Despite the ongoing market falls, my sources (note the plural) indicate that Seeing Machines is winning âeverything it goes forâ. In particular, Iâm expecting confirmation of another sizeable contract win in Japan, another huge one in the US and plenty of very positive Fleet news. Thus, my conviction that Seeing Machines will soon attract a bid remains as strong as ever.
Further contract wins
My sources indicate that another Japan win announcement is very, very close. I hesitate to use the word âimminentâ but you get the idea. In addition, Iâve heard a whisper that GM has awarded a huge Lidar contract for Ultra Cruise and thus expect that Seeing Machines will soon be getting confirmation of a huge contract. I anticipate this to occur within a couple of months.
I’m also expecting Seeing Machines to win Toyota and announce further expansions with Ford and Stellantis in due course. Lastly, the significance of the recent win of Renault via Qualcomm’s 3rd Generation Snapdragon cockpit platform shouldn’t be ignored. What it indicates is that Seeing Machines will be in every car that has Qualcomm’s system.
In addition, I hear Fleet is doing very well and there will soon be some significant announcements regarding aftermarket sales and a further partnership that should enable it to scale up the introduction of its driver monitoring technology in Europe to comply with the forthcoming safety legislation.
Clearly, despite the gyrations in its share price, the business is clearly going from strength to strength. That is certainly a claim made by company executives themselves in recent interviews, such as this one with Nick Di Fiore who heads up automotive but also this video with CEO Paul McGlone. It is backed up by leading independent industry analyst Colin Barnden of Semicast Research, as well as financial analysts from a growing number of brokers; Cenkos, Panmure Gordon, Berenberg, Stifel and Peel Hunt.
In short, my thesis that Seeing Machines takes 75% by value of the global DMS/OMS auto market remains fully intact, a market that could be worth A$1bn in 2025. That figure ignores the market represented by trucks, trams, trains and aviation – global markets in which Seeing Machines is set to dominate.
I, therefore, maintain that a near-term bid for Seeing Machines is very likely – regardless of the state of the overall stock market. (Regarding macro projections, Iâve been a long-term fan of Albert Edwards insightful analysis and would urge every investor to follow him. He has long been castigated as a âbearâ but in my opinion he is a realist, and investors are now coming to realise that.)
Seeing Machines is the global leader in one of the hottest areas in a very hot tech sector. Itâs partnering with tech behemoths who are led by very smart people. They wonât pass up the opportunity to acquire Seeing Machines. Though they could well face competition from private equity players with a trillion dollars of dry powder.
Peel Hunt note on M&A activity
This very week Peel Hunt issued a note entitled, âAccelerating UK bid activityâ, written by Charles Hall, Head of Research and Clyde Lewis, Deputy Head of Research. Although it focuses on companies in the FTSE 250, I think there is a read-across for quality companies on AIM.
Hereâs an extract from the note:
âA classic indicator of a disconnect between short-term concerns and longer-term opportunity is when non-equity investors start to buy the assets. This is clearly happening, with 10 bids for FTSE 250 companies progressing currently. This is unsurprising given the de-rating of the FTSE 250, with the overall index-18% YTD and 80% of the members down on the year. This has driven heightened interest from overseas and private buyers. There have been 14 proposed and announced bids in the past six weeks, adding up to ÂŁ21bn of equity value.â
Discussing the themes for investors to consider, the note goes on to state:
âThe pace has clearly accelerated after a slow start. There is a clear focus on hard assets, with most of the businesses being acquired having strong market positions with clear and lasting cash flow credentials. The mix of financial and corporate buyers reflects the strength of balance sheets, access to funding, and the ability to look through a tough economic environment. Weaker sterling should also increase the appetite from overseas.â
Iâd urge investors to do their own research as Iâm not Nostradamus, just a journalist. That said, itâs undeniable that investors are still ignoring the oh-so-clear value to be had in Seeing Machines.
Cheer up
With all the terrible things going on in the world Iâve found that watching interviews with the legendary journalist and political analyst Anthony Howard has greatly cheered me up this week.
If that doesn’t float your boat, why not watch Queen performing We are the Champions at Live Aid in 1985. It’s a song that will make a fitting anthem for investors in this company when it is bought for billions. I dedicate it to all investors in Seeing Machines and its hardworking and talented staff.
The writer holds stock in Seeing Machines.