Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Hongkong Land is a major listed property investment, management and development group. 

The Group owns and manages more than 850,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury retail property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Jakarta.  The Group also has a number of high quality residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects under development in cities across Greater China and Southeast Asia.  In Singapore, its subsidiary, MCL Land, is a well-established residential developer.  

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore.  The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land Limited.  Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

<ul>
<li>In a rare move, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a>-controlled <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hongkong-land-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15465:1" rel="noopener">Hongkong Land (HKL SP)</a> has <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/HKLH0424%20SGX.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=842372" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold</a> nine floors (147,025 square feet) of One Exchange Square to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> for HK$6.3bn (US$810mn).</li>
<li>HKL plans to use the proceeds to provide enhancements to the property sold,  the reduction of net debt; and for a share buyback. Shares are up 9% as I type. </li>
<li>HKL is focussed on divesting US$4bn to US$6bn of its balance sheet assets in the next three years. HKL's CEO Michael Smith: "Recycling capital is our top priority right now".</li>
</ul>


In a rare move, Jardine Matheson (JM SP)-controlled Hongkong Land (HKL SP) has sold nine floors (147,025 square feet) of One Exchange Square to HKEX (388 HK) for HK$6.3bn (US$810mn).
HKL plans to use the proceeds to provide enhancements to the property sold,  the reduction of net debt; and for a share buyback. Shares are up 9% as I type. 
HKL is focussed on divesting US$4bn to US$6bn of its balance sheet assets in the next three years. HKL's CEO Michael Smith: "Recycling capital is our top priority right now".


Hongkong Land (HKL SP) Recycles Nine Floors Of One Exchange Square

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is a Korean mobile and telecommunications operator. The Company provides cellular voice, wireless data, and wireless internet services. SK Telecom also offers fixed line services and platform services.

<ul>
<li>Prior to market open on 25 April, SK Telecom announced that it plans to sell 10.8 million shares of Kakao, representing 2.4% of outstanding shares in a  block deal sale.</li>
<li>The sale of Kakao Corp shares and using the proceeds to further acquire shares in SK Broadband and invest in AI businesses is a solid move by SK Telecom. </li>
<li>We believe that this trading down gap of Kakao Corp is likely to be covered soon in the next several days/weeks so it represents a short term buying opportunity. </li>
</ul>


Prior to market open on 25 April, SK Telecom announced that it plans to sell 10.8 million shares of Kakao, representing 2.4% of outstanding shares in a  block deal sale.
The sale of Kakao Corp shares and using the proceeds to further acquire shares in SK Broadband and invest in AI businesses is a solid move by SK Telecom. 
We believe that this trading down gap of Kakao Corp is likely to be covered soon in the next several days/weeks so it represents a short term buying opportunity. 


SK Telecom's Block Deal Sale of 10.8 Million Shares of Kakao Corp

Wanda Hotel Development Company Limited is an investment holding company. The Company focuses on property development, property leasing, property management and investment holdings activities. Wanda Hotel Development builds and holds hotels in cities worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wanda-hotel-development-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15233:1" rel="noopener">Wanda Hotel Development (169 HK)</a>, <a href="https://di.hkex.com.hk/di/NSForm2.aspx?fn=CS20241018E00444&amp;sa2=as&amp;sid=290&amp;corpn=Wanda+Hotel+Development+Co.+Ltd.&amp;sd=24%2f04%2f2024&amp;ed=24%2f04%2f2025&amp;cid=0&amp;sa1=cl&amp;scsd=24%2f04%2f2024&amp;sced=24%2f04%2f2025&amp;sc=169&amp;src=MAIN&amp;lang=EN&amp;g_lang=en&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">65.05%</a> held by Wang Jianlin, is selling its hotel property arm to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (9961 HK)</a>-backed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>Wang Jianlin's cash-strapped Dalian Wanda Group has been offloading assets such as the $8.3bn sale of its mall management business to a PAG-led consortium in March last year.</li>
<li>Wanda Hotel proposes distributing all or part of the proceeds from the sale. Given Wang's controlling shareholding, I'd tilt towards the former.</li>
</ul>



Wanda Hotel Development (169 HK), 65.05% held by Wang Jianlin, is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent (700 HK) and Trip.com (9961 HK)-backed Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK).
Wang Jianlin's cash-strapped Dalian Wanda Group has been offloading assets such as the $8.3bn sale of its mall management business to a PAG-led consortium in March last year.
Wanda Hotel proposes distributing all or part of the proceeds from the sale. Given Wang's controlling shareholding, I'd tilt towards the former.


Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

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.

The Gunma Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank based in Gunma Prefecture.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transaction.  The Gunma Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, credit cards, letter of credit, and investment advisory, and develops information systems.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gunma-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15777:1" rel="noopener">Gunma Bank (8334 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daishi-hokuetsu-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27533:1" rel="noopener">Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)</a>/DHFG have announced an MoU to establish one of the largest regional banks in Japan by 1 April 2027.</li>
<li>The transaction involves delisting Gunma through a share exchange with DHFG. A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. </li>
<li>The plan is long-dated. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated Gunma/DHFG exchange ratio range is 0.38-0.39x.</li>
</ul>



Gunma Bank (8334 JP) and Daishi Hokuetsu Financial Group (7327 JP)/DHFG have announced an MoU to establish one of the largest regional banks in Japan by 1 April 2027.
The transaction involves delisting Gunma through a share exchange with DHFG. A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. 
The plan is long-dated. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated Gunma/DHFG exchange ratio range is 0.38-0.39x.


Gunma Bank (8334 JP): Daishi Hokuetsu (7327 JP) Share Exchange to Establish a Top Regional Bank

Travis Lundy

Fujitsu Ltd manufactures semiconductor, computer, and communication equipment. The Company provides comprehensive information technology, network and telecommunication solutions, and Internet services.

<ul>
<li>
Fujitsu <a href="https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/ir/finance/2024/pdf/en/01.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Earnings</a>. Revenues +2.1%, OP +77.5%, Pretax +65.1%, Net -13.0% (basis effect from FY23 one-offs). Forecast? Revs -2.8%, OP/adj +35.8%/+17.2%, Net/adj +77.4%/+3.7%. All guided measures shy vs the Street consensus.</li>
<li>The company presented a progress update on its <a href="https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/ir/finance/2024/pdf/en/md.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medium-Term Management Plan</a>. Core profits are better. Things are improving. </li>
<li>The company also <a href="https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2025/04/en/24-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a big 11-month ¥170bn buyback. Last year's was ¥180bn (completed 24 March). Worth checking out the details (and our brand-new buyback tool)</li>
</ul>



Fujitsu Earnings. Revenues +2.1%, OP +77.5%, Pretax +65.1%, Net -13.0% (basis effect from FY23 one-offs). Forecast? Revs -2.8%, OP/adj +35.8%/+17.2%, Net/adj +77.4%/+3.7%. All guided measures shy vs the Street consensus.
The company presented a progress update on its Medium-Term Management Plan. Core profits are better. Things are improving. 
The company also announced a big 11-month ¥170bn buyback. Last year's was ¥180bn (completed 24 March). Worth checking out the details (and our brand-new buyback tool)


Fujitsu (6702) - Earnings/Guidance OK, Margins Better, But New Quiddity Buyback Data Tool 🥳

Event-Driven
Event-Driven Insights

Hongkong Land (HKL SP) Recycles Nine Floors Of One Exchange Square

More upside to come. This is one of the few bright spots in the Hong Kong commercial/office property space. Even after today's move, HKL is trading...

David Blennerhassett

SK Telecom's Block Deal Sale of 10.8 Million Shares of Kakao Corp

The sale of Kakao Corp shares and using the proceeds to further acquire shares in SK Broadband and invest in AI businesses is a solid move by SK...

Douglas Kim

Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

Wanda Hotel is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent/Trip.com-backed Tongcheng. Wanda said it will distribute all or part of the proceeds....

David Blennerhassett

Fujitsu (6702) - Earnings/Guidance OK, Margins Better, But New Quiddity Buyback Data Tool 🥳

Fujitsu earnings came out. A little light on both results and guidance (waves hand at world). We also got a buyback. Supply/demand dynamics are not...

Travis Lundy

Hongkong Land (HKL SP) Recycles Nine Floors Of One Exchange Square

More upside to come. This is one of the few bright spots in the Hong Kong commercial/office property space. Even after today's move, HKL is trading...

David Blennerhassett

SK Telecom's Block Deal Sale of 10.8 Million Shares of Kakao Corp

The sale of Kakao Corp shares and using the proceeds to further acquire shares in SK Broadband and invest in AI businesses is a solid move by SK...

Douglas Kim

Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

Wanda Hotel is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent/Trip.com-backed Tongcheng. Wanda said it will distribute all or part of the proceeds....

David Blennerhassett

Gunma Bank (8334 JP): Daishi Hokuetsu (7327 JP) Share Exchange to Establish a Top Regional Bank

A definitive agreement is expected around March 2026. The lack of a controlling shareholder necessitates a “fair” exchange ratio. My estimated...

Arun George

Fujitsu (6702) - Earnings/Guidance OK, Margins Better, But New Quiddity Buyback Data Tool 🥳

Fujitsu earnings came out. A little light on both results and guidance (waves hand at world). We also got a buyback. Supply/demand dynamics are not...

Travis Lundy