Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In April 2021, <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gulf-energy-development-public-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26038:1" rel="noopener">Gulf Energy (GULF TB)</a></strong>'s surprising VTO for <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intouch-holdings-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17638:1" rel="noopener">Intouch (INTUCH TB)</a></strong> was conditional, inter alia, on a waiver NOT to make a downstream offer for <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thaicom-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18019:1" rel="noopener">Thaicom (THCOM TB)</a></strong>.</li>
<li>Now Gulf has announced an intention to acquire Intouch's 41.13% stake in Thaicom for Bt 9.92/share, a 19.3% discount last close, the completion of which triggers an MTO.</li>
<li>The acquisition of shares from Intouch requires approval from Intouch shareholders. Gulf, with 46.44% of shares out, is required to abstain. </li>
</ul>


In April 2021, Gulf Energy (GULF TB)'s surprising VTO for Intouch (INTUCH TB) was conditional, inter alia, on a waiver NOT to make a downstream offer for Thaicom (THCOM TB).
Now Gulf has announced an intention to acquire Intouch's 41.13% stake in Thaicom for Bt 9.92/share, a 19.3% discount last close, the completion of which triggers an MTO.
The acquisition of shares from Intouch requires approval from Intouch shareholders. Gulf, with 46.44% of shares out, is required to abstain. 


Singtel Holds The Key To Gulf Energy's Takeunder For Thaicom

<ul>
<li>
<strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jasmine-international-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:949:1" rel="noopener">Jasmine International PCL (JAS TB)</a></strong>'s shareholders approved <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-info-service-pcl-ca1a971f-2f70-4565-b1fd-dda5b533acd3" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27653:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB)</a></strong> acquiring its subsidiary Triple T Broadband, and to buy 19% of <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jasmine-broadband-internet-infrastructure-fund" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:86:1" rel="noopener">Jasmine Broadband (JASIF TB)</a></strong>.</li>
<li>The deal, involving a total outlay of Bt32.4bn, remains subject to approval from JASIF unitholders and NBTC. AIS' current market cap is Bt574bn.</li>
<li>Separately, the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/total-access-communication" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:948:1" rel="noopener"><strong>DTAC</strong></a> / <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/true-corp-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8:1" rel="noopener">True</a></strong> merger looks set to become a reality as it, ironically, does <em>not</em> require NBTC approval. A merger would create a duopoly and ultimately benefit AIS.</li>
</ul>



Jasmine International PCL (JAS TB)'s shareholders approved Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB) acquiring its subsidiary Triple T Broadband, and to buy 19% of Jasmine Broadband (JASIF TB).
The deal, involving a total outlay of Bt32.4bn, remains subject to approval from JASIF unitholders and NBTC. AIS' current market cap is Bt574bn.
Separately, the DTAC / True merger looks set to become a reality as it, ironically, does not require NBTC approval. A merger would create a duopoly and ultimately benefit AIS.


Intouch: AIS' Expanding Broadband And Expected Mobile Duopoly

Head of Research, Krungthai XSpring

Waraporn Wiboonkanarak

Head of Research

A full service Thai brokerage

Krungthai XSpring

Krungthai XSpring is a full service broker. The company provides a wide range of investment services such as Securities Brokerage, Derivative Agent Business, Securities Borrowing and Lending, Securities Trading, Underwriting, Financial Advisory, Wealth Advisory, Private Fund Management and International Markets Securities Trading. 

In terms of credibility, Fitch Ratings has assigned Krunghtai XSpring a long-term rating of AA- and a national short-term rating of F1+ with stable outlook.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>THCOM marked a wider loss in the core operation in 2Q21 on higher legal fees, although the margin for the satellite business stabilized. We see the potential for improving prospects on business continuity, but this is already priced in, as evidenced by its share price trading at 2021E PBV of 1x and EV/EBITDA of 12x (+2 S.D.). We thus leave our Sell rating unchanged.</p>

THCOM marked a wider loss in the core operation in 2Q21 on higher legal fees, although the margin for the satellite business stabilized. We see the potential for improving prospects on business continuity, but this is already priced in, as evidenced by its share price trading at 2021E PBV of 1x and EV/EBITDA of 12x (+2 S.D.). We thus leave our Sell rating unchanged.

<div>
<p>This week in StubWorld ...</p>
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<div class="content-highlight">
<p>Not surprisingly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intouch-holdings-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17638:1" rel="noopener">Intouch Holdings (INTUCH TB)</a>'s IFA <a href="https://www.set.or.th/set/pdfnews.do?newsId=16266518153870&amp;sequence=2021078813" target="_blank" rel="noopener">says</a> the Offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gulf-energy-development-public-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26038:1" rel="noopener">Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB)</a> is "<em>appropriate</em>". Equally unsurprising, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-info-service-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:947:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB)</a>'s IFA <a href="https://www.set.or.th/set/pdfnews.do?newsId=16266518153760&amp;sequence=2021078811" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has</a> the opinion that the shareholders should reject the Tender Offer from Gulf.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Preceding my comments on Intouch are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</p>
</div>
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<p>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.</p>
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<div>
<p>As always, more below the fold.</p>
</div>


This week in StubWorld ...



Not surprisingly, Intouch Holdings (INTUCH TB)'s IFA says the Offer from Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB) is "appropriate". Equally unsurprising, Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB)'s IFA has the opinion that the shareholders should reject the Tender Offer from Gulf.



Preceding my comments on Intouch are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.


These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.


As always, more below the fold.


StubWorld: IFAs Say "Yea" For Intouch, "Nay" For AIS

<div>
<p>This week in StubWorld ...</p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p>With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intouch-holdings-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17638:1" rel="noopener">Intouch Holdings (INTUCH TB)</a> trading at terms to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gulf-energy-development-public-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26038:1" rel="noopener">Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB)</a>'s Offer...</p>
<p><em><strong>...What's the play here?</strong></em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Preceding my comments on Intouch are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.</p>
</div>


This week in StubWorld ...




With Intouch Holdings (INTUCH TB) trading at terms to Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB)'s Offer...
...What's the play here?




Preceding my comments on Intouch are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.


These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.


StubWorld: Gulf's Curious Offer For Intouch Now Open

Thailand

Symphony Communication PCL provides Internet services. The Company provides Ethernet services throughout the Bangkok Metropolitan areas.

Samart Telcoms Public Company Limited provides satellite communication network services.  The Company's products and services include international video conferencing, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) via satellite links, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and high speed corporate internet access.

Jasmine International Public Company Limited provides telecommunication services including fixed-telephone lines, wireless network, digital network and internet access services. The Company also distributes telecommunication equipment through its own retail chain stores.

True Corporation PCL is an integrated telecommunications provider. The Company offers a wide range of voice, video, and data services, including dial-up and broadband Internet services, pay television, fixed-line phone, online games, and mobile phone services.

Total Access Communication Public Company Limited provides cellular mobile telephone services under WorldPhone 800 and WorldPhone 1800 brand names throughout Thailand. The Company also sells cellular handsets and other telecommunications equipment through its WorldMedia network of retail stores.

Intouch Holdings Public Company Limited is a holding company that invests in diversified telecommunication and media and advertising businesses.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides television broadcasting, cellular phone and wireless services.

Digital Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund is a closed-ended fund that owns telecommunications towers and other related passive telecommunications infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services. Digital Telecommunication also owns core fiber optic cable grid and related transmission equipment and an up-country broadband system.

Digital Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (DIF TB)

Digital Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund

Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited is granted a 25-year concession expiring the year 2015 by the Telephone Organization of Thailand to provide cellular phone services.  The Company provides analog mobile phone services through the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT900) network, and digital phone services through the Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) network.

HKBN Ltd., provides telephone voice and data communications services. The Company offers wireless internet service, IDD and IPTV service, local telephony services, and other value-added services.

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

ATN International, Inc. provides telecommunications services to rural, niche, and other under-served markets and geographies.  The Company, through subsidiaries, provides both wireless and wireline connectivity to residential and business customers. ATN International also provides a range of mobile wireless solutions, local exchange services and broadband internet services.

Dr. Peng Telecom & Media Group Co., Ltd. provides value-added telecommunications services. The company offers Internet access, e-government, Internet data center, and private network and operations services, as well as network security monitoring, city surveillance, toll-shunt, and other value-added network services.

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC operates a telecommunications company, which specializes within the South 
Asian region. The Group provides domestic and international telephone coverage, voice mail, fax and 
telex messages, Internet  and e-mail services, and an expanding cellular network.

Vision Inc. provides a variety of telecommunication services, including fixed-line telecom, wireless telecom and wifi services. The company also provides distribution and lease service of office equipments and communications equipments.

PT Link Net Tbk provides internet services. The Company offers high-speed internet connection through fiber optic lines. Link Net caters to retail and corporate customers throughout Indonesia.

FreeBit Co., Ltd. provides Internet connectivity outsourcing services for Internet service providers.  The Company also offers ubiquitous networking environment.  FreeBit provides consulting services for Internet related businesses as well.

Redtone International Berhad is an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers telecommunications services and solutions and office communication solutions.

PT Bali Towerindo Sentra Tbk operates in the tower leasing industry. The Company leases  antenna space on self-owned multi-tenant Base Transceiver Station towers primarily to mobile cellular operators.

Thaicom PCL operates satellite communication business. The Company operates and provides satellite transponder services. Thaicom also provides Internet, satellite uplink/downlink, and telephone network services.

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Thaicom Pcl (THCOM TB)

Singtel Holds The Key To Gulf Energy's Takeunder For Thaicom

This is a low-balled Offer from Gulf, Singtel can scupper the transaction. But would they want to be immersed in the politics overseeing the...

David Blennerhassett

Intouch: AIS' Expanding Broadband And Expected Mobile Duopoly

I'd still be shorting Intouch here and buying Advanced Info. I believe a more reasonable discount to NAV target is >20%.

David Blennerhassett

Earnings Review: Thaicom Plc.

THCOM marked a wider loss in the core operation in 2Q21 on higher legal fees, although the margin for the satellite business stabilized.

Krungthai XSpring

StubWorld: IFAs Say "Yea" For Intouch, "Nay" For AIS

I would still avoid Intouch here, but I would not short it, or short tender the stock. Best to wait until the close of the Offer to get a clearer...

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: Gulf's Curious Offer For Intouch Now Open

I would avoid Intouch here, but I would not short it. I think we have to wait until the close of the Offer to get a better idea of what Gulf's next...

David Blennerhassett

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