Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

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 Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a> aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Sep 23, it had 14.3m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.5tn.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). 
RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Sep 23, it had 14.3m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.5tn.
In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and updates since our last note.


Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a> (RB),  the online banking arm of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a>, raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.</li>
<li>RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) (RB),  the online banking arm of Rakuten Group (4755 JP), raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.
RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.
In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.


Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>FSS provided further details as to the number of Korean companies that plan to change their dividend payout system to their shareholders in 2024.</li>
<li>There are 636 companies out of a total 2,267 listed companies in Korea (28%) that have confirmed that they will change their dividend payout system starting 2024.</li>
<li>As listed companies set different voting rights and dividend record dates from the end of the year, investors need to check the dividend record date and dividend amount before investing.</li>
</ul>


FSS provided further details as to the number of Korean companies that plan to change their dividend payout system to their shareholders in 2024.
There are 636 companies out of a total 2,267 listed companies in Korea (28%) that have confirmed that they will change their dividend payout system starting 2024.
As listed companies set different voting rights and dividend record dates from the end of the year, investors need to check the dividend record date and dividend amount before investing.


FSS Provides Further Details of Korean Companies That Plan to Change Dividend Payout System in 2024

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

<ul>
<li>With the price almost 10% above ₩20,000, it's practically fair to regard MBK's tender offer as effectively canceled, raising the question of the proxy battle's potential continuation.</li>
<li>There is a significant likelihood that MBK has prepared a next-phase plan involving an upward adjustment of the offering price, considering the tight situation of successfully securing the target volume.</li>
<li>Essentially, there's a high likelihood that the situation will resemble the earlier battle between HYBE and Kakao Corp over S.M. Entertainment Co at the start of this year.</li>
</ul>


With the price almost 10% above ₩20,000, it's practically fair to regard MBK's tender offer as effectively canceled, raising the question of the proxy battle's potential continuation.
There is a significant likelihood that MBK has prepared a next-phase plan involving an upward adjustment of the offering price, considering the tight situation of successfully securing the target volume.
Essentially, there's a high likelihood that the situation will resemble the earlier battle between HYBE and Kakao Corp over S.M. Entertainment Co at the start of this year.


Navigating the Potential of Hankook & Company's Revised Tender Offer

<ul>
<li>It was announced that founder of Socar Lee Jae-Woong purchased 336,000 additional shares of Socar. This signals a potential M&amp;A fight for Socar between Lee Jae-Woong/related parties and Lotte Rental.</li>
<li>Founder Lee Jae-Woong and related parties currently own 37.8% stake in Socar versus Lotte Rental which has 32.9% stake.   </li>
<li>Socar is currently trading at more attractive valuations and we like the company's aggressive strategy to raise profitability. </li>
</ul>


It was announced that founder of Socar Lee Jae-Woong purchased 336,000 additional shares of Socar. This signals a potential M&amp;A fight for Socar between Lee Jae-Woong/related parties and Lotte Rental.
Founder Lee Jae-Woong and related parties currently own 37.8% stake in Socar versus Lotte Rental which has 32.9% stake.   
Socar is currently trading at more attractive valuations and we like the company's aggressive strategy to raise profitability. 


A Potential Fight for Management Rights of Socar Between Lee Jae-Woong and Lotte Rental

South Korea

Naver Corp. provides Internet site with web portal services, such as search engine, online game and content development.  The Company also offers marketing service through text and banner advertisement.

AfreecaTV CO.,LTD. provides digital media storage, streaming, downloading, video on demand, advertising services, contents delivery network, and internet games.

Daou Technology Inc. designs and constructs Internet-based information systems using system integration technologies.  The Company, through its subsidiary companies, provides on-line security trading service and markets computer peripheral devices, such as printer, hardware, and software.

Connectwave Co., Ltd. operates as an online shopping portal site. The Company provides price comparing and shopping information providing service. Connectwave also generates income from advertisement.

Ahnlab, Inc. designs and develops anti-virus solutions for network server systems, personal computers, and e-business data systems.  The Company also offers consulting service and develops Internet security applications.

Feelingk Co., Ltd. provides end-to-end solutions for the wireless Internet system.  The Company's products includes WAP gateway, Short Messaging Service Center (SMSC), and Push Proxy Gateway (PPG).  Feelingk provides wireless solution to major mobile telecom service providers such as SK and LG telecom.

BusinessOn Communication Co., Ltd operates software as a service company. The Company provides electronic tax bill, integrated purchase management, electronic contract, purchase confirmation, and default registration services. BusinessOn Communication also offers online advertising services.

Kt alpha Co., Ltd. provides Internet connectivity services. The Company also offers web portal services, electronic commerce hosting, media publishing, and application hosting services. Kt alpha offers services in Korea.

Gabia Inc. provides Internet domain registration services.  The Company offers customer support and services such as Web hosting, domain registration and management, and Web agency.  Gabia also provides solution for Internet shopping mall and e-learning business.

Medifron DBT Co., Ltd. researches and develops pharmaceuticals for neuropathic pain, agonists and others. The Company also engages in sale of pharmaceuticals and patent license businesses. The other business division provides real-time voice contents for Internet services and distributes computer peripheral such as LCD monitor, printer, and mouse, through online shopping malls.

Yandex NV operates an Internet website in Russia.  The Company's website offers an Internet search engine, news, shopping information, blogs, photographs and videos.  Yandex earns its revenues from online advertising.

SPS Commerce Inc provides on-demand supply chain management solutions through an online hosted software suite.  The Company uses pre-built integrations to eliminate on-premise software and support staff to shorten supply cycle times, optimize inventory levels and reduce costs.

Akamai Technologies, Inc. provides services for accelerating and improving the delivery of content and applications over the Internet; ranging from live and on-demand streaming video capabilities to conventional content on websites, to tools that help people transact business and reach out to new and existing customers.

NEXTDC Ltd. develops data centers. The Company develops and operates carrier and systems integrator neutral data centers in Australia. NEXTDC's customers will also be able to use the data centers as connectivity and content hubs.

AppFolio, Inc. provides cloud-based software solutions. The Company offers a cloud-based property management software that allows apartment and residential property managers to market, manage, and grow their business. AppFolio conducts business in the United States.

Zillow Group, Inc. provides e-commerce services. The Company provides information about homes, real estate listings, and mortgages through their website and mobile applications. Zillow serves homeowners, buyers, sellers, renters, and real estate professionals throughout the United States.

VeriSign Inc provides domain names and Internet security, enabling the world to connect online with reliability and confidence, anytime, anywhere. The Company ensures the security, stability and resiliency of key Internet infrastructure including the .com and .net top-level domains among others. VeriSign also offers intelligence-driven security services.

Info Edge (India) Limited operates an online job posting website. The website offers services for recruiters, job seekers, and employers. The Company also operates  an online matrimonial website for prospective brides, grooms, and relatives.

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co Ltd provides online financial data, data analysis software, and other financial software system.

Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network (300033 CH)

New Relic, Inc. provides cloud based application performance management solutions for cloud and data center applications. The Company offers a solution including real user, application, and availability monitoring features that enable developers and operations teams to manage web application performance in real-time. New Relic conducts its business in the United States.

Kakao Corp. provides Internet portal services such as news, free e-mail, and leisure information.  The Company also offers cross-platform mobile messaging application that allows users to exchange messages.

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Kakao Corp (035720 KS)

Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

FSS Provides Further Details of Korean Companies That Plan to Change Dividend Payout System in 2024

There are 636 companies out of a total 2,267 listed companies in Korea (28%) that have confirmed that they will change their dividend payout system...

Douglas Kim

Navigating the Potential of Hankook & Company's Revised Tender Offer

This post navigates the potential of a revised tender offer by MBK to Hankook & Company's shareholders, focusing on trading considerations.

Sanghyun Park

A Potential Fight for Management Rights of Socar Between Lee Jae-Woong and Lotte Rental

Founder of Socar, Lee Jae-Woong, buys more shares, hinting at a potential M&A battle with Lotte Rental for control of the company.

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

FSS Provides Further Details of Korean Companies That Plan to Change Dividend Payout System in 2024

There are 636 companies out of a total 2,267 listed companies in Korea (28%) that have confirmed that they will change their dividend payout system...

Douglas Kim

Navigating the Potential of Hankook & Company's Revised Tender Offer

This post navigates the potential of a revised tender offer by MBK to Hankook & Company's shareholders, focusing on trading considerations.

Sanghyun Park

A Potential Fight for Management Rights of Socar Between Lee Jae-Woong and Lotte Rental

​Founder of Socar, Lee Jae-Woong, buys more shares, hinting at a potential M&A battle with Lotte Rental for control of the company.

Douglas Kim

Founder of Socar, Lee Jae-Woong, buys more shares, hinting at a potential M&A battle with Lotte Rental for control of the company.