Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Today, just before the close, the Nikkei sprung a headline saying <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> would take over <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a>. The stock immediately headed to limit up. </li>
<li>Post-Close, details emerged. KDDI will buy the 50% that MitCorp does not own, this will become a 50/50 JV. TOB launch at ¥10,360 will be in April. Squeezeout in September.</li>
<li>This appears to be the Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure. The premium is too light. The price is too low. And that is not counting the synergies.</li>
</ul>


Today, just before the close, the Nikkei sprung a headline saying KDDI Corp (9433 JP) would take over Lawson Inc (2651 JP). The stock immediately headed to limit up. 
Post-Close, details emerged. KDDI will buy the 50% that MitCorp does not own, this will become a 50/50 JV. TOB launch at ¥10,360 will be in April. Squeezeout in September.
This appears to be the Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure. The premium is too light. The price is too low. And that is not counting the synergies.


The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a> has recommended a pre-conditional tender offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> at JPY10,360 per share, an 18.8% premium to the undisturbed (5 February). </li>
<li>The pre-conditions relate to regulatory approvals in Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU. The offer is expected to start in April, suggesting no significant issues, particularly with SAMR approval.</li>
<li>Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate, achievable as the offer represents an all-time high. </li>
</ul>



Lawson Inc (2651 JP) has recommended a pre-conditional tender offer from KDDI Corp (9433 JP) at JPY10,360 per share, an 18.8% premium to the undisturbed (5 February). 
The pre-conditions relate to regulatory approvals in Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU. The offer is expected to start in April, suggesting no significant issues, particularly with SAMR approval.
Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate, achievable as the offer represents an all-time high. 


Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>A shift in composition needed in a Japanese portfolio this year</li>
<li>A weaker US and Japanese economy together with a stronger Yen will  make sector allocation key.</li>
<li>Some sectors to avoid or invest in during this next phase.</li>
</ul>


A shift in composition needed in a Japanese portfolio this year
A weaker US and Japanese economy together with a stronger Yen will  make sector allocation key.
Some sectors to avoid or invest in during this next phase.


2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst

KT Capital Group

Principal investments and advisory firm that focuses on connecting the CIS countries with East Asia.

Principal investments and advisory firm

Equity Bottom-Up

Lifenet Insurance Company / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Oasis Management has become a major shareholder in Lifenet in November. Together with another activist investor, Effissimo Capital (the largest shareholder), they now control &gt;30% of the company.</li>
<li>Company announced some new partnerships/initiatives to drive growth but they don't seem to be materially different from what it has been doing to turn around its declining VoNB.</li>
<li>Unless we can see a sustained trend of improving VoNB, it's difficult to justify the premium valuation vs. the other more established peer.</li>
</ul>


Oasis Management has become a major shareholder in Lifenet in November. Together with another activist investor, Effissimo Capital (the largest shareholder), they now control &gt;30% of the company.
Company announced some new partnerships/initiatives to drive growth but they don't seem to be materially different from what it has been doing to turn around its declining VoNB.
Unless we can see a sustained trend of improving VoNB, it's difficult to justify the premium valuation vs. the other more established peer.


Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>There were a lot of rebalance implementations in China on Friday, plus a few upcoming index changes that were announced during the week.</li>
<li>There are a lot of implementations this week, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">KOSPI 200</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150</a> on Thursday and then others across a bunch of countries on Friday.</li>
<li>There were big inflows to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tracker-fund-of-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29257:1" rel="noopener">Tracker Fund of Hong Kong (2800 HK)</a> during the week taking units outstanding to a new high. ETF inflows continue even as the market drops.</li>
</ul>


There were a lot of rebalance implementations in China on Friday, plus a few upcoming index changes that were announced during the week.
There are a lot of implementations this week, with KOSPI 200 and KOSDAQ 150 on Thursday and then others across a bunch of countries on Friday.
There were big inflows to Tracker Fund of Hong Kong (2800 HK) during the week taking units outstanding to a new high. ETF inflows continue even as the market drops.


Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, TW Div+, ASX200, NZX50, Mom30, Top10EW, MVW, Rakuten Bank

Japan

KDDI CORPORATION provides mobile communication services and sells mobile devices.  The Company also is a broadband provider.

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KDDI Corp (9433 JP)

The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

KDDI has announced a deal to buy out the remainder of the 50% not owned by MitCorp. They will split the company 50/50 going forward. Small premium....

Travis Lundy

Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

The offer is expected to start in April. Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate,...

Arun George

2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...

Rikki Malik

Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Effissimo Capital and Oasis Management now control >30% of Lifenet Insurance. We look forward to seeing the demands they might put on management to...

Alec Tseung

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, TW Div+, ASX200, NZX50, Mom30, Top10EW, MVW, Rakuten Bank

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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The Next Step in Lawson's Big Boots Adventure - KDDI and MitCorp to Take It Private

KDDI has announced a deal to buy out the remainder of the 50% not owned by MitCorp. They will split the company 50/50 going forward. Small premium....

Travis Lundy

Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Pre-Conditional Tender Offer at JPY10,360

The offer is expected to start in April. Based on the irrevocables, the minimum acceptance condition requires a 30.2% minority acceptance rate,...

Arun George

2024 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of Japan into Hong Kong - Part 4

​In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...

Rikki Malik

Lifenet: Oasis Management Is Now Another Major Shareholder Besides Effissimo

Effissimo Capital and Oasis Management now control >30% of Lifenet Insurance. We look forward to seeing the demands they might put on management to...

Alec Tseung

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: NKY, TW Div+, ASX200, NZX50, Mom30, Top10EW, MVW, Rakuten Bank

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas

In light of a weaker US and Japanese economy and a stronger Yen, sector allocation is crucial for Japanese portfolios this year. Certain sectors...