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Bankers PetroleumBNK.TOHOLDJun 27, 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.
Large, onshore oil play in Albania. This company is going through transition, and is moving more into horizontal drilling, water floods, etc. to try and unlock the secrets of a large oil deposit. Thinks free cash flow is still probably a year away. He is looking at this one closely, but he wants them to reach the tipping point of profitability before he gets in. (One of our followers has just advised me that this has really been cash flow positive for well over a year. Thanks Trish.)