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H RC A SE
EQUITY RESEARCH CANADIAN RESEARCH AT A GLANCE November 20, 2014 Price Target Revisions ! Aecon Group Inc. ! Mercer International Inc. ! Metro Inc. ! Primero Mining Corp. Summary Solid value play with strong growth in F15, moderating price target to $17 on time line Summary Simpler corporate structure ahead should bring more investors into the name Summary Recipe for success: F15 looks promising, target to $95 from $88 Summary Challenges at Black Fox continue to overshadow San Dimas Summary Q4 First Glance: Solid cashflow and EBITDA beat Summary 2015 Budget – Generally In-Line Summary Investor Day: A core message for the core investor Summary RBC 13th Annual Senior Gold Miners Conference First Glance Notes ! Redknee Solutions Inc. Company Comments ! Suncor Energy Inc. ! TransCanada Corp. Industry Comments ! Adapting to Survive in a Weak Commodity Price Environment Canadian Banks Summary ! ! CommTech: New guests crash optical Summary Earnings Preview, Branch Consolidation (?) and a "Time Out" on some stocks ! ! RBC International E&P Daily Summary P&W paper stats: NA demand continues to decline and import gains aren't helping Summary AMER; PRE; BG ;TLW party Paper & Forest Products Priced as of prior day's market close, EST (unless otherwise noted). For Required Non-U.S. Analyst and Conflicts Disclosures, see Page 11. EQUITY RESEARCH U.S. RESEARCH AT A GLANCE November 20, 2014 Initiations ! Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. Summary Initiating with an Outperform rating and $14 price target Summary Can’t catch a break; lowering rating and price target Summary It’s not about the TAM, it’s about the “TUM” Summary Time to Deliver, Upgrading to Outperform Summary Can they build the (Tru)Bridge fast enough to mind the Gap? Summary Lost momentum and Demand Gap dim growth outlook Summary TrueDeal - Upgrading TrueCar Summary ACT/AGN a "core" pharma holding – our view on three key questions; remains Top Pick Summary A bridge across the "Gap" - From Philly to the PopHealth Promised Land Summary Can it Keep Going and Going? Summary Strong FIA sales continuing Summary Solid sales trends and strong margin performance; Modestly raising estimates Summary Simpler corporate structure ahead should bring more investors into the name Summary EPS beat on costs and more ahead; Traffic still slow; Will it matter to the public? Summary All Eyes Turn to the AprQ to Determine How Much of Snap Back We Really Have Summary EPS Beat, but again lower quality; Inventory normalizes Summary FY14 adj. EBIT beats, reinstating dividend a positive Summary October Quarter Preview and Tear Sheets Summary Bad overhang over? Summary Evolve II Results In-Line with Expectations; Focus Shifts to Bench Trial with JNJ Summary Slight Delay for Newbuild Deliveries; No New Contracts Summary The Sound of Freedom Summary Analyst Day Recap: Relentless Drive to Enhance Long-Term Value Summary Growth story on track after solid Q4 and FY15 guide; Outperform Summary Moving Past the FX Risk; Fundamentals Strong: F3Q15 Earnings Recap Summary 2015 Budget – Generally In-Line Summary MHPS Meeting Highlights Ratings Revisions ! Allscripts Healthcare Solutions ! athenahealth, Inc. ! BG Group plc ! Computer Programs and Systems ! Quality Systems Inc. ! TrueCar, Inc. Price Target Revisions ! Actavis PLC ! Cerner Corporation ! Energizer Holdings, Inc. ! Fidelity & Guaranty Life ! Lowe's Companies, Inc. ! Mercer International Inc. ! PetSmart, Inc. ! Semtech Corporation ! Williams-Sonoma, Inc. First Glance Notes ! ThyssenKrupp AG Earnings Preview ! Hewlett-Packard Company Company Comments ! Alliant Techsystems Inc. ! Boston Scientific Corp. ! Diamond Offshore Drilling ! Lockheed Martin Corp. ! National Oilwell Varco, Inc. ! Nord Anglia Education, Inc. ! salesforce.com ! Suncor Energy Inc. ! Terex Corporation 2 EQUITY RESEARCH ! TransCanada Corp. Summary Investor Day: A core message for the core investor ! Adapting to Survive in a Weak Summary RBC 13th Annual Senior Gold Miners Conference ! ! Paper & Forest Products ! RBC European Industrials Daily ! RBC International E&P Daily ! The looming “demand gap” in HCIT Summary Analyzing the potential legal and financial fallout from the SCOTUS decision Summary P&W paper stats: NA demand continues to decline and import gains aren't helping Summary China's manufacturing PMI falls again Summary AMER; PRE; BG ;TLW Industry Comments Commodity Price Environment Health Care Services Summary spending In-Depth Reports ! Becton, Dickinson and Co. Summary Takeaways Post Recent HQ Visit And Updated BDX/CFN Proforma Model 3 EQUITY RESEARCH UK & European Research at a Glance November 20, 2014 Ratings Revisions ! BG Group plc Summary Time to Deliver, Upgrading to Outperform Summary Staying on target Summary Cliffs to exit Eastern Canadian Iron Ore operations First Glance Notes ! Assicurazioni Generali SpA ! Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Industry Comments ! Adapting to Survive in a Weak ! Summary Commodity Price Environment CommTech: New guests crash optical Summary party Traffic Trend Tracker: Air Summary ! ! Traffic Trend Tracker: Road RBC 13th Annual Senior Gold Miners Conference Another robust month, N Atl signs of strength again Summary Dip from Q2 but forward signals still good Summary Platanillo Site Visit - Pipeline Ready In-Depth Reports ! Amerisur Resources plc Find our Research at: RBC Insight (www.rbcinsight.com): RBC's global research destination on the web. Contact your RBC Capital Markets' sales representative to access our global research site, or use our iPad App "RBC Research" Thomson Reuters (www.thomsononeanalytics.com) Bloomberg (RBCR GO) SNL Financial (www.snl.com) FactSet (www.factset.com) 4 Price Target Revisions Aecon Group Inc.(TSX: ARE; 12.45) Sara O'Brien, CFA, CA (Analyst) (514) 878-7256; [email protected] Juliane Szeto (Associate) (416) 842-3806; [email protected] Rating: Price Target: 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 18.00 Solid value play with strong growth in F15, moderating price target to $17 on time line We believe Aecon will gradually improve EBITDA margin with a project-mix shift, including from a focus on larger, more complex project bids with margin commensurate with project risk. We believe improving margin will re-rate ARE's valuation multiple on its core construction business. Near term, we expect a profitable sale of Quito airport concession to drive share upside and deleverage the balance sheet. 16.00 14.00 12.00 3000 2000 1000 N D J F M Close 2013A 2014E 2015E 2016E A M 2014 J J A S O N Rel. S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEXMA 40 weeks EBITDA, Adj Prev. EV/Adj. EBITDA 184.0 6.0x 169.6↓ 172.3 6.8x 223.3↓ 228.8 5.1x 245.3↓ 250.8 4.7x All values in CAD unless otherwise noted. Rating: Price Target: 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 Outperform 17.00 ▲ 15.00 Simpler corporate structure ahead should bring more investors into the name Reiterate Outperform rating and raising target to $17 (from $15). NBSK markets are holding up better than we expected, and together with a weaker Euro/C$ and the recent debt financing (which will lead to the elimination of the complicated restricted/unrestricted structure next month), we see further upside. 12.00 10.00 8.00 2000 1000 N D • Deep value for LT investors, moderating price target to $17 from $20 on time line. We have reduced our price target on time line to EBITDA growth and our revised EV/EBITDA valuation using F14 net debt and assuming no conversion of debentures to equity. We have also reduced our estimates to account for some continuation of deferred start dates for certain contracts into early Q4 (which are now ramping up), as discussed in ARE Q3 outlook. We continue to recommend investors buy ARE shares on weakness for solid earnings upside in 2015 and for near-term catalyst of Quito concession sale. • Closer look at resource-based revenue. Approximately 10-15% of consolidated revenue relates to oil sands development in both mining and energy, which we expect could be at risk if oil prices continue to decline. Mgmt points out it has had no indication of any project slowdown. • Strong backlog and pipeline of opportunities. Backlog at Q3/14 stood at $2.7B, up 30% YoY. ARE has made a strategic shift in backlog to more diversified, mgmt. sees current mix able to drive its 9% EBITDA margin target (7.5-8% excluding Quito by our estimates). Mgmt currently does not see any major project issues in its backlog. • Quito concession sale on track, proceeds to strengthen balance sheet. The Quito sale is running its course (we would expect news in Q4) and we view a sale as positive for ARE stock. We estimate Quito proceeds at ~$220M. Mercer International Inc.(NASDAQ: MERC; 13.80; TSX: MRI.U) Paul C. Quinn (Analyst) (604) 257-7048; [email protected] Hamir Patel (Analyst) (604) 257-7145; [email protected] 14.00 Outperform 17.00 ▼ 20.00 J F Close M A M 2014 J J A Rel. S&P 500 EPS, Adj Diluted Prev. 2013A (0.78) 2014E 1.00↓ 1.12 2015E 1.29↑ 1.17 2016E 1.36↑ 1.21 All values in USD unless otherwise noted. S O MA 40 weeks P/E 13.8x 10.7x 10.1x N • Stendal debt refinanced – On November 18, Mercer successfully refinanced at a weighted average annual interest rate of 7.46% ($250MM due 2019 at 7.00% and $400MM due 2022 at 7.75%). With the refinancing resolved, and Mercer recently gaining 100% ownership of Stendal, the company will be able to eliminate its complicated restricted/unrestricted corporate structure in December. This will also assist Mercer with lowering its future tax bill at the Rosenthal mill as it will be able to share Stendal's NOLs. • Potential for further upside to our estimates from commodity/FX tailwinds – In terms of FX, MERC sees $5MM of additional EBITDA for every 1c decline in the Euro and $3MM for every 1c drop in the Canadian dollar. MERC also has significant leverage to higher NBSK prices (~$13MM in EBITDA for every $10/ 5 tonne price change), and option value from its ongoing C$250MM NAFTA claim against Canada (final decision expected in H215). • Softwood pulp markets remain strong – NA NBSK list prices have moved up $60/ tonne y/y to $1,030. We expect NA NBSK list prices to average $1,025/tonne in FY14, $1,035 over FY15 and $1,050 over FY16. World-20 softwood pulp stocks in September of 27 days were below balanced market levels (~30 days), and while we anticipate a slight increase in days supply when the October data is released on November 21, we still expect the softwood market to remain tight in the nearterm. Metro Inc.(TSX: MRU; 90.50) Irene Nattel (Analyst) (514) 878-7262; [email protected] Martin Gravel, CFA (Associate) (514) 878-7264; [email protected] Alex Carette (Associate) 514 878 7254; [email protected] 52 WEEKS Rating: Price Target: Outperform 95.00 ▲ 88.00 Recipe for success: F15 looks promising, target to $95 from $88 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 80.00 76.00 72.00 Q4/F14 results delivered the strongest quarterly momentum since early F13, reflecting strong merchandising strategies and accelerating inflation. SSS of +3.1% beat inflation by 60 bps and is the strongest print since Q4/F11. Looking ahead, combination of modest top line growth, focus on cost containment and NCIB execution should enable MRU to deliver double-digit EPS growth. 68.00 64.00 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 N D J F Close M A M 2014 J J A S O Rel. S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEXMA 40 weeks EPS, Ops Diluted Prev. 2013A 4.92 2014A 5.13↓ 5.14 2015E 5.90↑ 5.71 2016E 6.62↑ 6.40 P/E 18.4x 17.6x 15.3x 13.7x All values in CAD unless otherwise noted. Dan Rollins, CFA (Analyst) (416) 842-9893; [email protected] Mark Mihaljevic (Associate) (416) 842-3804; [email protected] N • Inflation creep, promotional activity drive solid earnings • Q4/F14 EPS $1.32, +15% Y/Y and 4% above forecast, and a nice step-up from prior quarter +9%. EBITDA print of $188.4 MM (+2.6% Y/Y) was $2MM/ $4MM above forecast/consensus as the top line beat trickled down the Income Statement. NCIB transforming +6.2% Net Income growth into solid +15.1% EPS growth. • MRU seems to have found the right recipe, succeeding in passing on CPI measured inflation of +2.5%, but also in gaining 60 bps of SSS growth above inflation as merchandising strategies/investments and reorganization of the Ontario store network gained traction. As in Q3, most of the internal inflation was FX-related, stemming from Fresh, principally meat, and to a lesser degree, produce. The 3.1% SSS print represents a sharp acceleration from prior quarter (+1%) and the first time since Q1/F13 that MRU beat L on that metric. Total Q4 top line growth of +3.9% was aided by the acquisition of specialty baker/retailer Première Moisson (+0.5% contribution to sales growth). • Tweaking estimates , target to $95 from $88 • Tweaking assumptions around top line, GM and D&A lifts our F15E/F16E EPS from $5.65/$6.24 (preview) to $5.90/$6.62. Estimates reflect, i) an intense but rational competitive environment as square footage growth moderates going forward, ii) modest food price inflation and operating leverage in F15/F16, augmented by iii) buyback in the range of 7% per year. Raising P/E and EV/ EBITDA multiples to 14x and 8.5x from 13.5x and 8.0x to reflect sector re-rating as outlook improves drives a $95 target. Primero Mining Corp.(NYSE: PPP; 4.42; TSX: P) Rating: Price Target: Outperform 6.00 ▼ 7.00 Challenges at Black Fox continue to overshadow San Dimas Our positive outlook on Primero remains unchanged following Q3 results as San Dimas continues to deliver solid results. Although the market remains focused on challenges at Black Fox, we believe these challenges will be addressed, albeit gradually, over the next few quarters. Given our positive outlook and favourable valuation, we reiterate our Outperform recommendation. Flagship San Dimas mine continues to fire on all cylinders 6 5.00 • The consistent operational performance at San Dimas continued during the quarter with throughput and recoveries increasing following tie-in of recent expansion to 2,500 tpd. With Primero continuing to invest heavily in its flagship mine, we not only expect the consistent performance to continue, but also production to steadily rise and costs decrease over the next few years. 4.00 Black Fox open-pit to support underground reinvestment program 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 8.00 7.00 6.00 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 N D J F M A Close M 2014 J J A S Rel. S&P 500 O N MA 40 weeks EPS, Adj Diluted Prev. 2013A 0.37 2014E (0.07)↓ (0.02) 2015E (0.06)↓ 0.06 2016E 0.01↓ 0.18 P/E 11.8x All values in USD unless otherwise noted. • With underground throughput at Black Fox likely to remain limited for the next 6-12 months, cash flow from the open-pit is expected to support increased investment in underground development. Although the acquisition of Brigus has yet to live up to its original billing, we continue to believe increased investment in underground development is required to ensure steady and consistent operating results. Only once sustainable underground throughput has been achieved will the true potential/value of the acquisition be measured. • Once the underground is brought up to design levels, Primero will be able to focus on enhancing the long-term value through exploration, both at Black Fox and neighbouring Grey Fox. Should the current reinvestment program fail to deliver sustainable results, we expect the company would likely place the operation on care and maintenance in order to re-engineer the mine before restarting. This would ensure resource optionality is maintained, capital is effectively invested and potentially better position the asset to benefit when metal prices recover. First Glance Notes Redknee Solutions Inc.(TSX: RKN; 3.90) Paul Treiber, CFA (Analyst) (416) 842-7811; [email protected] Sean Ray, P.Eng. (Associate) 416 842 6133; [email protected] Rating: Q4 First Glance: Solid cashflow and EBITDA beat 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 4500 3000 1500 N D J F Close M A M 2014 J J Outperform A S O Rel. S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEXMA 40 weeks All market data in CAD; all financial data in USD. N • Healthy EBITDA beat. Q4 adj. EBITDA was $5.8MM, which exceeded RBC ($4.2MM) and the Street ($4.0MM) and is the highest since Q3/FY13. Revenue was $61MM, in line with RBC, but slightly below the Street ($62MM). EPS normalized for unusuals was -$0.05, above RBC at -$0.07 (assumes $8.75MM restructuring charge). • Solid +$20MM operating cashflow, above expectations. Operating cashflow was +$20MM, above RBC (+$9MM). Q4 is the first quarter of positive operating cashflow since Q3/FY13. Net cash rose to $62MM ($0.57/share), up from $51MM Q3. • Bookings light on FX, support revenue declines. Implied Q4 bookings were $57MM, slightly below our estimate ($64MM). Positively, book-to-bill was 1.1x, which suggests that FX may have been a $7MM or more headwind to bookings. Support revenue declined 15% Y/Y to $26.6MM, below our $30.5MM estimate, which reflects several customers transitioning off Redknee’s platform (no new customers since the NSN BSS acquisition closed); we believe the profitability of these terminated support agreements is low. • Healthy gross margins. Gross margins rose to 59.3%, above our 54% estimate and the highest since the close of the NSN BSS acquisition. The strength likely reflects a higher mix of software vs. service revenue and reduced proportion of low-margin support customers. Stronger gross margins may help validate the transformation of the acquired NSN BSS business. Redknee maintained its target to achieve $30–35MM annual opex savings by FY16; Q4 restructuring was $22.5MM, higher than guidance for $15–20MM as more senior employees were eliminated. Company Comments Greg Pardy, CFA (Analyst) (416) 842-7848; [email protected] Dillon Culhane, CFA, CA (Analyst) (416) 842-7915; [email protected] Franz Hargo Muljo, CA (Associate) 416 842 8588; [email protected] Suncor Energy Inc.(TSX: SU; 38.71; NYSE: SU) Rating: Price Target: Outperform 48.00 2015 Budget – Generally In-Line 7 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 46.00 44.00 42.00 Suncor Energy’s 2015 budget pointed toward 4% lower (mid-point) capital spending of $7.5 billion and 1% lower (mid-point) production of 562,500 boe/d. This production outlook encompasses in-line base oil sands volumes of 425,000 b/d (including 130,000 b/d of bitumen). 40.00 38.00 36.00 20000 15000 10000 5000 N D J F M Close A M 2014 J J A S O N Rel. S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEXMA 40 weeks EPS, Ops Diluted Prev. 2013A 3.13 2014E 3.51 2015E 3.00↑ 2.91 2016E 2.94↑ 2.83 P/E 12.4x 11.0x 12.9x 13.2x All values in CAD unless otherwise noted. • Capital Spending – 4% Lower. Suncor’s 2015 capital program of $7.2 – $7.8 billion came in 4% below (at the mid-point) our $7.8 billion outlook. Approximately 55% (up to $4.3 billion) of this program is allocated toward growth capital, with over $2 billion earmarked for oil sands projects, including Fort Hills. The balance of 45% (up to $3.5 billion) is geared toward sustaining capital, including about $2.3 billion ($15/b) for Suncor’s base oil sands operations. • Production – Broadly In-Line. Suncor's 2015 production guidance of 540,000 – 585,000 boe/d came in 1% below (at the mid-point) our 570,225 boe/d outlook. This guidance excludes Libya production due to continued political unrest. The company's (base) oil sands guidance of 410,000 – 440,000 b/d is in-line with our previous estimate of 428,800 b/d. • Our revised 2015 production outlook of 562,500 boe/d (vs. 570,200 boe/d previously) includes base oil sands production of 425,000 b/d, both at the mid-point of Suncor’s guidance range. We have reduced our base oil sands cash operating costs by 2% to $32.50/b, while our oil sands royalties remain unchanged at 6.5%. TransCanada Corp.(TSX: TRP; 57.50; NYSE: TRP) Robert Kwan, CFA (Analyst) (604) 257-7611; [email protected] Kelsey Roste (Associate) (604) 257-7383; [email protected] Rating: Price Target: 52 WEEKS 29NOV13 - 17NOV14 Outperform 68.00 Investor Day: A core message for the core investor We believe that commentary on the smoothing of the dividend growth coupled with additional definition on the timing of MLP dropdowns will be well-received by the investors that management sees as "core" to the company. We believe that these developments are positive for the share price and support our Outperform rating. 62.00 60.00 58.00 56.00 54.00 52.00 50.00 48.00 16000 12000 8000 4000 N D J F M Close A M 2014 J J A S O Rel. S&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEXMA 40 weeks EPS, Adj Diluted 2013A 2.24 2014E 2.31 2015E 2.60 2016E 2.85 P/AEPS 25.7x 24.9x 22.1x 20.2x All values in CAD unless otherwise noted. N • Dividends: guidance for higher growth, but no major change in the payout ratio. TransCanada is messaging at least an 8% dividend CAGR through 2017 based on its visible portfolio of small to medium-sized projects. Further, as the company gets visibility on the $33 billion of large-scale projects (e.g., Energy East, Keystone XL, LNG pipes), there is the potential for a step up in the growth rate to 10% or more. To be clear, the higher dividend growth guidance is in line with the expected EPS CAGR (i.e., no change in the multi-year average payout ratio). • MLP dropdowns: "conveyor belt" approach for U.S. gas assets could be completed by the end of 2017; Keystone could be up next. The company reiterated its guidance that it expects to use a "conveyor belt" approach of multiple dropdowns over time rather than an "all at once" dropdown. Further, the company confirmed that its funding plan assumes the dropdown of the entire U.S. gas pipeline business into TC PipeLines roughly by the end of 2017. • Step up in the growth rate driven mostly by new projects. TransCanada updated its EBITDA build-up through 2020, which shows a roughly 8% CAGR through 2017 underpinned by the visible growth from small to medium-sized projects and the potential for an approximate 16% CAGR from 2017-2020 due to the large scale growth projects. Assuming all of the large projects move forward, this equates to a roughly 12% EBITDA CAGR through 2020 (up from 10% from the 2013 Investor Day). Industry Comments Jonathan Guy (Analyst) +44 20 7653 4603; [email protected] Adapting to Survive in a Weak Commodity Price Environment RBC 13th Annual Senior Gold Miners Conference 8 Stephen D. Walker (Analyst) (416) 842-4120; [email protected] Dan Rollins, CFA (Analyst) (416) 842-9893; [email protected] Richard Hatch, ACA (Analyst) +44 20 7002 2111; [email protected] Ioannis Masvoulas, CFA (Associate) +44 20 7653 4647; [email protected] Alexandra Slattery (Associate) 0044 0 2070290870; [email protected] Mark Mihaljevic (Associate) (416) 842-3804; [email protected] Jamie Kasprowicz, P.Eng., CFA (Analyst) (416) 842-8934; [email protected] All values in USD unless otherwise noted. • Industry responds to lower prices with significant cost cutting measures - Whilst this may persist into 2015, the cuts to exploration and development expenditures and the shortening of mine lives as higher grade material is mined should result in mined production for gold declining over the medium term. • The industry would require material change if gold fell below US$1,000/oz - The majority of companies presenting indicated that they would not have to make significant further changes to their operations if the gold price held at current levels, although a number of companies suggested that they would need to cut some production or defer capital projects if prices were to decline below US $1,100/oz for a prolonged period. • Local currency weakness and lower oil prices provide some relief - The impact of the lower oil price and other commodity-driven inputs such as steel, combined with weaker currencies, has provided some measure of relief for the miners with one CEO with significant emerging market exposure commenting that margins were the same as at US$1,300/oz. • Credit rating and balance sheet stability key, M&A still not a focus Management teams indicated that their first preference for allocating FCF would be to strengthen balance sheets, with a focus for the larger miners on the maintenance of ratings with the credit agencies. Darko Mihelic, CFA (Analyst) 416 842 4128; [email protected] Canadian Banks Brendon Sattich (Associate) 416 842 7804; [email protected] • The Canadian Banks begin reporting Q4/14 results on December 2, 2014 and we have left our EPS estimates unchanged ahead of the quarter. Our Q4/14 core cash EPS estimates equate to growth of 5% YoY. We also forecast that BMO, CM, and NA will raise their quarterly dividends in Q4. Vanessa Wan (Associate) 416 842 5638; [email protected] Earnings Preview, Branch Consolidation (?) and a "Time Out" on some stocks All values in CAD unless otherwise noted. Mark Sue (Analyst) (212) 428-6491; [email protected] Ameet Prabhu (Associate) (212) 618-3330; [email protected] Spencer Green (Associate) 212 858 7153; [email protected] All values in USD unless otherwise noted. Paul C. Quinn (Analyst) (604) 257-7048; [email protected] Hamir Patel (Analyst) (604) 257-7145; [email protected] All values in USD unless otherwise noted. CommTech: New guests crash optical party • Optical industry consolidation gets rolling. Oplink Communications announced it reached a deal to be purchased by Koch Industries for $445M or $24.25/share in an all cash transaction. We believe the entrance of a well-capitalized buyer from outside the traditional optical space changes dynamics and may increase the pace of industry consolidation that has been foreshadowed over the past year. • An important positive change for the optical landscape. The deal signifies an important change for the optical industry as most have been looking for consolidation within the industry but didn’t factor in outside bidders in adjacent markets. With large industrial competitors like Koch entering the fray, we believe smaller competitors will faster realize the need for greater scale to offset annual pricing pressures and high R&D requirements. Paper & Forest Products P&W paper stats: NA demand continues to decline and import gains aren't helping • Shipments decreased by 7% y/y – P&W shipments in October were down by 6.5% on a y/y basis (+3.0% m/m). Coated groundwood (CGW) shipments increased 4.0% y/y while uncoated groundwood (UGW) shipments were down 8.8%. Coated freesheet (CFS) shipments declined 4.1% y/y and uncoated freesheet (UFS) shipments were 10.3% lower. • P&W demand down for everything except CGW – Total P&W demand declined 4.6% y/y (+3.6% m/m). Demand for UGW fell 13.4% y/y while CGW demand was 3.2% higher. Groundwood markets have had to absorb ~10% annual declines in NA newsprint demand. Demand for CFS declined 1.2% y/y and UFS was 4.9% lower y/y (an acceleration on the -4.0% YTD). • Overall inventories lower m/m – NA inventories declined 8.3% m/m (-113K tonnes) to 1,250K tonnes. We note that October inventories have declined in 9 nine of the last ten years (average 69K tonne drawdown). M/M (changes) were CGW (-9.2%), UGW (-11.3%), CFS (-9.1%) and UFS (-6.2%). • Operating rates lower y/y for 3/4 grades – The overall NA operating rate (shipments-divided-by-capacity) was flat y/y at 97%. CFS was down y/y at 99% (-100 bps y/y) while CGW was +900 bps y/y at 106%. UFS declined to 93% (-300 bps y/y) and UGW decreased to 95% (-300 bps y/y). Al Stanton (Analyst) +44 131 222 3638; [email protected] RBC International E&P Daily Nathan Piper (Analyst) +44 131 222 3649; [email protected] AMER.L: Platanillo Site Visit - Pipeline Ready; TLW.L: Offshore French Guiana update; PRE.TO: Reiterates share buyback; BG.L: Time to Deliver, Upgrading to Outperform Haydn Rodgers, CA (Associate) +44 131 222 4911; [email protected] AMER; PRE; BG ;TLW Victoria McCulloch, CA (Analyst) +44 131 222 4909; [email protected] All values in USD unless otherwise noted. 10 Required disclosures Non-U.S. analyst disclosure Al Stanton;Nathan Piper;Haydn Rodgers;Victoria McCulloch;Robert Kwan;Kelsey Roste;Jonathan Guy;Dan Rollins;Richard Hatch;Ioannis Masvoulas;Alexandra Slattery;Mark Mihaljevic;Jamie Kasprowicz;Greg Pardy;Dillon Culhane;Franz Hargo Muljo;Paul Treiber;Sean Ray;Paul C. Quinn;Hamir Patel;Irene Nattel;Martin Gravel;Alex Carette;Darko Mihelic;Brendon Sattich;Vanessa Wan;Sara O'Brien;Juliane Szeto (i) are not registered/qualified as research analysts with the NYSE and/or FINRA and (ii) may not be associated persons of the RBC Capital Markets, LLC and therefore may not be subject to FINRA Rule 2711 and NYSE Rule 472 restrictions on communications with a subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research analyst account. Conflicts disclosures This product constitutes a compendium report (covers six or more subject companies). As such, RBC Capital Markets chooses to provide specific disclosures for the subject companies by reference. To access current disclosures for the subject companies, clients should refer to https://www.rbccm.com/GLDisclosure/PublicWeb/DisclosureLookup.aspx?entityId=1 or send a request to RBC CM Research Publishing, P.O. 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Although RBC Capital Markets' ratings of Top Pick(TP)/ Outperform (O), Sector Perform (SP), and Underperform (U) most closely correspond to Buy, Hold/Neutral and Sell, respectively, the meanings are not the same because our ratings are determined on a relative basis (as described below). Distribution of ratings RBC Capital Markets, Equity Research As of 30-Sep-2014 Rating BUY [Top Pick & Outperform] HOLD [Sector Perform] SELL [Underperform] Count 858 683 98 Percent 52.35 41.67 5.98 Investment Banking Serv./Past 12 Mos. Count Percent 308 35.90 151 22.11 8 8.16 Conflicts policy RBC Capital Markets Policy for Managing Conflicts of Interest in Relation to Investment Research is available from us on request. To access our current policy, clients should refer to https://www.rbccm.com/global/file-414164.pdf or send a request to RBC Capital Markets Research Publishing, P.O. Box 50, 200 Bay Street, Royal Bank Plaza, 29th Floor, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2W7. 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Please contact your investment advisor or institutional salesperson for more information regarding RBC Capital Markets research. RBC Capital 11 Markets also provides eligible clients with access to SPARC on its proprietary INSIGHT website. SPARC contains market color and commentary, and may also contain Short-Term Trade Ideas regarding the securities of subject companies discussed in this or other research reports. SPARC may be accessed via the following hyperlink: https://www.rbcinsight.com. A Short-Term Trade Idea reflects the research analyst's directional view regarding the price of the security of a subject company in the coming days or weeks, based on market and trading events. A Short-Term Trade Idea may differ from the price targets and/or recommendations in our published research reports reflecting the research analyst's views of the longer-term (one year) prospects of the subject company, as a result of the differing time horizons, methodologies and/or other factors. 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