Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In February, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a> extended its writedowns and the shares fell sharply. By end-Feb, we found out Japanese activist Murakami-san had bought shares. </li>
<li>I didn't see the endgame. The pump worked, but he didn't dump. Then Aozora got Daiwa to be a lead investor through a 3rd party share allotment, diluting Murakami-san.</li>
<li>Last week we got news the FSA had approved the Daiwa transaction. Yesterday, we got news the Murakami Group would sell its whole stake to Daiwa. </li>
</ul>


In February, Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP) extended its writedowns and the shares fell sharply. By end-Feb, we found out Japanese activist Murakami-san had bought shares. 
I didn't see the endgame. The pump worked, but he didn't dump. Then Aozora got Daiwa to be a lead investor through a 3rd party share allotment, diluting Murakami-san.
Last week we got news the FSA had approved the Daiwa transaction. Yesterday, we got news the Murakami Group would sell its whole stake to Daiwa. 


Daiwa to Buy More Aozora (8304) Shares - Murakami-San Escapes

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Pre-Open on February 1 2024, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a> announced writedowns and a forecast revision, lowering full-year net profit expectations from +¥24bn to -¥28bn.</li>
<li>Shares which had been trading relatively richly (and heavily shorted) fell sharply over the following days, then noted activist Murakami-san started buying in. Then he bought more and went silent.</li>
<li>Today, Aozora reported full-year earnings - much worse than expected and Mar25 guidance lower than already low Street estimates. And they are selling 15% stake to Daiwa Securities Group. Oof!</li>
</ul>


Pre-Open on February 1 2024, Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP) announced writedowns and a forecast revision, lowering full-year net profit expectations from +¥24bn to -¥28bn.
Shares which had been trading relatively richly (and heavily shorted) fell sharply over the following days, then noted activist Murakami-san started buying in. Then he bought more and went silent.
Today, Aozora reported full-year earnings - much worse than expected and Mar25 guidance lower than already low Street estimates. And they are selling 15% stake to Daiwa Securities Group. Oof!


Aozora (8304) - Daiwa Securities Group (8601) Tie-Up - Daiwa To Buy 15+%

<ul>
<li>Just under 6 weeks ago, Japanese activist Murakami-san's company and daughter reported a 5+% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a>. They bought after a sharp dip caused CRE-related writedowns. </li>
<li>As is normal, they bought more (now 8.92%) post-5%-filing-trigger, but before the actual first filing. And as is normal these days, the stock popped on the first filing.</li>
<li>Then it fell, and hasn't recovered much. So far, on a weighted basis, they are up 1% vs TOPIX Banks Index. </li>
</ul>


Just under 6 weeks ago, Japanese activist Murakami-san's company and daughter reported a 5+% stake in Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP). They bought after a sharp dip caused CRE-related writedowns. 
As is normal, they bought more (now 8.92%) post-5%-filing-trigger, but before the actual first filing. And as is normal these days, the stock popped on the first filing.
Then it fell, and hasn't recovered much. So far, on a weighted basis, they are up 1% vs TOPIX Banks Index. 


JAPAN ACTIVISM: Murakami's Aozora Bet Not Going Anywhere, But No Sales Yet

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 weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>ECM developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toei-animation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18641:1" rel="noopener">Toei Animation (4816 JP)</a>'s prices its US$550 million secondary offering and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trial-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36821:1" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings (5882 JP)</a> IPO.</li>
<li>Event-Driven developments: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aozora-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6483:1" rel="noopener">Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/outsourcing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7431:1" rel="noopener">Outsourcing Inc (2427 JP)</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/samsonite-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12790:1" rel="noopener">Samsonite (1910 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alumina-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:939:1" rel="noopener">Alumina Ltd (AWC AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apm-human-services-internation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34808:1" rel="noopener">APM Human Services Internation (APM AU)</a>. </li>
</ul>


A weekly summary of key developments across ECM and Event-Driven names tracked by us across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, India and Chinese ADRs.
ECM developments: Toei Animation (4816 JP)'s prices its US$550 million secondary offering and Trial Holdings (5882 JP) IPO.
Event-Driven developments: Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP), Outsourcing Inc (2427 JP), Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP), Samsonite (1910 HK), Alumina Ltd (AWC AU), APM Human Services Internation (APM AU). 


Weekly Deals Digest (03 Mar) - Aozora, Outsourcing, Tsuruha, Toei, Samsonite, Adbri, Alumina, APM

<ul>
<li>Yesterday after the close, well-known Japanese activist Murakami-san's preferred entity City Index Eleventh filed a Large Shareholder Report. </li>
<li>The blast across Bloomberg was "*AOZORA 5.4% STAKE REPORTED BY CITY INDEX ELEVENTH." Sounds exciting after the shares dropped 34% in two days earlier this month after reporting big writedowns. </li>
<li>But there has to be a question here. Why? And Why this way? And what kind of activism would be possible? </li>
</ul>


Yesterday after the close, well-known Japanese activist Murakami-san's preferred entity City Index Eleventh filed a Large Shareholder Report. 
The blast across Bloomberg was "*AOZORA 5.4% STAKE REPORTED BY CITY INDEX ELEVENTH." Sounds exciting after the shares dropped 34% in two days earlier this month after reporting big writedowns. 
But there has to be a question here. Why? And Why this way? And what kind of activism would be possible? 


JAPAN ACTIVISM:  Is Murakami-San Going To Do A PacMetals Rug Pull on Aozora? Or Is This For Real?

Japan

The 77 Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank in Tohoku area.  The Bank provides general banking services including deposits, loans, and exchange transactions. The Bank also provides others financial services such as securities brokerage, trust banking, letter of credit, leasing, credit cards, and computer services.

Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Yamaguchi Bank and Momiji Holdings. The Group provides variety of financial services such as deposits, loans, foreign exchange transactions, leasing and credit cards.

Seven Bank, Ltd. provides banking services mainly through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) across Japan. The bank cooperates with affiliated financial institutions to establish the nationwide ATM network and provide remote banking services, including deposits and loans.

The Gunma Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank based in Gunma Prefecture.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transaction.  The Gunma Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, credit cards, letter of credit, and investment advisory, and develops information systems.

Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company, which manages financial operations for its subsidiaries.  As a financial group, the Company provides general banking services including deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transactions.  The Group also provides other financial services such as leasing and credit cards.

Kyushu Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Higo Bank and Kagoshima Bank.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and exchange transactions.  Kyushu Financial Group also provides other financial services including security brokerage, credit cards, leasing, and letters of credit.

Nishi-Nippon Financial Holding Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of The Nishi-Nippon City Bank, Limited, The Bank of Nagasaki, Ltd and Nishi Nippon Shinyo Hosho. The group manages the subsidiary companies and provides variety of financial services.

Suruga Bank Ltd. is a Shizuoka based regional bank mainly operating in the Kanto area (central eastern part of Japan) including Tokyo.  The Bank provides deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transactions.  The Suruga Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, letter of credit, and credit cards services.

The San-in Godo Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank mainly operating in Shimane and Tottori Prefectures.  The Bank offers banking services including deposits, loans, foreign exchange transactions, and securities brokerage.  The San-in Godo Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, credit cards, letter of credit, invests in venture capital, and develops software.

North Pacific Bank, Ltd. is the surviving company through the merger of Sapporo Hokuyo Holdings. The company provides banking services including deposits, loans, foreign currency transactions, trust banking, and securities investments.

Trustmark Corporation is the holding company for Trustmark National Bank. The Bank offers a variety of banking, investment, and insurance solutions to corporate, institutional, and individual customers in Mississippi and Tennessee.

Tisco Financial Group Pcl is a bank holding company.  The Company's banking subsidiary offers working capital, project, term, automobile and home loans; custodian services; securities brokerage; mutual funds; and private banking; and advises on equity and debt capital markets, privatizations, debt restructuring, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

BNK Financial Group Inc. a holding company, provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking-related financial services. The Company's main businesses include banking, trust banking, and assets management to individuals, businesses, and other financial institutions.

Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint-Stock Bank, known as Sacombank, operates various personal and corporate banking services such as deposits, foreign exchange transactions, loans, outward transfer, and international payments.

Bank of Chongqing Co. Ltd. provides commercial banking services. The Company offers financial services to individuals and enterprises including deposits, loans, settlement, currency trading, financial & government bonds, and credit cards services. Bank of Chongqing also offers international services.

PT Bank Permata Tbk provides commercial and foreign exchange banking services through a network of offices in Indonesia.  The Bank also performs custodianship and trusteeship services as well as manages pension funds.

Customers Bancorp, Inc. provides banking services. The Company offers checking and saving accounts, personal and commercial loans, and retirement planning services. Customers Bancorp serves customers throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

Triumph Financial Inc. offers traditional banking products as well as commercial finance products to businesses that require specialized and tailored financial solutions.

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida operates as a bank holding company. The Bank, through its subsidiaries, offers a full range of banking and investment services, including personal and business deposit products, personal, commercial, and mortgage loans, wealth management services, and treasury management solutions.

King's Town Bank accepts deposits and offers various kinds of loans. The Bank provides notes and bills discounting, collecting, guarantee, remittance, securities brokerage and financing, letter of credit, foreign exchange, and traveler checks services.

Aozora Bank, Ltd. provides banking services including deposits, savings, loans, foreign exchange transactions, and securities investments. Aozora Bank also provides services such as trust account, resolution and collection, and venture capital.

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Aozora Bank Ltd (8304 JP)

Daiwa to Buy More Aozora (8304) Shares - Murakami-San Escapes

Murakami-san Group bought c9% of Aozora on the dip. It wasn't clear why other than a short squeeze and possible pump'n'dump but they held on. Daiwa...

Travis Lundy

Aozora (8304) - Daiwa Securities Group (8601) Tie-Up - Daiwa To Buy 15+%

Aozora wrote down more, sold more, and had worse results. Guidance to Mar25 is still weak. Now Aozora is issuing shares to Daiwa Securities Group...

Travis Lundy

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Murakami's Aozora Bet Not Going Anywhere, But No Sales Yet

Famed Activist Murakami-san bought 8.9% of Aozora in February as shares got hit on a writedown. But it hasn't measurably outperformed the Bank...

Travis Lundy

Weekly Deals Digest (03 Mar) - Aozora, Outsourcing, Tsuruha, Toei, Samsonite, Adbri, Alumina, APM

Last week, notable developments occurred in Event-Driven (Aozora, Outsourcing, Tsuruha, Toei, ESR, Samsonite, Weiqiao Textile, Adbri, Alumina, CSR)...

Arun George

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Is Murakami-San Going To Do A PacMetals Rug Pull on Aozora? Or Is This For Real?

Murakami-san's daughter bought 5.4% of Aozora Bank. It could be activism or it could be another pump'n'dump like Pacific Metals. It is tough to...

Travis Lundy

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