Black Diamond (BDE) designs manufactures and markets outdoor
equipment and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing,
cycling and other leisure related activities.
Summary Investing Points:
1) Global financial advisory Rothschild was hired on November 9, 2015 to assist company in redeployment of significant cash balance and NOL.
2) Black Diamond is an industry respected brand name with a loyal following. Read positive reviews on the many products sold through Amazon.http://amzn.to/2bRv68y
3) An incomplete strategic review process initiated March 2015 did result in a profitable sale of equity interest in POC for 65M on October 2015. Black Diamond originally acquired POC in July 2012 for approximately $44.9M increasing value to 65M. Post-transaction, the Company expects to have approximately $100.0 million in cash, $22.6 million in debt and around $167.0 million in net operating loss carry forwards. http://bit.ly/2bkPoJ6
4) Executive chairman Warren Kanders is a proven capital allocator. He holds 25% of the shares outstanding. Kanders used CLRS.PK (a shell company with no current operating business but instead 86 million in cash and 223 million in NOLs) to acquire both Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. ("Black Diamond") and Gregory Mountain Products, Inc. ("Gregory") during 2010.
Further, it's important to note Mr. Kanders and Schiller (5.1% owner and board member of BDE) built up a company called Armor (AH). They made over 30 acquisitions during a 12 year period. On July 2007 they sold AH (Armor) to BAE Systems for 3.1 Billion.
Conclusion:
Black Diamond trades at a large discount to its historical and relative valuation. Trades for only 1 times its TTM gross profit of 54.5M.NCAV is 3.99 versus the current price of $4.49. Company's renewed focus on its growing climbing industry. A cult following with a lower cost structure from restructuring will generate future free cash flow. "During 2016, we expect to generate free cash flows of around $5 million before corporate costs and related activities. We continue to target combined 10% EBITDA margins for Black Diamond Equipment and PIEPS in 2017."
The most recent quarter disappointed from negative foreign currency impact, manufacturing operation move from China to Utah and unfavorable product mix impacting gross margins. "Second quarter SGA, which excludes restructuring, merger, and integration transaction, costs were down 18% to $11.6 million." This decline from realization of savings from restructuring plan implemented in 2015.
Further evidence it trades at a large discount to historical and relative valuations.
Modest share count reduction, 2012 shares outstanding were 31.76M down to MRQ 30.85M. Improving F score is 5 for the most recent quarter compared from 2 for 2012. NCAV is $3.99 versus .99 for 2013. Enterprise value is 57.90M versus EV of 466.10 for 2013. EV/Rev = .38 versus 3.08 for 2013. P/TB = 1.03 versus 4.23 for 2013. Short as a % of float was 19.04% for 09/2013, 8.20% June 2016 and is now at 3.70% on August 15, 2016. The company sale is likely after additional acquisitions based on Kanders historic record in my opinion.
Modest share count reduction, 2012 shares outstanding were 31.76M down to MRQ 30.85M. Improving F score is 5 for the most recent quarter compared from 2 for 2012. NCAV is $3.99 versus .99 for 2013. Enterprise value is 57.90M versus EV of 466.10 for 2013. EV/Rev = .38 versus 3.08 for 2013. P/TB = 1.03 versus 4.23 for 2013. Short as a % of float was 19.04% for 09/2013, 8.20% June 2016 and is now at 3.70% on August 15, 2016. The company sale is likely after additional acquisitions based on Kanders historic record in my opinion.
Ownership
Long BDE
