Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

The bidding for companies in Australia's technology sector continues.
Trading and wealth management software provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iress-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15342:1" rel="noopener">Iress Ltd (IRE AU)</a> <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02400486-3A571606?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> this morning it had received a confidential, unsolicited, non-binding, and indicative proposal from Swedish PE outfit EQT Fund Management via a Scheme of Arrangement at a price range of between A$15.30 and A$15.50 cash per share.
EQT had previously fielded an Offer of A$14.80/share on the 18 June.
Iress' board unanimously concluded that the Proposal was "conditional and did not represent compelling value for Iress shareholders". But the board was:
<blockquote>
prepared to provide it with access to limited non-public information so EQT can develop a proposal that is capable of being recommended to shareholders.
</blockquote>
Iress closed up 15% today, but still 7% below the mid-point of the Indicative Offer price range.
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As always, more below the fold.
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The bidding for companies in Australia's technology sector continues.
Trading and wealth management software provider Iress Ltd (IRE AU) announced this morning it had received a confidential, unsolicited, non-binding, and indicative proposal from Swedish PE outfit EQT Fund Management via a Scheme of Arrangement at a price range of between A$15.30 and A$15.50 cash per share.
EQT had previously fielded an Offer of A$14.80/share on the 18 June.
Iress' board unanimously concluded that the Proposal was "conditional and did not represent compelling value for Iress shareholders". But the board was:

prepared to provide it with access to limited non-public information so EQT can develop a proposal that is capable of being recommended to shareholders.

Iress closed up 15% today, but still 7% below the mid-point of the Indicative Offer price range.

As always, more below the fold.


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The takeovers of Aussie tech companies continue. 
On the 7 June, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/altium-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18626:1" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU AU)</a>, a global software company, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382370-2A1302312?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed and subsequently rejected</a> a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/autodesk-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13211:1" rel="noopener">Autodesk Inc (ADSK US)</a> - discussed in <a href="https://skr.ma/we6mt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer</a>. This was followed on the same day by  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansen-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12633:1" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)</a>, a provider of software and services globally, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382235-3A568452?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing</a> Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal - see <a href="https://skr.ma/pAK5Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH</a>.
Now <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rhipe-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19128:1" rel="noopener">rhipe Ltd (RHP AU)</a>, a provider of cloud-based subscription software-as-a-service licenses,  has <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02390415-3A569823?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a non-binding indicative proposal from Norway's Crayon Group Holdings. 
The proposal is conditional on rhipe having a net cash position of A$31mn at the close of the Offer.
A final binding Offer is conditional on due diligence, the unanimous recommendation from rhipe's board, and no MACs.
rhipe has provided Crayon with limited confirmatory due diligence on a  non-exclusive basis.
The Offer price appears opportunistic and is currently trading through terms. 
 More below the fold. 
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The takeovers of Aussie tech companies continue. 
On the 7 June, Altium Ltd (ALU AU), a global software company, confirmed and subsequently rejected a non-binding proposal from Autodesk Inc (ADSK US) - discussed in Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer. This was followed on the same day by  Hansen Technologies (HSN AU), a provider of software and services globally, announcing Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal - see Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH.
Now rhipe Ltd (RHP AU), a provider of cloud-based subscription software-as-a-service licenses,  has announced a non-binding indicative proposal from Norway's Crayon Group Holdings. 
The proposal is conditional on rhipe having a net cash position of A$31mn at the close of the Offer.
A final binding Offer is conditional on due diligence, the unanimous recommendation from rhipe's board, and no MACs.
rhipe has provided Crayon with limited confirmatory due diligence on a  non-exclusive basis.
The Offer price appears opportunistic and is currently trading through terms. 
 More below the fold. 





Rhipe (RHP AU): Crayon Sees Silver in Them Thar Clouds

Yesterday <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansen-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12633:1" rel="noopener">Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)</a>, a provider of software and services globally, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382235-3A568452?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal valuing the company at $1.3bn.
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The A$6.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, is a 25% premium to last close and a 33% premium to the one-month VWAP.
</div>
Andrew Hansen, the company's MD and CEO, has agreed to vote his 17.5% stake in favour of a firm deal. Due diligence, which is expected to take around six weeks, has been granted on an exclusive basis.
Other directors, including David Osborn and Bruce Adam, also intend to unanimously recommend the proposal to shareholders - subject to Hansen and BGH entering into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed.
This looks done.
More below the fold.

Yesterday Hansen Technologies (HSN AU), a provider of software and services globally, announced Australian PE outfit BGH Capital had made a non-binding conditional proposal valuing the company at $1.3bn.

The A$6.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, is a 25% premium to last close and a 33% premium to the one-month VWAP.

Andrew Hansen, the company's MD and CEO, has agreed to vote his 17.5% stake in favour of a firm deal. Due diligence, which is expected to take around six weeks, has been granted on an exclusive basis.
Other directors, including David Osborn and Bruce Adam, also intend to unanimously recommend the proposal to shareholders - subject to Hansen and BGH entering into a binding Scheme Implementation Deed.
This looks done.
More below the fold.

Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/altium-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18626:1" rel="noopener">Altium Ltd (ALU AU)</a>, a global software company, <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02382370-2A1302312?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed and subsequently rejected</a> a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/autodesk-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13211:1" rel="noopener">Autodesk Inc (ADSK US)</a>.
The A$38.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, was a 41.5% premium to last close and a 47.4% premium to the one-month VWAP.
The indicative proposal was subject to a number of conditions including due diligence, Altium board support, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, and no material adverse changes.
Concerning the offer, Altium said:
<blockquote>
[Altium] considers the Proposal significantly undervalues Altium's prospects and therefore rejects the Proposal at the current price. Altium has a unique position in the electronics  ecosystem and in the past unsolicited acquisition interest has developed from partnership dialogues with others in the ecosystem.
</blockquote>
Shares closed today at $36.78, up more than 35%.
More below the fold.

Altium Ltd (ALU AU), a global software company, confirmed and subsequently rejected a non-binding proposal from Autodesk Inc (ADSK US).
The A$38.50/share cash offer by way of a Scheme, was a 41.5% premium to last close and a 47.4% premium to the one-month VWAP.
The indicative proposal was subject to a number of conditions including due diligence, Altium board support, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, and no material adverse changes.
Concerning the offer, Altium said:

[Altium] considers the Proposal significantly undervalues Altium's prospects and therefore rejects the Proposal at the current price. Altium has a unique position in the electronics  ecosystem and in the past unsolicited acquisition interest has developed from partnership dialogues with others in the ecosystem.

Shares closed today at $36.78, up more than 35%.
More below the fold.

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain cautious and concerned that global equities remain vulnerable and could be poised for additional weakness moving forward. Major indexes around the world continue to do next to nothing, making Sector, Group, and stock selection all the more important. We prefer to use a barbell strategy of growth and safety. Attractive and actionable themes highlighted in today’s report include IT Services/Tech Software, Communications, Precious Metals, and Utilities.

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Australia

Technology One Limited is an Australian-based company that is engaged in the development, marketing, sales, implementation, support, and distribution of financial management and enterprise software solutions. The Company has operations in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the South Pacific, and Malaysia.

Objective Corporation Limited manufactures knowledge management application software.  The Company's products allow users to access and manage word processing documents, spreadsheets, web page content and e-mails.  Objective also develops branded software which provides template-based conversion of documents to HTML.

Hansen Technologies Limited develops, supports and integrates billing systems software for the telecommunications and utilities sectors in Australia.  The Company also provides IT outsourcing services such as facilities management and develops software and services for workforce management.

Infomedia Limited develops and supplies electronic parts catalogues for the automotive industry. The Company's catalogues are used by various car dealers worldwide allowing them to find replacement parts required by a customer or service mechanic.  The Company also provides dealer management systems for the automotive industry.

Bravura Solutions Limited provides wealth management applications software to the pension, investment management, and life insurance industries. The Company offers consulting, applications development and implementation, maintenance, support, training, and business process outsourcing services. Bravura Solutions serves customers worldwide.

ELMO Software Limited operates as a software service provider. The Company offers cloud-based talent management software solutions which includes hiring, recruitment, on-boarding, performance, learning, and pre-built e-learning courses. ELMO Software serves customers in New Zealand, Singapore, and Australia.

Integrated Research Limited develops, sells and supports system and application management software products.  The Group's software is used by customers for a variety of services, including storage management, data collection, performance tracking, event automation, help desk applications, job scheduling and resource management.

Energy One Limited is a supplier of software and services to the wholesale energy and carbon markets in Australia.  The Company's expertise includes the following areas: Wholesale energy and carbon trading software including front, middle and back offices; Risk management; Consulting in wholesale and retail energy markets; Retail and metering software and database services.

NEXTDC Ltd. develops data centers. The Company develops and operates carrier and systems integrator neutral data centers in Australia. NEXTDC's customers will also be able to use the data centers as connectivity and content hubs.

Vinyl Group Ltd operates as a music company. The Company provides an online record store where creators and music fans can connect and collect records across all genres, powered by official music credits, verifying every creative contribution on every recording. Vinyl Group serves customers worldwide.

Kingsoft Corporation Ltd. develops and markets computer software.  The Company develops role-playing computer games and security, word processing, and spreadsheet software.

Hundsun Technologies Inc develops application software for security firms, commercial banks, fund management firms, and other industries.  The Company also sells computer hardware and provides system integration services.

International Games System Co., Ltd. plans, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets software and hardware for arcade games, PC games, and Internet on-line games.

Varonis Systems, Inc. designs and develops data security software solutions. The Company offers data management systems to organize, manage, and protect unstructured and semi-structured data such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, media files, and other business data. Varonis Systems operates worldwide.

Blackbaud, Inc. provides software and related services designed specifically for non-profit organizations. The Company's products and services enable non-profit organizations to increase donations, reduce fundraising costs, improve communication with constituents, manage their finances, and optimize internal operations.

Qualys, Inc. provides information technology security risk and compliance management solutions. The Company offers products for vulnerability management, policy compliance, web application scanning, malware detection, and associated security products. Qualys conducts business in the United States.

CommVault Systems, Inc. provides data management software applications and related services. The Company develops, markets, and sells a suite of data management software applications designed to protect and manage data throughout its lifecycle.

Trend Micro Incorporated develops and markets anti-virus computer software and internet security software.  The Company also sells its products in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Tata Elxsi Limited manufactures computers and workstations besides providing system design, software development and integration services. The Group supplies its products to a number of industries, including the automotive, metals, consumer products, finance, IT & Communications, energy, chemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and agro industries.

ACI Worldwide, Inc. develops, markets, and supports software products for the global electronics funds transfer market.  The Company's products are used to process transactions involving credit cards, debit cards, smartcards, home banking services, checks, and automated clearing and settlement.

Altium Limited develops electronic design automation (EDA) software for the Microsoft Windows operating system.  Altium's products facilitate and aid in the design of electronic products such as printed circuit boards.  The Group's products are utilized by telecommunications, automotive, defense, science and consumer electronics industries.

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Altium Ltd (ALU AU)

Iress (ASX AU) Bats Away EQT - For Now

I would be picking Iress up on any weakness. This space is attracting a lot of interested parties. However, this is still a non-binding situation.

David Blennerhassett

Rhipe (RHP AU): Crayon Sees Silver in Them Thar Clouds

The granting of DD indicates Rhipe is open to a firm offer, yet the non-exclusive nature of that DD suggests other suitors are welcome. I'd be...

David Blennerhassett

Hansen Technologies (HSN AU)'s Assured Deal With BGH

Assuming six weeks for DD to compete and a SID to be entered into, this could be wrapped up late Nov. That suggests this is trading at a gross...

David Blennerhassett

Altium Ltd (ALU) Rebuffs Autodesk Offer

Altium is clearly in play, and optically, Autodesk's bid appears opportunistic in the face of Covid and Altium's restructuring. An offer north of...

David Blennerhassett

Global Equity Strategy: Stay on the Defensive

Deterioration for ACWI ex-US, EAFE, and EM, continued bearish-leaning indicators, and the downward trajectory of bond yields leads us to remain...

Vermilion Research

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