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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>The Middleby Corporation recently reported its third-quarter 2024 earnings and faced a tougher macroeconomic environment than anticipated, primarily impacting its Commercial Foodservice segment.</li><li>The company experienced a delay in investments from restaurant operators amid declining restaurant traffic and increasing food costs.</li><li>These challenges resulted in revenue declines, particularly as approximately 1,500 more restaurants closed than initially expected this year.</li></ul>

The Middleby Corporation recently reported its third-quarter 2024 earnings and faced a tougher macroeconomic environment than anticipated, primarily impacting its Commercial Foodservice segment.The company experienced a delay in investments from restaurant operators amid declining restaurant traffic and increasing food costs.These challenges resulted in revenue declines, particularly as approximately 1,500 more restaurants closed than initially expected this year.

Middleby Corporation: Strategic Cost Management & Efficiency Improvements Driving Our Optimism! - Major Drivers

<ul><li>The Middleby Corporation, during their Second Quarter 2024 earnings call, presented a mixed scenario reflecting both strengths in strategic growth areas and the overarching pressure from macroeconomic conditions.</li><li>The discussion, led by CEO Timothy FitzGerald and supported by executives including CFO Bryan Mittelman and Chief Technology and Operations Officer James Pool, provided insights into various segments of the company's operations.</li><li>Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company's price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.</li></ul>

The Middleby Corporation, during their Second Quarter 2024 earnings call, presented a mixed scenario reflecting both strengths in strategic growth areas and the overarching pressure from macroeconomic conditions.The discussion, led by CEO Timothy FitzGerald and supported by executives including CFO Bryan Mittelman and Chief Technology and Operations Officer James Pool, provided insights into various segments of the company's operations.Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company's price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.

The Middleby Corporation: Initiation Of Coverage - Strengthened Dealer Channel Relationships & Other Major Drivers

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

As of 5 July Ali Group submitted a definitive $24/share proposal to the Board of Directors of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welbilt-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27147:1" rel="noopener">Welbilt Inc (WBT US)</a> to acquire all outstanding shares. Ali Group has substantial cash on hand and has received a Highly Confident Letter from Goldman Sachs International for new financing to fund the proposed transaction. This represents 53.6% Premium to Welbilt’s Unaffected Share Price and 11.4% Premium to the implied value of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/middleby-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18143:1" rel="noopener">Middleby Corp (MIDD US)</a> transaction as of 2 July.
Welbilt has notified Middleby that it intends to terminate their 20 April agreement and enter into a definitive merger agreement with Ali Group, subject to Middleby’s right to negotiate amendments to the merger agreement for five business days and the Welbilt Board’s further determination as to whether any such amendments would cause the Ali Group proposal to no longer constitute a “Company Superior Proposal.”
A DCF valuation, gives a fair value on a standalone basis of $23.09/share (WACC 9%, tax rate 25%, EV/EBITDA exit of 14.5x in line with that of Middleby). Using Middleby's input, I conservatively estimate that synergies may be worth $1.79/share. By estimating that Welbilt shareholders capture 60% of those synergies, therefore my TP is $24.16. Therefore the offer from Ali looks fair, in my view.
Middleby can still sweeten its 0.1240 MIDD US x 1 WBT US offer, up to 12 July. A higher exchange ratio would be dilutive for its own shareholders but probably would be compensated by higher synergies.
A sweetened offer from Middleby could come at 0.15 MIDD US x 1 WBT US. This implies $26.1 per Welbilt share. On these basis I would be long WBT US, risk is that Middleby gets cold feet.
On 8 July Welbilt closed at $24.7, 2.9% above Ali's offer.

As of 5 July Ali Group submitted a definitive $24/share proposal to the Board of Directors of Welbilt Inc (WBT US) to acquire all outstanding shares. Ali Group has substantial cash on hand and has received a Highly Confident Letter from Goldman Sachs International for new financing to fund the proposed transaction. This represents 53.6% Premium to Welbilt’s Unaffected Share Price and 11.4% Premium to the implied value of the Middleby Corp (MIDD US) transaction as of 2 July.
Welbilt has notified Middleby that it intends to terminate their 20 April agreement and enter into a definitive merger agreement with Ali Group, subject to Middleby’s right to negotiate amendments to the merger agreement for five business days and the Welbilt Board’s further determination as to whether any such amendments would cause the Ali Group proposal to no longer constitute a “Company Superior Proposal.”
A DCF valuation, gives a fair value on a standalone basis of $23.09/share (WACC 9%, tax rate 25%, EV/EBITDA exit of 14.5x in line with that of Middleby). Using Middleby's input, I conservatively estimate that synergies may be worth $1.79/share. By estimating that Welbilt shareholders capture 60% of those synergies, therefore my TP is $24.16. Therefore the offer from Ali looks fair, in my view.
Middleby can still sweeten its 0.1240 MIDD US x 1 WBT US offer, up to 12 July. A higher exchange ratio would be dilutive for its own shareholders but probably would be compensated by higher synergies.
A sweetened offer from Middleby could come at 0.15 MIDD US x 1 WBT US. This implies $26.1 per Welbilt share. On these basis I would be long WBT US, risk is that Middleby gets cold feet.
On 8 July Welbilt closed at $24.7, 2.9% above Ali's offer.

We aggregate key quotes from earnings, The Transcript

The Transcript

We aggregate key quotes from earnings

Aggregate Key Quotes from Earnings

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The economy is booming and everyone should enjoy it. The American economy is benefitting from tremendous amounts of pent-up demand and in some of the hardest-hit industries' activity is beginning to tick back up above 2019 levels. Along with that boom, there are clear signs of inflation and concerns about overheating. Even Janet Yellen seemed concerned for a few hours last week.

The economy is booming and everyone should enjoy it. The American economy is benefitting from tremendous amounts of pent-up demand and in some of the hardest-hit industries' activity is beginning to tick back up above 2019 levels. Along with that boom, there are clear signs of inflation and concerns about overheating. Even Janet Yellen seemed concerned for a few hours last week.

Transport Sector, China and Asia-focused Research

Charles De Trenck

In this piece I look at the failure of HK to meet its challenges, especially since 1997, while contrasting in less depth the different approach Singapore has maintained.HK is stuffed on several levels – until prices have a significant correction.I think we could write a few tales on Singapore vs Hong Kong:1) SMRT vs HK MTRC… (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mtr-66-hk-conviction-sell-thesis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:7982">MTR (66 HK): Conviction Sell Thesis</a>) and other recent points on the MTRC)2) PSA vs HIT/Hutch and HK Ports…3) Singapore vs HK middle classes, and the oppression of high prices

In this piece I look at the failure of HK to meet its challenges, especially since 1997, while contrasting in less depth the different approach Singapore has maintained.HK is stuffed on several levels – until prices have a significant correction.I think we could write a few tales on Singapore vs Hong Kong:1) SMRT vs HK MTRC… (see MTR (66 HK): Conviction Sell Thesis) and other recent points on the MTRC)2) PSA vs HIT/Hutch and HK Ports…3) Singapore vs HK middle classes, and the oppression of high prices

The Decline of the Entrepôt Economy, HK's Fall from Grace...The Socio-Political & Economic Drivers

United States

The Middleby Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and services a broad line of equipment for use in cooking and preparing food.  The Company's products are used in commercial and institutional kitchens and restaurants throughout the world.  Middleby's brand names include Marshall, Southbend, and Toastmaster.

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Middleby Corp (MIDD US)

Middleby Corporation: Strategic Cost Management & Efficiency Improvements Driving Our Optimism! - Major Drivers

The Middleby Corporation recently reported its third-quarter 2024 earnings and faced a tougher macroeconomic environment than anticipated,...

Baptista Research

The Middleby Corporation: Initiation Of Coverage - Strengthened Dealer Channel Relationships & Other Major Drivers

The Middleby Corporation, during their Second Quarter 2024 earnings call, presented a mixed scenario reflecting both strengths in strategic growth...

Baptista Research

Kitchen Nightmares

Ali's offer looks fair. Middleby can still sweeten its offer, up to 12 July. It could come at 0.15 MIDD US x 1 WBT US, or $26.1 per Welbilt share....

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

The Transcript 05.10.21: Pent-up Demand

The economy is booming and everyone should enjoy it. The American economy is benefitting from tremendous amounts of pent-up demand and in some of...

The Transcript

The Decline of the Entrepôt Economy, HK's Fall from Grace...The Socio-Political & Economic Drivers

In this piece I look at the failure of HK to meet its challenges, especially since 1997, while contrasting in less depth the different approach...

Charles De Trenck

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