Thanks Mark and Guy. FC, thank you for the feedback. CUP took a little bit of time but is now playing out in line with the original thesis. I'll get some right and (unfortunately) some wrong too, but if I've shared my thoughts publicly and the facts change I'll do my best to update them as quickly as possible. Hopefully the winners more than offset any errors. Glad you're enjoying the wires, I'll write about a new company shortly.
One more update here: with the CEO now gone that represents, in my view, a breaking of the above thesis. While there are a few paths that might lead to a higher share price (sale, take private, recap, etc), the removal of the Chairman and now the CEO, (the latter being the one I backed to turn MIL around) means I simply got this one wrong.
Hi Angus, the announcement was a bit vague and seemed to hint at a potential guidance revision at the AGM. Sounds like the new board is completely clearing the deck, including any promises from the previous board. So unfortunately the risk appears higher now, in addition to the uncertainty around what their intentions may be. Hopefully they provide a bit more clarity around the new board's intention at the AGM.
One aspect of the above thesis that I didn't see coming was the board tussle this month. In the interest of keeping anyone who may be interested updated on my thoughts, below is an excerpt from the Fund's recent quarterly investor letter discussing MIL: "At the end of the quarter there was a board shake up as one of the original founders joined the board and another pushed for the removal of three directors. The return of the founders should in theory be a positive for the business, but it needs to be done with as little disruption as possible. In this regard the avoidance of an EGM is positive, but the removal of the Chairman is a surprise that creates short term uncertainty. This has seen the stock give back some gains. You could make the argument that the Chairman presided over a period of shareholder value destruction (which would support the case for the incoming directors) but he was well credentialed, supportive of the existing management team and committed enough to put his money on the line, buying 4.9% of the company on-market. What he now does with his large holding, the intentions of the new board and any resulting key management changes are all unknowns. This short term uncertainty creates some cause for a review of the position to determine the implications for the investment thesis, which is currently underway. That is countered by the fact that despite the short term uncertainty the upside from a successful MIL turnaround remains substantial. As such we intend to remain long term supporters of the company."
Appreciate the positive feedback Parth!
On 6 more pieces of advice rarely given to private investors and SMSFs -
Bill, Venkata, John, Hanh, Cindy, Chris & David, Thanks everyone for the feedback. Much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it!
On 6 more pieces of advice rarely given to private investors and SMSFs -
Thanks Alan, appreciate it.
On 6 more pieces of advice rarely given to private investors and SMSFs -
Hi Mark, absolutely. Very possible and if it happens would be transformational for CUP. But it requires CBA to essentially rollover and exit at all costs without looking at other ways to maximise the value since selling to CUP would mean CUP are the only possible buyers and they’d get a fantastic price. Given the bad press around Count etc that may be possible, but I would have to assume CBA will look at ways to maximise what they get for Count/CUP stake in which case the other scenarios come into play. Then need to factor in the timing of when CBA want to offload Count (later this year) and if/when CUP are in a position to do it. The stock will need to be a lot higher for the numbers to work. But the hiring of a team like Genesis does suggest something big is in the works, eventually. Whether it is Count or something else. But agree with you, it’s possible.
On Opportunities Post Royal Commission? You Can Count On It -
Hi Jim, SGH wouldn't be my first comparison! People businesses are good businesses *if* you get the incentives right. Acct and advice have big barriers to entry, high returns on capital, sticky clients, etc. And the new model where principals own equity in their individual firms, in my opinion at least, is highly scalable. Under this model the larger the CUP network grows the stronger it becomes. This looks like a turnaround at the inflection point of transitioning to growth, which can be a good time to take a look as you can get earnings growth & multiple expansion. But, lets see how it all plays out as management need to deliver now.
On Opportunities Post Royal Commission? You Can Count On It -
Good point on the reduction in supply of quality advice when demand is increasing. There is more at play here too, with new education standards professionalising the industry, but that will kick off a big reduction in adviser numbers. On balance, the quality of advice will increase. The fire sale of bank-owned advice businesses post RC is not a bad thing though, they are good businesses when well run, not just for the sake of distribution. There will be big opportunities coming out of the RC for investors keeping their eyes open.
On Rotting from the head: We need more than a Royal Commission -
Great read.
On How the demise of Kodak shaped the way this fundie invests -
Bob, I hope you put the proceeds into something else that went up, but selling too early after more than tripling your money is a nice problem to have!
Hi Huiyi, Thanks for the positive feedback. On your point about when exactly to sell - I considered writing an article on that topic but I simply couldn't because I'm still figuring it out myself! And I'm not anywhere close to mastering it. Unless the market just offers you a price that is too good to refuse I think the best you can do is understand the business as deeply as possible so you have an idea when the underlying drivers are changing. And sometimes even if you get that part right the management team will just keep delivering regardless, so understanding their level of motivation and incentives is key too. The main reason I've sold something over the years has been to invest in another idea. That has often paid off but in situations like MNF (and others) I would have been far better to just sit and do nothing!