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>On 10 January, Bloomberg reported that Apollo is considering an equity commitment of JPY1.5 trillion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> MBO. </li>
<li>Securing financing is a key challenge for the MBO. Apollo’s involvement suggests a shift to a higher mix of equity vs debt, which should ease concerns about securing debt financing. </li>
<li>The article suggests that the MBO valuation could be lower than previously reported. However, 7&amp;i's underlying value supports a JPY8 trillion MBO valuation (market cap). </li>
</ul>


On 10 January, Bloomberg reported that Apollo is considering an equity commitment of JPY1.5 trillion in the Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) MBO. 
Securing financing is a key challenge for the MBO. Apollo’s involvement suggests a shift to a higher mix of equity vs debt, which should ease concerns about securing debt financing. 
The article suggests that the MBO valuation could be lower than previously reported. However, 7&amp;i's underlying value supports a JPY8 trillion MBO valuation (market cap). 


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The MBO Is Still Alive and Kicking

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha (3391 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia (3141 JP)</a> may merge quicker than expected. Meaning a one-year "guess the price" ratio. Expect Tsuruha to gain against Welcia from here.</li>
<li>PUSUs exist in Hong Kong. In its bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/greatview-aseptic-packaging" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10802:1" rel="noopener">GAPack (468 HK)</a>, XJF should sound out the SFC to put Bi/Hong on notice. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest Environmental (1381 HK)</a> effectively ticks off another pre-con. This transaction continues to trade too wide to terms. </li>
</ul>



Tsuruha (3391 JP) and Welcia (3141 JP) may merge quicker than expected. Meaning a one-year "guess the price" ratio. Expect Tsuruha to gain against Welcia from here.
PUSUs exist in Hong Kong. In its bid for GAPack (468 HK), XJF should sound out the SFC to put Bi/Hong on notice. 

Canvest Environmental (1381 HK) effectively ticks off another pre-con. This transaction continues to trade too wide to terms. 


Last Week in Event SPACE: Tsuruha/Welcia, GAPack, Canvest, HKBN

<ul>
<li>I tally 51 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.</li>
<li>One new deal was discussed this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sun-art-retail-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:401:1" rel="noopener">Sun Art Retail (6808 HK)</a>'s (expected) unconditional MGO. A <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings (3141 JP)</a> merger was also discussed. </li>
<li>Key updates/news took place on: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/avjennings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12578:1" rel="noopener">AVJennings (AVJ AU)</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/greatview-aseptic-packaging" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10802:1" rel="noopener">GAPack (468 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-hi-speed-new-energy-g" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6927:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Hi-Speed New Energy (1250 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canvest-environmental-protection-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:100:1" rel="noopener">Canvest (1381 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-boqi-environmental-hol" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26771:1" rel="noopener">China Boqi Environmental (2377 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkbn-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:289:1" rel="noopener">HKBN (1310 HK)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


I tally 51 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.
One new deal was discussed this week: Sun Art Retail (6808 HK)'s (expected) unconditional MGO. A Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)/Welcia Holdings (3141 JP) merger was also discussed. 
Key updates/news took place on: AVJennings (AVJ AU),  GAPack (468 HK), Shandong Hi-Speed New Energy (1250 HK), Canvest (1381 HK), China Boqi Environmental (2377 HK), and HKBN (1310 HK).



(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Sun Art Retail, AVJennings, Shandong Hi-Speed New Energy, Boqi, Get Nice

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>In Feb-24, Aeon (8267) agreed with Oasis Management to buy its stake in Tsuruha Holdings (3391) and Tsuruha and Welcia Holdings (3141) would discuss a merger, details decided by end-2027.</li>
<li>On Saturday 27 December, a Jiji article said the two would look to integrate by end-2025, now that they no longer need SEC approval. That reason sounds wrong.</li>
<li>The language of the articles is odd but we have to take it at face value. That means we look to what might happen between here and there.</li>
</ul>


In Feb-24, Aeon (8267) agreed with Oasis Management to buy its stake in Tsuruha Holdings (3391) and Tsuruha and Welcia Holdings (3141) would discuss a merger, details decided by end-2027.
On Saturday 27 December, a Jiji article said the two would look to integrate by end-2025, now that they no longer need SEC approval. That reason sounds wrong.
The language of the articles is odd but we have to take it at face value. That means we look to what might happen between here and there.


Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) To Move UP Merger to End-2025; Makes It TWO Trades in 18mos?

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OK Super opened its first store in Kansai in November with a second already due in January and at least one more by the end of 2025</li>
<li>But then it will open 10 stores a year in the region aiming to take the lead in Kansai just as it did in Tokyo/Kanto – bigger even than Aeon.</li>
<li>More than 300 people queued to get into the supermarket and OK’s EDLP strategy is certain to prove a hit with customers in the region. Competitors will be hit hard.</li>
</ul>


OK Super opened its first store in Kansai in November with a second already due in January and at least one more by the end of 2025
But then it will open 10 stores a year in the region aiming to take the lead in Kansai just as it did in Tokyo/Kanto – bigger even than Aeon.
More than 300 people queued to get into the supermarket and OK’s EDLP strategy is certain to prove a hit with customers in the region. Competitors will be hit hard.


OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

Japan

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

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Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The MBO Is Still Alive and Kicking

Apollo’s involvement strongly signals the viability of the Ito family MBO. 7&i's underlying value supports a JPY8 trillion MBO valuation.

Arun George

Last Week in Event SPACE: Tsuruha/Welcia, GAPack, Canvest, HKBN

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Sun Art Retail, AVJennings, Shandong Hi-Speed New Energy, Boqi, Get Nice

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) To Move UP Merger to End-2025; Makes It TWO Trades in 18mos?

Over the weekend, Japanese media outlets reported that Tsuruha and Welcia would advance merger plans by 2 years, merging as early as end-2025,...

Travis Lundy

OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...

Michael Causton

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): The MBO Is Still Alive and Kicking

Apollo’s involvement strongly signals the viability of the Ito family MBO. 7&i's underlying value supports a JPY8 trillion MBO valuation.

Arun George

Last Week in Event SPACE: Tsuruha/Welcia, GAPack, Canvest, HKBN

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Sun Art Retail, AVJennings, Shandong Hi-Speed New Energy, Boqi, Get Nice

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) To Move UP Merger to End-2025; Makes It TWO Trades in 18mos?

Over the weekend, Japanese media outlets reported that Tsuruha and Welcia would advance merger plans by 2 years, merging as early as end-2025,...

Travis Lundy

OK Super Fast Rollout in Kansai a Threat to Kansai Super and Others

​OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...

Michael Causton

OK Super has just begun expanding in Kansai, with plans to open multiple stores each year, drawing in customers with its EDLP strategy. OK Super...