Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently launched a public consultation regarding a Code of Conduct for ESG ratings providers and ESG data product providers in Singapore.</li>
<li>It is the right approach for Singapore – a voluntary best-practices framework furthering one of the world's most credible "green" economies, not a regulatory force-fix of something broken.</li>
<li>No surprise ratings methodology changes. No en masse upgrades/downgrades. No acute shocks to the system. Just slow and steady progress for ESG investing and finance in Singapore.</li>
</ul>


The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently launched a public consultation regarding a Code of Conduct for ESG ratings providers and ESG data product providers in Singapore.
It is the right approach for Singapore – a voluntary best-practices framework furthering one of the world's most credible "green" economies, not a regulatory force-fix of something broken.
No surprise ratings methodology changes. No en masse upgrades/downgrades. No acute shocks to the system. Just slow and steady progress for ESG investing and finance in Singapore.


Singapore Code of Conduct for ESG Ratings Is Less Risk and More Reward

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>After a 35% price decline in 2021 and 11% performance YTD, we are exploring if SMM is able to capitalize on the high oil price environment.</li>
<li>We will look at its recent financial performance, orderbook, and financial forecast in 2022.</li>
<li>We will also look at how to value the company and the key risk with our valuation.</li>
</ul>


After a 35% price decline in 2021 and 11% performance YTD, we are exploring if SMM is able to capitalize on the high oil price environment.
We will look at its recent financial performance, orderbook, and financial forecast in 2022.
We will also look at how to value the company and the key risk with our valuation.


Sembcorp Marine: Beneficiary of High Oil Price? Not so Fast

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

Equity Capital Markets

Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation / Equity Capital Markets

Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation

<ul>
<li>Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd (VTAC) aims to raise around US$126m via Singapore’s first SPAC listing.</li>
<li>VTAC is sponsored by Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek. </li>
<li>In this tear sheet, we will talk about the deal background and structure.</li>
</ul>


Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd (VTAC) aims to raise around US$126m via Singapore’s first SPAC listing.
VTAC is sponsored by Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek. 
In this tear sheet, we will talk about the deal background and structure.


Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd Tear Sheet - Singapore’s First SPAC Listing

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Two months ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sembcorp-marine-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11:1" rel="noopener">Sembcorp Marine (SMM SP)</a> announced a Rights Offering to raise S$1.5bn to recapitalise operations and provide working capital for the 16 projects currently under execution, some of which have been hit by delays where payment was expected sooner and it will instead come later. 
The Rights Offering, coming on top of another Rights Offering and distribution of shares a year ago as the company was <s>cast away by</s> separated from its erstwhile parent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sembcorp-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1087:1" rel="noopener">Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP)</a> seemed to upset shareholders who did not understand why a second large offering in a year was needed. The simple answer was that last year, the net capital raise was minimal. It was primarily designed to generate proceeds to be able to pay back a large loan extended by its parent before the split. This year it is about survival.  
As I noted then, it was important to read the <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Trading%20and%20Liquidity%20Update.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=672231" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trading and Liquidity Update</a>. The big points are:
<div>
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;">
<li>Workers are scarce. Costs are up. There are supply constraints because of covid-19. Foreign workers who left can't come back. Relative Singapore success in fighting covid early on raised labor costs locally. It is tough to get new workers and new covid-19 measures introduced in May 2021 won't make it easier. </li>
<li>Projects are delayed. Cash Flows are delayed. In particular, the delivery of two drillships to Transocean has been deferred from FY21/22 to FY2023 and later, delaying S$610mm in cash flow.</li>
<li>The company needs to optimize cost structure</li>
<li>Group turnover this year has been lower than expected. </li>
<li>The group needs to raise money to get comfort on ability to complete existing contract base.</li>
<li>The company is pivoting to renewables and clean energy solutions.</li>
</ol>
The company needs money for all this. And a Rights Issue would provide certainty and immediacy.
The Securities Investors Association (Singapore), which has the general reputation of standing up to companies which do deals where retail investors are inconvenienced, came out with a press release with questions on <a href="https://sias.org.sg/latest-updates/press-statement-questions-to-sembcorp-marine-on-its-latest-proposed-rights-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 July</a> which SMM answered on <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Announcement.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=675213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">19 July</a>.  The company got its Approval in Principle in early August from the SGX. SIAS sponsored a virtual dialogue on <a href="https://sias.org.sg/latest-updates/transcript-of-sias-sembcorp-marine-virtual-dialogue-6-august-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6 August</a>. There was an update on the <a href="https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/JWHV82WCY953USMS/7bf07888e4783b9b297db68ce0cfac6a63afa1e381c0f244820b7f7d26feba8f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">18th of August</a> from the company, a further very late-in-the-day Q&amp;A published on <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Response%20to%20additional%20questions%20from%20shareholders.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=680896" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23 August</a> in the morning before the EGM, the EGM was held yesterday, the Rights Offering was approved, and...
...Today after the close, we have an announcement of the Rights Trading Period (31 Aug - 8 Sep), the Exercise Period (31 Aug - 14 Sep) and Pay Date (22 Sep) along with a re-delivery of all the documents from late June and early August (<a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Launch%20Announcement.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=681089" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Announcement</a>, <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Media%20Release.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=681090" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Media Release</a>, <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Presentation.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=681091" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Presentation</a>, and <a href="https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Trading%20and%20Liquidity%20Update.ashx?App=Announcement&amp;FileID=681092" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trading and Liquidity Update</a>).
24 August was the last day to trade WITH rights. 25 August is the first day to trade ex-rights.
There is strategy involved. 
Much more below the fold.
</div>

Two months ago, Sembcorp Marine (SMM SP) announced a Rights Offering to raise S$1.5bn to recapitalise operations and provide working capital for the 16 projects currently under execution, some of which have been hit by delays where payment was expected sooner and it will instead come later. 
The Rights Offering, coming on top of another Rights Offering and distribution of shares a year ago as the company was cast away by separated from its erstwhile parent Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP) seemed to upset shareholders who did not understand why a second large offering in a year was needed. The simple answer was that last year, the net capital raise was minimal. It was primarily designed to generate proceeds to be able to pay back a large loan extended by its parent before the split. This year it is about survival.  
As I noted then, it was important to read the Trading and Liquidity Update. The big points are:


Workers are scarce. Costs are up. There are supply constraints because of covid-19. Foreign workers who left can't come back. Relative Singapore success in fighting covid early on raised labor costs locally. It is tough to get new workers and new covid-19 measures introduced in May 2021 won't make it easier. 
Projects are delayed. Cash Flows are delayed. In particular, the delivery of two drillships to Transocean has been deferred from FY21/22 to FY2023 and later, delaying S$610mm in cash flow.
The company needs to optimize cost structure
Group turnover this year has been lower than expected. 
The group needs to raise money to get comfort on ability to complete existing contract base.
The company is pivoting to renewables and clean energy solutions.

The company needs money for all this. And a Rights Issue would provide certainty and immediacy.
The Securities Investors Association (Singapore), which has the general reputation of standing up to companies which do deals where retail investors are inconvenienced, came out with a press release with questions on 15 July which SMM answered on 19 July.  The company got its Approval in Principle in early August from the SGX. SIAS sponsored a virtual dialogue on 6 August. There was an update on the 18th of August from the company, a further very late-in-the-day Q&amp;A published on 23 August in the morning before the EGM, the EGM was held yesterday, the Rights Offering was approved, and...
...Today after the close, we have an announcement of the Rights Trading Period (31 Aug - 8 Sep), the Exercise Period (31 Aug - 14 Sep) and Pay Date (22 Sep) along with a re-delivery of all the documents from late June and early August (Announcement, Media Release, Presentation, and Trading and Liquidity Update).
24 August was the last day to trade WITH rights. 25 August is the first day to trade ex-rights.
There is strategy involved. 
Much more below the fold.


Sembcorp Marine Goes Ex-Rights - Strategy From Here

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Mapletree Logistics Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Singapore stocks have booked net retail inflow of S$1.01 billion in the 2024 year to 13 June, comprised of S$959 million in 1Q24 and S$50 million in 2Q24.</li><li>While the 2Q24 net inflow looks to have slowed considerably, S$597 million of net retail outflow in the trio of Banks has offset S$646 million of net retail inflow to other Singapore stocks.</li><li>As noted above, coinciding with price gains, UOB booked the most net selling by retail investors in the 2Q24 (to 13 June) at S$366 million, which followed S$10 million of net retail buying in 1Q24.</li></ul>

Singapore stocks have booked net retail inflow of S$1.01 billion in the 2024 year to 13 June, comprised of S$959 million in 1Q24 and S$50 million in 2Q24.While the 2Q24 net inflow looks to have slowed considerably, S$597 million of net retail outflow in the trio of Banks has offset S$646 million of net retail inflow to other Singapore stocks.As noted above, coinciding with price gains, UOB booked the most net selling by retail investors in the 2Q24 (to 13 June) at S$366 million, which followed S$10 million of net retail buying in 1Q24.

Recent Net Retail Flow in Singapore Stocks

Singapore

Sembcorp Industries Ltd provides utilities and integrated services for industrial sites such as power, gas, steam, water, wastewater treatment and other on-site services. The Company's businesses also include marine & offshore engineering and urban development comprising industrial parks and business, commercial and residential spaces.

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is a multinational enterprise with a portfolio of businesses focused on the Asia-Pacific region. The Group's activities include financial services, supermarkets, consumer marketing, engineering and construction, automobile trading, insurance broking, property investment, and hotels.

Gallant Venture Ltd is an investment holding company. The Company owns and operates industrial parks, supplies telecommunications services, electricity and water and wastewater management services, operates resorts and hotels, and develops real estate.

Bonvests Holdings Limited is an investment holding company whose subsidiaries develop real estate and operate waste collection and disposal, and contract cleaning.  The Company also develops and operates hotels locally and overseas, as well as operates food and beverage restaurants.  Bonvests Holdings trades securities and rents properties.

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) Limited builds a wide range of ships. The Company produces a wide range of commercial vessels, mini bulk carriers, multi-purpose cargo vessels, containerships, chemical tankers, offshore supply vessels, rescue and salvage vessels, and lifting vessels.

ST Engineering is a global technology, defence and engineering group with offices across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S., serving customers in more than 100 countries. The Group uses technology and innovation to solve real-world problems and improve lives through its diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defence and public security segments. Headquartered in Singapore, ST Engineering reported revenue of $7.9b in FY2019 and it ranks among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. It is a component stock of the FTSE Straits Times Index, MSCI Singapore, iEdge SG ESG Transparency Index and iEdge SG ESG Leaders Index.

Seatrium Ltd offers engineering solutions for the offshore, marine, and energy industries. The Company provides rigs and floaters, repairs and upgrades, offshore platforms, and specialized shipbuilding. Seatrium serves customers worldwide.

Frencken Group Limited designs, develops, and produces complex and advanced modules and systems, based on precision mechanics, hardware and software.

Chip Eng Seng Corporation Limited specializes in building construction activities in the private and public sector.  The Company also owns, develops, and invests in properties.

BRC Asia Limited designs, manufactures, and markets steel mesh under the BRC brand name.  The Company's products include non-standard and customized mesh, a wide range of prefabricated products including beam and column cages, complete prefabricated beam and column reinforcement, staggered mesh, twin wire mesh, and pile cap cages.

LG Corp. is a holding company, which operates subsidiaries including LG Electronics, LG Household & Health Care, LG Chem Ltd., and Dacom Corp. The Company's main business areas are electronics, chemicals, and household products manufacturing and telecommunications services.

DCC PLC is a sales, marketing, distribution and business support services Group. The Group operates in the following sectors; energy, IT & entertainment products, healthcare, environmental services and food & beverage. DCC's strategy is to grow a sustainable, diversified business.

Smiths Group plc is a global technology company.  The company delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical devices, energy and communications market worldwide.

Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS provides construction and construction related services worldwide. The Company builds infrastructure, commercial projects and factories. The manufacturing subsidiaries produce construction materials, steel pipes, windows and hand tools. The Group also imports and distributes industrial machinery in Turkey.

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, focuses on motor vehicles, property investment and development, food retailing, health and beauty, home furnishings, engineering and construction, transport services, restaurants, luxury hotels, financial services, heavy equipment, mining, energy, and agribusiness.

Icahn Enterprises L.P., a master limited partnership, is a diversified holding company engaged in nine primary business segments: Automotive, Investment, Energy, Gaming, Railcar, Food Packaging, Metals, Real Estate and Home Fashion.

Seibu Holdings Inc. offers diversified operation. The Company through its subsidiary companies operates transportation, construction, hotel, leisure facilities, and real estate business. Seibu Holdings provides group enterprises strategy planning, operation management, asset management and supply, and business promotions.

Toshiba Corporation manufactures and markets electrical and electronic products. The Company's products include digital products such as PCs and televisions, NAND flash memories, and system LSIs (large-scale integrated), as well as social infrastructures such as power generators, medical equipment, and home appliances.

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd. is a diversified company.  The Company brews beer; distributes natural gas through pipelines; invests in, designs, constructs and operates water supply and wastewater treatment plants; operates toll roads; disposes of hazardous waste; and offers electronic payment systems.

NWS Holdings Limited operates businesses under three main divisions: Service, Infrastructure, and Ports. Its Service division comprises facilities, contracting, transport, financial, and environmental. The Infrastructure portfolio includes roads and bridges, energy, and water treatment and waste management. Its port division includes container handling, logistics, and warehousing.

Keppel Corporation Limited's core businesses are offshore and marine, infrastructure, property investment and development, telecommunications and transportation, energy, and engineering.

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Keppel Corp (KEP SP)

Singapore Code of Conduct for ESG Ratings Is Less Risk and More Reward

Singapore's Code of Conduct for ESG ratings is more light-handed than other regulation-based approaches, but therein lies the "less risk and more...

Kyle Rudden

Sembcorp Marine: Beneficiary of High Oil Price? Not so Fast

In this rapid response, we examine the business of Sembcorp Marine and are of the view that the high oil price will not translate into a more...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd Tear Sheet - Singapore’s First SPAC Listing

Vertex Technology Acquisition Corporation Ltd (VTAC) aims to raise around US$126m via Singapore’s first SPAC listing. VTAC is backed by Vertex,...

Sumeet Singh

Sembcorp Marine Goes Ex-Rights - Strategy From Here

Sembcorp Marine goes ex-rights on 25 August. The rights start trading on 31 August. There could be trades to do here for long-only investors, but...

Travis Lundy

Recent Net Retail Flow in Singapore Stocks

Singapore stocks have booked net retail inflow of S$1.01 billion in the 2024 year to 13 June, comprised of S$959 million in 1Q24 and S$50 million...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

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