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Bankers PetroleumBNK.TOTOP PICKFeb 12, 2015Stock 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.
Located in Albania. Had some challenges historically with meeting production guidance, but have been able to sort those challenges out. In the last 2 years they have shown a very consistent ability to meet guidance. There is currently a hiccup with some water pump issues, but they have that back on line. Potentially a free cash flow machine. Last year they had a little bit of free cash flow, and without the commodity crisis and price downdraft, they would have actually seen a really big growth of free cash flow. Very rare to see with an oil/gas company. Management has taken a very measured approach making sure they grow production at a disciplined rate so that the decline rate does not get too out of control. Also, increasing profitability by cutting costs.