One thing I've learned from fellow Straw members is that you need to do the work to find the hidden gems rather than just throwing the veritable dart at the board.

This includes RTFM or (Read The Fu#$ing Manual) among other forms of necessary research.

So last week, on a whim, I bought shares in Global Data Centre (GDC) after they announced a return of capital to shareholders of $1 per share, but they fell by $2 a share...or something like that. I'd been following them for a while, so seized the chance after the big fall in price.

So after buying said shares, I then took a look at their annual report. I know, you're meant to do it the other way round.

I was puzzled when I read in their 2024 Annual Report under "significant change in state of affairs", there was mention that the ASX had given GDC 6 months from 20th May to comply with ASX Rule 12.1 or they would be suspended from the ASX.

I have no idea what ASX Rule 12.1 is but it was enough for me to immediately sell.

Yesterday, the 6 month period of grace came around and the ASX has suspended GDC until further notice (see link).

https://investorpa.com/announcement-pdf/20241120/69688.pdf

For all I know it might be a minor speeding fine on GDC and they'll return to the ASX ready to take off like a rocket but I won't be buying again anytime soon.

I am very grateful for this community and the advice to do the work, even if I am a slow learner

Bullet possibly dodged.

According to AFR and other news sources

Explains the interest in GDC today

GDC is in a process of realising existing investments and has just announced sale of its largest asset ETIX. What will remain once this transaction concludes (assuming it does) is the remaining investment in Airtrunk.

ETIX sale will result in $2.26 shareholder value at current exchange rates expecting to close in Q1 2025

The Perth data centre realised $15M after paying down debt which adds $0.19 per share

Current realised assets = $2.45 per share.

Airtrunk is difficult to value but is on books at $48.5M $0.62 per share.

Total asset value per share = approx $3.07

Assuming there is an efficient transfer of shareholder capital that would mean the market is currently valuing the Airtrunk investment at around $0.45 per share based on todays share price of $2.90. There is definitely potential upside on the Airtrunk disposal if it goes ahead in the short term but there is also exchange rate risks, and the possibility of the ETIX transaction falling over, and uncertainty on how the cash is getting back to shareholders I think the current price is pretty close to fair but believe the Air trunk value is being undervalued. There are risks though and I think a fair valuation is $3 and with some good potential upside.

Overall the company has done well on the realisation strategy to date and as a long term holder I am holding for a good result on Airtrunk when eventually realised.

I already hold this in real life and am deciding if I want to add more to the portfolio through the capital raise 

Has been a good performer so far (27% PA) for what I intended to be a slightly riskier REIT / Property play than your standard commercial / industrial plays.  

I like the thematic that a data centre is a long term asset which will have demand well into the future.  

Management has been strong to date and I think the departure of 360 Capital is nothing more than its not really where their strategy has them focussed anymore and they want to cash in after setting it up.  

The capital raise is not significant discounted at the moment ($1.93 vs $1.95) so monitoring the share price now in the run up to having to decide by Fri 8 OCT if I participate or not.  I was intending to add to it prior to the announcement of the capital raise and am just waiting to seee the most efficient path.  I currently have an order in the system and waiting to see if it hits.

My simple valuation  of $2.15 is based on an earnings multiple of  15 which I believe is a reasonable multiple for a small and relatively illiquid developer / property manager in a high growth property area.  I expect it will start to get more attention as it continues to grow and I am looking at a 5yr+  investment timeframe as it is in my SMSF. 

I expect there will be more capital raises ahead.

Boat, racing car, tax bill – there are often good reasons, however, when 3 of 4 directors offload the entirety of their holdings and then there is a capital raise I scratch my head. 

360 Capital, which announced last month they were offloading their holding which accounted for a third of the GDC script. The directors are all with 360 Capital which will be the explanation. 

The summary is the divestment and the cap raise probably should not be linked. 

That said, Macquarie has also exited their holding. 

This is a sector that has legs, the market maintains strong growth prospects both hosting public and private cloud. 

The capital raise, is expected to generate $42M, is to be used for “strategic investments” with no other detail although this is basically the business. The group invests in and have data centre interests in Asia Pac as well as Europe both wholly owned or in JV arrangements. 

The other couple of straws here are worth reading. Pat has a more detailed and balanced view than mine – especially the benefits of 360 Capital exit, rather that it being a red flag.