to Asia.

Satelltte Chemical Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures and sells acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acids, pigment intermediates, acrylic emulsion polymers, super absorbent polymers, and other acrylic downstream products.

TongKun Group Co., Ltd. develops, produces and sells polyester and Terylene filament.  The Company also invests in real estate, finance, business trade and education businesses.

Berger Paints India Limited manufactures and distributes paints, enamels, varnishes, and synthetic resins. The Company's products are used in home, office, factory, interiors, exteriors, metal, wood, plastic, and others.

Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells lithium products.  The Company's products include industrial lithium carbonate, battery lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium hydroxide.

The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited manufactures petrochemicals and fertilisers.  The Group's products include Ammonia, Sulphuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Ammonium, Urea, Caprolactam, Nitric Acid and Soda Ash.

FMC Corp operates as a diversified research company in the chemical industry. The company offers technology solutions for agricultural, industrial, and consumer markets. FMC Corp offer an array of technologies in research and development to improve delivery of medications, enhance foods and beverages, power batteries, protect crop yields, and advance textile manufacturing.

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Fmc Corp (FMC US)

Industry Report - Chemicals & Materials Technology

In a week when the broad market index (Russell 2000) declined 3.6%, our WTR-CMI index of 30 chemicals and materials technology companies modestly...

Water Tower Research

Mat-Chem Notes : For the Week Ended April 28, 2023

WTR-CMI last week. In what was a mixed week for the market, with S&P 500 appreciating 0.9% and the Russell 2000 slipping 1.3%

Water Tower Research

Syngenta IPO: The Investment Case

The business is in rude health with accelerating growth, market share gains, solid margins and cash generation. The IPO proceeds will help reduce...

Arun George

FMC Corporation: Detailed Credit Analysis & Financial Strength Evaluation Report

FMC Corporation is a major agricultural sciences player in the U.S. The company has been witnessing high volume growth and its aggressive pricing...

Baptista Research

FMC Corporation: Initiation of Coverage – Business Strategy & Key Drivers

This is our first report on FMC Corporation, a major agricultural sciences company in the U.S. FMC achieved significant results in the quarter...

Baptista Research

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