Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE:  Intouch, Toshiba, Orocobre/Galaxy, Tilt, Primewest/Centuria, Huarong

In a cyclical and volatile commodity sector, such as lithium, profitability is key during lean times.
Brisbane-based <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orocobre-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3572:1" rel="noopener">Orocobre Ltd (ORE AU)</a> and Perth-based <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13914:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Resources (GXY AU)</a> are in effect, the poster children for Aussie-listed lithium producers.  Orocobre extracts the commodity from Argentinian brine ponds, and Galaxy from Western Australian rock. Two different lithium products in two different jurisdictions.
Amid a downturn in the price of the battery commodity and a reduction in tonnes exported, both Galaxy and Orocobre splashed red ink in <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02205130-6A969035?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FY19</a> (Dec-end) and <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02273544-2A1246100?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FY20</a> (June-end) respectively.
The downturn resulted in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alita-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16331:1" rel="noopener">Alita Resources (AMS SP)</a> - in which Galaxy is a shareholder - going into administration, a situation that is still working its way through the <a href="https://www.miningweekly.com/article/galaxy-joins-the-fight-for-bald-hill-2021-02-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sale of asset process</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pilbara-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7460:1" rel="noopener">Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU)</a> acquired <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/altura-mining-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13385:1" rel="noopener">Altura Mining (AJM AU)</a> late last year after the latter entered receivership in November as the raw battery materials market nose-dived.
A reversal of fortunes has seen increased demand, and price, for Galaxy's spodumene concentrate, and Orocobre's Argentinian lithium bicarbonate. In its quarterly update on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02362944-2A1292351?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">13 April</a>, Orocobre said pricing was up more than 50% since the Dec-20 quarter, and nearly 90% in the last six months. 
<h3>The NEW News</h3>
After circling each other for a couple of years, Galaxy and Orocobre entered into a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02364542-2A1293132?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">binding agreement</a> earlier this week under which the two companies will merge via a Galaxy Scheme, following which, Orocobre will hold 100% in Galaxy.
Galaxy shareholders will receive 0.569 Orocobre shares for each Galaxy share. Upon implementation, Orocobre shareholders will own 54.2% of the enlarged entity, and Galaxy shareholders will own the remaining 45.8%.
The A$4bn combined entity will be the fifth-largest lithium producer - and third-largest outside of China - boasting a diversified product base via four producing assets.
The two companies classify this as a merger of equals, and in many respects it is. Each company will appoint four directors to the new nine-person board, and the chairman and deputy chairman’s jobs for the coming 12 months will be split down the middle until replacements are found.
This is an intelligent merger. Not only does it establish a foothold in South American brines and Western Australian/North American spodumene, something the world’s largest lithium producers seek to achieve, the new entity will be better positioned to weather a material correction in lithium prices.
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/201/665/original/image_29076439221618885833728.png?1618885835" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="201665"></figure>

In a cyclical and volatile commodity sector, such as lithium, profitability is key during lean times.
Brisbane-based Orocobre Ltd (ORE AU) and Perth-based Galaxy Resources (GXY AU) are in effect, the poster children for Aussie-listed lithium producers.  Orocobre extracts the commodity from Argentinian brine ponds, and Galaxy from Western Australian rock. Two different lithium products in two different jurisdictions.
Amid a downturn in the price of the battery commodity and a reduction in tonnes exported, both Galaxy and Orocobre splashed red ink in FY19 (Dec-end) and FY20 (June-end) respectively.
The downturn resulted in Alita Resources (AMS SP) - in which Galaxy is a shareholder - going into administration, a situation that is still working its way through the sale of asset process. In addition, Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU) acquired Altura Mining (AJM AU) late last year after the latter entered receivership in November as the raw battery materials market nose-dived.
A reversal of fortunes has seen increased demand, and price, for Galaxy's spodumene concentrate, and Orocobre's Argentinian lithium bicarbonate. In its quarterly update on the 13 April, Orocobre said pricing was up more than 50% since the Dec-20 quarter, and nearly 90% in the last six months. 
The NEW News
After circling each other for a couple of years, Galaxy and Orocobre entered into a binding agreement earlier this week under which the two companies will merge via a Galaxy Scheme, following which, Orocobre will hold 100% in Galaxy.
Galaxy shareholders will receive 0.569 Orocobre shares for each Galaxy share. Upon implementation, Orocobre shareholders will own 54.2% of the enlarged entity, and Galaxy shareholders will own the remaining 45.8%.
The A$4bn combined entity will be the fifth-largest lithium producer - and third-largest outside of China - boasting a diversified product base via four producing assets.
The two companies classify this as a merger of equals, and in many respects it is. Each company will appoint four directors to the new nine-person board, and the chairman and deputy chairman’s jobs for the coming 12 months will be split down the middle until replacements are found.
This is an intelligent merger. Not only does it establish a foothold in South American brines and Western Australian/North American spodumene, something the world’s largest lithium producers seek to achieve, the new entity will be better positioned to weather a material correction in lithium prices.


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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

<div>S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes 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> as part of the March index review on 12 March and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.</div><div>
The data cutoff for the March review was 26 February.
We see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nuix-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31040:1" rel="noopener">Nuix Limited (NXL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/codan-ltd-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6189:1" rel="noopener">Codan Ltd (CDA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pilbara-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7460:1" rel="noopener">Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU)</a> as potential inclusions to the index, while we see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/service-stream-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18493:1" rel="noopener">Service Stream (SSM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tassal-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16234:1" rel="noopener">Tassal (TGR AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bravura-solutions-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23648:1" rel="noopener">Bravura Solutions (BVS AU)</a> as potential exclusions from the index.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19734:1" rel="noopener">Champion Iron (CIA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/de-grey-mining-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6192:1" rel="noopener">De Grey Mining (DEG AU)</a> are close adds while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gwa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:663:1" rel="noopener">Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smartgroup-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19954:1" rel="noopener">Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU)</a> are close deletes.
Short interest on the potential inclusions has been decreasing and is currently near the lows while short interest on the potential deletions has been steadily increasing and is at the highs.
Since the last index review in December, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pointsbet-holdings-pty-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29102:1" rel="noopener">PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU)</a> was included in the index replacing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a> following its merger of equals with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/northern-star-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4243:1" rel="noopener">Northern Star Resources (NST AU)</a>.
</div>

S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes to the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) as part of the March index review on 12 March and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.
The data cutoff for the March review was 26 February.
We see Nuix Limited (NXL AU), Codan Ltd (CDA AU) and Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU) as potential inclusions to the index, while we see Service Stream (SSM AU), Tassal (TGR AU) and Bravura Solutions (BVS AU) as potential exclusions from the index.
Champion Iron (CIA AU) and De Grey Mining (DEG AU) are close adds while Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU) and Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU) are close deletes.
Short interest on the potential inclusions has been decreasing and is currently near the lows while short interest on the potential deletions has been steadily increasing and is at the highs.
Since the last index review in December, PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU) was included in the index replacing Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) following its merger of equals with Northern Star Resources (NST AU).


ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes & Some Close Names

Managing Director

Elan Gore

TMI Data Science

TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade & traditional media.  Our proprietary software, TMI Machine, is a text-mining platform designed with the buy-side & capital markets professional in mind, text-mining the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income & individual equities.  TMI provides custom leading indicators and systematic trading strategies, operating at the nexus of linguistics & statistics drawing on vast experience in investment banking and hedge fund settings in senior quantitative and fundamental roles.  

TMI Data Science was founded by Elan Gore, an award-winning Senior Global Basic Materials Equity Analyst & China Economist with 15 years of experience in North American hedge funds & institutional managers; and Alessandro Porrino, Ph.D., an Algorithmic Trading Analyst and Programmer with 10 years of front-office experience ranging from complex FX option pricing to auto-hedging strategies at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Standard Chartered.  Mr. Gore holds an MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business, and Mr. Porrino holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Brunel University London.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Last month our text-mined indicators pointed to a year-end surge in raw materials restocking coupled with an extraordinary spike in general reporting on price increases globally</li>
<li>With a seasonal slowdown ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday and mobility restrictions, the restocking has faded; buildups in iron ore, steel and zinc inventories confirm a pause in momentum</li>
<li>Despite crowded positioning, copper maintained low beta to mining equities with a single-digit correction vs. the equities correcting closer to -10%; so far both remain near 50DMAs</li>
<li>Our text-mined copper sentiment indicator peaked at a multi-year high of +4.2x STDEVs on January 2, pulling back in recent weeks closer to neutral readings; however sharp, attribution finds the pullback is still primarily associated with pre-LNY seasonal slowdown and the relatively firm USD (as conviction levels on structural copper tightness remain high amid lean inventories)</li>
<li>Lithium sentiment stands out in the YTD, improving to +2x STDEVs on the lithium carbonate spot recovery and improving EV data points</li>
<li>Iron ore and steel diffusion indices have been dropping sharply in the YTD on falling utilization, building inventories and compressing mill margins, finally down to outright negative territory on first signs of vol in iron ore this week</li>
</ul><div class="content-highlight">TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary tool text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. </div>


Last month our text-mined indicators pointed to a year-end surge in raw materials restocking coupled with an extraordinary spike in general reporting on price increases globally
With a seasonal slowdown ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday and mobility restrictions, the restocking has faded; buildups in iron ore, steel and zinc inventories confirm a pause in momentum
Despite crowded positioning, copper maintained low beta to mining equities with a single-digit correction vs. the equities correcting closer to -10%; so far both remain near 50DMAs
Our text-mined copper sentiment indicator peaked at a multi-year high of +4.2x STDEVs on January 2, pulling back in recent weeks closer to neutral readings; however sharp, attribution finds the pullback is still primarily associated with pre-LNY seasonal slowdown and the relatively firm USD (as conviction levels on structural copper tightness remain high amid lean inventories)
Lithium sentiment stands out in the YTD, improving to +2x STDEVs on the lithium carbonate spot recovery and improving EV data points
Iron ore and steel diffusion indices have been dropping sharply in the YTD on falling utilization, building inventories and compressing mill margins, finally down to outright negative territory on first signs of vol in iron ore this week
TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary tool text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. 

TMI Snapshot:  Metals Points - Restocking Pauses, Copper Sentiment Pulls Back from Extremes

Global Special Situations & Strategy, SR Services Ltd

David Lepper

Global Special Situations & Strategy

SR Services Ltd

SR Services provides Strategic Knowledge and Solutions services for Family Offices and Corporate Business. 

We deliver this via advisory services, strategic planning, opportunity analysis/sourcing, as well as solution implementation. 

Whilst, we create intellectual discipline and operational leverage for your projects or daily activities, our ultimate objective is to empower whilst enhancing your decision making. 

Strategic Knowledge and Solutions

Q3 delivered marked underperformanceOur Q3-2020 Small-Mid Cap High-Risk list of stocks produced an average price increase of 0.3%. In comparison, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted an increase of 6.3% over the same period. 15 stocks appear in our Q4 2020 screen, versus 21 in Q3 2020. As we highlighted in the previous three quarters, we are specifically on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics during 2020. This screen presents names which are worthy of investigation as they present with fundamentals which are at risk.

Q3 delivered marked underperformanceOur Q3-2020 Small-Mid Cap High-Risk list of stocks produced an average price increase of 0.3%. In comparison, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted an increase of 6.3% over the same period. 15 stocks appear in our Q4 2020 screen, versus 21 in Q3 2020. As we highlighted in the previous three quarters, we are specifically on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics during 2020. This screen presents names which are worthy of investigation as they present with fundamentals which are at risk.

Screening the Silk Road: Q4 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

Australia

Allkem Limited operates as a specialty lithium chemicals company. The Company's portfolio includes lithium brine and borax operations in Argentina, a hard-rock lithium operation in Australia and a lithium hydroxide conversion facility in Japan.

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Allkem Ltd (AKE AU)

Last Week in Event SPACE: Intouch, Toshiba, Orocobre/Galaxy, Tilt, Primewest/Centuria, Huarong

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Orocobre/Galaxy Resources: On A Charge

The merged entity will capture a greater market share of the lithium supply in coming years, and capitalise on mining synergies. Plus afford the...

David Blennerhassett

ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes & Some Close Names

We see three potential changes to the ASX200 in the March review while there are another two close adds/deletes. High short interest on the...

Brian Freitas

TMI Snapshot: Metals Points - Restocking Pauses, Copper Sentiment Pulls Back from Extremes

The year-end restocking trade has faded into the Lunar New Year, dragging on the reflation trade. Lithium sentiment is the only standout this...

Elan Gore

Screening the Silk Road: Q4 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

Our Q3 screen delivered 600bps of under performance. With volatility is set to increase as we head into H1 2020, which stocks are most at risk in...

David Lepper

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