Hankook Tire Co. has reported that its third-quarter profit fell 16 per cent on higher raw material costs and a stronger currency. Net income was 44.4 billion won ($47 million) in the quarter that ended 30 September compared with 52.9 billion won ($56 million) a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing. Sales rose 7.9 per cent to 526.4 billion won ($558 million). Operating profit fell 27 per cent to 40 billion won ($42 million).
Michelin shares reached their highest price in 17 years following JPMorgan’s decision to rate the manufacturer as “Outperform.” Michelin stock in Paris rose 1.15 euros (£0.77, $1.47), or 1.8 per cent, to 65.50 euros (£44.31, $83.84). The shares are up 38 per cent this year, valuing the company at about 9.39 billion euros (£6.35 billion, $12 billion). Houchoise also commented that the company’s staffing level is currently “30 per cent too high.”
Pirelli & C. SpA, the parent company of the tyre manufacturer, reported a loss in its third quarter after writing down the value of its investment in Telecom Italia SpA, Italy’s largest phone company. The net loss, excluding some items, was 1.6 billion euros ($2 billion), compared with net income of 105.8 million euros ($135 million) a year earlier.
On the Helsinki Stock Exchange, Nokian Tyres’ shares fell slightly to 15.35 euros after the company was downgraded by analysts Morgan Stanley from “overweight” to “equal weight”. Nokian’s valuation has outperformed others in the market since July, says Morgan Stanley, but is now starting to appear stretched. Another factor is the possibility of increased competition in Russia, following reports that Bridgestone has acquired land in St. Petersburg.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has announced the sale of its Southfield, Michigan iron suspension components machining plant to Whitebox Advisors, LLC and the management team who had previously purchased the Company’s Cadillac, Michigan ductile iron foundry in December 2005.
Alliance Tire Co. ltd. has announced that Eliezer Fishman has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to sell his direct and indirect holdings in the company to a group of investors at a price reflecting a company value of $48 million, 20 per cent above its market capitalisation. In the MOU Fishman promises not to negotiate with third parties for 10 weeks. During this period the buyers will conduct due diligence and complete negotiations for buying the shares.
Apollo has published un-audited financial results showing second quarter sales of 7.67 billion rupees (£90.5 million), up 21 per cent year-on-year. Net profits grew 3.8 per cent to 193 million rupees (£2.28 million) despite global raw material increases. Sales improvement was reflected in the half-year results. Net sales were up 27 per cent to 15.246 billion rupees (£180 million). Operating profit grew 2.8 per cent in the six-month period to 1,167 billion rupees (£13.78 million).
Apollo Tyres has received approval from shareholders for raising 2.5 billion rupees through the issue of equity shares. The shareholders also gave approval for the board to allot up to 400,000 warrants on a preferential basis in one or more “tranches to promoter group companies,” Apollo Tyres informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s largest single stock owner, Shapiro Capital Management LLC, cut its stake in the Findlay, Ohio-tyre company by some 73 per cent. The sell off reportedly occurred in the third quarter of this year. As of Sept. 30, Shapiro held 3 per cent of all of Cooper’s outstanding shares – 1.87 million shares, down from 7.01 million four months earlier. Shapiro is now the 17th largest Cooper shareholder.
Nokian Tyres has received an announcement from Invesco Asset Management according to which as a result of a share transaction concluded on 17 July 2006, the holdings of AMVESCAP PCL, for and on behalf of funds managed by its affiliates, now represent more than five per cent of the voting rights and share capital in Nokian Tyres plc. AMVESCAP PCL, for and on behalf of funds managed by its affiliates, now holds a total of 6,653,883 Nokian Tyres’ shares, representing 5.45 per cent of company’s 122,032,270 shares and voting rights.
Jana Partners purchased 218,400 shares of Titan International at an average price of $16.90 on 18/19 September, increasing their holdings in the company to approximately 4.499 million shares or a 25.4 per cent stake. According to indiescore.com, the purchase was the first for Jana since the firm “took down” 112,000 shares at an average price of $18.73 on 5/6 June.
On 18 September Trafelet & Company, disclosed that it now holds 5.756 million shares in Cooper Tire & Rubber – a 9.4 per cent stake. Trafelet is now Cooper Tire & Rubber’s fourth-largest shareholder behind value investors Shapiro Capital Management (11.4 per cent), Brandes Investment Partners (11.4 per cent) and Perkins, Wolf, McDonnell & Company (10 per cent).
(Akron/Tire Review) In a move that appears to target the onslaught of overseas investment, China’s Ministry of Commerce implemented new rules earlier this month that increase government regulation of foreign companies’ mergers with and acquisitions of domestic Chinese businesses. The rules expand on previous provisions issued in 2003. The new regulations require regulatory approval whenever a proposed transaction involve a foreign company that has more than 3 billion yuan (approximately $376 million) in assets, more than 1.5 billion yuan ($188 million) in revenue within China, or a 20 per cent or larger share of the domestic market; give foreign investors more than a 25 per cent share of the Chinese market; involve a foreign company that has concluded more than 10 deals over the preceding year in related industries; result in a foreign company’s control of a famous Chinese brand or trademark; or otherwise affect ‘national economic security,’ a term that the regulation leaves undefined.
Scania has rejected MAN’s takeover offer. The news follows speculation and then confirmation that German truck and bus maker MAN launched an unsolicited bid worth 9.6 billion (£6.5 billion) for its Swedish rival Scania. Volkswagen and Investor, a Wallenberg family firm, each own major blocks of Scania shares and the Financial Times suggested Investor may reject the offer. The FT also hinted at possible counter bids from other firms, including Paccar. Swedish truck maker Scania says its board met on Sunday 17 September and “unanimously decided not to support the proposals” from MAN AG.
Amtel-Vredestein has rebuffed reports that suggested it plans to buy back its shares. Responding to the news with an official statement, the Russian/Dutch tyre manufacturer countered what was “erroneously reported and editorialised by Russian Business Consulting’s daily online newspaper RBC Daily.”
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