• ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DISCLAIMER!!!

Wexboy

~ A Value Investing Blog

Wexboy

Tag Archives: Michael Kloter

Recommendation: Vote AGAINST the Argo Group Share Buyback Proposal

22 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by Wexboy in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Andreas Rialas, ARGO, Argo Group, Kyriakos Rialas, Michael Kloter, Rule 9 Waiver, share buyback, shareholder activism, shareholder value, The Argo Fund

Here’s the recent RNS from Argo Group (ARGO:LN), notifying shareholders of a March-3rd EGM seeking authorisation for a £2 Million Share Buyback & Rule 9 Waiver. [Here’s the actual EGM Circular]:

– Argo Group’s AUM has now declined by a cumulative 85% (to $166 million), the $3.5 million Argo Local Markets Fund remains its only new fund-raising (since the credit crisis), it continues to write-off virtually all the management fees accrued & owed (now totaling $6.2 million) by the Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund, and it’s also tied up a majority of shareholder funds in illiquid loan & fund investments. Management’s obvious inability to stabilise & increase AUM, plus its wilful neglect of shareholder value, are clearly to blame here for the 50% collapse in Argo’s share price just in the last 3 years.

– Judging by local press reports (for example, here & here), Andreas Rialas originally received a substantially higher offer for Argo’s Indonesian refinery investment (TPPI), but ended up spending another couple of years negotiating (or refusing to negotiate) with Pertamina…to ultimately realise a far lower exit price for fund/shareholders. [Which is consistent with a near-25% write-down (in the last interims) of Argo’s stake in The Argo Fund].

– Pursuant to this letter, in 2014/2015 I introduced and/or referred to Andreas Rialas a number of trade & financial buyers who were interested in potentially acquiring Argo Group, its asset management business, or its fund investments. Since then, I’ve had no meaningful feedback or reason to believe he/Argo have seriously engaged with any of these potential buyers.

– The EGM Notice process was both unprofessional & inappropriate: While most investors learned of the Share Buyback from Argo’s RNS (released after close-of-business on Mon, Feb-8th), the Notice was actually posted the prior week & received by some shareholders on Sat, Feb-6th.

– The Indonesian sale & proposed return of capital is Argo’s first major value-creation event in a number of years. Some level of (prior) consultation with a representative group of external shareholders, plus some additional time to adequately consider & discuss the proposal, would have been appropriate.

– Kenneth Watterson is a director since Argo’s original 2008 Admission. As is David Fisher, who’s also been an AREOF director since 2010. While Michael Kloter has a much longer history with Andreas & Kyriakos Rialas, Absolute Capital Management (which acquired Argo back in early 2007), not to mention Florian Homm (also, see here & here)…and received a post-Admission bonus, while billing Argo for legal services over the years. In aggregate, these directors have earned an estimated $1.4 million in total remuneration from Argo. I must say, I struggle to understand how they still qualify as Independent Directors..?!

Continue reading →

Advertisement

Argo Group…Time for a Sale and/or a Wind-Down?

08 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Wexboy in Uncategorized

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Andreas Rialas, ARGO, Argo Group, Church House Investment Management, David Fisher, Guy Thomas, Jeroen Bos, Kenneth Watterson, Kyriakos Rialas, Michael Kloter, shareholder activism, shareholder value, tender offer

Here’s a copy of a recent letter to Andreas Rialas of Argo Group (ARGO:LN) – the letter speaks for itself…

‘August 29, 2014

FAO: Andreas Rialas, CIO

Cc: Michael Kloter, Chairman
      Kyriakos Rialas, CEO
      David Fisher, Director
      Kenneth Watterson, Director

Argo Group Limited
33-37 Athol Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1LB

Dear Andreas,

Further to our prior conversations, I would like to confirm I now speak for 15.6% (in aggregate) of Argo Group’s outstanding shares. Excluding insiders, this represents 25.0% of Argo’s external shareholder base. Supporters now include well-respected funds and investors such as Church House Investment Management, XXX Capital Management, Guy Thomas, and over two dozen other Argo shareholders.

Continue reading →

Enter email address to track this blog by email.

Join 2,328 other subscribers

Wexboy on Twitter:

Tweets by Wexboy_Value

Wexboy Top Posts

  • 2022...Post-Pandemic Hangover
  • CONTACT
  • NTR plc - Breezin' Right Along...
  • H1-2021 Wexboy Portfolio Performance...Yeah, It's a Biggie!
  • A Letter to the CEO (& Board) of European Islamic Investment Bank

Wexboy Archives

  • January 2023
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • July 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • July 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • July 2019
  • January 2019
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011

Wexboy Categories

  • Uncategorized

Blogroll

  • Above Average Odds Investing
  • Alpha Vulture
  • CantEatValue
  • Cheapskate Investor
  • csinvesting
  • Deep Value Investments
  • Element Value Investor
  • Expecting Value
  • Harriman Intelligence
  • Insider Monkey
  • Interactive Investor Blog
  • Investor Soiree
  • Long Term Value Blog
  • Mallet's Conspiracy
  • Mark Carter
  • Oddball Stocks
  • Philip O'Sullivan's Market Musings
  • Ragnar is a Pirate
  • Reminiscences of a Stockblogger
  • ShareProphets
  • Simple Value Investing
  • The UK Stock Market Almanac
  • Tom Winnifrith
  • UK Value Investor
  • Value Investing France
  • Value Investing Journey
  • Value Uncovered
  • valueandopportunity
  • valuestockinquisition
  • ValueWalk
  • Valuhunteruk

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Wexboy
    • Join 2,328 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Wexboy
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar