Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Recently, I surmised FIRB would approve <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sociedad-quimica-y-minera-de-chile-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27977:1" rel="noopener">Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)</a>/Hancock's bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/azure-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16538:1" rel="noopener">Azure (AZS AU)</a>; but ding <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-ocean-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)</a>'s <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal (ASB AU)</a> tilt. I'm batting 50%. </li>
<li>Whereas FIRB <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240430/pdf/0631wdsf6wd6kn.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gave the green light</a> for Azure this week; reportedly (no official ASX announcement as yet), the Aussie government is "not concerned" with Hanwha's acquisition. Austal gained 3% yesterday.</li>
<li>Even Austal didn't high hopes of securing Aussie approval. Presumably the US government is similarly onboard. This development also signals an expanding AUKUS security pact. </li>
</ul>


Recently, I surmised FIRB would approve Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM US)/Hancock's bid for Azure (AZS AU); but ding Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)'s Austal (ASB AU) tilt. I'm batting 50%. 
Whereas FIRB gave the green light for Azure this week; reportedly (no official ASX announcement as yet), the Aussie government is "not concerned" with Hanwha's acquisition. Austal gained 3% yesterday.
Even Austal didn't high hopes of securing Aussie approval. Presumably the US government is similarly onboard. This development also signals an expanding AUKUS security pact. 


The Bigger Picture As Aussie Government "Approves' Hanwha Ocean's Austal Bid

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>On 2 April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a> rejected a non-binding proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-ocean-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)</a> at A$2.825 due to concerns about obtaining Australian and US regulatory approvals. </li>
<li>The Board’s claims are on shaky grounds. On 1 May, the AFR reported that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had no concerns with Hanwha’s privatisation bid. </li>
<li>The Board’s rejection is a clumsy attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break fees. At the last close, the gross spread was 21.8%. </li>
</ul>


On 2 April, Austal Ltd (ASB AU) rejected a non-binding proposal from Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) at A$2.825 due to concerns about obtaining Australian and US regulatory approvals. 
The Board’s claims are on shaky grounds. On 1 May, the AFR reported that Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles had no concerns with Hanwha’s privatisation bid. 
The Board’s rejection is a clumsy attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break fees. At the last close, the gross spread was 21.8%. 


Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

<ul>
<li>Hanwha received counsel indicating foreign regulators won't oppose Austal's acquisition. They admit it's restricted to AUKUS countries but argue Korea's ties ease opposition.</li>
<li>Hence, Hanwha Ocean is dropping some heavy hints that even though Austal has turned down the acquisition offer for now, there's still a chance the deal could go through.</li>
<li>The pivotal factor lies in whether Hanwha Ocean can secure approval from the AUKUS countries. Should they succeed, it is anticipated that Austal would be inclined to accept the deal.</li>
</ul>


Hanwha received counsel indicating foreign regulators won't oppose Austal's acquisition. They admit it's restricted to AUKUS countries but argue Korea's ties ease opposition.
Hence, Hanwha Ocean is dropping some heavy hints that even though Austal has turned down the acquisition offer for now, there's still a chance the deal could go through.
The pivotal factor lies in whether Hanwha Ocean can secure approval from the AUKUS countries. Should they succeed, it is anticipated that Austal would be inclined to accept the deal.


What's Additionally Being Heard on Hanwha's Austal Deal from Korea's Local Scene

<ul>
<li>Perth-Based shipbuilder <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/austal-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14420:1" rel="noopener">Austal Ltd (ASB AU)</a> has <a href="https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20240402/pdf/0621t3mv6bqzvs.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> a A$2.825/share non-binding indicative proposal, by way of a Scheme, from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-ocean-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12531:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)</a>. That's a 28.4% premium to last close.</li>
<li>Austal designs and builds defence vessels for the Australian and US navies. Austal believes Hanwha is unlikely to secure necessary approvals from the Australian and US governments. </li>
<li>Hanwha considers this view to be baseless, that it is a credible buyer, and its capabilities and investment are aligned with government objectives in Australia, the US and South Korea.</li>
</ul>


Perth-Based shipbuilder Austal Ltd (ASB AU) has confirmed a A$2.825/share non-binding indicative proposal, by way of a Scheme, from Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS). That's a 28.4% premium to last close.
Austal designs and builds defence vessels for the Australian and US navies. Austal believes Hanwha is unlikely to secure necessary approvals from the Australian and US governments. 
Hanwha considers this view to be baseless, that it is a credible buyer, and its capabilities and investment are aligned with government objectives in Australia, the US and South Korea.


Austal (ASB AU): Hanwha's NBIO Is A Non-Starter

<ul>
<li>I tally 50 - 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>Three new deals discussed this week: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl (4921 JP)</a>'s Tender offer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/a8-new-media-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3444:1" rel="noopener">A8 New Media (800 HK)</a>'s Scheme, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jeisys-medical-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36766:1" rel="noopener">Jeisys Medical (287410 KS)</a>'s delisting offer. Bain also approached <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bapcor-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8433:1" rel="noopener">Bapcor (BAP AU)</a>.</li>
<li>Key updates took place on: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alumina-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:939:1" rel="noopener">Alumina (AWC AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/greatview-aseptic-packaging" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10802:1" rel="noopener">Greatview Aseptic Packaging (468 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/helios-techno-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13934:1" rel="noopener">Helios Techno (6927 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tatsuta-electric-wire-cable-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12509:1" rel="noopener">Tatsuta Electric Wire &amp; Cable (5809 JP)</a>.</li>
</ul>


I tally 50 - mostly firm, mostly Asia-Pac - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma. Inside is a timetable of upcoming key events for each deal.
Three new deals discussed this week: Fancl (4921 JP)'s Tender offer, A8 New Media (800 HK)'s Scheme, and Jeisys Medical (287410 KS)'s delisting offer. Bain also approached Bapcor (BAP AU).
Key updates took place on: Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU), Alumina (AWC AU), Greatview Aseptic Packaging (468 HK), Helios Techno (6927 JP), and Tatsuta Electric Wire &amp; Cable (5809 JP).


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Fancl, Jeisys Medical, A8 New Media, Bapcor, Helios Techno,Tatsuta Electric

Australia

Austal Limited is an emerging global defence prime contractor. The Group supplies vessel platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship and the Joint High Speed Vessel to the United States Navy, an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels to defence forces around the world, and installs and maintains military communications, radar and command and control systems.

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Austal Ltd (ASB AU)

The Bigger Picture As Aussie Government "Approves' Hanwha Ocean's Austal Bid

Hanwha has withdrawn its non-binding, indicative proposal to acquire Austal and ended talks.Hanwha said it was unable reach a reasonable agreement...

David Blennerhassett

Austal (ASB AU): Spurned Suitor, Hanwha Ocean, Gets a Vote of Confidence

The Board’s rejection is based on shaky grounds and may be an attempt to negotiate better terms, such as a bump, ticking fees, or significant break...

Arun George

What's Additionally Being Heard on Hanwha's Austal Deal from Korea's Local Scene

This post summarizes the additional news circulating in Korea's local scene on Hanwha Ocean's Austal acquisition deal, apart from what Reuters...

Sanghyun Park

Austal (ASB AU): Hanwha's NBIO Is A Non-Starter

Austal is probably off-limits to a foreign takeover. I think Hanwha's proposal is non-starter. Shares are up 10% as I type, but 14% adrift of...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Fancl, Jeisys Medical, A8 New Media, Bapcor, Helios Techno,Tatsuta Electric

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

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