I just received the Speirs report.
SMALL-CAP STOCK ANALYST
June 1996
Triquanta Investments Ltd
1. Fundamentals
1.1 Introduction
Triquanta Investments Ltd (TQT.A) through its fifty percent owned subsidiary Howell International Inc (HII) of Dallas, TX, USA, is involved in the sale of refurbished AT&T telephone switching equipment in emerging markets throughout the world.
company name : Triquanta Investments Ltd symbol : TQT exchange : Alberta Stock Exchange (ASE) Stock Exchange Tower suite 1000, 300 5th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 3C4 Canada tel:(403)974-7400 fax:(403)237-0450 NASD Bulletin Board: TRQLF incorporated : 23 July 1991, Alberta when listed : 7 December 1991 shares outstanding : 9,435,000 shares outstanding fully-diluted : 9,885,000 shares escrow & earnout(restricted): 1,850,000 shares held by lead brokers : 1.2 million % shares held by insiders : ~23%, 2 million shares options : 450,000 @ 75c private placements : 500,000 units @ C57c per unit ( 500,000 shares become free-trading 15 August 1996, 500,000 warrants exercisable at C60c per share expire 15 May 1997 ) effective float : 4.4 million contact : Warren Smith Investor Relations tel:1-800-719-9960 fax:1-800-719-9981 ------------------ Robert R. Messenger President & CEO Triquanta Investments Ltd 2416 McBain Ave Vancouver, BC V6L 2C4 Canada tel:(604)732-4354/1-800-565-4408 fax:(604)732-9977 e-mail:TQTAlberta@aol.com stockgroup.com banker : Hongkong Bank of Canada 885 West Georgia St Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8 Canada auditor : Bruyneel & Co suite 1008, 510 Hastings St Vancouver, BC V6B 1L8 Canada tel:(604)669-7222 fax:(604)683-2984 legal counsel, TQT.A : William Walker McLeod & Co suite 800, 11012 MacLeod Trl S Calgary, AB T2J 6A5 Canada tel:(403)278-9411 registrar & transfer agent : Montreal Trust suite 600, 538th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 1E7 Canada SEC 12g 3-2b exemption 382-3511 brokers who follows TQT.A : Pacific Int'l Securities Inc P.O.Box 10015 suite 1500, 700 West Georgia St Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G1 Canada tel:(604)664-2923 direct tel:(604)664-2900 main fax:(604)664-2666
1.2 Business & Projects
By way of its joint venture agreements and acquisitions, TQT.A has been able to enter the multi-billion dollar international telecommunications business and believes that each of its corporate partnerships has the potential to be a multi-million dollar, stand-alone business. TQT.A has concentrated on countries with limited financial resources who are experiencing unprecedented economic growth, thereby resulting in the urgent need to update and expand their telecom systems with reasonably priced and reliable telephone and switching equipment. TQT.A is making excellent progress in entering these markets with its telecom equipment because of its very competitive pricing policies and its aggressive pursuit of international distributors, from whom it expects to receive several million dollars in orders, during the coming year.
TQT.A's business is primarily in the emerging world markets such as Buelarus, Russia, Philippines and South America. TQT.A's corporate strategy for entry into this industry has been via joint ventures and acquisitions of existing telecommunications companies.
HII: In May 1995, TQT.A purchased a fifty percent interest in HII ( formed in 1994 ) of Dallas, TX, for one million common shares of TQT.A and US$120,000. HII sells modified and refurbished AT&T analog and digital switching equipment that complies with overseas market specifications. HII intends to be the provider of the "highest quality, lowest cost" refurbished equipment in this huge market. It is important to note that HII is able to sell this equipment for less than half the cost of most systems that are being offered in these emerging markets, thus giving these emerging economies access to American made communications technology that they would otherwise be unable or unwilling to purchase because of cost.
AT&T, Northern Telecom, Siemens and others have to lend credit to developing nations and companies in order to sell new telephone switching lines at about US$125 per line. HII sells modified AT&T PABX Dimension switching equipment for US$15 to US$25 per line and is paid in full upfront FOB. HII's last order was for 11,000 lines and an additional 30,000 lines is anticipated. Even at these prices HII's profit margin is over fifty percent. HII has a full warehouse of product, backlogged orders and are continually hiring. HII has several smart, innovative and award winning people working it, some who defected from AT&T to Howell.
Russia/Buelarus: HII has an exclusive agreement with Pavis Inc of Dallas, TX to market its equipment in Buelarus. Pavis has formed a joint venture in conjunction with Intelcross Ltd, a Moscow-based company that specializes in the sales, service and installation of telephone switching equipment.
On Friday 19 January 1996, Intelcross placed its first order with Pavis for 10,956 lines of AT&T Dimension switching equipment. HII's refurbished Dimension PBX switching equipment ranges from 400 to 2,000 lines and sells for approximately one-sixth of any new competitive products. The Dimension equipment was originally manufactured in Denver, CO, USA, by AT&T and is still being used extensively throughout the world. It is an electronic switching system that uses a stored program control for call processing and system diagnostics. The Dimension PBX uses time division switching which involves sampling signals at the port circuits.
The Russian Federation's telecom industry is expanding rapidly in order to meet the demands of their customers. The introduction of HII's low cost American technology will speed this process. In order to meet the demands of its customers, Pavis has indicated that it will be ordering in excess of C$1 million of switching equipment for the Buelarus market.
TQT.A is the only licensed reseller of refurbished AT&T equipment in Russia, and it expects big orders throughout 1996 and 1997.
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland & Romania: In early 1996, HII was in negotiations with the Jim Sowell Company of Dallas, TX, and their Hungarian partner Kontrax Kft, in regard to Kontrax distributing HII's refurbished equipment in these countries. Kontrax has over thirty-eight offices and approximately 250 employees leasing and selling copier equipment throughout Eastern Europe. Negotiations had progressed to the point where Sowell had ordered a demonstration switch to be evaluated and certified for use. The addition of Sowell/Kontrax to TQT.A's list of distributors would give HII excellent sales and support coverage in these former eastern bloc countries. The population of these five countries is in excess of eighty- eight million, more than eight times that of Buelarus, and considering the more advanced economies of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, the potential for significant sales is excellent.
Ghana, India, Kuwait, The Philippines: During early 1996, distribution agreements were continuously sought by TQT.A.
On Satursday 20 January 1996, TQT.A announced that HII, had been advised by their Buelarus-based distributor, that they have received a Purchase Order for 10,956 lines of modified AT&T-PABX switching equipment. This order represents the first multi-unit sale of PABX equipment by HII, since it became affiliated with TQT.A. The purchaser stated that they expected to have requirements for a further 30,000 lines within forty-five days.
During the last week of March 1996 there were several interesting events.
S.K. Bansal, General Manager of Telecommunications Consultants of India (TCIL), a Government-owned corporation, met with HII in Dallas, TX. TCIL is a multi-million dollar organization which sells telecom equipment in India and throughout Asia and Africa. TCIL has already requested, and been provided with, quotes on refurbished 400 & 2000 line AT&T Dimension PBXs and an AT&T system 75 digital switch. Ronald Vincent, CEO of Pavis Inc, announced an order by the Department of Telecommunications for a SMDR detailed billing system for shipment to Minsk. Kevin Howell met with the Jim Sowell Group again, along with their partner in the telecom business in the Ukraine. This market is very similar to Buelarus, and they feel that there is excellent potential in the refurbished telecom equipment area. Kontrax, subsequent to their meetings with Kevin Howell, had asked for quotations from HII to supply PBXs, and a variety of parts and supplies for digital switching equipment.
On 16 April 1996, Roland Russell, Chairman of Pavis Inc, met with Edward King of Dallas, TX. Mr. King is the President of King Trade Capital, a company which provides short-term funding against Letters of Credit, for companies engaged in exporting. Mr. King was Mr. Russell's guest at a private luncheon held in Dallas along with Ambassador Yalowitz, the US Ambassador to Buelarus.
In a follow-up letter Mr. Russell stated, "We anticipate that we will be able to sell and deliver about 200,000 lines ( of switching equipment ) during the first twelves months in Buelarus alone." He also stated that, "Our permit in Buelarus permits us to also sell into the Russian market and this is really exciting. AT&T has the permits to sell new ... systems in Russia. We will be the only company with a permit to sell Refurbished ... systems in this very large market." These projections by Mr. Russell exceed TQT.A's internal projections for the next year for the Buelarus market by a factor of four. The Russian population is fifteen times larger than Buelarus and will present a tremendous opportunity for TQT.A. Given sales of this magnitude, Buelarus alone would provide gross profits in excess of C$2.5 million over the next twelve months.
On Friday 10 May 1996, TQT.A announced the signing of a definitive Letter of Intent to purchase the remaining fifty percent of HII. TQT.A also announced that it had entered into a Consulting Agreement with EBS Inc, of Miami, FL, USA, to represent HII's line of refurbished PABX equipment in selected countries in Central and South America. EBS represented HII at the telecom show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday 10 to Saturday 15 June 1996.
There are a number of developing situations in India and Central Africa, which could have a strong impact on the company's share price.
Analysts have said "A telecommunications revolution is taking shape around the world". Although it may astound many North Americans, less than half the people in the world or about three billion of them have never even made a telephone call. About a billion of these people will have telephones by the year 2000, according to Michael Mahoney, portfolio manager with GT Capital Management Inc ( US$15 billion in assets ) of San Francisco, CA, USA. Long term opportunities for telecom equipment suppliers and service providers are phenomenal. In North America there are about fifty-five telephone lines for every one hundred people as compared to only one or two lines in many of today's developing countries.
1.3 Financials & Structure
On Monday 20 May 1996, TQT.A announced a private placement of 500,000 units at C57c per unit, each unit consisting of one share and one warrant ( exercisable at C60c, expiring 15 May 1997, ). The placee was: EBC Zurich AG, a Swiss bank. A finder's fee of C$10,000 was paid to EBC Zurich AG.
1.4 Management & Directors
Robert R. Messenger is President and CEO of TQT.A. He has been involved in various aspects of the real estate, finance and investment fields. He has owned his own Limited Market Dealer organization registered with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and in cooperation with this operation he also structured and sold tax-oriented real estate syndications and completed other tax structured investments, valued in excess of C$60 million. Realpro Consultants Ltd, of which he is president, is engaged in the merger and acquisition business. Mr. Messenger is a past president of Trac Industries Inc, a company which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE).
Kevin Howell is President and CEO of HII, and a director of TQT.A. Formerly vice-president of First Telephone Equipment Co, he formed HII in 1993, and has over twelve years of experience in the telecommunications industry. His knowledge, experience and expertise make him well qualified to work with international customers in the telecommunications industry. He has been featured in business publications: Dallas Business Journal ( 18 January 1995 ), Dallas Morning News, Grand Prairie News ( 26 February to 1 March 1995 ), Small Business Monthly (June 1995, and has won awards: "1995 International Small Business Development Centre's [tel:(214)747-1300] Exporter of the Year".
James Sung Fu Tong is a director of TQT.A. He has been involved in the investment industry for over fourteen years, and is an investment advisor for Georgia Pacific Securities Corp.
Irene L. Day is a director of TQT.A. She is a public relations consultant, specializing in government and business issues.
Warren Smith is Director of Investor Relations for TQT.A.
1.5 Promotion
Aggressive stock promotion activities are expected to commence soon. To date, journalistic/newsletter coverage includes ( listed alphabetically ):
Investor's Guru chebucto.ns.ca
Don Wolanchuk Detroit, MI, USA 1-900-288-6663 (US) 1-800-511-0781 (Canada)
On Saturday 23 March 1996, Robert Messenger, appeared on the Financial Power Network, a syndicated radio program, which reaches over three million listeners in markets from Boston to San Diego.
TQT.A is still a relatively unknown special opportunity, but more presentations will soon be made to analysts, brokers and fund managers, especially in the US.
2. Technicals ( 01/01/95 to 21/06/96 )
<stock chart>
price (lowest, 1996) : C35c (10/01/96) price (highest, 1996): C$1.27 (22/05/96) price (lowest, 1995) : C25c (20/12/95) price (highest, 1995): C$1.45 (13/02/95) volume (1996) : 5,700,200 volume (ave/day 1996): 46,723 volume (1995) : 9,749,931 volume (ave/day 1995): 38,690
The stock has been trading within a sideways channel just over C$1, and is poised for a surge to over C$2.
3. Recommendation
TQT.A:
- has entered new receptive economically-reformed markets and is poised to dominate them. - has no competition. - is able to provide the highest quality products and services at the lowest prices. - is an outstanding fundamental play - not just hype. - has no debt. - has ample financial resources, and ease of access to additional financing. - is seeking support from long-term US investors instead of short term Canadian traders. - is being followed by an increasing number of analysts, brokers and fund managers. - has an obviously aggressive and reputable management team. - is continuously seeking new acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partners and markets.
Timing is the key to market profits. TQT.A is a small-cap, emerging growth company, and offers investors a unique vehicle to benefit from the explosive growth of the international telecom industry.
TQT.A expects a profit of C$2.5 million. With 9,885,000 shares outstanding, this means a profit of C25c per share. With a conservative growth P/E ratio of 20, TQT.A should trade at a minimum of C$5 in late 1996, early 1997. Try to accumulate shares, patiently, since I do not expect this stock to surge, but appreciate in price gradually and steadily.
Bottomline: TQT.A is a good old boring Peter Lynch type of business. Steady growth and fantastic profit potential. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is my formal summary report for TQT.A, which I have been following and reporting about since February 1996.
4. Bibliography/News Services/Sources of Information
Information provided by TQT.A.
Internet newsgroups: alt.invest.penny-stocks, misc.invest, misc.invest.canada, misc.invest.stocks
Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) suite 410, 300 5th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 3C4 Canada tel:(403)297-6454 fax:(403)297-6156
Canada Newswire Ltd suite 835, 401 9th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 3C5 Canada tel:(403)269-7605 fax:(403)263-7888 e-mail:cnw@newswire.ca newswire.ca
Canadian Corporate Newswire suite 500, 25 Adelaide St E Toronto, ON M5C 3A1 Canada tel:(416)362-7179/1-800-818-0090 fax:(416)362-6669 e-mail:ccn@cdn-news.com cdn-news.com
Kevin Howell President & CEO Howell International Ltd suite 1907, 1901 S Great Southwest Pkwy Grand Prairie, TX 75051-3505 USA fax:(214)641-2501
Intelcross Ltd 220012, Buelarus, Minsk Surganova St, 30/37 Russia tel:+7-0172-32-07-69 fax:+7-0172-54-32-39
Robert R. Messenger President & CEO Triquanta Investments Ltd 2416 McBain Ave Vancouver, BC V6L 2C4 Canada tel:(604)732-4354/1-800-565-4408 fax:(604)732-9977 e-mail:tqtaLberta@aoL.com stockgroup.com
Ronald Vincent President & CEO Pavis Inc 5151 Belt Line Rd Dallas, TX 75240-7025 USA tel:(214)458-9495 fax:(214)458-9775
Stockwatch P.O.Box 10371 Pacific Centre 700 West Georgia St Vancouver, BC V7Y 1J6 Canada tel:(604)687-1500/1-800-268-6397 fax:(604)687-2304 e-mail:jwoods@wimsey.com canada-stockwatch.com
James Tong apt 904, 4353 Halifax St Burnaby, BC V5C 5Z4
5. Internet
Additional information ( news releases, stock charts, stock quotes ) about TQT.A are available via Internet. Internet users are invited to visit the following Worldwide Web (WWW) pages.
stockgroup.com official WWW page chebucto.ns.ca TQT.A (unofficial) chebucto.ns.ca Investor's Guru chebucto.ns.ca Small-Cap Stock Analyst chebucto.ns.ca investment WWW links
6. Past Performance ( sample list of recent recommendations ) Recommended Subsequent High Alantra Venture Corp AVB.V 02/93 $2.75 03/93 $6 1/2 s Alantra Venture Corp AVB.V 01/94 $1.50 03/94 $2.75 s Alantra Venture Corp AVB.V 04/94 $1.50 07/94 55c s Antilles Resources Ltd ARY.V 06/93 60c 06/93 $1.30 s Aquaterre Mineral Devs AQT.V 08/95 35c 09/95 70c b Bonaventure Resources BOC.V 08/93 $1.40 n/a $5 1/2 s BPI Industries Inc BPR.V 01/96 90c 06/96 $7 b Catalyst Ventures Corp CAZ.V 07/93 $1.40 02/94 $6.20 s Catalyst Ventures Corp CAZ.V 08/94 $1.28 03/95 $2.00 s Catalyst Ventures Corp CAZ.V 03/96 20c 04/96 40c b CKD Ventures Ltd CKU.V 04/95 40c 05/95 69c s CKD Ventures Ltd CKU.V 01/96 17c n/a n/a b Castle Rock Explor. Ltd CTP.V 04/95 $1.00 05/95 $1.95 s Castle Capital Inc CCAP.O 03/93 65c 05/94 $8 7/8 s Cybersurf Corp CY.A 12/95 70c 12/95 $1.90 s Delmay Mining Ltd DMY.A 10/93 50c n/a $5 s Delrina Corp DC.T 10/92 $2.80 04/94 $31 1/4 s DENA.Q Desmarais Energy Corp DES.A 04/96 30c 04/96 42c b Fairmile Acquisitions FLA.A 12/95 $1.00 02/96 $7 b Gallery Resources Ltd GYR.A 08/95 35c 09/95 $1.90 s Gallery Resources Ltd GYR.A 10/95 65c 11/95 $2.25 s Gallery Resources Ltd GYR.A 01/96 66c n/a n/a b Gothic Resources Ltd GCR.V 08/93 45c n/a 85c s Knowledge House Pub. KHP.M 06/93 80c 06/93 $2.90 s InfoInteractive Inc IIA.A 07/95 10c 08/95 $1.15 s Int'l Broadlands Res IBR.V 08/94 35c 05/96 95c b ( Broadlands Resources Ltd BOD.V & Shorewood Explorations Ltd SWX.V merged 07/04/95, to form Int'l Broadlands Resources Ltd IBR.V. ) Int'l Calneva Gold Corp ICG.V 09/93 $2.25 09/93 $3.25 s Int'l Calneva Gold Corp ICG.V 12/93 $1.10 02/94 $2.25 s Int'l Calneva Gold Corp ICG.V 06/94 $1.00 07/94 75c s Int'l Calneva Gold Corp ICG.V 11/94 50c 02/95 $1.00 b Int'l En-R-Tech Inc INH.V 06/93 $1.50 08/93 $1.40 s Evergreen Int'l Tech EGN.V 02/93 $1.60 04/93 $6 1/2 s Inlet Resources Ltd INS.V 04/96 57c 05/96 $1.32 b Int'l Nesmont Indus. NES.V 03/93 $2.50 10/93 $9 1/4 s NESMF.Q Jaba Inc JBA.A 01/96 $1.60 01/96 $2.70 s Laser Friendly Inc LFI.T 09/93 $3.00 02/94 $17 1/8 s Mattan Corp MTN.A 10/95 $1.00 11/95 $7 s Mid-North Resources Ltd MNU.A 04/96 65c 04/96 $1.20 s Millenium Energy Ltd MLN.A 12/95 13c 03/96 22c b Motion Works Corp MW.V 09/93 $3.00 10/93 $4.25 s Motion Works Corp MW.V 06/94 $2.20 10/94 $3.00 b Navarre Resources Ltd NRV.V 04/95 20c 08/95 $1.37 s Plentech Electronics PEI.V 10/93 22c 01/94 92c s Plentech Electronics PEI.V 07/94 50c 11/94 85c s Plentech Electronics PEI.V 12/95 50c n/a n/a b Red Sea Oil RSO.A 01/96 40c 04/96 $1.30 s Solex Capital Corp SOLX.O 12/95 10c 04/96 30c b Thermo-Tech Tech TTRIF.Q 06/93 $2.80 n/a $14 7/8 b Tiberon Minerals Ltd TBR.A 03/96 11c 05/96 $1.50 b Trey International Inc TREY.P 12/95 US50c 01/96 US$1 1/8 s Triquanta Investments TQT.A 02/96 65c 03/96 $1.19 b Yogen Frz Canada Inc YF.T 04/95 $1.10 08/95 $2.65 s
b=buy, h=hold, r=research, s=sell/sold
Robert Speirs, Editor, Small-Cap Stock Analyst, 12 Briarwood Cres, Halifax, NS, B3M 1P3, Canada, tel/fax:(902)443-3965, tel:(902)452-6392 ( after 4pm ET/5pm AT, plus daytime weekends ), e-mail:ab304@chebucto.ns.ca, chebucto.ns.ca. Small-Cap Stock Analyst is published at least quarterly, usually bi-monthly, and is distributed by fax, sometimes by mail. Publication frequency may vary due to market conditions and timeliness of recommendations. The contents of this newsletter are copyright ¸ 1996. All rights reserved. Distribution is strictly prohibited. Distribution is permitted only with payment of C$100,000 fee via a certified cheque, made payable to Robert Speirs. The cost of subscription is C$120.00 for six issues, C$60 for three issues, non-refundable. Cheques and money orders must be made payable to Robert Speirs. Credit cards are not currently accepted. Publication dates may vary because of the timeliness of information, and often depend upon the date of receipt of pertinent company information. Complete assurance is made that all copies of this newsletter are distributed on the same date to each subscriber. In the event of a missed publication(s), subscriptions are extended for the number of missed publications. The editor is an individual investor. The editor, publisher, writers, and contributors are not responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of information provided by company literature, nor the consequences of actual stock market trades. All persons associated with this publication are independent of any and all financial institutions, companies and organizations, and the companies discussed within this publication; but may own shares of the companies that are mentioned herein. The only connection with any financial institution that may exist is to collect and weigh the views of investment professionals, and to temper them with our own advice to provide readers with sound and independent investment advice. No person associated with this publication is paid any fee, nor granted stock options nor shares of any company. Readers understand that no person associated with this publication is a registered securities broker, dealer, representative, salesman or underwriter nor investment advisor. Readers must understand that the stocks that are recommended are of an extremely speculative nature and thus suitable to only those aggressive investors who are able to accept above average levels of risk. The stocks that are mentioned are those that, in the author's opinion, pose extraordinary or at least above average potential capital gains. It should not be assumed that future results and performance of stocks listed and analyzed herein will be profitable, or will equal past performance. Readers should recognize the inherent risk in any security investment. Presented statistics and analyses are made for informational purposes only, and are based upon data obtained believed to be reliable. No guarantee can be made as to the accuracy or completeness of the presented data. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate. A time-lag exists between publication date and distribution date, hence numerical figures contained herein may be outdated. Independent opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Companies that are recommended in this newsletter are listed alphabetically, not by preference. We welcome opinions, suggestions and recommendations, but please contact the editor/publisher only if you have a truly important and urgent question. We do not offer telephone consultations. When enquiring about a company that is recommended, please contact the company, not this newsletter. Everything that is known by the publisher about the company has already been printed. All monetary figures are stated in Canadian currency, unless otherwise stated. The units format is SystŠme-International (SI). Imperial units are provided, whenever appropriate and possible. The date format that is used is dd/mm/yy, conforming to the international standard. In the year 2000, the date format will change to dd/mm/yyyy. Stock exchanges' abbreviations: A=ASE, M=MSE, N=NYSE, O=CDN/OTC, P=pink sheets, T=TSE, Q=NADSAQ, V=VSE, X=AMEX. "n/a" means that data is unavailable. Note: The publisher also provides institutions and large investors with exclusive and specialized commissioned independent research. Please enquire for fee structure. |