RE: Hold6 Mar 2025 18:45
Berenberg said the premium offer was "eye catching".
"We have been hold-rated on Kenmare since 2023, since which point the shares have fallen circa 37%, with the view that free cash flow generation will be limited while it progresses further life-of-mine extension projects," it said.
"Our risked NAV stands at 448p per share, and our unrisked NAV stands at 585p per share. Mr Carvill knows the business incredibly well, having been its CEO from 1987 until leaving the company last year.
"In our view, the 530p per share all-cash bid was very compelling (which we would have taken) and we note that the best share price seen in recent history was 526p per share in 2022.
"Similar to Anglo American, we think that Kenmare's board and management would prefer to progress its strategy rather than sell at this point, which to us means that shareholders will need to be more patient to see value delivered.
"We see limited other rival bidders for Kenmare, although Rio Tinto is a potential bidder due to Kenmare's attractive ilmenite feed for its titanium dioxide business. However, having just closed the deal for Arcadium Lithium, we question whether Rio would be willing to pursue another transaction so quickly, even though the total value of the deal would be fairly immaterial for Rio."