market folly

Jonathan Lennon's hedge fund firm Pleasant Lake Partners has filed numerous documents with the SEC lately regarding its positions.


Adds to Del Taco Restaurants Stake

First, Lennon's firm has boosted its stake in Del Taco Restaurants (TACO).  Per a Form 4 filed with the SEC, Pleasant Lake was out buying shares of TACO on August 28th and 31st at prices of $13.2 and $12.99. In total, they bought 107,400 shares and now own over 4.98 million TACO shares.  Pleasant Lake initially started a Del Taco stake a few months ago.

Per Google Finance, Del Taco is "a food service company. The Company operates quick service restaurant (QSR) chain under Del Taco in the United States. The Company offers Mexican- cuisine and American classics menu. Its menu includes various categories, such as tacos, burritos, Fresca bowls, American grill, quesadillas and nachos, desserts and shakes, sides and salads, combos and fiesta pack, kid's meals, drinks, breakfast, and Buck & Under. In addition, its menu includes Double Beef Classic Taco, Del Combo Burrito, Del Beef Burrito, MACHO Combo Burrito, Double Del Cheeseburger, Bacon Double Del Cheeseburger, Deluxe Chili Cheddar Fries, MACHO Nachos, Caramel Cheesecake Bites, Chocolate Chip Cookies, CrunchTada Tostada and Turkey CrunchTada Tostada, among others. The Company and its franchisees operate approximately 550 restaurants in 16 states."


Increases Hemisphere Media Position

Second, Pleasant Lake Partners has also filed a Form 4 regarding its position in Hemisphere Media (HMTV).  We covered earlier how this hedge fund has been buying HMTV shares and they're at it again.

Their filing notes they were accumulating more shares on August 27th, 28th, and 31st at prices of $13.58, $13.63, and $13.59.  In total, they bought 28,556 shares and now own over 1.94 million HMTV shares.

Per Google Finance, Hemisphere Media is "the United States Spanish-language media company serving the United States Hispanic and Latin American markets with approximately five Spanish-language cable television networks distributed in the United States, over two Spanish-language cable television networks distributed in Latin America, and is a broadcast television network in Puerto Rico. The Company owns and operates the Spanish language networks and content production platform, including movie and telenovela channels, two Hispanic entertainment genres, and the cable television networks. The Company's the United States Hispanic groups include WAPA is an independent broadcast television network; WAPA America is a Spanish-language cable television network; Cinelatino is the Spanish-language cable movie network; Pasiones is the Hispanic genre telenovelas; Centroamerica TV features news and entertainment programming, and Television Dominicana features news and entertainment programming.."


Sends Letter to Magnachip Semiconductor

We've previously posted Pleasant Lake's presentation on Magnachip Semiconductor (MX).  They now own 9.9% of the company, up from the previous 9.5% stake they held.  Lennon recently filed an amended 13D with the SEC and included this letter to the board:

"Dear Doug and Randal, 

As you know, funds managed by Pleasant Lake Partners (“PLP”) are one of the largest shareholders of Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation (“Magnachip” or the “Company”) with a 9.9% stake in the Company.  We have stated to you our desire to increase the size of our investment and have requested that the Board consider removing the Company’s poison pill.  We have also requested to be included in any upcoming auction process for the Company.  However, we have yet to receive a formal response to either request.  Furthermore, while the Company has formed a Strategic Review Committee, shareholders have seen little tangible progress to date.  We believe the Company needs major and immediate strategic change and that the best course for value maximization for all shareholders is to sell Magnachip.  Accordingly, in order to effectuate this, we are writing to you today to formally submit an indication of interest to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Magnachip that PLP does not currently own at a price of $10.00 per share in cash (the “Proposal”).  The Proposal represents a premium of approximately 29% to Friday’s closing price and approximately 58% to PLP’s average cost and is subject to confirmatory due diligence and the negotiation of definitive transaction documents. 

Since filing our 13D on June 10, we have sought to work constructively with you to realize the full value of these assets for the benefit of all shareholders.  And while we appreciate the time you have spent discussing these issues with us, the accelerating pace of consolidation in the semiconductor industry, coupled with what believe are Magnachip’s strategically valuable assets and intellectual property, has led us to make this Proposal.  We have consistently heard from other shareholders that the status quo at Magnachip is not acceptable and that the Company, in whole or in part, would be worth significantly more to strategic acquirers than as a standalone entity.  While we are obviously not such a strategic acquirer, we think shareholders should have the ability to decide for themselves whether to accept our Proposal at $10.00 per share, or wait for other potentially better offers; were any such offers to emerge, we would be prepared to vote our shares in favor of an offer that we believe is materially superior to our Proposal. 

We respectfully ask that you and the Board immediately engage with us to discuss the Proposal and negotiate a transaction.  We are prepared to devote all necessary resources to evaluate and consummate a transaction, and believe we can obtain the necessary financing to do so. 

We look forward to hearing from you and are ready to speak at your convenience.  

Sincerely, 
/s/ Jonathan Lennon
Managing Member
Pleasant Lake Partners LLC"