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.

Event-Driven

FANCL CORPORATION produces and sells additive-free skin care cosmetics for both women and men.  The Company's products include cleansing creams, hair care goods such as shampoos and conditioners, and facial make up products.  Fancl also makes and distributes dietary supplements including royal jelly and various tablets with extracted essence from mushrooms, garlic, ginseng, and soy beans.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)</a>’s JPY8,620 offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> closes on 29 July. The shares have traded above terms for 25 out of the 26 trading days.</li>
<li>MY.Alpha Management has amassed 10.3 million shares (8.51% ownership ratio) with several purchases above terms. MY.Alpha could catalyse other shareholders to rally against a light offer. </li>
<li>The emergence of MY.Alpha, the high volume above terms, peers re-rating, the required minority acceptance rate, and an offer unattractive to historical trading ranges increase the probability of a bump. </li>
</ul>



Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)’s JPY8,620 offer for Fancl Corp (4921 JP) closes on 29 July. The shares have traded above terms for 25 out of the 26 trading days.
MY.Alpha Management has amassed 10.3 million shares (8.51% ownership ratio) with several purchases above terms. MY.Alpha could catalyse other shareholders to rally against a light offer. 
The emergence of MY.Alpha, the high volume above terms, peers re-rating, the required minority acceptance rate, and an offer unattractive to historical trading ranges increase the probability of a bump. 


Fancl (4921 JP): Evaluating the Potential of Kirin (2503 JP) Offer Bump

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Equity Bottom-Up

Sunny Optical Technology Group / Equity Bottom-Up

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Limited designs and manufactures optical and optical related products. The Company's products include glass/plastic lenses, prisms, mobile phone camera modules, microscopes, surveying instruments, and other analytical instruments.

<ul>
<li>The Hong Kong market trades about 30% below analysts' estimated 12 month target price.</li>
<li>Analysts are raising forecasts for<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> as it meets success with new phone rollouts and its EV business.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-technology-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical Technology Group (2382 HK)</a> had a positive profit alert and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/minth-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9232:1" rel="noopener">Minth Group Ltd (425 HK)</a> is showing growth in its international business. Both are rated BUY from analysts.</li>
</ul>


The Hong Kong market trades about 30% below analysts' estimated 12 month target price.
Analysts are raising forecasts forXiaomi Corp (1810 HK) as it meets success with new phone rollouts and its EV business.  

Sunny Optical Technology Group (2382 HK) had a positive profit alert and Minth Group Ltd (425 HK) is showing growth in its international business. Both are rated BUY from analysts.


BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (July 22)

Equity Research Focusing on the Consumer Sector, Small Cap Consumer Research

Small Cap Consumer Research

Equity Research Focusing on the Consumer Sector

Small Cap Consumer Research, LLC is a leading company-sponsored equity research provider focusing on the consumer sector (apparel, brand licensing and specialty retailing segments).

Vera Bradley, Inc. designs, produces and retails fashion accessories for women. The Company markets handbags, accessories and travel and leisure items through its chain of retail stores and independent retailers.

<ul><li>We are reiterating our Buy rating, $10 price target and projections for Vera Bradley after visiting Long Island and Connecticut Vera Bradley locations.</li><li>With the launch of the New Day on July 11th, Vera Bradley entered a new era for their main line stores, with new fabrics, new looks, lighter and brighter fixtures, a new logo and a new spokesperson (Zooey Deschanel).</li><li>When the shock of the new has passed, the look and offerings are impressive and, we believe, when fully launched, will satisfy both the traditional Vera Bradley shopper looking for exciting patterns and features and drive new, younger customers that will be attracted to the compelling fashion, combinations, colors and versatility of the offerings.</li></ul>

We are reiterating our Buy rating, $10 price target and projections for Vera Bradley after visiting Long Island and Connecticut Vera Bradley locations.With the launch of the New Day on July 11th, Vera Bradley entered a new era for their main line stores, with new fabrics, new looks, lighter and brighter fixtures, a new logo and a new spokesperson (Zooey Deschanel).When the shock of the new has passed, the look and offerings are impressive and, we believe, when fully launched, will satisfy both the traditional Vera Bradley shopper looking for exciting patterns and features and drive new, younger customers that will be attracted to the compelling fashion, combinations, colors and versatility of the offerings.

VRA: Snapping the Store: New Day Arrives; Reiterate Buy Rating, $10 PT

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

SUN CORPORATION operates mainly Pachinko related business, information and communication business.  Pachinko related business includes developing, manufacturing and selling a system to control and monitor pachinko machine, and manage business operation.  Sun Corp. also manufactures Pachinko and household appliances and develops game software for family use.

<ul>
<li>Today, the final day of the Tender Offer that True Wind Capital launched on 10 June 2024 to buy 19% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sun-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10803:1" rel="noopener">Sun Corp (6736 JP)</a>, TWC raised its price to ¥4,750/share./</li>
<li>They also lowered their minimum from 3.7934mm shares (17.0%) to 3.3472mm shares (15.0%).</li>
<li>As <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cellebrite-di-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37102:1" rel="noopener">Cellebrite DI (CLBT US)</a> had traded higher, SunCorp had too, and even though shares fell today, they are at ¥4,785/share.</li>
</ul>


Today, the final day of the Tender Offer that True Wind Capital launched on 10 June 2024 to buy 19% of Sun Corp (6736 JP), TWC raised its price to ¥4,750/share./
They also lowered their minimum from 3.7934mm shares (17.0%) to 3.3472mm shares (15.0%).
As Cellebrite DI (CLBT US) had traded higher, SunCorp had too, and even though shares fell today, they are at ¥4,785/share.


True Wind Raises Partial TOB Price for Sun Corp (6736 JP) By 8%. Not Enough.

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Kumho Tire Co., Inc. designs and produces tires.  The Company's main products include various automobile tires and tubes used in sedan, SUV, RV, truck, and bus.  Kumho Tire also provides racing tires.

<ul>
<li>Woori Bank completed a block deal sale of 11 million shares of Kumho Tire Co (073240 KS) (3.83% of outstanding shares) on 18 July. </li>
<li>After the recent sales by Woori Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the creditors' stakes in Kumho Tire has been reduced to 19.17%.</li>
<li>Despite Kumho Tire's recent improvement in financial performance, we are more concerned about the additional stake sale by the financial institutions that still own 19.2% stake in the company.  </li>
</ul>


Woori Bank completed a block deal sale of 11 million shares of Kumho Tire Co (073240 KS) (3.83% of outstanding shares) on 18 July. 
After the recent sales by Woori Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the creditors' stakes in Kumho Tire has been reduced to 19.17%.
Despite Kumho Tire's recent improvement in financial performance, we are more concerned about the additional stake sale by the financial institutions that still own 19.2% stake in the company.  


Block Deal Sale of Kumho Tire: More Shares Likely to Be Sold by Creditors