Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In the 29th April HK$34/share <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0429/2024042905713.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VGO announcement</a>, a share scrip alternative <em>may</em> be afforded if 10% of <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a></strong>'s disinterested shareholders expressed interest by the 15th May</li>
<li>That pre-condition has been <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0516/2024051601273.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">satisfied</a>. However, we are none the wiser whether you receive shares of the levered-up Bidco, at some undetermined scrip ratio; or keep shares of L’Occitane as-is.</li>
<li>Some shareholders, like Butler Hall, considered terms low-balled. They now have the option to rollover. But there are still other large activists on the register, whose intentions are not known. </li>
</ul>


In the 29th April HK$34/share VGO announcement, a share scrip alternative may be afforded if 10% of L'Occitane (973 HK)'s disinterested shareholders expressed interest by the 15th May
That pre-condition has been satisfied. However, we are none the wiser whether you receive shares of the levered-up Bidco, at some undetermined scrip ratio; or keep shares of L’Occitane as-is.
Some shareholders, like Butler Hall, considered terms low-balled. They now have the option to rollover. But there are still other large activists on the register, whose intentions are not known. 


L'Occitane (973 HK): On Activism And The Scrip Alternative

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> announced that the share alternative pre-condition was satisfied. However, The share alternative offer is at the offeror’s discretion and with the consent of the financing parties. </li>
<li>The share alternative offer poses a dilemma due to the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the upper limit of the share alternative offer.</li>
<li>The share alternative offer is a play on higher multiples by relisting the business. At HK$50.00, L’Occitane would trade in line with its median global beauty peers’ multiples.</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) announced that the share alternative pre-condition was satisfied. However, The share alternative offer is at the offeror’s discretion and with the consent of the financing parties. 
The share alternative offer poses a dilemma due to the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the upper limit of the share alternative offer.
The share alternative offer is a play on higher multiples by relisting the business. At HK$50.00, L’Occitane would trade in line with its median global beauty peers’ multiples.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Dilemma as the Share Alternative Pre-Condition Met

HK/China Healthcare Analyst (ex-Fosun Pharma)

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

<ul>
<li>The HK$34/share offer price is final, which exceeds all-time high closing price of HK$33.60/share since IPO in 2010. EUR6 billion is equivalent to a PE of 52.17x, higher than peers.</li>
<li>Deploying China's sinking market is “a good story full of imagination”. However, it may fail to bring expected profits considering increasing competition/potential price war, leading to uncertain future performance growth.</li>
<li>For minority shareholders, this privatization provides an attractive opportunity to monetise their investments at a premium over market price. We don't think the current "technical bull market" to be lasting. </li>
</ul>


The HK$34/share offer price is final, which exceeds all-time high closing price of HK$33.60/share since IPO in 2010. EUR6 billion is equivalent to a PE of 52.17x, higher than peers.
Deploying China's sinking market is “a good story full of imagination”. However, it may fail to bring expected profits considering increasing competition/potential price war, leading to uncertain future performance growth.
For minority shareholders, this privatization provides an attractive opportunity to monetise their investments at a premium over market price. We don't think the current "technical bull market" to be lasting. 


L'Occitane (973.HK) Privatization - The Offer Price Is Good Enough

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Microsoft's China AI teams relocate due to US rules, focusing on Wi-Fi 7 development for improved connectivity and performance.</li>
<li>Amazon's stake in Alchip suggests potential synergy in AI tech and expanded market reach, while Kymco launches eco-friendly e-scooter.</li>
<li>Tencent Cloud partners with BRI and Hi Cloud Indo for banking innovation, while Veolia opens first regeneration plant in China for sustainable water treatment. Tron Future secures funding for counter-drone tech.</li>
</ul>


Microsoft's China AI teams relocate due to US rules, focusing on Wi-Fi 7 development for improved connectivity and performance.
Amazon's stake in Alchip suggests potential synergy in AI tech and expanded market reach, while Kymco launches eco-friendly e-scooter.
Tencent Cloud partners with BRI and Hi Cloud Indo for banking innovation, while Veolia opens first regeneration plant in China for sustainable water treatment. Tron Future secures funding for counter-drone tech.


Tech Supply Chain Tracker (17-May-2024): Microsoft China AI teams may relocate due to US restrictions.

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>The Sep 2024 Nikkei 225 Review data set is mostly done, and one can interpolate results relatively accurately. It still leaves us with one ADD, one DELETE, and capping fun.</li>
<li>Recently, Yanai-san sold more <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>. There is more Real World Float- more active holders own more stock (which may mean less interest to buy later).</li>
<li>There is a dark horse candidate which is on investor radar for other reasons. It would not be out of the question, but the precedent is old, and different.</li>
</ul>


The Sep 2024 Nikkei 225 Review data set is mostly done, and one can interpolate results relatively accurately. It still leaves us with one ADD, one DELETE, and capping fun.
Recently, Yanai-san sold more Fast Retailing (9983 JP). There is more Real World Float- more active holders own more stock (which may mean less interest to buy later).
There is a dark horse candidate which is on investor radar for other reasons. It would not be out of the question, but the precedent is old, and different.


Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Still 1 ADD (Ryohin Keikaku), 1 DELETE, and 1 Very Large Very Dark Horse

L'Occitane (973 HK): On Activism And The Scrip Alternative

The Offeror prevaricating over the scrip alternative, despite sizeable interest; plus an activist potentially able to blockthe deal; expect shares...

David Blennerhassett

L'Occitane (973.HK) Privatization - The Offer Price Is Good Enough

The Offeror has received valid expressions of interest from Minority Shareholders holding, in aggregate, not less than 10% of Disinterested Shares....

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (17-May-2024): Microsoft China AI teams may relocate due to US restrictions.

Microsoft AI teams relocating, Wi-Fi 7 advancements, Amazon's stake in Alchip, Kymco e-scooter launch, Tencent Cloud partnership, Veolia's...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Still 1 ADD (Ryohin Keikaku), 1 DELETE, and 1 Very Large Very Dark Horse

The Nikkei 225 Rebal for Sep24 has 3mos before the data cutoff. I still see one ADD and one DELETE. There is a possible dark horse ADD, and Fast...

Travis Lundy

L'Occitane (973 HK): On Activism And The Scrip Alternative

The Offeror prevaricating over the scrip alternative, despite sizeable interest; plus an activist potentially able to blockthe deal; expect shares...

David Blennerhassett

L’Occitane (973 HK): Dilemma as the Share Alternative Pre-Condition Met

While a positive, the share alternative offer needs to balance the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the...

Arun George

L'Occitane (973.HK) Privatization - The Offer Price Is Good Enough

The Offeror has received valid expressions of interest from Minority Shareholders holding, in aggregate, not less than 10% of Disinterested Shares....

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (17-May-2024): Microsoft China AI teams may relocate due to US restrictions.

Microsoft AI teams relocating, Wi-Fi 7 advancements, Amazon's stake in Alchip, Kymco e-scooter launch, Tencent Cloud partnership, Veolia's...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Still 1 ADD (Ryohin Keikaku), 1 DELETE, and 1 Very Large Very Dark Horse

The Nikkei 225 Rebal for Sep24 has 3mos before the data cutoff. I still see one ADD and one DELETE. There is a possible dark horse ADD, and Fast...

Travis Lundy