Sophon Microcap Atlas

Trade Idea #9

NASDAQ-listed company trading near net cash, with activist pressures

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Sophon Capital Research
Sep 13, 2025
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We recently built a position in a U.S.-listed company that, in our view, represents one of the most asymmetric opportunities in global small caps today.

A few points that make this situation compelling:

  • Trades at essentially net cash, implying little to no value for its highly profitable operating business.

  • Owns one of Asia’s most enduring gaming franchises, which continues to generate strong free cash flow two decades after launch.

  • Balance sheet strength is unmatched in the sector, with hundreds of millions in cash and virtually no debt.

  • Historically, governance issues have prevented shareholder returns—but a credible activist is now pushing for dividends, buybacks, and structural reforms.

  • A near-term shareholder vote could act as the catalyst that forces change and unlocks value.

The setup is simple: the market is pricing the business as if excess capital will remain permanently trapped. But if activism succeeds—even partially—shareholders stand to benefit from meaningful capital returns and a sharp re-rating.

For investors willing to look past the governance noise, this is a rare chance to own a profitable franchise at cash value with limited downside and significant upside if reforms materialize.

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