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

Insignia Financial Ltd operates as a financial services company. The Company provides clients with a range of products and services including financial advisory, investment management, real estate, and trustee services. Insignia Financial serves customers worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ioof-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IOOF Holdings (IFL AU)</a> shares rose 11% in the final minutes of trade, fueled by media reports suggesting that Bain was in the advanced stages of making a buyout offer.</li>
<li>The presence of several substantial shareholders necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Takeover interest is unsurprising as Insignia trades at a material discount to peers.</li>
<li>We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer, which suggests a price range of A$3.44-5.50 per share, with an average of A$4.67, a 37.4% premium to the last close.</li>
</ul>



IOOF Holdings (IFL AU) shares rose 11% in the final minutes of trade, fueled by media reports suggesting that Bain was in the advanced stages of making a buyout offer.
The presence of several substantial shareholders necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Takeover interest is unsurprising as Insignia trades at a material discount to peers.
We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer, which suggests a price range of A$3.44-5.50 per share, with an average of A$4.67, a 37.4% premium to the last close.


Insignia Financial (IFL AU): Bain Contemplating a Privatisation Bid

Vesync Co Ltd develops smart home platform that connect air quality, health monitoring, kitchen, lighting, and outlet systems.The Company helps users to manage home, save energy, and bring remote items within handheld reach.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vesync" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31067:1" rel="noopener">Vesync (2148 HK)</a> is in a trading halt “pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers which contains inside information of the Company.” </li>
<li>The Yang family is likely seeking to privatise Vesync through a Cayman scheme. The shares are trading 24% below the HK$5.52 IPO price.</li>
<li>We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$5.09-10.30 per share, with an average of HK$6.71, a 59.8% premium to last close.</li>
</ul>



Vesync (2148 HK) is in a trading halt “pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers which contains inside information of the Company.” 
The Yang family is likely seeking to privatise Vesync through a Cayman scheme. The shares are trading 24% below the HK$5.52 IPO price.
We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$5.09-10.30 per share, with an average of HK$6.71, a 59.8% premium to last close.


Vesync (2148 HK): The Yang Family to Launch a Privatisation Offer?

Topcorn Corporation manufactures and sells measuring equipment and medical equipment primarily for ophthalmologist use. The Company also manufactures industrial products including projectors and optical devices.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/topcon-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:738:1" rel="noopener">Topcon Corp (7732 JP)</a> shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.</li>
<li>Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.</li>
<li>Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.</li>
</ul>



Topcon Corp (7732 JP) shares rose 51% over two days, confirming a Bloomberg report that is conducting a privatisation auction. The process is in the second round of bids.
Exploring the privatisation process is unsurprising, as Topcon has materially underperformed the Nikkei 225 since its last medium-term management term plan was announced on 12 May 2023.
Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median peer multiples.


Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust is a commercial real estate investment trust. The Trust invests in income-producing real estate that is primarily used for retail and/or office purposes.

<ul>
<li>Gordan Tang (&amp; his wife Celine) acquired 2.14% in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suntec-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:151:1" rel="noopener">Suntec REIT (SUN SP)</a>, lifting their stake to 31.45% from 29.31%, <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Offer%20Announcement.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=827313" target="_blank" rel="noopener">triggering a MGO</a>.</li>
<li>The Offer Price is $1.16/share against a recent close of $1.17. The Offer will be conditional on a 50% acceptance hurdle. That's it. This is purely a technical Offer. </li>
<li>Share popped 7% on the news, and closed up ~5%. This appears unwarranted. Tang is not going to take Suntec private. But <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR Group (1821 HK)</a> may be exiting. </li>
</ul>


Gordan Tang (&amp; his wife Celine) acquired 2.14% in Suntec REIT (SUN SP), lifting their stake to 31.45% from 29.31%, triggering a MGO.
The Offer Price is $1.16/share against a recent close of $1.17. The Offer will be conditional on a 50% acceptance hurdle. That's it. This is purely a technical Offer. 
Share popped 7% on the news, and closed up ~5%. This appears unwarranted. Tang is not going to take Suntec private. But ESR Group (1821 HK) may be exiting. 


Suntec REIT (SUN SP): Tang's Obligatory Offer. But ... Is ESR A Seller?

ESR Group Limited operates as an integrated logistics real estate platform. The Company provides real estate private equity fund management, real estate investment trust, and other services. ESR Group conducts businesses in China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, New Zealand, and other countries.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR Group (1821 HK)</a>’s preconditional scheme offer from the consortium is either cash (HK$13.00), scrip or a combination of cash/scrip. The offer is final.</li>
<li>The precondition relates to several regulatory approvals. The precondition satisfaction does not carry the same risk as the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-traditional-chinese-medicine" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:351:1" rel="noopener">China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK)</a> deal break.   </li>
<li>The irrevocable (31.03% of outstanding shares) ensure that shareholders with blocking or close to blocking stakes are supportive. This is a done deal, with timing the key risk. </li>
</ul>



ESR Group (1821 HK)’s preconditional scheme offer from the consortium is either cash (HK$13.00), scrip or a combination of cash/scrip. The offer is final.
The precondition relates to several regulatory approvals. The precondition satisfaction does not carry the same risk as the China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK) deal break.   
The irrevocable (31.03% of outstanding shares) ensure that shareholders with blocking or close to blocking stakes are supportive. This is a done deal, with timing the key risk. 


ESR Group (1821 HK): Consortium’s Scheme Cash/Scrip Privatisation Offer

Privatisations
Buy before they do

Insignia Financial (IFL AU): Bain Contemplating a Privatisation Bid

We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer, which suggests a price range of A$3.44-5.50 per share, with an average of A$4.67. This is a...

Arun George

Vesync (2148 HK): The Yang Family to Launch a Privatisation Offer?

We use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$5.09-10.30 per share, with an average of HK$6.71....

Arun George

Topcon (7732 JP): Privatisation Auction Underscores Underlying Value

Despite the share price pop, Topcon trades at a discount to median peer multiples. At an offer of JPY3,000, Topcon would trade in line with median...

Arun George

Suntec REIT (SUN SP): Tang's Obligatory Offer. But ... Is ESR A Seller?

This is an obligatory MGO. My first reaction was that the share pop on Friday was unwarranted. But the timing of Tang's acquisition in tandem with...

David Blennerhassett

ESR Group (1821 HK): Consortium’s Scheme Cash/Scrip Privatisation Offer

The irrevocable (31.03% of outstanding shares) ensure that shareholders with blocking or close to blocking stakes are supportive. This is a done...

Arun George