IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

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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

iClick Interactive Asia Group / Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a> is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement.</p><p>On 18 September, iClick announced a second non-binding privatisation proposal from Infinity Equity Management. The bid of $7.50 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 32.7% to the undisturbed price of $5.65 (on 23 September prior to the first proposal from PAG and Oasis). </p><p>As a reminder, on 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management of $6.75 in cash per ADS. Infinity’s offer represents an 11.1% bump to the offer from PAG and Oasis.  </p><p>As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. Infinity has not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24184:1" rel="noopener">Baozun Inc. (BZUN US)</a>. Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. </p><p>Borrowing a page from PAG and Oasis’ playbook, Infinity’s letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “<em>other than management owned shares and those existing shareholders of the Company who elect to roll over</em>.” The wording suggests that Infinity is vying with PAG and Oasis to get the upper hand in discussions with the co-founders and Baozun. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iclick-s-privatisation-bid-from-pag-and-oasis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:58109" rel="noopener">IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis</a>, we stated that the PAG and Oasis offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples. We also noted that the PAG and Oasis offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>While we did not expect a competing bid, Infinity’s offer while providing a bump to PAG and Oasis' offer still leaves minorities short-changed. Nevertheless, the emergence of two bidders suggests that there is a decent chance of another bidding round. At the last close of $6.50 per ADS, the gross spread to the Infinity offer price is 15.4%.  </p></div>

iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US) is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to Tencent (700 HK) in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement.On 18 September, iClick announced a second non-binding privatisation proposal from Infinity Equity Management. The bid of $7.50 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 32.7% to the undisturbed price of $5.65 (on 23 September prior to the first proposal from PAG and Oasis). As a reminder, on 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management of $6.75 in cash per ADS. Infinity’s offer represents an 11.1% bump to the offer from PAG and Oasis.  As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. Infinity has not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and Baozun Inc. (BZUN US). Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. Borrowing a page from PAG and Oasis’ playbook, Infinity’s letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “other than management owned shares and those existing shareholders of the Company who elect to roll over.” The wording suggests that Infinity is vying with PAG and Oasis to get the upper hand in discussions with the co-founders and Baozun. In IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis, we stated that the PAG and Oasis offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples. We also noted that the PAG and Oasis offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities.While we did not expect a competing bid, Infinity’s offer while providing a bump to PAG and Oasis' offer still leaves minorities short-changed. Nevertheless, the emergence of two bidders suggests that there is a decent chance of another bidding round. At the last close of $6.50 per ADS, the gross spread to the Infinity offer price is 15.4%.  

IClick’s Improved Privatisation Bid from a Second Suitor

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27314:1" rel="noopener">iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US)</a> is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  </p><p>On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). </p><p>As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24184:1" rel="noopener">Baozun Inc. (BZUN US)</a>. Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. </p><p>PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “<em>shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.</em>” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baozun" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29712:1" rel="noopener">Baozun (9991 HK)</a>. </p><p>iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  </p></div>

iClick Interactive Asia Group (ICLK US) is a leading enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China. It is a platinum provider to Tencent (700 HK) in social advertising and provides one-stop solutions in user acquisition and engagement. iClick was listed on Nasdaq in December 2017 at $8.00 per ADS and raised net proceeds of $23.3 million.  On 24 September, iClick announced a non-binding privatisation proposal from PAG and Oasis Management. The bid of $6.75 in cash per ADS represents a premium of 19.5% to the undisturbed price (on 23 September). As iClick is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, for the privatisation to succeed, shareholders representing two-thirds of shares present and voting need to approve the deal. PAG and Oasis have not disclosed a shareholding. iClick’s three largest shareholders are Wing Hong Sammy Hsieh (co-founder and Chairman), Jian Tang (co-founder and CEO) and Baozun Inc. (BZUN US). Mr Hsieh and Mr Tang together represent around 62% of voting interests. PAG and Oasis’ letter to the board mentions an intention to acquire all the shares other than those “shares held by the members of management and other strategic shareholders of the Company that may be rolled over in connection with the proposed transaction.” The wording suggests that PAG and Oasis are in advanced stages of discussions with the co-founders and Baozun (9991 HK). iClick’s shares reached an all-time high of $18.30 per ADS on 18 February 2021 on the back of the announcement that Baozun acquired 4% of outstanding shares and 10% voting interest at $13.262 per ADS. In part due to China’s regulatory clampdown on tech names, the shares have since headed downwards to reach a YTD low of $4.16 per ADS on 20 August. The offer is unattractive in comparison to historical share prices and multiples, in our view. The offer is designed to take advantage of the sell-off in Chinese tech names by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. The timing of the offer announcement points to PAG and Oasis’ confidence in gaining the co-founders and/or Bazoun’s support as rollover shareholders. We think that there is a decent chance that privatisation succeeds. At the last close of $5.91 per ADS, the gross spread to the offer price is 14.2%.  

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netjoy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29729:1" rel="noopener">Netjoy (2131 HK)</a> is an ad tech company which connects advertising customers and media partners. It is the third-largest online marketing solutions provider in China as measured by gross billing generated from short video advertisements in 2019, with a market share of 3.4%, according to iResearch. At the proposed IPO price range of HK$5.56-7.08 per share, Netjoy will have a market cap of HK$4,448-5,664 million ($574-731 million). At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the total net proceeds are HK$1,166.6 million ($151 million). </p></div><div><p>Six cornerstone investors will subscribe for $39 million of the offer shares (23.91% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the price range). The cornerstone investors are Affin Hwang Asset Management, HSBC Global Asset Management, Pacific Asset Management, Seedlings Fund, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> and SenseTime.</p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/netjoy-ipo-initiation-joy-divisions" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46112" rel="noopener">Netjoy IPO Initiation: Joy Divisions</a>, we stated that for investors seeking Chinese adtech exposure, we think Netjoy’s fundamentals are attractive. Overall, we would participate in the IPO due to an attractive IPO price range.</p></div></div></div>

Netjoy (2131 HK) is an ad tech company which connects advertising customers and media partners. It is the third-largest online marketing solutions provider in China as measured by gross billing generated from short video advertisements in 2019, with a market share of 3.4%, according to iResearch. At the proposed IPO price range of HK$5.56-7.08 per share, Netjoy will have a market cap of HK$4,448-5,664 million ($574-731 million). At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the total net proceeds are HK$1,166.6 million ($151 million). Six cornerstone investors will subscribe for $39 million of the offer shares (23.91% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the price range). The cornerstone investors are Affin Hwang Asset Management, HSBC Global Asset Management, Pacific Asset Management, Seedlings Fund, Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) and SenseTime.In Netjoy IPO Initiation: Joy Divisions, we stated that for investors seeking Chinese adtech exposure, we think Netjoy’s fundamentals are attractive. Overall, we would participate in the IPO due to an attractive IPO price range.

Joy Spreader Interactive Technology / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/joy-spreader-interactive-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29271:1" rel="noopener">Joy Spreader Interactive Technology (6988 HK)</a> is an ad tech company which connect marketers (namely, product providers and merchants) with we-media publishers. Joy Spreader has launched a Hong Kong IPO to raise around net proceeds of $140-210 million. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The post-IPO performance of Chinese ad tech companies has been mixed. Consequently, backing the winners is crucial to generate investment returns in the Chinese ad tech sector. For investors seeking Chinese ad tech exposure, we think Joy Spreader’s fundamentals are attractive. We will discuss the IPO valuation in our next piece. </p></div>

Joy Spreader Interactive Technology (6988 HK) is an ad tech company which connect marketers (namely, product providers and merchants) with we-media publishers. Joy Spreader has launched a Hong Kong IPO to raise around net proceeds of $140-210 million. The post-IPO performance of Chinese ad tech companies has been mixed. Consequently, backing the winners is crucial to generate investment returns in the Chinese ad tech sector. For investors seeking Chinese ad tech exposure, we think Joy Spreader’s fundamentals are attractive. We will discuss the IPO valuation in our next piece. 

Joy Spreader IPO Initiation: For the Joy of It

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weimob-com" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27394:1" rel="noopener">Weimob.com (2013 HK)</a> is a combination of a SaaS software and an ad tech (targeted marketing) business. Weimob has launched an HK$1.2 billion ($157 million) top-up placement at a range of HK$4.60-4.80.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Weimob’s financial performance is solid due to an accelerating revenue growth accompanied by operational leverage. However, as pointed out in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/weimob-ipo-preview-aggressive-accounting-makes-a-big-dent-in-the-growth-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our previous notes</a>, investors need to be wary that the reported margins need to be adjusted for the material capitalisation of expenses. Overall, we believe that while Weimob’s financial performance is solid, it is far from attractive at the proposed placement price.</p></div>

Weimob.com (2013 HK) is a combination of a SaaS software and an ad tech (targeted marketing) business. Weimob has launched an HK$1.2 billion ($157 million) top-up placement at a range of HK$4.60-4.80.Weimob’s financial performance is solid due to an accelerating revenue growth accompanied by operational leverage. However, as pointed out in our previous notes, investors need to be wary that the reported margins need to be adjusted for the material capitalisation of expenses. Overall, we believe that while Weimob’s financial performance is solid, it is far from attractive at the proposed placement price.

Weimob Placement: Opportunistic and Unattractive

Hong Kong

Wanka Online Inc. operates advertising and marketing services. The Company provides online advertising, online video product distribution, game intermodal, and other services. Wanka Online provides its services throughout China.

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Wanka Online (1762 HK)

IClick’s Improved Privatisation Bid from a Second Suitor

iClick announced another privatisation proposal, this time from Infinity Equity at $7.50 in cash per ADS. The emergence of two bidders suggests...

Arun George

IClick’s Privatisation Bid from PAG and Oasis

The $6.75 per ADS offer is designed to take advantage of the market sell-off by enriching insiders at the expense of minorities. If the co-founders...

Arun George

Netjoy IPO: Valuation Insights

At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the total net proceeds are $151 million. We would participate in the IPO due to an attractive IPO price...

Arun George

Joy Spreader IPO Initiation: For the Joy of It

Joy Spreader is an ad tech company which connect marketers (namely, product providers and merchants) with we-media publishers. Joy Spreader is set...

Arun George

Weimob Placement: Opportunistic and Unattractive

Weimob.com (2013 HK) is a combination of a SaaS software and an ad tech (targeted marketing) business. Weimob has launched an HK$1.2 billion ($157...

Arun George

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