Tariffs, Treasuries, Taxes and Technology, the Four Ts Shaping the Second Half of 2018
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Recent M&A News: As background, Akorn (AKRX-NASDAQ) agreed to be acquired by Fresenius SE & Co (FRE GY-Munich) for $34 cash per share in April 2017, valuing the deal at approximately $5 billion. Akorn competes in the $90 billion U.S. generic drug market as a developer and manufacturer of generic and branded prescription pharmaceuticals with a focus on injectables. On February 26, 2018, Fresenius announced that it was investigating Akorn’s alleged breaches of FDA data integrity requirements related to product development. Later, on April 23, 2018, Fresenius attempted to terminate the acquisition on the basis that Akorn had failed to fulfill several closing conditions, including a material breach of FDA data integrity requirements. Akorn responded by filing suit in Delaware Court seeking Specific Performance to enforce the merger agreement.
Akorn Inc. and Fresenius SE & Co. met in Delaware Court, from July 9-13, capping off a long and tumultuous back-and-forth between the two companies as Fresenius has attempted to terminate its acquisition of Akorn. A decision is expected to be handed down by Delaware Chancery Court Judge Travis Lester in the weeks following August 23rd.
In summary, Fresenius claims that Akorn did not operate in the ordinary course of business during the pendency of the merger, Akorn breached the Representations and Warranties as stated in the DMA, Akorn denied Fresenius access to certain information and Akorn suffered an MAE (Material Adverse Effect). While many believe Fresenius likely did not meet the historically high bar of proving an MAE or breach of reps and warranties, they were able to instill some doubt that Akorn operated in the ordinary course of business in the period after the DMA was signed. On the other hand, it has been said that Fresenius’s actions stemmed from buyer’s remorse given Akorn’s recent struggles due to direct competition to key products, supply disruptions, and pricing pressure.
While we still believe Akorn has slightly better odds than Fresenius in receiving a favorable court ruling, we will continue to monitor the situation due to the large potential downside in Akorn’s stock and the difficulty in handicapping how the judge will assess the ordinary course claim given limited precedent.
The Aftermath of a Major Deal Break:
As background, NXP agreed to be acquired by Qualcomm for $110 cash per share in October 2016. Under pressure from activists, the deal price was raised to $127.50 in February 2018.
It was announced last week that Qualcomm will no longer pursue its offer to acquire NXP Semiconductors as the deadline for the deal passed without receiving antitrust approval from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”), which was the last regulatory approval needed to complete the transaction. Qualcomm reported earnings and subsequently announced a $30 billion share buyback program in the absence of receiving approval from SAMR. Ultimately, it is our view that the merger became a victim of the U.S.-China trade war.
Most investors owned NXP because like us they saw the deal as both strategically and financially compelling for Qualcomm. It would have diversified Qualcomm’s revenue base and been strongly accretive to EPS. While many did not view antitrust as a risk, we underestimated the impact that Sino-U.S. trade relations ultimately had on the fate of the deal.
With NXP now trading in the low $90s, many arbs and event managers have exited the position. There will be pressure on the stock, as most hedge funds may sell their positions, but there are several positives that may lend support to NXP going forward. Firstly, they will receive a $2 billion termination fee which translates to about $5.80/share. Secondly, management held a conference and their general tone was upbeat. The company also announced a $5 billion buyback, approximately 15% of the shares outstanding. Post buyback, NXP will have leverage below 1x EBITDA, less than it has historically had. NXP now trades at trough multiples, below 10x EBITDA, and derives over 40% of sales from the automotive segment, one of the fastest growing segments in the semiconductor space given the increase in electronic contents and shift toward hybrid and electric vehicles. According to Bloomberg consensus 2018 price targets for the stock range between $100-110 currently, though most of the comps are trading at 9-13x EBITDA multiple, we expect the stock to continue to trade lower post deal break, especially as investors unwind the position.
The Markets and the Economy in the Second Half of the Year:
Mario Gabelli who leads our firm recently gave GAMCO’s views on the economy and markets for the balance of the year. He believes the landscape will be shaped by four ”T’s”:
The first is Tariffs. Global GDP is $87 trillion with the U.S just over 23%, the EU about 22%, China 16% and Japan 6%. The U.S. has $20 trillion of GDP and a trade deficit of about $500 billion, including $350 billion with China. That means we are knocking 2.5% off our GDP and delivering money to China. The tariff spat is creating cost inflation at the industrial companies we own, but it is also creating investment opportunities among U.S. companies that serve the domestic market.
The second T relates to the U.S. 10-year Treasury note. The yield was 2.44%-2.73% in January, rose to 3.11% and then fell back to 2.86%. Is the market’s current multiple of Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) sustainable? We don’t think so and expect inflation to pick up sending the 10-year yield back up over 3% by year end and higher next year.
Next are Taxes. The U.S. moved to a territorial tax system from a global system for corporations, which is good. A 21% corporate tax is a magnet for business to locate here. The write-off of capital expenditures drives new demand.
The fourth T is Technology. It is attracting a lot of attention in the stock market, and will continue to do so. The tariff situation is a surprise, but it does not bother us that much. Some of it is good since it creates volatility — the ‘old normal’ in markets. That allows investors to buy the value stocks at lower prices, and makes you look less dumb for not playing the momentum stock game.
Column by Gabelli Funds, written by Michael Gabelli
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