Hong Kong-listed Nine Dragons Paper

Hong Kong-listed Nine Dragons Paper is making a second attemp to get rid of its senior bonds which have become more expensive for the company forrowing a ratings downgrade by Stand & Poor's in December last year. The chinese paper board manufacturer yeterday launched a tender offer through Deutsche Bank for the entire $118.6 million that remains outstanding of its 7.875% bonds due 2013, offering to pay the principle back in full to bondholders to tender before the early deadline on July 22.
Although the analysts are constantly updating their forecasts on NDP’s current year financial results, the company still appears to be marginally profitable in this difficult business environment.
But profitability is a concept which focuses more on the corporate income statement, not cash flows. And NDP’s cash flows are under a lot of pressure given the fall in expected operating cash flow combined with Mrs. Cheung’s pronounced commitment to continue to expand capital expenditure rapidly. The result is that it appears the company will need to borrow even more to survive the year.
Existing shareholders are clearly down, and would like to see the company take measures to improve share price sooner rather than later. They are, however, minority shareholders, Mrs. Cheung and family holding more than 70% of the firm.
Potential investors might see the company has a “good bet,” given the current share price low and the prospects for long-term competitiveness – if the company survives to be a player in the long run!