Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS:  US MLK Holidays - World markets directionless;  US Equity Futs flat; European Markets bid on Inflation peak;  BOJ decision to lead markets this week.</li>
<li>JAPAN:  NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash ; USDJPY flat at 128.52 ; BOJ speculation dominates local headlines;  Kuroda heads to Davos = no fireworks? ;  Dec Machine Tools orders +1%YoY</li>
<li>DAILY NUGGET:  Fast Retailing and Sustainability: Set to introduce a new repair service in its domestic stores.</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS:  US MLK Holidays - World markets directionless;  US Equity Futs flat; European Markets bid on Inflation peak;  BOJ decision to lead markets this week.
JAPAN:  NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash ; USDJPY flat at 128.52 ; BOJ speculation dominates local headlines;  Kuroda heads to Davos = no fireworks? ;  Dec Machine Tools orders +1%YoY
DAILY NUGGET:  Fast Retailing and Sustainability: Set to introduce a new repair service in its domestic stores.


Good Morning Japan |US Off = Directionless; BOJ in Focus +2trn JGB Buying; Kuroda off to Davos

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

<ul>
<li>A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments - Very quiet week as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vinfast" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36550:1" rel="noopener">VinFast (1905332D VN)</a> continues to pre-market a US$1bn IPO.</li>
<li>Event-Driven developments  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/conexio-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19064:1" rel="noopener">Conexio Corp (9422 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jafco-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8848:1" rel="noopener">Jafco Co Ltd (8595 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nippon-steel-trading-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13087:1" rel="noopener">Nippon Steel Trading Corporation (9810 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/origin-energy-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:797:1" rel="noopener">Origin Energy (ORG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oz-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1138:1" rel="noopener">OZ Minerals Ltd (OZL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/warrego-energy-ltd-082ab214-f4bb-4224-b321-8977486cd661" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7808:1" rel="noopener">Warrego Energy (WGO AU)</a>. </li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments - Very quiet week as VinFast (1905332D VN) continues to pre-market a US$1bn IPO.
Event-Driven developments  Conexio Corp (9422 JP), Jafco Co Ltd (8595 JP), Nippon Steel Trading Corporation (9810 JP), Origin Energy (ORG AU), OZ Minerals Ltd (OZL AU), Warrego Energy (WGO AU). 


Weekly Deals Digest (26 Dec) - JAFCO, Nippon Steel Trading, Conexio, Origin Energy, Warrego

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/conexio-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19064:1" rel="noopener">Conexio Corp (9422 JP)</a> has recommended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nojima-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9655:1" rel="noopener">Nojima Corp (7419 JP)</a>’s tender offer of JPY1,911 per share, an 59.1% premium to the undisturbed price (22 December).</li>
<li>The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the offer has been set to meet the 66.67% ownership ratio.</li>
<li>The tender offer was set in motion due to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>’s desire to exit. Itochu tendering its 60.34% stake and an attractive offer, suggests a done deal. </li>
</ul>



Conexio Corp (9422 JP) has recommended Nojima Corp (7419 JP)’s tender offer of JPY1,911 per share, an 59.1% premium to the undisturbed price (22 December).
The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the offer has been set to meet the 66.67% ownership ratio.
The tender offer was set in motion due to Itochu Corp (8001 JP)’s desire to exit. Itochu tendering its 60.34% stake and an attractive offer, suggests a done deal. 


Conexio Corporation (9422 JP) JPY1,911 Tender Offer from Nojima

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nojima-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9655:1" rel="noopener">Nojima Corp (7419 JP)</a> is buying out <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/conexio-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19064:1" rel="noopener">Conexio Corp (9422 JP)</a> majority owner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> along with minorities. At a 59% premium, it looks good. </li>
<li>However, in terms of normalised EV/EBITDA or EV/FCF multiple, this is not expensive. </li>
<li>And while the major seller/target and friendlies are oh so close, the register is more interesting than the yuho top 10 shareholder list suggests. </li>
</ul>



Nojima Corp (7419 JP) is buying out Conexio Corp (9422 JP) majority owner Itochu Corp (8001 JP) along with minorities. At a 59% premium, it looks good. 
However, in terms of normalised EV/EBITDA or EV/FCF multiple, this is not expensive. 
And while the major seller/target and friendlies are oh so close, the register is more interesting than the yuho top 10 shareholder list suggests. 


Nojima (7419) Launches Buyout of Conexio (9422)

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> has restarted accumulating <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-oil-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4035:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Oil Holdings (2607 JP)</a> shares, with an acquisition of 3.5m shares during the last-quarter to take its ownership percentage in Fuji-Oil to 44%.</li>
<li>With both earnings and valuations at a cyclical bottom, Itochu could be encouraged to accumulate more Fuji Oil shares in the short term, resulting in Fuji Oil outperforming its peers.</li>
<li>We think even a takeover offer could be possible while the share price is hovering near the cyclical bottom.</li>
</ul>



Itochu Corp (8001 JP) has restarted accumulating Fuji Oil Holdings (2607 JP) shares, with an acquisition of 3.5m shares during the last-quarter to take its ownership percentage in Fuji-Oil to 44%.
With both earnings and valuations at a cyclical bottom, Itochu could be encouraged to accumulate more Fuji Oil shares in the short term, resulting in Fuji Oil outperforming its peers.
We think even a takeover offer could be possible while the share price is hovering near the cyclical bottom.


Itochu Keeps Buying Fuji Oil, Takeover Offer Could Be Possible With Shares Near The Cyclical Bottom

Japan

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

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Itochu Corp (8001 JP)

Good Morning Japan |US Off = Directionless; BOJ in Focus +2trn JGB Buying; Kuroda off to Davos

NKY Futures +0.2% vs Cash ; USDJPY flat; BOJ speculation dominates as Kuroda heads to Davos ; Dec Machine Tools +1%YoY. Global stealth rally...

Mark Chadwick

Weekly Deals Digest (26 Dec) - JAFCO, Nippon Steel Trading, Conexio, Origin Energy, Warrego

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (Nitro, Norwest, Origin Energy, OZ Minerals, Pendal, Warrego, Fengxiang, Conexio, JAFCO,...

Arun George

Conexio Corporation (9422 JP) JPY1,911 Tender Offer from Nojima

The tender offer was set in motion due to Itochu’s desire to exit. Itochu tendering its 60.34% stake and an attractive offer, suggests a done deal.

Arun George

Nojima (7419) Launches Buyout of Conexio (9422)

Cheap company Nojima is buying cheap company Conexio, cheaply. Itochu is selling it. It looks like a done deal but there is an outlying chance the...

Travis Lundy

Itochu Keeps Buying Fuji Oil, Takeover Offer Could Be Possible With Shares Near The Cyclical Bottom

It looks like Itochu has restarted accumulating Fuji Oil shares yet again with an acquisition of an additional 3.5m shares during the last quarter...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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