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

Trend Micro Incorporated develops and markets anti-virus computer software and internet security software.  The Company also sells its products in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trend-micro-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13172:1" rel="noopener">Trend Micro Inc (4704 JP)</a> shares rose 14.8% on Friday after Reuters reported that it is exploring a sale after attracting buyout interest. </li>
<li>The interest is unsurprising due to the weak share price. Since ValueAct disclosed a stake on 8 August 2022, the shares are down 0.7% vs the Nikkei 225’s 23.6% increase.</li>
<li>The lack of a controlling shareholder and increased cybersecurity M&amp;A activity support the buyout interest. A privatisation price is likely to be around JPY9,000. Valuation is undemanding at last close.</li>
</ul>



Trend Micro Inc (4704 JP) shares rose 14.8% on Friday after Reuters reported that it is exploring a sale after attracting buyout interest. 
The interest is unsurprising due to the weak share price. Since ValueAct disclosed a stake on 8 August 2022, the shares are down 0.7% vs the Nikkei 225’s 23.6% increase.
The lack of a controlling shareholder and increased cybersecurity M&amp;A activity support the buyout interest. A privatisation price is likely to be around JPY9,000. Valuation is undemanding at last close.


Trend Micro (4704 JP): Evaluating the Privatisation Rumours

FUJI SOFT INCORPORATED is an independent software developer, specializing in communications and machine control software, business application software for bank and insurance companies, and operating system software.  Fuji Soft also installs, manages, and maintains computer systems.  The Company develops and sells word processing packaged software and also provides internet service.

<ul>
<li>Nikkei and Bloomberg report that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-soft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17504:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP)</a> will be privatised through a KKR-sponsored MBO at a price just below JPY9,000, a 21.8% premium to the last close.</li>
<li>The rumoured privatisation proposal is the culmination of a sale process initiated by 3D Investment Partners, the largest shareholder, in September 2023.</li>
<li>The Board will meet tomorrow to discuss the proposal. The rumoured offer represents an all-time high and a knockout bid, suggesting a done deal if a binding proposal materialises.</li>
</ul>


Nikkei and Bloomberg report that Fuji Soft Inc (9749 JP) will be privatised through a KKR-sponsored MBO at a price just below JPY9,000, a 21.8% premium to the last close.
The rumoured privatisation proposal is the culmination of a sale process initiated by 3D Investment Partners, the largest shareholder, in September 2023.
The Board will meet tomorrow to discuss the proposal. The rumoured offer represents an all-time high and a knockout bid, suggesting a done deal if a binding proposal materialises.


Fuji Soft (9749 JP): A Rumoured KKR-Sponsored MBO

TOHOKUSHINSHA FILM CORPORATION plans and produces TV programs, movies, and commercial films.  The Company also provides satellite broadcasting and distributes licensing rights to domestic and foreign media companies.

<ul>
<li>On 24 July, 3D Investment Partners proposed to privatise <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tohokushinsha-film-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15129:1" rel="noopener">Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP)</a> through a tender offer at JPY600-650 per share. A special committee will evaluate the proposal. </li>
<li>3D’s privatisation plan, in its current terms, is a non-starter as the price is low, and its activism campaign has so far been met with the Board’s scepticism.</li>
<li>The possible scenarios are that a white knight emerges to buy 3D’s stake/launch a counteroffer, 3D bumps the offer price, or the Board introduces a more ambitious MTM plan.</li>
</ul>


On 24 July, 3D Investment Partners proposed to privatise Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP) through a tender offer at JPY600-650 per share. A special committee will evaluate the proposal. 
3D’s privatisation plan, in its current terms, is a non-starter as the price is low, and its activism campaign has so far been met with the Board’s scepticism.
The possible scenarios are that a white knight emerges to buy 3D’s stake/launch a counteroffer, 3D bumps the offer price, or the Board introduces a more ambitious MTM plan.


Tohokushinsha Film (2329 JP): Potential Scenarios as 3D Lobs a Privatisation Proposal

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Canvest Environmental Protection Group / Event-Driven

Canvest Environment Protection Group Company Limited focuses on the development, management, and operation of waste-to-energy plants. The Company's plants are located in China.

Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK)

<ul>
<li>Since waste-to-energy play <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental Protection (1381 HK)</a> announced a possible privatisation from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grandblue-environment-co-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17887:1" rel="noopener">Grandblue Environment (600323 CH)</a> at $4.90/share (a 20.7% premium to undisturbed), shares are up just 6.4%. </li>
<li>There's a lot to pack in here, not the least being this is an indicative Pre-Conditional Offer.</li>
<li>But the fact the announcement mentions rolling over a specific number of shares of the controlling shareholders (7.23%), suggests negotiations are well advanced. So we explore.</li>
</ul>


Since waste-to-energy play Canvest Environmental Protection (1381 HK) announced a possible privatisation from Grandblue Environment (600323 CH) at $4.90/share (a 20.7% premium to undisturbed), shares are up just 6.4%. 
There's a lot to pack in here, not the least being this is an indicative Pre-Conditional Offer.
But the fact the announcement mentions rolling over a specific number of shares of the controlling shareholders (7.23%), suggests negotiations are well advanced. So we explore.


Canvest (1381 HK): Evaluating A Privatisation

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK)</a> disclosed a pre-conditional Cayman scheme privatisation from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grandblue-environment-co-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17887:1" rel="noopener">Grandblue Environment Co A (600323 CH)</a> at HK$4.90 per share, an 11.6% premium to the last close price.</li>
<li>The precondition relates to the completion of capital injection into the offeror, Grandblue shareholder, and regulatory approvals. The heavy presence of SOE entities makes this a formality.</li>
<li>While not a knockout bid, the offer (which is final) is reasonable. Shareholders with blocking stakes will be supportive. Timing is the key risk as the offer is long-dated.</li>
</ul>



Canvest Environmental Protection Group (1381 HK) disclosed a pre-conditional Cayman scheme privatisation from Grandblue Environment Co A (600323 CH) at HK$4.90 per share, an 11.6% premium to the last close price.
The precondition relates to the completion of capital injection into the offeror, Grandblue shareholder, and regulatory approvals. The heavy presence of SOE entities makes this a formality.
While not a knockout bid, the offer (which is final) is reasonable. Shareholders with blocking stakes will be supportive. Timing is the key risk as the offer is long-dated.


Canvest Environmental (1381 HK): Grandblue’s Pre-Condition Privatisation at HK$4.90