For what its worth, here's something Lone Star put out today. Im not passing any judgement on their claims, just thought you guys might be interested.
NEW YORK, July 18, 2014 -- Lone Star Value Investors, LP today raised serious concerns over what it believes is another incoherent and apparently manipulative decision of Antares Energy Limited (ASX: AZZ) to seek yet another abrupt trading halt of Antares’ shares due to Antares’ announcement it has received a second unsolicited bid this month. Antares’ timing is questionable, coming right before the 22 July General Meeting where Lone Star Value is seeking the election of five independent, highly- qualified director candidates and the removal of two employee directors from the Board. Recently, both leading proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis & Co, supported Lone Star Value’s campaign to revitalise the Board of Antares. Yesterday, Antares sought a second trading halt in less than a month, claiming it received yet another unsolicited bid. Antares shareholders have yet to hear any specifics on the first bid announced by CEO James Cruickshank on 7 July. Importantly, Antares’ second announcement states that a bid “has been made.” If so, a trading halt is inappropriate. A “made” bid is not an incomplete bid that would justify a halt in trading. This second trading halt will last until 21 July, a day after the record date for the General Meeting, unless Antares announces details of this second bid even as it has failed to provide information about the first bid. A similar path was followed earlier this year when Antares did not provide any information on its previous failed asset sale in February. The effect of Antares’ actions in halting trading is to freeze the shareholder base by not allowing shareholders to trade the stock in the last days before the 22 July General Meeting. Jeff Eberwein of Lone Star Value commented, “Antares’ shareholders are growing increasingly puzzled by the strategically incoherent actions of CEO James Cruickshank and the rest of the Board. We are growing more concerned that the Antares Board is trying to muddy the waters through any and every conceivable tactic before the election results at Tuesday’s general meeting.” Lone Star Value believes it is time Antares’ Board discloses to shareholders the specifics of any bids whether for the assets or the whole company. In the absence of any colour from the Board, Lone Star Value is sceptical that there is any real interest in acquiring Antares. Contrarily, Lone Star Value has serious concerns that on the heels of ISS and Glass Lewis support for Lone Star Value’s nominees, the Board seems to be resorting to desperate tactics attempting to divert attention from the serious issues that plague the Board and management, including concerns about possible trading violations by directors Cruickshank and Shoemaker. It appears as if the Antares Board is attempting to toy with shareholders with the promise of a possible whole monetisation of company assets in an attempt to remain in office as Board members. Lone Star Value believes Antares’ shareholders are smarter than this, and the poorly- run, failed asset sale earlier this year dilutes the validity of both purported offers of interest to acquire either Antares’ shares as a whole or substantially all of its assets. Lone Star Value further believes a lack of proper stewardship in the months leading up to the General Meeting are an extension of their already poor track record, and that this Board must be overhauled to succeed in maximising shareholder value. Mr. Eberwein concluded, “If there is a qualified buyer for Antares’ assets, then a stronger and independent Board will run an auction process to sell all or part of the company’s assets to the highest bidder, as well as disclose to investors the particulars of any sale process and potential bidders. Lone Star Value’s director candidates have the experience to run a robust auction and are much better positioned to maximise value for all shareholders than the incumbent Board, as well as protect shareholder interests if there are indeed buyers.” Lone Star Value urges all Antares shareholders to read carefully the materials that Lone Star Value has mailed and may continue to mail to them as those materials contain important information. Lone Star Value called on all Antares shareholders to vote on its blue and white proxy card to improve the Board of Antares.
AZZ Price at posting:
59.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
