RE:Q3, strategic review, bought a bit more, CEONorthF - Interesting analysis and perspective. Well thought out and reasonable, even if I don't share the same view of the outcomes. Look forward to seeing which view pervails in the end. One comment on their results, if they had taken LLP at the same level as the other Banks, their results would not be remotely what they are. I would say they are lowballing the LLPs.
Northforce13 wrote: Q3 was pretty good, better than hoped, particularly in light of how poorly peers are doing. If LB continues to show slowly growing ROE during coming quarters, the P/B multiple will rerate as well, regardless of what happens with the strategic review. This provides an underlying cushion of safety and the possibilty of price appreciation from current levels if an acqusition does not happen.
Stratic Review: Also positive, clearly there are multiple offers on the table they are working through. LB spent 2 mil +/- on legal fees in Q3 on this and claims that expense is on going. The review will likely conclude in 2-3 months, rough guesstimate. Other industries take longer, but I don't think it will take that long in this case. Bidders bid with due diligence provision conditions, etc. Meanwhile the board of directors and CEO do what they can to subtly ensure that the company isn't sold, so that they can keep their jobs (also normal). They might seek to claim in 2-3 months that no suitable offers were received, even though share holders would almost certainly take most of those "unsuitable" offers. Then there comes the possibility of a "hostile" takeover, whereby an offerer presents its offer directly to share holders. These situations are always interesting.
Bought a bit more: Took a bit more at 37.24.
CEO: In general I don't like women CEOs. I do like this one, in terms of she seems to be on the ball and fairly smart. Problem of course is she does not want to lose her job as CEO of a bank, so she wants to steer things towards the continuation of her "3 year turnaround plan" that is 2 years in.
This is going to be an interesting ride.
GLTA