Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE: Naspers/Tencent, Toshiba, Coca-Cola Amatil, Invesco J-REIT, Tabcorp

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tabcorp-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6837:1" rel="noopener">Tabcorp Ltd (TAH AU)</a> merged with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tatts-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14615:1" rel="noopener">Tatts Group Ltd (TTS AU)</a> in November 2017 in an A$11bn transaction. Less than two years later, with the wagering division – which includes the retail betting shops and online betting brands – facing stiff competition on all fronts, and synergistic benefits from the merger not being extracted at expected levels, a demerger was floated.</p>
<p>Fast forward another three-plus years: after rejecting a A$3bn offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/entain-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23926:1" rel="noopener">Entain (ENT LN)</a> (owner of Ladbrokes) to buy its wagering and media division, Tabcorp <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02358183-3A564328?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> last week it will undertake a strategic review to assess and evaluate all structural and ownership options to maximise value.</p>
<p>These include a potential sale of the wagering &amp; media ops or a potential demerger - via the separation of the wagering segment or the lotteries business.</p>
<p>The strategic review is expected to take between 12 weeks and 13 weeks, the conclusion of which may tie in with the release of the FY21 financials. </p>
<p>Chairman Steven Gregg said he remains open to a full bid for the wagering ops, but:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>there’s a big gap between where we are and where that would need to be. The ball is really in their court.<br>Source: AFR</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Apollo Global Management was also reportedly kicking tyres, along with bookie Matthew Tripp  - potentially backed the Murdochs.</p>
<p>As always, more below the fold.</p>

Tabcorp Ltd (TAH AU) merged with Tatts Group Ltd (TTS AU) in November 2017 in an A$11bn transaction. Less than two years later, with the wagering division – which includes the retail betting shops and online betting brands – facing stiff competition on all fronts, and synergistic benefits from the merger not being extracted at expected levels, a demerger was floated.
Fast forward another three-plus years: after rejecting a A$3bn offer from Entain (ENT LN) (owner of Ladbrokes) to buy its wagering and media division, Tabcorp said last week it will undertake a strategic review to assess and evaluate all structural and ownership options to maximise value.
These include a potential sale of the wagering &amp; media ops or a potential demerger - via the separation of the wagering segment or the lotteries business.
The strategic review is expected to take between 12 weeks and 13 weeks, the conclusion of which may tie in with the release of the FY21 financials. 
Chairman Steven Gregg said he remains open to a full bid for the wagering ops, but:

there’s a big gap between where we are and where that would need to be. The ball is really in their court. Source: AFR

Apollo Global Management was also reportedly kicking tyres, along with bookie Matthew Tripp  - potentially backed the Murdochs.
As always, more below the fold.

Jardine Strategic Holdings / Event-Driven


For the month of March, 16 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$21bn.


Clicking on the company name in the table below will take you to the entity page where you can read the initial insight(s) written by Smartkarma contributors on these new deals and follow-up discussions, or simply click on the insight link(s) below the name.





New Deals


Industry


Size (US$bn)


Type


Premium




Australia




Crown Resorts (CWN AU) 
Casino
6.3
Non-binding Scheme
36.8%


Crown Resorts (CWN AU): Blackstone Rolls the Dice



McPherson's Ltd (MCP AU) 
Cosmetics
0.1
On-Market
6.9%


McPherson (MCP AU): Unconditional On-Market Offer



Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) 
Admin provider
0.2
Scheme
8.6%


Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting



Mortgage Choice (MOC AU) 
Mortgage broker
0.2
Scheme
66%



Mortgage Choice (MOC AU): REA's Scheme Offer









Hong Kong




China Youzan Limited (8083 HK) 
e-Commerce
4.3
Scheme
(30.2%)


China Youzan (8083 HK): Proposal Towards Relisting Youzan Tech








Japan




Funai Electric (6839 JP) 
Electronics
0.2
Tender Offer
25.2%


Funai Electric (6839 JP): Tender Offer Price Seems Light



IGNIS Ltd (3689 JP) 
Software
0.2
Tender Offer
52.12%


IGNIS (3689) MBO +63% Is Probably Too Light



Shoko Co Ltd (8090 JP) 
Trading co
0.1
Tender Offer
10.6%



Shoko (8090 JP) Tender Offer - Showa Denko Sells Too Cheap. Looks Bumpity Shoko (8090 JP) TOB:  Still Looks Bumpity




Takeei Corp (2151 JP)/ Rever Holdings Corp (5690 JP)

Staffing cos
0.5
Merger



Takeei (2151 JP) - Rever (5690 JP) Merger: TOPIX Event to Be Triggered








New Zealand




Tilt Renewables Ltd (TLT NZ) 
Energy
2.1
Scheme
99%


Tilt Renewables: Mercury/PowAr's Big Blow








Singapore




Global Cord Blood (CO US) 
Cord Blood
0.2
Pre-con proposal
65.4%


Global Cord Blood: Haitong Raids The Bank



Jardine Strategic Holdings (JS SP) 
Conglomerate
5.5
Amalgamation
20.2%



Jardine Matheson: Collapsing The Circularity
Jardine Strategic: What's Yours Is Mine
Jardine Strategic: SGM On The 12 April




Procurri Corporation (PROC SP) 
IT Hardware
0.1
Partial
32.7%


Procurri Corporation (PROC SP): Partial Tender Offers Scant Opportunity. Read more: https://skr.ma/FTYAh








Singapore Reinsurance (SRE SP) 
Reinsurance
0.2
Vol. Offer
17.8%


Singapore Reinsurance (SRE SP): Tender Offer Trading Tight








Thailand




Vinythai Public Co (VNT TB) 
Chemicals
0.3
Delisting Offer
57.8%


Vinythai (VNT TH): Delisting Offer From PTTGC








Philippines




2GO Group Inc (2GO PM) 
Logistics
0.2
MTO
30.49%


2GO Group (2GO PH): SMIC's MGO






Source: Smartkarma Insights





The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in March was ~33%, with a year-to-date average of ~32% (58 deals). This compares to the average premium for all deals in 2020 (158 deals) and 2019 (145 deals) of 31% and 31.5% respectively. 



Summary of News in March of Arb Situations On Smartkarma's Radar



(Again, click on the company names to take to you to the insights and/or discussion posts for a more comprehensive read-through on each situation)






Australia


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




3P Learning (3PL AU) 

No March Update




Asaleo Care Ltd (AHY AU) 

No March Update




Bingo Industries (BIN AU) 

No March Update




Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU) 

12-Mar: The Scheme booklet for Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU) has been registered with ASIC. The Scheme Meeting will be held on the 16 April. 




Think Childcare (TNK AU) 

4-Mar: Think Childcare (TNK AU): Trading Through Terms. Should You Fold Now?




Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU) 

11-Mar: Vitalharvest (VTH AU): Macquarie Ups Its Offer
18-Mar:Vitalharvest (VTH AU): Roc Blinks, And Bumps




Vocus Communications (VOC AU) 

10-Mar: Vocus Comms (VOC AU): MIRA/Aware's Done Deal




WPP AUNZ (WPP AU) 

18-Mar: WPP AUNZ (WPP AU)'s Scheme booklet registered with the ASIC. Scheme Meeting to be held on the 21 April. 










Hong Kong


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Beijing Digital Telecom (6188 HK) 

No March update




Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (579 HK) 

1-Mar: Beijing Jingneng (579 HK): And That's a Fail




China Logistics Property Holdings (1589 HK) 

No March update




China Machinery Engineering (1829 HK) 

3-Mar: PRC approval, a pre-condition, to the Offer remains outstanding in a monthly update from China Machinery Engineering (1829 HK).




HKC Holdings (190 HK) 

No March update. Despatch of Scheme Doc pushed out to 30 April 




I.T Ltd (999 HK) 

22-Mar: I.T. (999 HK): Scheme Meeting 16 April. IFA Says Fair




Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK) 

18-Mar: Kerry Properties (683 HK) said it would: "declare a special dividend to distribute approximately 25% to 30% of such net proceeds" from the sake of shares in Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK).




New Century REIT (1275 HK) 

18-Mar: Circular despatched. EGM on the 12 April




Polytec Asset Holdings (208 HK) 

No March update. Polytec Asset Holdings (208 HK)extended the despatch of the Scheme Doc to 16 April.




Rivera Holdings (281 HK) 

No March update. Scheme Doc pushed way out to 7 June 




Sichuan Languang Justbon Service Group (2606 HK) 

11-Mar: There are some subtle changes to the MOU terms announced by Sichuan Languang Justbon Service Group (2606 HK) last night.  
Share to be acquired include 115,090,200 H shares AND 750,000 domestic shares or 65.04% of shares out, up from 64.62% in the initial announcement.  
 The price per H shares will be RMB42.8546/share , up from RMB42.1105.
23-Mar: Languang Justbon (2606 HK): Be Wary Of Chasing The Delisting Bump




China Traditional Chinese Medicine (570 HK) 

1-Mar: An update to say there is no update.




Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Group (1158 HK) 

No March update




Zhuhai Holdings Investment (908 HK) 

No March update. The despatch of the Scheme Doc for Zhuhai Holdings Investment (908 HK) has been pushed back to the 21 April.










India


Comments (with links to insights)




Engineers India (ENGR IN) 

No March update




INEOS Styrolution India Limited (INEOS IN) 

No March update




National Aluminium (NACL IN) 

No March update




Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN) 

13-Mar: Vedanta (VEDL) Awaits Open Offer Revision. Now Less Event-y More Commodity-y
17-Mar: Vedanta (VEDL) Open Offer Raised in Price and Size!










Japan


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Being Co Ltd (4734 JP) 
25-Mar: The Tender Offer for Being Co Ltd (4734 JP) was successful. The bidder now has 88+%.



BeNEXT Group (2154 JP) 
25-Mar: BeNEXT - Yumeshin Merger: FTSE Upweight Is a Positive Surprise




Cocokara Fine (3098 JP) 
10-Mar: Matsukiyo-Cocokara Situation Gets Its Activist Noise Started 1-Mar:MatsuKiyoCocokara Merger and Implied Forward Forecasts which followed MatsukiyoCocokara &amp; Co - The Merger




Dynac Holdings Corporation (2675 JP) 
No March update



Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP) 

No March update




Japan Asia (3751 JP) 

1-Mar: Japan Asia Group (3751) : Defense Against Hostile TOB Is Bad News
18-Mar: Murakami-San Launches New JAG (3751) Tender Offer




Maeda Road Construction Co (1883 JP) 

13-Mar: Maeda Corp (1824 JP) has bought 21.8113mm shares of Maeda Road Construction Co (1883 JP).The pro-ration is 60.2913754%




N Field Co Ltd (6077 JP) 

No March update




Sakai Ovex (3408 JP) 

8-Mar: Savai Ovex MBO - A Very Weak Bump
28-Mar: Sakai Ovex Tender Offer Fails But The Stock Gains an Activist




Sanken Electric (6707 JP) 

9-Mar: Effissimo, Sanken, and Allegro - Thinking About the Future
25-Mar: Effissimo Capital Management held 24.05mm shares prior to launching its tender offer and it appears it managed to buy 24.04mm shares in the Tender Offer. That gets them to 19.93%, up from 9.97%. 




Tokyo Rope Mfg (5981 JP) 

9-Mar: After all was said and done, the Tender Offer was completed, with Nippon Steel Corporation (5401 JP) getting to 19.9% after buying 1.625mm shares at JPY 1500/share. Pro-ration was quite high at 75.86%. 




Tsukui Corp (2398 JP) 

25-Mar: The Tsukui Corp (2398 JP) Tender Offer/MBO was completed successfully. The minimum hurdle was 29.316mm shares. The actual shares received in the Tender was 45.719mm or 64.07% of shares out. This will get squeezed out in the EGM as the non-tendering parties join with MBK and they have close to 90% together.




Unimat Retirement Community (9707 JP) 

26-Mar: the Unimat Retirement Community (9707 JP) Tender Offer was successful. The bidder got to 80.53%. An EGM will follow along with a squeezeout/delisting. The cowbell has not been very loud.










New Zealand


Comments (with links announcements)




Infratil Ltd (IFT NZ) 

No March update











Philippines


Comments (with links announcements)




Lopez Holdings (LPZ PM) 

19-Mar: The Tender Offer for Lopez Holdings (LPZ PM) closed on the 8 March. The accepted Tender Offer Shares were intended to be crossed through the PSE eight business days after the close of the Tender Offer Period or on 18 March. That has now taken place. The public float now stands at 29.32%. 











Singapore


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




CEI Limited (CEI SP) 

19-Mar: Offer declared unconditonal




GL Ltd (GLL SP) 

1-Mar: SIAS Questions GL Limited's Offer: More Bark Than Bite 15-Mar:  GL Limited: Guoco Bumps &amp; Declares Offer Unconditional 18-Mar: Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) gets &gt;90% and will now move to compulsory acquire shares in GL Ltd (GLL SP).




Penguin International (PBS SP) 

24-Mar: Penguin International (PBS SP): Offer Extended, No Bump, Time to Unwind
26-Mar: 75% threshold surpassed: As at 6.00 p.m. (Singapore time) on 25 March 2021, the Offeror has gained control of 167,789,621 shares, representing approximately 76.21% of the total number of shares in the Company. 




Soilbuild Business Space REIT (SBREIT SP) 

11-Mar: Phew - that was close. 89.32% voted FOR but the headcount scrapped in at 56.56%.  Last day of trading in Soilbuild Business Space REIT (SBREIT SP) was the 26 March.










Taiwan


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT) 

20-Mar: Jih Sun Financial Deal Down To The Wire
23-Mar: Jih Sun Tender Offer Successful - Now the Squeezeout






Global Gaming and Casinos Industry Specialist, Casino Business Review LLC

Howard J Klein

Global Gaming and Casinos Industry Specialist

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The giant US investment firm is betting on ultimate regulatory approval for the Sydney property to open sooner rather than later.</li>
<li>Revenue recovery post pandemic will be faster than anticipated. Market sentiment could well move other bidders in what is a price discovery situation.</li>
<li>The new Sydney property is premium. It will attract VIP as well as mass visitation from both locals and Asian nations heavy with VIP players.</li>
</ul>


The giant US investment firm is betting on ultimate regulatory approval for the Sydney property to open sooner rather than later.
Revenue recovery post pandemic will be faster than anticipated. Market sentiment could well move other bidders in what is a price discovery situation.
The new Sydney property is premium. It will attract VIP as well as mass visitation from both locals and Asian nations heavy with VIP players.


Crown Resorts: Blackstone AUD$11.85B Bid Confirms Our View that Stock Is Undervalued

<div>
<p>Back on the 29 April 2020, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/melco-international-development-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:809:1" rel="noopener">Melco International Development (200 HK)</a> <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0429/2020042900625.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/melco-crown-entertainme-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:810:1" rel="noopener">Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment (MLCO US)</a> had sold its 9.99% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/crown-resorts-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:808:1" rel="noopener">Crown Resorts (CWN AU)</a> to Blackstone.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>A brief recap of recent events leading to this sale:</p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">
<h2>Date</h2>
</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">
<h2>Data in the Date</h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">9-Apr-19</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">
<p><a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20190409/pdf/4445cxw9qtdqsv.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crown Resorts (CWN AU) announced</a> it is in confidential discussions with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/606" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:606:1" rel="noopener">Wynn Resorts (WYNN US)</a> concerning an acquisition of Crown by way of a Scheme. The announcement states that Wynn has approached Crown on more than one occasion.</p>
<p></p>
<p>WYNN confirmed it and released an <a href="https://wynnresortslimited.gcs-web.com/static-files/78ae4df4-3d63-4f65-b21a-58a4f4d11469" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8K</a> in the early hours of the 9th saying they would not comment further.</p>
<p>Several hours later, WYNN apparently said it was terminating deal talks with Crown because of the "premature disclosure of preliminary discussions".</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">30-May-19</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">
<p>Melco <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2019/0530/ltn201905301127.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an intention to acquire 19.99% in Crown from James Packer,  in a transaction spread across two tranches. The first tranche was completed on the 6 June.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">8-Aug-19</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">
<p>Crown <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20190808/pdf/447bdl046231kq.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority would be conducting an inquiry, under section 143 of the <a href="https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1992/15/part10/sec143" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Casino Control Act 1992 (NSW)</a>. On the 28 August, Crown and MLCO <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20190829/pdf/447zqp91kz1r5l.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amended</a> the share sale agreement, which effectively put on hold the sale of the second tranche until the inquiry was completed satisfactorily.<br><br></p>
<p>The inquiry was predicated on reports of money laundering at Crown casinos and organised crime involved in running junkets. Crown had previously <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20190730/pdf/4470lbwt6dd5s4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it would fully co-operate with any investigation, and that it had a comprehensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing program.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">6-Feb-20</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">
<p>Melco/MLCO <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0206/2020020601305.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it had terminated its obligation to purchase an additional 9.99% of Crown. MLCO said: "that due to the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, including the severe drop in tourism in Asia to integrated resort facilities in the region, and the recent decision by the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to close all casinos in Macau, Melco Resorts has taken the decision to reassess all non-core investments to be made in 2020."</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 105.734px;">29-Apr-20</td>
<td style="width: 597.798px;">Blackstone <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0429/2020042900625.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquires</a> MCLO's 9.99% stake in Crown</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Blackstone paid $551.55mn for the 67.675mn shares in Crown, or A$8.15/share, a 2.37% discount to the average closing price of A$8.348 over the preceding five days. MLCO paid A$13/share back in June the previous year.  9.99% confers a passive stake, with no board seat.  Media reports were that Blackstone's acquisition was opportunistic in nature, and that they had no plans to increase their stake.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>"<em>For now, maybe</em>" was my assessment at the time, and that once the casino inquiry completed, and taking the view Crown remained on as the licensee, Blackstone would make its move. </p>
<p>Fast forward to the 9 February this year when the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) found that Crown – through its subsidiary Crown Sydney Gaming – was not suitable to hold the licence for the second Sydney casino at Barangaroo.</p>
<p>Some of the more damning conclusions in the extensive 18-month inquiry (encompassing 768 pages over two volumes - <a href="https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/79129/Volume%201%20-%20Inquiry%20under%20section%20143%20of%20the%20Casino%20Control%20Act%201992.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tp/files/79129/Volume%202%20-%20Inquiry%20under%20section%20143%20of%20the%20Casino%20Control%20Act%201992.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>) concerned the facilitation of money laundering and the enabling of criminals to infiltrate the Melbourne and Perth casinos. </p>
<p>Subsequent to the ILGA report, five directors and CEO <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02341002-3A561139?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ken Barton</a> resigned.</p>
<h3>The New News</h3>
<div>Crown <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02355769-3A563928?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> today it has received an unsolicited, non-binding and indicative takeover <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02355769-3A563928?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposal</a>, by way of a Scheme, from Blackstone, at $11.85/share - a 19% premium to the average price of Crown's shares since the release of its <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02342917-3A561577?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1H21 results</a>.</div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>The Offer is subject to a raft of conditions including "<em>regulatory confirmation that a Blackstone-owned Crown is </em><em>considered suitable to own and operate the Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth casino licences</em>".</div>
<div></div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold. </p>
</div>


Back on the 29 April 2020, Melco International Development (200 HK) announced Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment (MLCO US) had sold its 9.99% stake in Crown Resorts (CWN AU) to Blackstone.


A brief recap of recent events leading to this sale:







Date


Data in the Date



9-Apr-19

Crown Resorts (CWN AU) announced it is in confidential discussions with Wynn Resorts (WYNN US) concerning an acquisition of Crown by way of a Scheme. The announcement states that Wynn has approached Crown on more than one occasion.

WYNN confirmed it and released an 8K in the early hours of the 9th saying they would not comment further.
Several hours later, WYNN apparently said it was terminating deal talks with Crown because of the "premature disclosure of preliminary discussions".



30-May-19

Melco announced an intention to acquire 19.99% in Crown from James Packer,  in a transaction spread across two tranches. The first tranche was completed on the 6 June.



8-Aug-19

Crown announced the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority would be conducting an inquiry, under section 143 of the Casino Control Act 1992 (NSW). On the 28 August, Crown and MLCO amended the share sale agreement, which effectively put on hold the sale of the second tranche until the inquiry was completed satisfactorily.  
The inquiry was predicated on reports of money laundering at Crown casinos and organised crime involved in running junkets. Crown had previously announced it would fully co-operate with any investigation, and that it had a comprehensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing program.



6-Feb-20

Melco/MLCO announced it had terminated its obligation to purchase an additional 9.99% of Crown. MLCO said: "that due to the impact of the coronavirus epidemic, including the severe drop in tourism in Asia to integrated resort facilities in the region, and the recent decision by the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to close all casinos in Macau, Melco Resorts has taken the decision to reassess all non-core investments to be made in 2020."



29-Apr-20
Blackstone acquires MCLO's 9.99% stake in Crown






Blackstone paid $551.55mn for the 67.675mn shares in Crown, or A$8.15/share, a 2.37% discount to the average closing price of A$8.348 over the preceding five days. MLCO paid A$13/share back in June the previous year.  9.99% confers a passive stake, with no board seat.  Media reports were that Blackstone's acquisition was opportunistic in nature, and that they had no plans to increase their stake.


"For now, maybe" was my assessment at the time, and that once the casino inquiry completed, and taking the view Crown remained on as the licensee, Blackstone would make its move. 
Fast forward to the 9 February this year when the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) found that Crown – through its subsidiary Crown Sydney Gaming – was not suitable to hold the licence for the second Sydney casino at Barangaroo.
Some of the more damning conclusions in the extensive 18-month inquiry (encompassing 768 pages over two volumes - here &amp; here) concerned the facilitation of money laundering and the enabling of criminals to infiltrate the Melbourne and Perth casinos. 
Subsequent to the ILGA report, five directors and CEO Ken Barton resigned.
The New News
Crown announced today it has received an unsolicited, non-binding and indicative takeover proposal, by way of a Scheme, from Blackstone, at $11.85/share - a 19% premium to the average price of Crown's shares since the release of its 1H21 results.


The Offer is subject to a raft of conditions including "regulatory confirmation that a Blackstone-owned Crown is considered suitable to own and operate the Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth casino licences".


More below the fold. 


Crown Resorts (CWN AU): Blackstone Rolls the Dice

Australia

Crown Resorts Ltd. operates and manages gaming and entertainment facilities, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas and retail outlets. The Company also develops hotels and conference centre facilities.

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Crown Resorts (CWN AU)

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Crown Resorts (CWN AU): Blackstone Rolls the Dice

Some investors feel $11.85/share is reasonable given Crown's plight. Yet this company is worth significantly more if there is a reset and...

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