Companies trading below their net asset value (NAV) can be significant opportunities. Our investment team strives to identify these valuation anomalies and focuses on investing when the market price does not reflect the estimated intrinsic value.
A mispriced asset is not necessarily a goldmine. In a previous Insight, we identified some of the red flags that may mean a company is trading below its NAV for good reason. An investment is only going to deliver long term value if the underlying assets are strong, and there are prospects that the discount will narrow.
A key factor we look for in an investment opportunity, therefore, is a catalyst for change. So, what are these catalysts and how do we identify them?
Concerns over corporate governance can be a significant barrier to company performance, shareholder returns and market value. Issues such as director independence and the treatment of minority shareholders can contribute to a company trading below NAV.
Corporate governance has always been a focus for AVI, but more recently is especially relevant for our AVI Japan Opportunity Trust fund (AJOT). The launch of a new Corporate Governance Code in Japan back in 2015 marked the beginning of profound changes to how companies in the country behave and plan.
As a market known historically for its weakness on standards of corporate governance, this was a welcome change. In the years since, the code has led to a greater awareness of the role of shareholders, and of the need to improve value for those shareholders as well as protect their rights.
We see a huge upside in strong Japanese companies willing to proactively engage in reform. AJOT was launched on the premise of ‘engaged shareholding’, whereby we work constructively with boards, management and shareholders to achieve meaningful change that drives long term value growth.
The closed-end fund space is no different. Our AVI Global Trust (AGT) fund has held a stake in Vietnam Phoenix Fund (VPF) since 2013, when we first invested in DWS Vietnam. This was a fund with a successful track record, but which languished on a discount of 40% as a result of various corporate governance issues. These included high fees, a conflicted board, and an absence of discount control measures. Acquiring an 18% stake, we worked to tackle the issues plaguing the fund, culminating in 2016 with the fund being split into two separate entities: an open ended fund housing the listed assets which would realise investments and return cash to shareholders over 3 months, and a closed-end fund doing the same with the private assets over several years.
A key factor we look for in an investment opportunity is a catalyst for change
A firm may have a strong underlying asset-backed business, or robust corporate governance, but still trade below NAV. In some circumstances, actively encouraging a company to take decisive corporate actions, such as a subsidiary buyout or the sale of a portfolio company or subsidiary, can unlock huge value.
This is particularly true when it comes to parent-child subsidiary relationships in Japan. These are structures in which the ‘parent’ owns the majority stake of a listed subsidiary company – the ‘child’, with de facto control over issues such as board appointments, capital allocation and the firm’s strategic outlook.
In this scenario, the company’s minority shareholders have little to no say in decisions being made and their wants and needs are often disregarded. This leaves minority shareholders open to the risk of abuse, and of detrimental decisions being made which are beyond their control. Often the best outcome for shareholders will be in the parent company either buying out the subsidiary or selling it. Both options often come at a huge premium to the prevailing share price of the companies involved.
In recent years, AVI have been involved in a push to encourage Toshiba Corporation to acquire two of its child subsidiaries, Nuflare and Toshiba Plant. Letters and media engagement by shareholders such as ourselves, coupled with ongoing pressure from governments and regulators, acted as the catalyst for the deals to be finalised. The acquisitions were completed at a 46% and 28% premium to each company’s respective share price, unlocking huge upside for shareholders.
A huge potential area for delivering shareholder value is re-structuring value destructive balance sheets. Companies with excess cash or non-related investment securities are clearly not operating efficiently. Many of our activist campaigns have featured elements of balance sheet restructuring, including our ongoing campaigns with Tokyo Broadcasting System and Teikoku Sen-I.
In the past, we have successfully encouraged companies to conduct share buybacks, raising their share price as a result. The share price of Japanese company C Uyemura rose 41% after we suggested they conduct a buyback to improve the efficiency of their balance sheet.
Value destructive balance sheets can mask extremely strong underlying businesses. This issue is particularly prominent in Japan, with a deeply ingrained cultural tendency to serve stakeholders, preserve jobs and look after pensioners. Japanese companies typically hold large amounts of cash on balance sheets, rather than focusing on rewards for shareholders.
Find out more about how we unlock long term value in our detailed insights.
The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Limited (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU. AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”) and is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. While the Investment Manager is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, it does not comply with the Advisers Act with regard to its non-U.S. clients.
To the extent that material on this website is issued in the UK, it is issued for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Intended Audience
The information on this website is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investments or related services that may be referenced on this website. The information on this website is subject to change without notice.
It is your responsibility to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction.
This website is primarily intended for United Kingdom (“UK”) residents. It is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any U.S. persons or persons in any other country where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to local law or regulation or in which AVI does not hold any necessary licence or registration. Individuals or entities in respect of whom such prohibitions apply, must not access or use the AVI website.
No Tax or Legal Advice
Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor should it be relied upon in making an investment decision.
Money Laundering
As a result of money laundering regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment. Full details are contained in the relevant subscription documents.
Investment Decisions
As with all financial or investment matters, you should exercise great care in using the information provided on this website or available through links from this website. You should research the facts, opinions and strategies mentioned in this website before making any financial investment decisions. If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
No Warranty; Limitation on Liability
Whilst all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this website, AVI cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, either expressly or implied.
Neither AVI, any of its directors, officers or employees, nor any third party vendor, will be liable or have any responsibility of any kind for any loss or damage that you incur in the event of any failure or interruption of this site, or resulting from the act or omission of any other party involved in making this site or the data contained therein available to you, or from any other cause relating to your access to, inability to access, or use of the site or these materials, whether or not the circumstances giving rise to such cause may have been within the control of AVI, or of any vendor providing software or services support.
All information and content on this website is, subject to applicable statutes and regulations, furnished “as is”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. We make no warranty as to the operation, functionality or availability of this website, that the website will be error-free or that defects will be corrected.
In no event shall AVI be liable to any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website, the inability to use this site or any products or services obtained or stored in or from this website, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. These limitations also apply to any third party claims against users.
Intellectual Property
Everything on this website is the valuable intellectual property of Asset Value Investors Limited, or their respective suppliers. We protect our intellectual property rights to the full extent of the law.
Copyright Policy
No permission is granted to copy, distribute, modify, post or frame any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, or user interface design or logos.
Hyperlinks
The existence of hyperlinks should not be construed as an endorsement, approval or verification by AVI of any content available on third party sites. By providing access to other websites, we are not recommending the purchase or sale of products or services provided by the website’s sponsoring organization. We do not review any of these third party sites. AVI reserves the right to require written consent for, or request the removal of, any links to our website.
AVI disclaims all responsibility and liability for the content on third party sites.
Security
For your protection, we require the use of encryption technologies for certain types of communications conducted through this website. While we provide those technologies and use other reasonable precautions to protect confidential information and provide suitable security, we do not guarantee or warrant that information transmitted through the Internet is secure, or that such transmissions will be free from delay, interruption, interception or error. You acknowledge and agree that users of this website and users, owners, or managers of third party websites may not: (i) collect or store personal data about other users of this website or (ii) upload, e-mail or otherwise transmit any material that contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that might interrupt, limit or interfere with the functionality of any computer software, hardware, database or file, or communications equipment that is owned, leased or used by AVI.
Privacy Policy
We encourage you to read AVI’s Privacy Policy which can be obtained by clicking the Privacy Policy button found on the Homepage.
General Terms
Deliberate misuse of any element of this website including, without limitation, hacking, introduction of viruses or similar code, disruption or excessive use or any use in contravention of applicable law, is expressly prohibited and we reserve the right to terminate your access to the website, and at our discretion, pass information to the legal authorities.
We reserve the right at any time on giving notice to change or modify these terms and conditions or to impose new conditions in respect of this website or to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this website. We shall be entitled to terminate your access to this website at any time on giving notice to you and in any event if you commit any breach of these terms and conditions. We shall have no liability to you for such termination. Notices may be served by any reasonable method including posting on this website.
You shall indemnify us from and against all actions, claims, proceedings, costs and damages (including any damages or compensation paid by us on the advice of its legal advisors to compromise or settle any claim) and all legal costs or expenses arising out of your use of this e webSite, any breach of any applicable law, statute, ordinace, regulation or third party rights and any breach by you of the software licenses and service agreements governing the software made available to you in connection with this website.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations.
AVI Global Trust – General Risk Factors
AVI Global Trust plc is a public company listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The price of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the full amount invested. The trust uses gearing techniques (leverage) which will exaggerate market movements both down and up which could mean sudden and large falls in market value. Please refer to the Key Features Document for further details effecting your investment.
Applications to invest in AVI Global Trust referred to on this website, must only be made on the basis of the current Key Features Document, or other applicable terms and conditions. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. Market and exchange rate movements may cause the value of a fund to rise or fall and an investor may not get back the amount invested.
As a result of money laundering regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment. Details are contained in the relevant application documents.
If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
By agreeing to these terms, you agree that we may contact you by post, fax, email, SMS messaging or by other forms of electronic media to inform you of our products and services that we believe you might be interested in.
The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Limited (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU.
AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the “FCA”) and is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States. While the Investment Manager is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, it does not comply with the Advisers Act with regard to its non-U.S. clients.
Intended Audience
The information on this website is provided to you for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investments or related services that may be referenced on this website.The information on this website is subject to change without notice.
This website is primarily intended for UK residents. It is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any U.S. persons or persons in any other country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
It is your responsibility to observe all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction.
No Tax or Legal Advice
Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor should it be relied upon in making an investment decision.
Money Laundering
As a result of money laundering regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment. Full details are contained in the relevant subscription documents.
Investment Decisions
As with all financial or investment matters, you should exercise great care in using the information provided on this website or available through links from this website. You should research the facts, opinions and strategies mentioned in this website before making any financial investment decisions. If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
No Warranty; Limitation on Liability
Whilst all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this website, AVI cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, either expressly or implied. Neither AVI, any of its directors, officers or employees, nor any third party vendor, will be liable or have any responsibility of any kind for any loss or damage that you incur in the event of any failure or interruption of this site, or resulting from the act or omission of any other party involved in making this site or the data contained therein available to you, or from any other cause relating to your access to, inability to access, or use of the site or these materials, whether or not the circumstances giving rise to such cause may have been within the control of AVI, or of any vendor providing software or services support.
All information and content on this website is, subject to applicable statutes and regulations, furnished “as is”, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. We make no warranty as to the operation, functionality or availability of this website, that the website will be error-free or that defects will be corrected.
In no event shall AVI be liable to any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website, the inability to use this site or any products or services obtained or stored in or from this website, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise. These limitations also apply to any third party claims against users.
Intellectual Property
Everything on this website is the valuable intellectual property of Asset Value Investors Limited, or their respective suppliers. We protect our intellectual property rights to the full extent of the law.
Copyright Policy
No permission is granted to copy, distribute, modify, post or frame any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, or user interface design or logos.
Hyperlinks
The existence of hyperlinks should not be construed as an endorsement, approval or verification by AVI of any content available on third party sites. By providing access to other websites, we are not recommending the purchase or sale of products or services provided by the website’s sponsoring organization. We do not review any of these third party sites. AVI reserves the right to require written consent for, or request the removal of, any links to our website.
AVI disclaims all responsibility for the content of third party sites
Security
For your protection, we require the use of encryption technologies for certain types of communications conducted through this website. While we provide those technologies and use other reasonable precautions to protect confidential information and provide suitable security, we do not guarantee or warrant that information transmitted through the Internet is secure, or that such transmissions will be free from delay, interruption, interception or error.
You acknowledge and agree that users of this website and users, owners, or managers of third party websites may not: (i) collect or store personal data about other users of this website or (ii) upload, e-mail or otherwise transmit any material that contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that might interrupt, limit or interfere with the functionality of any computer software, hardware, database or file, or communications equipment that is owned, leased or used by AVI.
Privacy Policy
We encourage you to read AVI’s Privacy Policy which can be obtained by clicking the Privacy Policy button found on the Homepage.
General Terms
Deliberate misuse of any element of this website including, without limitation, hacking, introduction of viruses or similar code, disruption or excessive use or any use in contravention of applicable law, is expressly prohibited and we reserve the right to terminate your access to the website, and at our discretion, pass information to the legal authorities.
We reserve the right at any time on giving notice to change or modify these terms and conditions or to impose new conditions in respect of this website or to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this website. We shall be entitled to terminate your access to this website at any time on giving notice to you and in any event if you commit any breach of these terms and conditions. We shall have no liability to you for such termination. Notices may be served by any reasonable method including posting on this website.
You shall indemnify us from and against all actions, claims, proceedings, costs and damages (including any damages or compensation paid by us on the advice of its legal advisors to compromise or settle any claim) and all legal costs or expenses arising out of your use of thise website, any breach of any applicable law, statute, ordinace, regulation or third party rights and any breach by you of the software licenses and service agreements governing the software made available to you in connection with this website.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations.
AVI Global Trust – General Risk Factors
AVI Global Trust plc is a public company listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The price of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the full amount invested. The trust uses gearing techniques (leverage) which will exaggerate market movements both down and up which could mean sudden and large falls in market value. Please refer to the Key Features Document for further details effecting affecting your investment.
Applications to invest in AV Global Trust referred to on this Site, must only be made on the basis of the current Key Features Document, or other applicable terms and conditions. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. Market and exchange rate movements may cause the value of a fund to rise or fall and an investor may not get back the amount invested.
As a result of money laundering regulations, additional documentation for identification purposes may be required when you make your investment. Details are contained in the relevant application documents. If you are unsure about the meaning of any information provided please consult your financial adviser or other professional adviser.
By agreeing to these terms, you agree that we may contact you by post, fax, email, SMS messaging or by other forms of electronic media to inform you of our products and services that we believe you might be interested in.
INVESTOR – Risk Warnings
It is very important that you read this warning and disclaimer before proceeding, as it explains certain legal and regulatory restrictions applicable to any investment services and products we provide.
The content of this website is issued by Asset Value Investors Ltd (“AVI”), 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU
AVI is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom.
This website is not directed at any person in any jurisdiction where it is illegal or unlawful to access and use such information. AVI disclaims all responsibility if you access any information in breach of any local law or regulation. All persons who access this website are required to inform themselves and to abide with all applicable local law, regulations and restrictions.
The information on this website is not directed at any person or entity in the United States, and this site is not intended for distribution or to be used by any person or entity in the United States unless those persons or entities are existing investors in funds managed by AVI and they have applicable US exemptions.
Nothing on this website constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor should it be relied upon in making an investment decision.
The funds referred to in this website are alternative investment funds (“AIFs”). The promotion of such funds and the distribution of offering materials in relation to such funds is accordingly restricted by law.
Shares in the funds mentioned in this website are not dealt in or on a recognised or designated investment exchange, nor is there a market maker in such shares, and it may therefore be difficult for an investor to dispose of his shares.
The information on this website is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy shares in any fund managed by AVI.
An application for shares in any of the funds referred to on this site should only be made having fully read fully the relevant prospectus and most recent financial statement and semi-annual financial statements published thereafter.
The Information is provided for information purposes only and on the basis that you make your own investment decisions and do not rely upon it.
AVI is not soliciting any action based on it and it does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice.
Should you have any queries about the investment funds referred to on this website, you should contact your financial adviser.
Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount invested.
The funds noted in this website may be subject to higher risk and volatility than other funds and may not be suitable for all investors. These funds are not regulated.
Exchange rates may cause the value of overseas investments and the income arising from them to rise or fall.
The levels and bases of and reliefs from taxation may change. Any tax reliefs referred to are those currently available and their value depends on the circumstances of the individual investor. Investors should consult their own tax adviser in order to understand any applicable tax consequences.
The information on this website, including any expression of opinion or forecast, has been obtained from, or is based on, sources believed by AVI to be reliable, but are not guaranteed as to their accuracy or completeness and should not be relied upon.
You should be aware that the Internet is not a completely reliable transmission medium. AVI does not accept any liability for any data transmission errors such as data loss or damage or alteration of any kind, including, but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential damage, arising out of the use of the products or services referred to herein. This does not exclude or restrict any duty or liability that AVI has to its customers under the regulatory system in the United Kingdom.
To make a complaint about this website ,please send a written complaint for the attention of the Compliance Officer at the registered address: 2 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PU.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AVI, its affiliates and licensors, and the officers, partners, employees, and agents of AVI and its affiliates and licensors, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses, including legal fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of this website and the Information.
The existence of hyperlinks should not be construed as an endorsement, approval or verification by AVI of any content available on third party websites. By providing access to other websites, we are not recommending the purchase or sale of products or services provided by the website’s sponsoring organization. We do not review any of these third party websites.
No permission is granted to copy, distribute, modify, post or frame any text, graphics, video, audio, software code, or user interface design or logos.
Nothing on this site should be considered as granting any licence or right under any trademark of AVI or any third party.
Deliberate misuse of any element of this Website including, without limitation, hacking, introduction of viruses or similar code, disruption or excessive use or any use in contravention of applicable law, is expressly prohibited and we reserve the right to terminate your access to the Website, and at our discretion, pass information to the legal authorities.
We reserve the right at any time on giving notice to change or modify these terms and conditions or to impose new conditions in respect of this website or to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of this website. We shall be entitled to terminate your access to this website at any time on giving notice to you and in any event if you commit any breach of these terms and conditions. We shall have no liability to you for such termination. Notices may be served by any reasonable method including posting on this website.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of law principles. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions will exclude or restrict any duty or liability we may have under applicable rules or regulations. You irrevocably waive any right to a jury trial in any dispute or proceeding arising from the use of this site.
