Poor governance is a big risk factor

Article Excerpt

NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P. $29 is a hold but only for aggressive investors. This Monaco-based limited partnership (New York symbol NMM; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 30.8 million; Market cap: $893.2 million; Dividend yield: 0.7%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.navios-mlp.com) operates a fleet of 177 dry bulk, container and tanker vessels. Activist investor Ned Sherwood, who owns 5.4% of Navios, recently sent a letter to the board of directors outlining several proposals to improve investor value and governance. Those include lifting anti-takeover provisions, which cap an investor’s voting power. As well, the activist points out that CEO and major shareholder Angeliki Frangou owns a management company that collects substantial fees for buying and selling ships and operating the Navios fleet. Sherwood feels his proposals would help improve Navios’s stock price, which is trading well below its estimated net asset value of roughly $100 a unit. However, recent terrorist attacks on ships in the Red Sea will probably increase the partnership’s insurance costs. Navios Maritime Partners is…