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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a>’s 1HFY22 results on 24 February stated that the Dye &amp; Durham/DND's privatisation scheme remains on track to complete in June/July. </li>
<li>Key hurdles are ACCC clearance and the Woodford investigation. Key catalysts are the scheme booklet (in the coming weeks) and an agreement to sell BCM. </li>
<li>We would be buyers up to A$5.2 per share (implies 70% deal probability). The gross and annualised spread for a 31 July implementation is 8.6% and 23.8%, respectively. </li>
</ul>



Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)’s 1HFY22 results on 24 February stated that the Dye &amp; Durham/DND's privatisation scheme remains on track to complete in June/July. 
Key hurdles are ACCC clearance and the Woodford investigation. Key catalysts are the scheme booklet (in the coming weeks) and an agreement to sell BCM. 
We would be buyers up to A$5.2 per share (implies 70% deal probability). The gross and annualised spread for a 31 July implementation is 8.6% and 23.8%, respectively. 


Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

Commonwealth Bank of Australia / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>CBA reported modestly weaker FY 1H22 cash results from continuing operations of AUD 30.5 bn, which attributed primarily to a 77.1% decline in loss provision reversals; </li>
<li>Despite the poor result, CBA has chosen to pull on numerous earnings levers to make even these numbers; and </li>
<li>While credit has improved, reserves will need to be buttressed as we head into a period of higher interest rates.   </li>
</ul>


CBA reported modestly weaker FY 1H22 cash results from continuing operations of AUD 30.5 bn, which attributed primarily to a 77.1% decline in loss provision reversals; 
Despite the poor result, CBA has chosen to pull on numerous earnings levers to make even these numbers; and 
While credit has improved, reserves will need to be buttressed as we head into a period of higher interest rates.   


Commonwealth Bank of Australia – Pulling On All Earnings Levers

<ul>
<li>Dye &amp; Durham/DND’s base (A$5.50 cash per share) + A$0.03 per share interim dividend offer of A$5.53 per share, a 27.7% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (4 November). </li>
<li>At <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a> last close, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/carlyle-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33402:1" rel="noopener">Carlyle Group Inc (CG US)</a>’s offer is worth A$5.51 per share. Carlyle’s long interest in Link suggests that it could improve its offer. </li>
<li>We think that the DND offer is reasonable in the context of historical multiples. Nevertheless, there is a good probability that Carlyle tries to regain the upper hand.</li>
</ul>


Dye &amp; Durham/DND’s base (A$5.50 cash per share) + A$0.03 per share interim dividend offer of A$5.53 per share, a 27.7% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (4 November). 
At PEXA Group (PXA AU) last close, Carlyle Group Inc (CG US)’s offer is worth A$5.51 per share. Carlyle’s long interest in Link suggests that it could improve its offer. 
We think that the DND offer is reasonable in the context of historical multiples. Nevertheless, there is a good probability that Carlyle tries to regain the upper hand.


<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> announced that it received a non-binding indicative proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/carlyle-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33402:1" rel="noopener">Carlyle Group Inc (CG US)</a>. Carlyle will offer A$3.00 cash per share plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% shareholding in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a> (worth A$2.38 per Link share at PEXA’s share price of A$16.23 on 4 November). The total consideration of A$5.38 per share is a 24.2% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (on 4 November). Carlyle’s core Link (excluding PEXA stake) value of A$3.00 per share is a 53.8% premium to the implied core Link share price of A$1.95 per share (on 4 November). Link is no stranger to bids and received several bids in the recent past, including from Carlyle. Carlyle and Pacific Equity Partners made an indicative A$5.20 per share offer on 12 October 2020, which was later raised to A$5.40 on 26 October but withdrawn on 28 April 2021. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> lobbed an A$5.65 per share offer on 7 December 2020 but withdrew the offer on 3 January 2021. Also, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kkr-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27333:1" rel="noopener">KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/domain-holdings-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26033:1" rel="noopener">Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)</a> proposed to acquire PEXA for A$3.1 billion on 27 May 2021 which was declined in favour of a separate listing for PEXA.  Link’s Board has argued that the previous bids did not represent compelling value and sought to generate shareholder returns through the PEXA IPO and outlining ambitious FY26 targets in a November investor day. However, PEXA’s market cap of A$2.8 billion at last close is below KKR’s bid of A$3.1 billion. The lukewarm share price response (shares down -2% on the following day) to the investor day points to low confidence that the targets can be reached. Carlyle’s latest offer is subject to due diligence, execution of transaction documents and securing debt financing. Due diligence should be short due to Carlyle’s access to the due diligence materials through its previous bid.  <div class="content-highlight">The Board’s previous track record of knocking back bids has resulted in Link’s last close price of A$4.70 trading at a wide 14.5% gross spread to the indicative offer of A$5.38 per share. However, due to the Board’s failure to generate shareholder value and there no longer being a debate on PEXA valuation (as PEXA is now listed), the Board will face pressure to engage with Carlyle. We also think that Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00 per share, which is 21% below its previous offer which valued core Link at A$3.80 per share. </div>

Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) announced that it received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Group Inc (CG US). Carlyle will offer A$3.00 cash per share plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% shareholding in PEXA Group (PXA AU) (worth A$2.38 per Link share at PEXA’s share price of A$16.23 on 4 November). The total consideration of A$5.38 per share is a 24.2% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (on 4 November). Carlyle’s core Link (excluding PEXA stake) value of A$3.00 per share is a 53.8% premium to the implied core Link share price of A$1.95 per share (on 4 November). Link is no stranger to bids and received several bids in the recent past, including from Carlyle. Carlyle and Pacific Equity Partners made an indicative A$5.20 per share offer on 12 October 2020, which was later raised to A$5.40 on 26 October but withdrawn on 28 April 2021. SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) lobbed an A$5.65 per share offer on 7 December 2020 but withdrew the offer on 3 January 2021. Also, KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US) and Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU) proposed to acquire PEXA for A$3.1 billion on 27 May 2021 which was declined in favour of a separate listing for PEXA.  Link’s Board has argued that the previous bids did not represent compelling value and sought to generate shareholder returns through the PEXA IPO and outlining ambitious FY26 targets in a November investor day. However, PEXA’s market cap of A$2.8 billion at last close is below KKR’s bid of A$3.1 billion. The lukewarm share price response (shares down -2% on the following day) to the investor day points to low confidence that the targets can be reached. Carlyle’s latest offer is subject to due diligence, execution of transaction documents and securing debt financing. Due diligence should be short due to Carlyle’s access to the due diligence materials through its previous bid.  The Board’s previous track record of knocking back bids has resulted in Link’s last close price of A$4.70 trading at a wide 14.5% gross spread to the indicative offer of A$5.38 per share. However, due to the Board’s failure to generate shareholder value and there no longer being a debate on PEXA valuation (as PEXA is now listed), the Board will face pressure to engage with Carlyle. We also think that Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00 per share, which is 21% below its previous offer which valued core Link at A$3.80 per share. 

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Last Week in Event SPACE: Coca Cola Amatil, Shimachu, AMP, Hitachi, Jardines, Evergrande

Australia

Challenger Limited is an investment management firm  The Company offers annuities and other retirement income products as well as manages assets for domestic and international clients.

Helia Group Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides mortgage insurance to residential mortgage lenders. Helia Group serves customers in Australia.

OFX Group Limited provides online international payment services. The Company offers single and recurring transfer, foreign exchange, and other related services. OFX Group serves clients worldwide.

Omni Bridgeway Limited provides investment management services. The Company offers claims securitization, litigation, funding, legal recovery, trading, and other related solutions. Omni Bridgeway serves customer worldwide.

Resimac Group Ltd provides non-bank originator and mortgage management services. The Company offers home finance solutions. Resimac Group serves customers in Australia.

ClearView Wealth Limited of Australia operates as a diversified financial services company that specializes in life insurance, wealth management, and financial advice solutions. The Group partners with financial advisers to help more Australians grow and protect their wealth and achieve their financial goals.

Kina Securities Limited provides banking and diversified financial services. The Company offers share brokerage, fund administration, investment management services, asset financing, and provision of personal and commercial loans, money market operations and corporate advice. Kina Securities operates in Papua New Guinea.

Gowing Bros. Ltd is an investment company incorporated in Australia. The objective of the Company is to generate income and long term capital appreciation. The Company invests in long term assets including Australian shares and investment grade property, with a small portion of funds to managed private equity and property development investments.

Pioneer Credit Limited is a financial services provider. The Company specializes in acquiring and servicing retail debt portfolios. Pioneer Credit serves customers in Australia.

ASF Group Limited provides the sale of real estate development projects, the provision of real estate consultancy services and the marketing of sub-licenses of the PRD Nationwide brand name in the Chinese market.

First Pacific Company Limited is an investment holding company with operations located in Asia-Pacific. The Company principally invests in consumer food products, infrastructure, natural resources, and telecommunications.

IDFC Limited offers infrastructure project financing services.  The Company primarily finances energy, telecommunications, and transportation projects.

Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited operates as a leasing company. The Company provides finance leasing, operating leasing, automobile leasing, real estate leasing, and other services.  Mizuho Leasing also offers payment outsourcing, installment sales, and other services.

IFCI Limited provides medium and long-term credits to industrial concerns in India.

Bohai Leasing Company Ltd. offers lease financing services.  The Company finances the leasing of aircraft, ships and other transportation equipment.

Plus500 Ltd. operates a trading platform for investors. The Company allows users to trade financial instruments, such as shares, forex, commodities, indices, and ETFs through its contracts for difference (CFD) service

China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. provides financial leasing services. The Company offers aircraft leasing, ship leasing, commercial vehicle leasing, construction machinery leasing, highway leasing, rail transit leasing, new energy leasing, enterprise equipment leasing, urban infrastructure leasing, house leasing, and other services. 

China Development Bank Financial Leasing (1606 HK)

Compass Diversified Holdings is an investment holding company. The Company acquires controlling interests in profitable small to middle market businesses in niche industries as well as works with management to pursue growth opportunities and provide strategic support.

Fuyo General Lease Co Ltd leases machinery and equipment.  The Company also provides other financial services such as installment sale and lending.

Paymentus Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, develops cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions. Paymentus Holdings serves customers worldwide.

AMP Limited provides life insurance, superannuation, asset management products, pensions, retirement planning and other diversified financial services throughout Australia and New Zealand.  The Company services individual customers, small businesses, corporations and associated superannuation funds.

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AMP Ltd (AMP AU)

Link's Offer Spread Risk/Reward

Key hurdles are ACCC clearance and the Woodford investigation. Key catalysts are the scheme booklet and an agreement to sell BCM. The annualised...

Arun George

Commonwealth Bank of Australia – Pulling On All Earnings Levers

CBA: CBA reported modestly weaker FY 1H22 cash result, attributed primarily to a 77.1% decline in provision reversals. Despite the result, CBA did...

Thomas J. Monaco

Link Enters a SID with Dye & Durham

DND’s base + interim dividend offer of A$5.53 per share is a 27.7% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33. There is a good chance that Carlyle...

Arun George

Link Gets Another Offer from Carlyle

Link received another offer from Carlyle worth A$5.38 per share. Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00...

Arun George

Last Week in Event SPACE: Coca Cola Amatil, Shimachu, AMP, Hitachi, Jardines, Evergrande

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

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