We beat the market averages again last week, up 1.7% last week but are still down .4% for the year. The DOW ended the week up .7% and the NASDAQ was up 1.3%. For the year the DOW is up 1.8% and NASDAQ is up 4.6%.
UNTD earnings last week..
Some of our stocks are just stupid cheap—compared to their net cash on hand divided by their stock price.Check this list:
| UNTD | 35% |
| CCUR | 38% |
| SIGM | 40% |
| MRVC | 26% |
| SYNC | 36% |
| CTIG | 52% |
AVID, ATEC, PRSS, MRVC, DAEG, SYNC, EXTR, and DXM can still be bought.
Last week we went 10 stocks up, 4 down and 1 even. Since inception we are now 68 stocks up and 20 down for a 77% winning percentage (80% is our target win %). Of our closed-out positions 60 have been winners and 13 have been losers for an 82% win percentage and a 35% average net gain per position.
The model portfolio assumes $10,000 invested in each stock (unless we double-up–then it is $20,000), less $10 commission each way (TD Ameritrade rate).
Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ-AVID)-Recommended 1/20/2015)
Buy Price $14.00
Valuation $28.10
Closed up $.62 at $14.74
Next earnings for Q4 2014 due out Tuesday, March 5th after the market close.
UP 5% BUY
Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ-ATEC)-Recommended 9/2/2014)
Buy Price $1.56
Valuation $2.95 (Was, $3.00)
Closed up $.01 at $1.35
Q4 earnings due out Thursday, February 26th after the market close
ATEC announced Q3 2014 (September 30, 2014) earnings on October 30, 2014. Revenues were $51 million compared to $50.2 million last year. Non-GAAP, EPS was a loss of $.01 compared to a profit of $.01 last year. More significantly, EBITDA was up 22% from $6.7 to $8.2 million. Our valuation came in at $2.95 compared to the previous $3.00.
Down 14% BUY
CafePress, Inc. Inc. (NASDAQ-PRSS)-Recommended 5/19/2014)
Buy Price $5.40
Valuation $11.17 (Was $12.51, $11.27)
Closed up $.78 at $3.73
More big news last week. They are selling another division for $10.3 million that represents less than 10% of their sales. The stock has reacted well to this announcement and last weeks news that they are selling their “Art Business” for $31.5 million. Up 70% over the last 2 weeks. They also announced that they had about $30 million of cash at 12/31/2014 ($33 million at 12/31/2013) and that they expected to report $82-$84 million in sales for Q4 and that earnings would be substantially below analyst expectations. We are guessing that they will pay little or no taxes on the Art sale and that they will net about $30 million from it.
PRSS announced Q3 2014 (September 30, 2014) earnings on November 13th, 2014. Revenues were $48.6 million, down slightly from $50.4 million last year. They lost $2.8 million versus a $1.0 million loss last year. Our new valuation was $11.17 down from $12.51 last quarter. This continues to be a work-in-progress, but it is going in the right direction. We are betting that the new (old) management can right the ship and get revenues and earnings growing again..
This is still a BUY.
Lloyd Miller filed a Form 13G on October 24, 2014 disclosing a 5.1% (887,000 shares) stake in PRSS..
Down 31% BUY
Extreme Networks, Inc. Inc. (NASDAQ-UNTD)-Recommended 3/12/2014)
Buy Price $3.43 (was $3.95 before we added another $10,000)
Valuation $9.34, (Was $8.24, $9.68, $8.52)
Closed unchanged at $3.46
EXTR announced Q2, 2015 (December 31, 2014) earnings on January 28, 2015. Revenues were $147.2 million, up from $146.5 million last year. They made $4.7 million versus a $14.1 million profit last year on a Non-GAAP basis. Gross margin held steady at over 50%. Our valuation was $9.34 up from $8.34 last quarter. Cash per share was $.20 (compared to negative $.17 last quarter). Guidance for next quarter is a tepid $130-$140 million in revenue and bottom line of between a loss of $3.1 million and a profit of $1.8 million which will result in a valuation of about $8.40 a share (all Non-GAAP numbers). Hopefully they can beat this.
UP 1% BUY
United Online Inc. (NASDAQ-UNTD)-Recommended 3/12/2014)
Buy Price $10.28
NEW Valuation $34.65 (Was $33.50 $35.84, $32.35, $27.86)
Closed up $1.95 at $15.91
UNTD announced Q4, 2014 (December 31, 2014) earnings after the close on February 18, 2015. Revenues were $54.4 million, down from $62.6 million last year, but up from $52.9 million last quarter. They made $2.3 million before tax versus an $8 million loss before taxes last year. Gross margin held steady at 68%. Our valuation was $34.65 up from $33.50 last quarter. Cash per share was $5.53 (compared to $5.38 last quarter). Guidance for next quarter is $47.5-$50.5 million in revenue and bottom line of between a loss of $.8 million and $2.8 million.
OIBTDA (which they use instead of EBITDA) was $11.4 million compared to $12.6 million last year.
Up 55% HOLD
Synacor Inc. (NASDAQ-SYNC)-Recommended 12/17/2013)
Buy Price $2.56
Valuation $5.58 (Was $5.21, $5.44, $6.67, $6.39)’
Closed up $.02 at $2.20
Next earnings for Q4 2014 due out Wednesday, February 25th after the market close.
SYNC announced Q3 2014 (September 30, 2014) earnings on October 30, 2014. Revenues were $26.2 million down slightly from $26.5 million the prior year. They had a Non-GAAP loss of about $1.4 million compared to a loss of $.4 million last year. SYNC’s valuation rose from last quarter to $5.58, but was still lower than last years $6.01.
JEC and Ratio Capital has been quiet lately.
Down 14%. BUY
Dex Media Inc. (NASDAQ-DXM)-Recommended 5/10/2013)
Buy Price $15.14
Valuation $31.00 (Was $34.00, $37.98, $34.36, $31.50, $24.25)
Closed up $.19 at $7.37
DEX announced a major restructuring on December 11, 2014. They expect to incur $70-$100 million of expenses to achieve $150 million of ongoing expense savings with $110 million of that coming in 2015. They expect to begin deleveraging their balance sheet (meaning Net Debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio) in 2016. No question that’s what they need to do.
DXM announced Q3 2014 (September 30, 2014) earnings on 11/4/2014. Revenues were $452 million, down from $474 million last quarter and adjusted EBITDA was $167 million down from 174 million last quarter. Overall an OK quarter. Our valuation fell a bit to $31 down from $34 last quarter. They have paid off $319 million of net debt over the last twelve months and total net debt stands at $2.3 billion.
Looking back to 2012 at their projections before the merger it looks like they will miss their 2014 projections for revenue and adjusted EBITDA by 10-15%, but will beat their projected debt reduction target by over $100 million. The faster they get rid of the huge debt, the better, as it is the primary risk factor affecting the stock price in our opinion.
Due to the high debt level and small number of shares outstanding, relatively small changes in DXM’s results can cause large swings in our valuation.
Down 52% BUY
Daegis Inc. (NASDAQ-DAEG)-Recommended 11/30/2012)
Buy Price $1.09 (Was $1.20 before we doubled up)
Valuation $2.83 (Was $2.85,s $3.39, $3.25, $3.42, $4.64, $4.86, $4.00)
Closed up $.01 at $.74
Second quarter (10/31/2014) earnings announced on November 20th.
Revenues were $6.7 million down from $7.7 million last year and flat with $6.7 million last quarter. They broke-even on a GAAP basis compared to a $.01 loss last year. On a Non-GAAP basis they made $.03 a share versus $.01 last year. Our valuation slipped to $2.83 from $2.85 last quarter. Net debt came went up a bit to $8.7 million from $7.6 million last quarter and declined from $11.6 million a year ago. It will be a longer wait to see some action here.
Norm Pessin filed a 13D on November 27, 2013 disclosing a 6.2% stake and upped it to 12.2% in December 2013. Good news that someone else sees the value here. DAEG is trading at about 25% of our valuation.
Down 32%, BUY
Bridgeline Digital Inc. (NASDAQ-BLIN)-Recommended 8/24/2012)
Buy Price $.79 ($ 1.17, $1.24 before 12/15/2014 and 2/14/2014 $10,000 adders)
NEW Valuation $1.17 (Was $1.51, $1.75, $1.76, $1.83, $1.61, $2.19, $2.35, $2.56, $2.24)
Closed up $.01 at $.50
BLIN announced earnings on February 12, 2015 for Q4 2014. Not good. Revenues were down to $5 million from $6.5 million last year. They lost $2.1 million versus $.8 million last year. Looks like they were too occupied with their expense reductions in Q4.They did announce that they did not anticipate any more equity issuance in 2015, which is a good step. They reaffirmed their $800,000 a quarter expense reduction in 2015 also. All our hope is they can execute going forward on their record backlog going into 2015. Our valuation dropped to $1.17, still more than double the current trading price, but about 50% from where we started here. This is now a Hold—they need to show progress.
Down 37%, HOLD
Telecommunications Systems Inc. (NASDAQ-TSYS)-Recommended 6/14/2012)
Buy Price- $1.37
Valuation $6.55 (Was $6.88, $6.12, $5.99, $5.32, $6.81, $6.28, $4.89, $6.02, $6.72, $5.49)
Closed down $.01 at $3.27
Q4 earnings announced on, February 5, 2015.
Not bad. Revenues were $93.3 million up 19% compared to $78.6 million last year and they made $.06 a share on an “adjusted basis” compared to $.02 last year. If this were some high flying tech stock this would be over $4 a share based on the 19% revenue jump-but alas, it is not. Apparently they “missed’ analysts revenue estimate and little happened with the stock price. Our valuation slid a bit to $6.55, down from $6.88 last quarter but up $1.56 or 29% from last year.
They also reached a settlement with Becker Drapkin in February. BD gets two Board seats in exchange for not buying more than 12% of TSYS stock prior to 12/31/2016.
Becker Drapkin filed a 13D on November 24, 2014 disclosing a 6.7% stake. They had the standard 13D language about their intentions to discuss various options with management. Good news that someone is paying attention to this undervalued company.
We will continue to hold TSYS despite our over 100% gain. Maybe this will turn into another MITL and be trading at $10+ in the next year.
TSYS is trading at about 46% of our valuation. .
UP 139%, HOLD
MRV Communications (Pink Sheets-MRVC.pk)-Recommended 10//10/2011
Valuation $25.52 (Was $24.58, $23.19, $25.50, $28.98, $24.01 $23.06, $27.15, $31.80, $34.60, $28.60, $41.20, $43.20 (after $9.50, $6.00 and $1.40 special dividends), $52.40, $55.80)
Buy Price October 7, 2011- $8.50 ($25.40 before special dividends)
Closed at $9.95 down $.09
On December 16, 2014 MRV announced an eight million dollar share buyback. Not our favorite method of enhancing shareholder value, but a nice expression of confidence in the business prospects.
MRVC announced Q3 2014 (September 30, 2014) earnings on 11/5/2014. Revenues were $43.2 million, up 12% from $38.4 million last year. They lost $1.04 million versus a $.146 million loss last year. Cash per share rose to $2.63 from $2.20 last quarter. Our valuation was $25.52 up from $24.58 last quarter.
Karen Singer filed a 13G in May 2014 disclosing a 5.3% stake. Singer was a 13D filer before and helped instigate all the special dividends. Good to see them with a healthy stake again.
Lloyd Miller disclosed a 6.9% stake in February 2012.
UP 16% BUY
Sigma Designs Inc. (NASDAQ-SIGM)-Recommended 7/11/2011)
Buy Price-$8.49
Valuation $12.17 (Was $9.60, $8.24, $9.16, $12.30, $11.86, $8.24, $13.05, $10.67, $8.41 $12.10, $13.40, $16.02)
Closed up $.12 at $6.81
Q3 2015 earnings were announced on December 10, 2014. Revenues were up 26% and they made $.04 a share on a Non-GAAP basis. Cash rose to $2.75 a share and our valuation jumped to $12.17 a share. Nice quarter-finally.
Ariel Investments filed a 13G on January 10, 2014 disclosing a 10.1% stake in Sigma.
Down 20%, HOLD
Concurrent Computer (NASDAQ-CCUR)-Recommended 2/4/2011)
Buy Price-$4.58 (Was $5.08 before $.50 special dividend)
Valuation $13.07 (was $14.80, $17.72, $15.01, $15.10, $14.55, $14.77, $16.26, $16.20, $15.37, $13.53, $15.85, $14.13, $11.38, $14.04, $18.54, $15.99)
Closed up $.19 at $7.26 (including $1.08 of dividends)
Pays $.48 annual dividend.
CCUR announced Q2 2015 (December 31, 2014) earnings on January 27, 2015.. Revenues were $16 million, down 10% from $17.8 million last year. They lost $.6 million versus a $1.1 million profit last year. Gross margin held steady at 55%. Our valuation was $13.07 down from $14.80 last quarter. CCUR is trading at 52% of our valuation. Cash per share was $2.75 or 40% of the market cap. This is now a HOLD until we see what the new CEO can do and they get revenue growth back (and profits). We continue to collect the 7% dividend.
We have collected $1.08 in dividends so far (excluding the $.50 special dividend which reduced our basis).
UP 59%, HOLD
ARI Networks (ARIS.ob-Recommended 8/19/2006)
Buy price $1.61 (Was $1.78 before another $10,000 added, was $2.06 before double up),
Valuation $5.96 (was $6.02, $5.67, $5.57, $5.70, $6.71, $6.41, $6.14, $5.97, $6.21, $6.13, $5.82, $5.81, $5.72, $5.65, $5.39, $4.86, $5.60, $5.73, $5.54, $5.74, $5.96, $4.72, $5.19, $5.66, $5.63, $5.61, $5.71, $5.49, $5.34, $5.03, $5.28, $5.28, $5.21)
Closed at $3.61, down $.02
Second quarter earnings due out Thursday, March 5th, 2015 after the market closes.
Q1 2015 earnings announced December, 11,2014. ARI continues to make good progress. Revenues were up 12% to $9.1 million and they made $.01 a share after about $.02 a share of charges related to their acquisition of Tire Company Solutions. Only 1 month of TCS revenue was included in the quarter. Our valuation fell a bit, burdened by the full cost of buying TCS, with only 1/3 a quarter of revenue to $5.95 a share. We think it will go up to about $6.65 with a full quarter of TCS revenues.
Additionally, it looks like Park City Capital has been buying up Wynnefield Capitals shares and provides an activist investor to the mix. Below is a letter sent by Park City to ARIs CEO on Decembers 9th and attached to their Form 13D filed on December 10th, 2014.
Dear Roy,
Park City Capital, LLC is a private investment firm based in Dallas, TX. As you know from prior conversations, investment funds that we manage have acquired a 7.0%1 interest in ARI Network Services, Inc. (“ARI” or “ARIS” or the “Company”) bringing our position to 1,000,000 shares of common stock. Based on publicly available data, it is our understanding that we are ARI’s fourth largest shareholder. We have acquired this stake in the open market over the past couple months, as we think the shares are significantly undervalued.
We would like to congratulate you on your accomplishments since joining the Company in 2006 and becoming CEO in 2008. Since our first meeting on September 18th, we have performed extensive due diligence on ARI and we believe management’s stated strategy to grow through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions will create significant shareholder value and we believe that ARIS will be worth approximately $8 per share over the next 24 months, which is very compelling.
In addition, as we articulated when we had lunch in Dallas on November 20th, we believe that if the Company could accelerate its acquisition strategy, we think ARIS could be worth $10 per share over the next 24 months and at that point, we believe a strategic buyer would pay a significant premium to acquire the Company. We were delighted at your openness to listen to our ideas and your general shareholder friendly demeanor. We are excited about the growth prospects for the Company and believe ARI is positioned very well to maximize shareholder value.
In addition to our willingness to help facilitate our proposal, we would gladly accept a seat on the Company’s Board of Directors. We believe we could add the perspective of the institutional investment community and help raise the Company’s profile within the investment community. In addition, we have relationships within the investment banking community that could accelerate the Company’s ability to maximize shareholder value and ultimately facilitate a sale of the Company.
We have written an extensive research report on ARIS and plan to publish the report on our website
Wynnefield Capital has been selling ARI for a couple of weeks, about 450,000 shares. They still hold just under 1.3 million shares or 9% of the company. The stock has absorbed this stock with grace. Wynnefield easily has more than a double in their position.
ARI announced another acquisition in October. This one provides software, websites and digital marketing services designed exclusively for dealers, wholesalers, retreaders and manufacturers within the automotive tire and wheel vertical. They have about 600 customers. This deal will add approximately $6 million a year in revenue and positive EBITDA to ARI results. The purchase cost $9.1 million of which $4.2 million was in cash, a $3 million seller note and $1.9 million in stock and a potential earn-out. At 1.5 times sales, this was a reasonable price in our opinion. This should give them about a 15% boost in sales for FY 2015 (started August 1, 2014). They are doing a good job positioning the company to be acquired. Hopefully this will soon happen with a $5+ price like we got for XRS in September 2014.
UP 125%, HOLD, Still a large valuation gap here.
CTI Holdings (CTIG.ob-Recommended 2/25/2006)
Buy price $.27 ask,
Valuation $1.34 (Was $1.22, $.99, $1.02, $1.05, $1.07, $1.14, $1.17, $1.34, $1.34, $1.37, $1.36, $1.23, $.91, $1.21, $.71, $.83, $.88 $.96, $.93, $.75, $.85, $1.57, $1.40, $1.29, $1.38, $1.31, $1.38, $1.29, $1.42, $1.28 $1.13, $1.05, $.82)
Ask price $.36 closed at $.35
CTI announced last week that they had named their CFO as the Interim President and CEO. Having the CFO as CEO sometimes means they are ready to sell the company?
Q3 earnings announced after the close on November 14th when no one was looking. Results were actually good, so why are they hiding it? Another insider take-over bid coming? Revenues were up 14% to $4.1 million from $3.6 million last year and they lost $154,000 versus a loss of $384,000 last year. Adding back non-cash charges for amortization they made $273,000 pre-tax versus $129,000 last year. Cash increased from last quarter to $5.5 million from $5.3 million. They now have $.19 per share in cash. Our valuation rose to $1.34 per share, the highest in 2 years, CTIG is trading at 28% of our valuation.
John Birbeck announced his departure in October 2014. He was one of the group trying to take CTIG private for $.40 a share. Birbeck will remain a Director of the company. He owns about 7% of CTIG (about 2.3 million shares).
They need to get an investment banker and sell the company. Probably get at least $.75 a share for it from someone.
UP 33%. HOLD
Cheap Stock Investor 