EU COMMUNICATIONS: SES Shareholder Proposals

Feb-27 08:18

SESGFP                Baa3[N/NR/BBB

Shareholder proxy proposal calls for SES to modernize structure, exit quasi-government model and increase capital returns once 3.75x gross leverage is hit. Reported gross leverage yesterday was 4.4x.

  • Appaloosa (>7% stake in both SES, Intelsat) is pushing for governance, capital, and board reforms at SES. They support the Intelsat deal.
  • Proposes converting gov’t-held class B shares to A (0.4/1) to reduce disproportionate influence (currently has 33.3% voting rights on 16.67% interest).
  • Seeks board restructuring: ≤9 members, annual elections, fewer gov’t seats (aligned with 16.67% stake).
  • Urges capital return policy, once a 3.75X gross debt to EBITDA is hit. Should return surplus capital, defined as the sum of opening excess cash and short-term investments plus operating cash flows and asset sale proceeds (excl. GEO maintenance capex, MEO growth capex, ex. funds needed for Intelsat deal).
  • SES has acknowledged the shareholder announcement.

Historical bullets

GILTS: A Little Lower Early On, I/L Supply Due

Jan-28 08:16

Gilts tick lower on spillover from Trump’s latest comments on tariffs, although the move is modest.

  • The uptick in e-mini futures since yesterday’s gilt close will also be adding some light pressure.
  • Futures -16 at 92.26 vs. lows of 92.15.
  • The medium-term trend condition in the contract remains bearish. However, recent gains continue to highlight a corrective phase and signal scope for a continuation higher near-term.
  • Initial support and resistance located at 91.10/92.68.
  • Yields little changed to ~1bp higher across the curve.
  • BRC shop price data was released overnight but isn’t a market mover.
  • The DMO will come to market with GBP1.5bln of the 1.125% Sep-35 linker today.
  • A reminder that the DMO has announced that it will sell GBP1.5bln of the 0.125% Jan-26 gilt (ISIN: GB00BL68HJ26) via tender on Thursday. This is the gilt that we expected to be sold and the amount on offer is in the middle of the GBP1.0-2.0bln estimate that we pencilled in.

SILVER TECHS: Recent Gains Considered Corrective

Jan-28 08:13
  • RES 4: $34.903 - High Oct 23 and the bull trigger  
  • RES 3: $33.125 - High Nov 1 
  • RES 2: $32.338 - High Dec 12 and a key resistance  
  • RES 1: $31.022 - High Jan 24                              
  • PRICE: $29.961 @ 08:12 GMT Jan 28  
  • SUP 1: $29.509/28.748 - Low Jan 13 / Low Dec 19 and bear trigger        
  • SUP 2: $28.446 - 76.4% retracement of the Aug 8 - Oct 23 bull cycle 
  • SUP 3: $27.686 - Low Sep 6 
  • SUP 4: $26.451 - Low Aug 8  

A bear cycle in Silver that started Oct 23 last year remains in play and recent gains are considered corrective. However, recent gains do suggest scope for a continuation higher near-term. An extension would expose key resistance at $32.338, the Dec 12 high. Clearance of this level would highlight a reversal. On the downside, support to watch is $29.509, the Jan 13 low, and $29.748, the Dec 19 low and the bear trigger.

BONDS: Some elevated Volumes in US Treasuries

Jan-28 08:13
  • It is another decent start for  US Treasuries in terms of early volumes, TYH5 is sold in over 7k, FVH5 5k, TUH5 3k, all cumulative Volumes as Europe continues to join the session.
  • There's some small spillovers into Bund and the BTP, the latter is sold in over 1k.
  • Still, overall some two way early price action, with Bund sticking to a very tight 18 ticks range.