The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
Can’t help but feel the SP drop over the past weeks is disproportianate to the worries about Greece that seem to be affecting all European markets. After all, none of CWC’s income comes out of Europe. Last time I saw a protracted gradual fall in the SP like this was the months prior to the Columbus announcement. Obviously there were those ‘in the know’ rergarding that transaction well before the offcial announcement was made. Me wonders therefore if there is someting major about to happen such as another purchase in the Caribbean or, God forbid, some serious negative development affecting the company.
Some investment analyst recently said that whilst most of tha cable industry leaders were playing chequers, John Malone is playing chess and thinking three moves ahead. With his thirteen percent stake in CWC he is a key individual to watch and a little Internet search on him earlier threw up three new developments for his Liberty Global company that suggests he is setting things up for expansion in the Caribbean. The first is the appointment of a new COO for his Latin America operations, one Betzalel Kenigsztein who is currently in charge of Liberty in Central Europe. The second is the setting up of the Latin America operations as a standalone business with a declaration that it is to be grown because of the growth opportunities in this region and the last developments is a further acquisition by Liberty in Puerto Rico. The links below go to each one of these stories. It seems to me therefore that CWC may already be a target for Mr Malone which would be good for investors if it wasn't for his reputation for always ending up with the best side of the deal! http://www.multichannel.com/news/people/kenigsztein-shifts-gears-liberty-global/391053 http://www.multichannel.com/news/news-articles/liberty-global-establish-latin-american-tracker/384978 http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2015/06/04/liberty-global-completes-272-5m-puerto-rican-cable.html
This is a well written and objective article that provides an insight into the CEO's thinking and basically confirms a takeover is likely in the next few years.
Hi Grayling. Whilst it is great to have him 'on board' John Malone's shareholding post completion of the merger is just13% compared to the 20% for John Risely and 3% for Brendan Paddick the two people who originally set Columbus Communications up. For him, this shareholding in CWC is relatively small and as you say he has his sights on bigger things right now so I wouldn't be too worried if he sold his holdings and concentrated on bigger enterprises. On the other hand if John Risely and Brendan Paddick bailed out next year (as the terms of the takeover allow) that would be a worry to me. For now I am sticking with CWC, the dividend is fine and I do believe that in this age of telecom consolidation it is only a matter of time before one of the larger regional players (Telefonica, America Movil or even perhaps a cash rich VOD!) will make a bid for the company. Good Luck.
Don't panic, stick with it for a full year under the new arrangements and the SP will be 80p plus. The enlarged company is now attracting the attention of the mainstream financial press and might even break into the FTSE100: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Tech_and_Media/article1556815.ece
Wonder if anyone else has worked out the special divi' based upon the £1Billion return to investors and can confrim my calculation of circa 20p per share? (This is an income share for me so am quite happy with the 80p commitment.)
or Mexican or Spanish giant aka America Movil or Telefonica, but you are dead right kenny.
Thanks ken(4).
Just hit 70p! Thanks for your opinion Toonman but there must also be some news that only insiders know at the moment.
....can someone explain this rise today?
Grayling, you can find Divi' details here: http://www.stockopedia.com/share-prices/cable-wireless-communications-LON:CWC/dividends/ The yield is currently about 4% (Paid in US cents and converted) and the next date of note will be the full year results on May 21st (I think).
Hi KUMS, Can you explain the relevance of the Blackrock holding please?
The authorities in Trinidad have now approved the purchase of Columbus assets there leaving only Barbados to give their approval. I suspect we will see an SP increase this morning. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/business/CW-gets-green-light--to-sell-TSTT-shares-297729081.html
Missed a word from the title 😬
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/TATT-No-go-on-CWC-Flow-merger-296156451.html There could be more to this than meets the eye. The comment about a government position is interesting. Suspect a turbulent day for the SP today!
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/64689/lime-flow-decision
Mick, your chart is not comparing 'eggs with eggs'. The chart tracks the old company before demerger. CWC 'as is' has only been in existence since 2010 so don't expect a 200p high. Based on current trading results and the purchase of Columbus Communications 70 to 75 pence is more realistic over the next 12 months but this would still be very welcome if you have held this stock anytime since the demerger.
Having read so much negative press today about the Premier League deal I have decided to sell all my holdings. All this talk of financial indiscipline and 'desperation' by Sky has unnerved me. It's now so obvious how dependant the company is one one product (Premier League) and given the SP is much higher now than when I bought in after the failed Murdoch takeover the time is right for me to pull out now. Best of luck to all who stick with Sky.