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Bankers PetroleumBNK.TOCOMMENTJan 13, 2014Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 15, 2026. Market Open.
Being acquired by a Chinese group. At the beginning they announced a bid of $2.20, and the stock was trading at about $1.80. He thinks the investment community did not know this Chinese group and not able to assess their legitimacy. They have gotten through various regulatory hurdles. He has elected to sell ahead of the acquisition.
(Market Call Minute.) Recently got a bid from a Chinese Consortium at $2.25. Stock is trading well below that on the fear that the Chinese buyer might not have the cash or may not close the deal. There is also Albanian tax risk. He reads it that this deal probably does go through, and there is a nice spread there for someone willing to take that risk.
Doesn’t see this as a takeover target. Their balance sheet is fine and has no net debt. Valuation is reasonable, but the problem is they are in a fight with the Albanian government over a tax dispute, so their bank accounts were recently frozen. Albania is where all their assets are. Very bad price momentum. Has this as a small Short. This is not something he would hold.
Looks like they are turning the corner. Had a new CEO come in early last year and have now had 5 quarters where they beat expectations in terms of production growth. Officially guiding for 10%-15% production growth this year. If you take out some of the conservatism, it looks like they could grow by 18%. Stock is trading around 3.1-3.6 times cash flow, a very cheap multiple for 18% production growth multi-years of inventory. Still has to warm up to this a little. He can achieve 18% in Canada, so doesn’t necessarily have to go to Albania. Very cheap stock. He is going to watch a little bit longer.