Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkbn-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:289:1" rel="noopener">HKBN Ltd (1310 HK)</a> spiked 12.3% yesterday in response to media reports (like <a href="https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/202702/China-Mobile-explores-acquiring-Hong-Kong-telecom-firm-HKBN%C2%A0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this one</a>) that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> was running a ruler over the company.</li>
<li>This follows Bloomberg reports last month and in May last year, that I Square's HGC Global Communications and numerous PE outfits were kicking tyres of the Hong Kong broadband play.</li>
<li>Over the weekend, Hong Kong's security chief was quoted as saying "the internet could become a major loophole when maintaining national security". <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:874:1" rel="noopener">HKT (6823 HK)</a> is a potential privatisation candidate. </li>
</ul>



HKBN Ltd (1310 HK) spiked 12.3% yesterday in response to media reports (like this one) that China Mobile (941 HK) was running a ruler over the company.
This follows Bloomberg reports last month and in May last year, that I Square's HGC Global Communications and numerous PE outfits were kicking tyres of the Hong Kong broadband play.
Over the weekend, Hong Kong's security chief was quoted as saying "the internet could become a major loophole when maintaining national security". HKT (6823 HK) is a potential privatisation candidate. 


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkbn-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:289:1" rel="noopener">HKBN Ltd (1310 HK)</a>, a Hong Kong broadband play, is never short on privatisation rumours. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> is reportedly (again) holding talks with HKBN's major shareholders. </li>
<li>China Mobile is a logical suitor. I highly doubt a non-PRC (government-affiliated) corporation would be permitted to take HKBN private.</li>
<li>Previous takeover rumours over the years came to nought. It may be different this time. HKBN was <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1119/2024111900127.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended this morning</a> pursuant to the Takeovers Code.
</li>
</ul>



HKBN Ltd (1310 HK), a Hong Kong broadband play, is never short on privatisation rumours. China Mobile (941 HK) is reportedly (again) holding talks with HKBN's major shareholders. 
China Mobile is a logical suitor. I highly doubt a non-PRC (government-affiliated) corporation would be permitted to take HKBN private.
Previous takeover rumours over the years came to nought. It may be different this time. HKBN was suspended this morning pursuant to the Takeovers Code.



HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile Comes Knocking. Again.

<ul>
<li>Continued stub losses are one thing. Ballooning <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> parent debt is another. </li>
<li>Preceding my comments on PCCW and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:874:1" rel="noopener">HKT Ltd (6823 HK)</a> are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</li>
<li>.These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.</li>
</ul>


Continued stub losses are one thing. Ballooning PCCW Ltd (8 HK) parent debt is another. 
Preceding my comments on PCCW and HKT Ltd (6823 HK) are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
.These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.


StubWorld: PCCW's Premium To NAV Is Unsustainable

<ul>
<li>Reportedly, Chinese investors, as well as Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, have expressed interest in acquiring a "significant " minority stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a>'s fibre ops. </li>
<li>Preceding my comments on PCCW are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</li>
<li>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.</li>
</ul>


Reportedly, Chinese investors, as well as Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, have expressed interest in acquiring a "significant " minority stake in PCCW Ltd (8 HK)'s fibre ops. 
Preceding my comments on PCCW are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.


StubWorld: Rumoured Interest In PCCW's Fibre

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> is coming up "cheap" on my monitor, both from a discount to NAV and implied stub angle. </li>
<li>Preceding my comments PCCW / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hkt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:874:1" rel="noopener">HKT Ltd (6823 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-kyoto" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5248:1" rel="noopener">Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP)</a> are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos. </li>
<li>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.</li>
</ul>



PCCW Ltd (8 HK) is coming up "cheap" on my monitor, both from a discount to NAV and implied stub angle. 
Preceding my comments PCCW / HKT Ltd (6823 HK) and Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) are the current setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos. 
These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity of US$1mn, and a % market capitalisation &gt;20%.


Hong Kong

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates satellites for commercial services primarily to the broadcasting and telecommunications industries.  The Company's satellite capacity is used for video, high speed Internet, broadband multimedia, and direct to home (DTH) services.

Asia Satellite Telecom Holdings Ltd (1135 HK)

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Asia Satellite Telecom Holdings Ltd (1135 HK)

If HKBN Gets Taken Out, Who's Next?

Is $10/share for HKBN enough to kick out TPG? Maybe. And it's peanuts for the likes of China Mobile sitting on cash of US$33bn. Separately, HKT is...

David Blennerhassett

HKBN (1310 HK): China Mobile Comes Knocking. Again.

Shares are suspended - so there's nothing to be done right now. A rumoured HK$5/share is probably ok. A 16% premium to last close. But perhaps ~33%...

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: PCCW's Premium To NAV Is Unsustainable

PCCW has an attractive yield. But that's about it. A 4% premium to NAV is unsustainable. I'd reverse the stub here - short PCCW, long HKT.

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: Rumoured Interest In PCCW's Fibre

A 7% premium is unsustainable for this holding company structure. Reverse the stub here. If Hong Kong fibre is in vogue. perhaps it might be...

David Blennerhassett

StubWorld: PCCW Coming Up "Cheap"

I would still be invested where Richard Li is - and therefore be Long PCCW, short HKT here. I expect the NAV discount to narrow towards its one...

David Blennerhassett

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