What I don't understand is why JAG raised $28 million on Tuesday with an equity raise. Through reading articles I was lead to believe that JAG had net cash on the balance sheet, so why would they raise more? Can you use your bloomberg terminal and confirm if JAG has debt or net cash on the balance sheet prior to the equity raise? I am considering of adding to my position of JAG because of the turn around potential, but what do the 5i guys think of JAG. I have lots of Agnico and B2Gold plus a little bit of aalmos and K9 in Papau Guinea so I am looking for somethin a little more speculative in a junior gold producer, do you have other ideas? Also about 48 per cent of Jaguar shares are owned by Eric Sprott (I believe it is his personal holding since they are held via a numbered company in Ontario). I look at that as a positive but is there a downside to have one rich dude nearly controlling the company? I know this is long question!
As of June 30, JAG had $45M in net cash. Typically in the sector, the rule is 'raise cash BEFORE you need it'. With the sector hot and the stock up 200%, when your controlling shareholder wants to give you more money in tandem with a public issue you generally say yes. No one knows when this gold party will end. The company is still quite small and with the new issue more investors can participate. Certainly having a big shareholder sets up the potential for their exit (and stock pressure) one day. However, Eric is a long term gold investor, and fabulously wealthy: he certainly does not need the cash from a sale. We also like his ability in cases such as this to broker a deal: perhaps a merger with another company to get JAG higher up the market capitalization scale and a higher valuation. Eric has done this before, convincing companies that 'bigger' means more money for all of the parties involved (including Eric, of course). Because of its (not great) history JAG has never been our favourite in the sector. JAG restructured under CCAA (bankruptcy) in 2013/2014. It does look better now that it is all cashed up.