ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Cross Asset Strategy

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>The week that was in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a> is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.</p>
<p>We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  </p>
</div><h3>Macro Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/agong-asserts-himself-preventing-change-of-pm-but-disallowing-emergency-rule" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44572" rel="noopener">Agong Asserts Himself, Preventing Change of PM but Disallowing Emergency Rule,</a> CrossASEAN Chief Economist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/prasenjit-k-basu" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:612" rel="noopener">Prasenjit K. Basu</a> comments on the ongoing political upheaval in Malaysia. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trouble-down-south-it-s-not-just-the-virus" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44698" rel="noopener">Trouble Down South: It's Not Just the Virus,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/dr-jim-walker" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1628" rel="noopener">Dr. Jim Walker</a> gives his prescriptions on why South East Asia has been such a poor performer this year. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/thai-strategy-2021-part-1-key-themes" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40842" rel="noopener">Thai Strategy 2021 (Part 1): Key Themes,</a> out Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> lays out his thoughts for the outlook for the Thai market next year. </p><h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3><p>In his Indonesian Insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/matahari-department-store-lppf-ij-too-early-to-be-early" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44460" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) - Too Early to Be Early,</a> Cross ASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> circles back to the country's largest department store operator post its recent results. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/akr-corporindo-akra-ij-great-omnibus-expectations" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44611" rel="noopener">AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) - Great Omnibus Expectations,</a> CrossASEAN insight provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/akr-corporindo-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ)</a> after its recent 3Q2020 results that continued to demonstrate its resilience, with an across the board improvement in margins, despite a decline in sales.</p><p>In a Malaysian Insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ql-resources-ql-take-profit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44598" rel="noopener">QL Resources (QL): Take Profit?,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1006" rel="noopener">Henry Soediarko</a> revisits this commodity turned retail play, through its Family Mart business. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/far-east-hospitality-trust-feht-beneficiary-of-opening-up" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44649" rel="noopener">Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT): Beneficiary of Opening Up,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Henry Soediarko</a> takes an initial look at<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/far-east-hospitality-trust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT SP),</a> the only hospitality REIT in Singapore with a 100% domestic hospitality exposure and a higher fixed rental component, offering a defensive exposure during this difficult market environment. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bca-profit-returns" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44605" rel="noopener">BCA – Profit Returns,</a> banking specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/daniel-tabbush" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:12" rel="noopener">Daniel Tabbush</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> and finds the bank clawing back some of the ROA it lost during 2Q2020 in the most recent quarter. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bts-potential-positive-catalysts-ahead" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44691" rel="noopener">BTS: Potential Positive Catalysts Ahead,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit this Thai transportation play with a more positive slant.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pttep-4q20-earnings-to-soften-from-lower-asp-and-volume-sales" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44740" rel="noopener">PTTEP: 4Q20 Earnings to Soften from Lower ASP and Volume Sales,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> assess the prospects for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ptt-exploration-and-production-public-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:261:1" rel="noopener">PTT E&amp;P (PTTEP TB)</a> going into the end of the year.</p><h3>Credit Insights</h3><p>In this Insight, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japfa-comfeed-earnings-flash-9m-fy-2020-results-lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44743" rel="noopener">Japfa Comfeed - Earnings Flash - 9M FY 2020 Results,</a> Senior Credit Analyst<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/trung-nguyen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Trung Nguyen</a> discusses <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japfa-comfeed-indonesia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8258:1" rel="noopener">Japfa Comfeed Indonesia (JPFA IJ)'</a>s 9M2020 results, which came in worse than expected (following a dismal Q22020), as the impact of COVID-19 reduced consumers' purchasing power and hit demand. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pan-brothers-earnings-flash-9m-fy-2020-results-lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44708" rel="noopener">Pan Brothers - Earnings Flash - 9M FY 2020 Results,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/lucror-analytics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucror Analytics</a> zeros in on the Pan Brothers’ Q3 and 9M2020 earnings. Pan Brothers’ cash flow generation remained poor, and it continued to report large working capital weakness. It appears unlikely that Pan Brothers will be able to increase the size of its syndication facility, given the low commitment from banks at the moment. </p>


The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  
Macro InsightsIn Agong Asserts Himself, Preventing Change of PM but Disallowing Emergency Rule, CrossASEAN Chief Economist Prasenjit K. Basu comments on the ongoing political upheaval in Malaysia. In Trouble Down South: It's Not Just the Virus,Dr. Jim Walker gives his prescriptions on why South East Asia has been such a poor performer this year. In Thai Strategy 2021 (Part 1): Key Themes, out Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA lays out his thoughts for the outlook for the Thai market next year. Equity Bottom-Up InsightsIn his Indonesian Insight, Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) - Too Early to Be Early, Cross ASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh circles back to the country's largest department store operator post its recent results. In AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) - Great Omnibus Expectations, CrossASEAN insight provider Angus Mackintosh revisits AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) after its recent 3Q2020 results that continued to demonstrate its resilience, with an across the board improvement in margins, despite a decline in sales.In a Malaysian Insight, QL Resources (QL): Take Profit?, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko revisits this commodity turned retail play, through its Family Mart business. In Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT): Beneficiary of Opening Up, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko takes an initial look at Far East Hospitality Trust (FEHT SP), the only hospitality REIT in Singapore with a 100% domestic hospitality exposure and a higher fixed rental component, offering a defensive exposure during this difficult market environment. In BCA – Profit Returns, banking specialist Daniel Tabbush revisits Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) and finds the bank clawing back some of the ROA it lost during 2Q2020 in the most recent quarter. In BTS: Potential Positive Catalysts Ahead,Country Group revisit this Thai transportation play with a more positive slant.In PTTEP: 4Q20 Earnings to Soften from Lower ASP and Volume Sales, our friends at Country Group assess the prospects for PTT E&amp;P (PTTEP TB) going into the end of the year.Credit InsightsIn this Insight, Japfa Comfeed - Earnings Flash - 9M FY 2020 Results, Senior Credit Analyst Trung Nguyen discusses Japfa Comfeed Indonesia (JPFA IJ)'s 9M2020 results, which came in worse than expected (following a dismal Q22020), as the impact of COVID-19 reduced consumers' purchasing power and hit demand. In Pan Brothers - Earnings Flash - 9M FY 2020 Results,Lucror Analytics zeros in on the Pan Brothers’ Q3 and 9M2020 earnings. Pan Brothers’ cash flow generation remained poor, and it continued to report large working capital weakness. It appears unlikely that Pan Brothers will be able to increase the size of its syndication facility, given the low commitment from banks at the moment. 

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - South East Asia Lags, the Bank's Return, and Nimble Staples

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven


For the month of October, 15 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$31bn.


Clicking on the company name in the table below will take you to the entity page where you can read the initial insight(s) written by Smartkarma contributors on these new deals and follow up discussions, or simply click on the insight link(s) below the name.






New Deals


Industry


Size (US$bn)


Type


Premium




Australia




Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU) 
Beverage Bottler
6.9
Poss. Scheme
25%


Coca Cola Amatil: Flat Or Fizzy?







Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) 
Super registry
2.1
Poss. Scheme
30%


Link Admin/PEP: All Together Now. Again Link Admin: Hardball Tactics After Meagre Bump 



Northern Star Resources (NST AU) / Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) 
Mining
4.4
Scheme




Northern Star/Saracen: Merger Of Equals
Saracen – Trade the Northern Star Deal and Then Stay Long Northern Star




Hong Kong




CIMC-TianDa Holdings (445 HK) 
Airport facilities
0.3
Scheme
20.36%


CIMC-Tianda (445 HK): Scheme Offer Lead By CIMC



Hengxing Gold Holding (2303 HK) 
Mining
0.3
Pre-con Scheme
(2.43%)


Hengxing (2303 HK): Offer From Shandong Gold



Powerleader Science &amp; Tech (8236 HK) 
Cloud Computing
0.1
Merger by Absorption
14.6%


Powerleader (8236 HK): Small Deal, Trading Wide



Shanghai Prime Machinery H (2345 HK) 
Turbines
0.4
Merger by Absorption
68.4%


Shanghai Prime (2345 HK): Delisting Offer From Parent



Sun Art Retail (6808 HK) 
Hypermarkets
2.2
MGO
2.14%


Sun Art (6808 HK): Alibaba Takes Control



Japan




Medical &amp; Biological Lab (4557 JP) 
Diagnostics
0.1
Tender Offer
23.8%


JSR (4185 JP) Tender Offer for Medical &amp; Biological Labs (4557 JP)


Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP)
Retailer
1.6 - 2.1
Tender Offer
45.8%/91.0%



DCM Does a Full Takeover of Shimachu - Looks Like a Strong Price. Look Again Nitori To Make a Rival Bid for Shimachu? More Fun To Go 
Gaming Out a Nitori Bid for Shimachu Nitori Bids UP For Shimachu - Now Things Slow Down  




US




HUYA Inc (HUYA US) 
Gaming
7.2
Merger



Huya – Generous for Douyu and the New Global Streaming Landscape Gets Interesting



PNM Resources (PNM US) 
Energy
4.3
Tender Offer
10%


PNM Resources - Iberdrola: Friendly Acquisition



Wanda Sports Group (WSG US) 
Events
0.1
Prelim Proposal
38.9%


Wanda Sports (WSG US): Preliminary Proposal From Dalian Wanda



Europe/UK




G4S PLC (GFS LN) 
Security Service
0.4
Cash Offer
30%


G4S - GardaWorld: Lowball Offer



Talktalk Telecom (TALK LN) 
Telco
1.0
Non-binding Offer
17%


TalkTalk - Toscafund: Preliminary &amp; Non-Binding Proposal





Source: Smartkarma Insights


The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in October was ~25% and the YTD average premium for all deals discussed on Smartkarma (121 all-in) is ~32%.  The average for all deals discussed on Smartkarma in 2019 (145 deals all-in) was 31.5%.



The charts below provide a snapshot of deals YTD discussed on Smartkarma. Where the deal is a merger of equals or similar, I've assigned no premium.







Summary of News in October of Arb Situations On Smartkarma's Radar



(Again, click on the company names to take to you to the insights and/or discussion posts for a more comprehensive read-through on each situation. Where a new insight was written on these names in July, I've included a link, in bold, to that insight in italics.)






Australia


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




3P Learning (3PL AU) 

15-Oct: FRB approval 20-Oct: Scheme Meeting set for the 20 Nov




Cardinal Resources (CDV AU) 

22-Oct: Cardinal Resources: Nordgold's "Competing Offer"
23-Oct: Cardinal announced that shareholders holding 19.38% of shares out intend to accept Shandong's unconditional off-market Offer by 30 October - provided there be no superior proposal, or is Shandong extends its Offer (currently expected to close on the 30 October, unless extended). 23-Oct: Nordgold has now lodged an application with the Takeovers Panel concerning “the clear and unambiguous interpretation” of Shandong’s Last and Final Statement.
27-Oct: Nordgold has withdrawn its Takeovers Panel application. But stands its ground that Shandong's statements are materially misleading.




Citadel Group (CGL AU) 

29-Oct: Scheme Meeting set for the 1 December.




Cromwell Property (CMW AU) 

No October update




DWS Ltd (DWS AU) 

13-Oct: DWS will not declare or pay any permitted special dividend. The Scheme payment will be fixed at A$1.20/share.




OptiComm Ltd (OPC AU) 

13-Oct: OptiComm: Aware Super's Superior Optics 15-Oct: OptiComm: Uniti Sees Aware And Raises




Village Roadshow (VRL AU) 

6-Oct: Mittleman bumps stake to 10.09% (from 8.50% previously) and according to media reports, opposes BGH's Scheme.    7-Oct: Village Roadshow (VRL AU) said it would proceed with the Scheme - and is engaged in correspondence with Mittleman.   12-Oct: The Independent Expert concludes the Offer is fair &amp; reasonable. 










Hong Kong


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Allied Properties (H.K.) (56 HK) 
5-Oct: Remarkably - the judge has declined to sanction the Scheme.
Here's the judgment. Para 66 mentions the headcount test. I have no clue why - HK-incorporated companies do not adhere to a headcount test. Baffling.
12-Oct: Allied Properties (56 HK): Amateur Hour 19-Oct: Allied has appealed the High Court judgment. The Appeal will be heard on Monday, 23rd November 2020 at 10:00 a.m.



AMVIG Holdings (2300 HK) 
4-Oct: SPA is done - conditional MGO triggered. Composite doc to be dispatched on or before 15 October.  15-Oct: Composite doc has been delayed until the 2 November from the 15 October. This was to be expected. I had the 30 October in my initial timetable. 



Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (579 HK) 
5-Oct: In its monthly update, the company announces that there is no update.



Car Inc (699 HK) 
No October update



CGN New Energy Holdings (1811 HK) 
30-Sep: The deal is off.



Changshouhua Food (1006 HK) 
26-Oct: Scheme doc out - court meeting to be held on the 19 November. Cheques on (or before) the 14 December. IFA (Somerley) considers the Offer fair &amp; reasonable. 



China Zhongdi Dairy (1492 HK) 
16-Oct: The despatch of the Composite Doc has been pushed out to the 18 January 2021. A significant delay. This may not complete until early 2Q21.  23-Oct: I see 12.11% of shares out have moved into Halycon, according to CCASS. That is Green Farmlands stake, part of the Offeror's.  27-Oct: 27.99% of shares out have given irrevocables to accept the MGO. That will take the Offeror's stake to 71.74%, at a minimum, under the MGO.



Cross Harbour Holdings (32 HK) 
7-Oct: The Composite Doc has been delayed until the 23 Oct (on or before) from the 8 October. Such a delay is pretty standard.   23-Oct: The Composite Doc for Cross Harbour Holdings (32 HK) has been despatched. The first close is the 23 Nov.



Get Nice Holdings (64 HK) 

22-Oct: Composite doc dispatched for Get Nice Holdings (64 HK). The first close is the 13 November. 




Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) 

12-Oct: Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) announced that Haier Smart Home (600690 CH)'s application with the CSRC for the proposed issuance of HSH H shares is "progressing".




Leyou Technologies (1089 HK) 

8-Oct: Re: regulatory approvals, Leyou Technologies (1089 HK) said Canadain and US regulatory bodies have signed off on the Offer from Tencent Holdings (700 HK). Scheme doc to be despatched on or before the 9 November. 




Macau Legend Development (1680 HK) 

5-Oct: The stake sale completed. The MGO is now triggered. The Composite Doc is expected to be despatched on the 12 October. 12-Oct: The Composite Document has been delayed until the 21 October, from the 12 October. This was expected but is still a full month earlier than what I would have anticipated.   21-Oct: The Composite Document has now been further delayed until the 3 November. Getting closer to my 21 November despatch target. 




Yixin Group Ltd (2858 HK) 
23-Oct: Bitauto Holdings (BITA US) shareholders approve the merger plan. The merger is expected to close on or around the 10 November. The Composite Doc for Yixin Group Ltd (2858 HK)'s downstream MGO will then be despatched 7 business days later.









India


Comments (with links to insights)




Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN) 

25-Oct: Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN): Shareholder Vote Encouraging. Buying Opportunity




Hexaware Technologies (HEXW IN) 

No October update




INEOS Styrolution India Limited (INEOS IN) 

No October update




J.B. Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceut (JBCP IN) 

No October update




Sequent Scientific (SEQ IN) 

No October update




Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN) 

4-Oct: Vedanta Limited Reports Results: KEY Info on Deal Funding Embedded 8-Oct: Vedanta Limited Reports Results: KEY Info on Deal Funding Embedded 8-Oct: Vedanta - Someone Is Playing Silly Buggers But Even On The Last Day Investor Strategy Matters 11-Oct: Vedanta Delisting Proposal/Offer Fails (We Think) 11-Oct: Vedanta (VEDL IN): A Failed Delisting Will Now Pressure The Stock 13-Oct: VEDL Delisting Fail Day1 - Reading Between the Lines of the Trading Data 21-Oct: Vedanta Limited - Caught in Economic Purgatory but Governance Hell?

















Indonesia


Comments 




Bank Permata (BNLI IJ) 

No October update











Japan


Comments (with links to insights)




Cocokara Fine (3098 JP) 
No October update



FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) 

22-Oct: FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) has now officially been designated a Security to be Delisted by the TSE. The last day of trading is November 11. Delisting Date is November 12. 22-Oct: Familymart Delisting and Its Nikkei 225 Replacement Is Nexon (3659)




Hinokiya Holdings (1413 JP) 

No October update



 Hitachi Capital (8586 JP) / Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP) 

26-Oct: The Right Trade May Be Hitachi




Keihin Corp (7251 JP) / Showa Corp (7274 JP) 

16-Oct: Honda Tenders Done - Now For The Residuals 28-Oct: The TOPIX exclusions on Showa Corp (7274 JP), Nissin Kogyo (7230 JP), and Keihin Corp (7251 JP) took place after the close. Now it will be the trickle-out until delisting. Delisting will be on 11 November, and the last day of trading will be on the 10th. Effective Date of the Acquisition is the 13th of November. 




Kirindo Holdings (3194 JP) 

16-Oct: In what might be a first that I have seen, Kirindo Holdings (3194 JP) today announced the Record Date for the EGM to be held to squeeze out minorities. That's not unusual. What IS unusual is that it has happened prior to the end of the Tender Offer. The EGM itself will be sometime in December. The date of the EGM may be announced on 19 October.  27-Oct: successful at 69.75%. Now we head to EGM and delisting. 




LIXIL VIVA (3564 JP) 

15 Oct:  Buyback Tender successful.




Mcubs Midcity Investment Cor (3227 JP) 

22-Oct: Unitholders have approved the Deal. Japan Retail Fund Investment (8953 JP) unit holders have also voted in favour of the transaction. 




Nichii Gakkan Co (9792 JP) 

Delisting expected 5 November




NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP) 

13-Oct: NTT Docomo: The Three Arbs and the Great Re-Allocation Trade




Ryoyo Electro (8068 JP) 

No October update




Sanyo Chemical Ind (4471 JP) /  Nippon Shokubai (4114 JP) 
22-Oct: SanyoChem/Shokubai Deal Cancelled - The Trick Is NOT to Look Inside the Diaper




Softbrain (4779 JP) 

No October update
















New Zealand


Comments (with links to announcements)




Metlifecare Ltd (MET NZ) 

3-Oct: Metlifecare Ltd (MET NZ) shareholders approve Scheme.  "It is anticipated that the Scheme will be implemented and shareholders will be paid NZ$6 per share on or around 29 October 2020". 
8-Oct: Metlifecare Ltd (MET NZ) has announced a "shareholder has lodged a Notice of Opposition to the High Court application for the Scheme of Arrangement with Asia Pacific Village Group Limited".
14-Oct: The High Court hearing has been delayed until the 20 October from the 15 October. 
15-Oct:  Metlifecare: Statutory Vacuum
18-Oct: The Panel has given a "no objection" statement. The Court does not have to rely on this statement - but it usually does. This looks (finally) done. 
20-Oct: Metlifecare: Scheme Sanctioned. Potential Bad Precedent Averted











Singapore


Comments (with links to insights and announcements)




Accordia Golf Trust (AGT SP) 

Now in progress/wind-down mode




Capitaland Commercial Trust (CCT SP) 

12-Oct: Capitaland Commercial Trust (CCT SP) has announced that the Trust Scheme was sanctioned by the Court yesterday and confirmed that the last trading day of the CCT units will be the 16 October.




ESR-REIT (EREIT SP) / Sabana Shari'ah Compliant Industrial REIT (SSREITR SP) 

No October update










Taiwan


Comments 




Boardtek Electronics (5349 TT) 
No October update



Casetek Holdings (5264 TT) 
1-Oct: According to various media sources, shareholders have approved the merger with Pegatron. 








Thailand


Comments 




COL PCL (COL TB) 
No October update










Vietnam


Comments (with links to announcements)




Viglacera Corp (VGC VN) 
No October update










Middle East


Comments 




Samba Financial Group (SAMBA AB) /
National Commercial Bank (NCB AB) 

No October update









Europe/UK


Comments (with links to announcements and insights)




Ahlstrom-Munksjo (AM1 FH) 
No October update



Altice NV A (ATC NA) 
No October update



Bolsas y Mercados Espanoles (BME SM) 
No October update



CaixaBank SA (CABK SM) 
28-Oct: Bankia - CaixaBank: Merger in Progress, Spread Attractive




Play Communications SA (1P1 GR) 
No October update



William Hill (WMH LN) 
5-Oct: William Hill - Caesars (Almost) Done Deal, Trading Above Terms









For the month of September, 21 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$70b, bolstered by the monster deal for NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP).


Clicking on the company name in the table below will take you to the entity page where you can read the initial insight(s) written by Smartkarma contributors on these new deals and follow up discussions, or simply click on the insight link(s) below the name.





New Deals


Industry


Size (US$bn)


Type


Premium




Australia




Citadel Group (CGL AU) 
IT Services
0.3
Scheme
43.2%



   Citadel Group: Private Equity Partners' Offer




DWS Ltd (DWS AU) 
IT services
0.1
Scheme
33.3%



   HCL-DWS(DWS AU): Cash Deal Trading Wide







Hong Kong




AMVIG Holdings (2300 HK) 
Tobacco packaging
0.3
MGO
51.39%



   AMVIG (2300 HK): Smoker's Delight - Possible Conditional Offer




Changshouhua Food (1006 HK) 
Edible oils
0.15
Scheme
16.4%


   Changshouhua (1006 HK): What's Cooking?




Cross Harbour Holdings (32 HK) 
Toll roads
0.2
VGO
42.4%



   Cross-Harbour (32 HK): Voluntary Offer. Price Not Final




Get Nice Holdings (64 HK) 
Financials
0.1
VGO
5.59%



   Get Nice (64 HK)'s VGO. Possible Downstream Offer For Get Nice (1469 HK)




Macau Legend Development (1680 HK) 
Gaming
0.3
MGO
9.38%



   Macau Legend (1680 HK): Mandatory General Offer




China Zhongdi Dairy (1492 HK) 
Dairy
0.2
MGO
11.0%



   Zhongdi Dairy (1492 HK): Possible MGO from Yili



 







India




Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN) 
Logistics
0.1
Delisting




   Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN): Indian Delisting Offer Trading Cheap







Japan




Hinokiya Holdings (1413 JP) 
Electronic Retailer
0.1
Partial
12%



   Yamada Denki Partial TOB For Hinokiya (1413 JP)
    Hinokiya (1413 JP) Partial Tender Arb Grids &amp; ProRation




Kirindo Holdings (3194 JP) 
Retail
0.3
Tender Offer
39.7%



   Kirindo (3194) - Another Cheap Bain MBO With Weak Adherence to Fair M&amp;A Guidelines



 Hitachi Capital (8586 JP) / Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP) 
Leasing
7.1
Merger




   Hitachi's Hitachi Capital Capital Case - A Merger With MUFG Lease




NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP) 
Telco
40
Tender Offer
40.5%



   NTT Docomo SHOCKER - Nikkei Says Parent NTT To Buy Out Docomo Minorities
   NTT – Initial Thoughts Reading Through the Lines of the Shock News
   NTT – NTT Is Going Big and Our Suspicions Are Aroused Further
   NTT Deal for DoCoMo - Not Going Gentle, Definitely Raging Against the Dying of the Light




Ryoyo Electro (8068 JP) 
Electronic Retailer
0.1
Partial
0%



   Ryoyo Electro Corporate Activism Ends in Buyout




Mcubs Midcity Investment Cor (3227 JP) 
REIT
1.2
Merger




   MCUBS Midcity (3227 JP): Scrip Deal Trading Tight But There's a BETTER Trade











Thailand








COL PCL (COL TB) 


Retailer

0.4
Delisting
26.7%



   COL-Central Retail Corp: Thailand Delisting Offer Trading Tight







US




51 Job Inc Adr (JOBS US) 
HR solutions
5.3
Going Private
16.05%


  You're Hired! DCP's Proposal For 51job.Inc










Europe/UK




Altice NV A (ATC NA) 
Telco
5.8
Tender Offer
23.8%



   Altice - Next Private Takeover Announcement




Play Communications SA (1P1 GR) 
Telco
2.6
Tender Offer
38.8%



   Play Communications - Iliad: Offer Announcement




William Hill (WMH LN) 
Gaming
3.7
Rumoured
25%



   William Hill - Caesars: Entertainment Prospective Bid




Ahlstrom-Munksjo (AM1 FH) 
Materials
2.0
Tender offer
37.1%



  Ahlstrom-Munksjo (AM1 FH): Tender Offer Trading Tight - Will There Be Bumpitrage?
  Ahlstrom-Munksjö - Spa Holdings 3: Friendly Offer 






Source: Smartkarma Insights


The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in September was ~26% and the YTD average premium for all deals discussed on Smartkarma (106 all-in) is 33%.  The average for all deals discussed on Smartkarma in 2019 (145 deals all-in) was 31.5%.

At present, it is difficult to gauge what level of control premium the acquirer will be willing to pay for Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN) and it is unlikely that we will find the answer until the RBB process is complete. 

The Offer(s) for British bookmaker William Hill (WMH LN) are as yet not official. 


The charts below provide a snapshot of deals YTD discussed on Smartkarma. Where the deal is a merger of equals or similar, I've assigned no premium.







Summary of News in September of Arb Situations On Smartkarma's Radar



(Again, click on the company names to take to you to the insights and/or discussion posts for a more comprehensive read-through on each situation. Where a new insight was written on these names in July, I've included a link, in bold, to that insight in italics.)





Australia


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




3P Learning (3PL AU) 

No September update




Cardinal Resources (CDV AU) 

2-Sep: Nordgold has bumped its Offer by 36.4% to A$0.90/share from A$0.66/share.   Cardinal Resources (CDV AU): Nordgold's Knockout Offer
7-Sep: Shandong intends to increase its Offer Price to A$1.00/share.
Cardinal Resources (CDV AU): Shandong Trumps Nordgold’s Knockout Offer
9-Sep: Nordgold extends its Offer to the 24 September. 
15-Sep: CDV directors holding 6.07% have publicly stated their intention to accept Shandong's Offer.
17-Sep: Nordgold extends its Offer until the 8 October.
21-Sep: Shandong's Offer declared unconditional. They currently hold 10.94%.




Cassini Resources (CZI AU) 

24-Sep: Scheme effective




Cromwell Property (CMW AU) 

21-Sep: ARA now has 28.53% in Cromwell Property (CMW AU).




Infigen Energy (IFN AU) 

8-Sep: The AFR reported that UAC Energy had sold their 19.9% stake in Infigen Energy (IFN AU) into Iberdrola SA (IBE SM)'s revised bid. Iberdrola now have 97%. This is completely done. 




Onevue Holdings (OVH AU) 

4-Sep: The Scheme Meeting will be held on the 9 October.




OptiComm Ltd (OPC AU) 

8-Sep: Non-binding Offer from First State
OptiComm: First State Gatecrashes Uniti's Offer
25-Sep: OptiComm Ltd (OPC AU) will hold a Scheme Meeting on the 13 October to consider Uniti Group Ltd (UWL AU) 's Offer. 




Village Roadshow (VRL AU) 

25-Sep: Three films have been deferred. This would imply the A$0.08/share uplift is not payable.  






 





Hong Kong


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Allied Properties (H.K.) (56 HK) 
In its weekly update concerning the progress of the High Court sanctioning, Allied Properties (H.K.) (56 HK) says there is no new update.



Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (579 HK) 
4-Sep: In its monthly update, the company announces that there is no update.



Car Inc (699 HK) 
No September update



CGN New Energy Holdings (1811 HK) 
28-Aug: In its monthly update, CGN says there is no update on the deal.



Golden Meditech Holdings (801 HK) 

16-Sep: Scheme approved. 




Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) 

1-Sep: The pre-conditions have been fulfilled - ie. approval from the independent shareholders of Haier Smart Home (600690 CH). The despatch of the Scheme Doc has now been extended to the 30 November, from 4 September previously.
Haier (1169 HK): Back To Entry Levels




Huadian Fuxin Energy Corp (816 HK) 

9-Sep: Lakeville Capital Management Ltd. has given a letter of intent to support the Merger. Lakeville holds 96.089mn shares or 3.74% of the total issued H shares. 
16-Sep: Shareholders approve the merger.




Jinmao Hotel &amp; Jinmao (China) Hotel Investments and Management Limited (6139 HK) 

10-Sep: Shareholders approve the Scheme.




Leyou Technologies (1089 HK) 

9-Sep: The SFC has granted consent to an extension of the time limit for despatching the Scheme Document from 17 September 2020 to 9 November 2020.  
A delay was anticipated - but this is about two weeks past my expected despatch date. The delay is expected to push the despatch of cheques to mid-late December.
23-Sep: Tencent/Leyou: China Bytes




O-Net Technologies (Group) (877 HK) 

1-Sep: O-Net (877 HK): Offer Doc Out. Priced To Complete
The Scheme for O-Net Technologies (Group) (877 HK) passes - 100% approval. 




Skyworth Group Limited (751 HK) 

1-Sep: Unaudited profit before and after non-controlling interests was RMB573mn and RMB391mn respectively, up 64.6% &amp; 116% as compared to RMB348mn and RMB181mn in 1H19.
3-Sep: The partial results are out - 755.8mn tendered against the maximum number of shares to be bought of 392.8mn. Or 51.97% pro-ration - nice one Travis Lundy. The settlement is expected to take place on or before the 14 September (not 11 September as per the circular on account of the delay in the SGM due to the typhoon last month). Shares not bought will be also be returned on this date.




Xinghua Port Holdings (1990 HK) 
16-Sep: Right on cue - this turned unconditional on the first close - 95.91% tendered. The Offer has been automatically extended for another 14 days. 



Yixin Group Ltd (2858 HK) 
4-Sep: Yixin Group Ltd (2858 HK) announced that the Merger is progressing, and Bitauto Holdings (BITA US) just filed a response letter to the SEC addressing some SEC comments. No date has been fixed for such shareholders’ meeting of Bitauto as of the date of this announcement.









India


Comments (with links to insights)




Adani Power Ltd (ADANI IN) 

No September update




Hexaware Technologies (HEXW IN) 

8-Sep: Hexaware Technologies Reverse Book Build Auction - It's On 15-Sep: Hexaware Exit Offer Reverse Book Build Gets 90% &amp; Discovered Price - Now We Wait 23-Sep:Hexaware Tech Done at INR 475. Now For The Residual




INEOS Styrolution India Limited (INEOS IN) 

No September update




J.B. Chemicals &amp; Pharmaceut (JBCP IN) 

No September update




Sequent Scientific (SEQ IN) 

7-Sep: Vedanta: Reaching The End Game 17-Sep: Vedanta : More Fuel For The Fire
21-Sep: Vedanta (VEDL): Cash Raised, Money Flow, and How It Affects Delisting Offer Discovered Price




Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN) 

7-Sep: Vedanta: Reaching The End Game 17-Sep: Vedanta : More Fuel For The Fire 21-Sep: Vedanta (VEDL): Cash Raised, Money Flow, and How It Affects Delisting Offer Discovered Price 29-Sep: Vedanta Reverse Book Build Auction - It’s On And the Schedule From Here Is Tight










Indonesia


Comments 




Bank Permata (BNLI IJ) 

No September update










Japan


Comments (with links to insights)




Cocokara Fine (3098 JP) 
23-Sep: Cocokara/MatsuKiyo - Big Gains Since Delay, Stay Long Both




FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) 

14-Sep: FTSE today announced the deletion of FamilyMart Co Ltd (8028 JP) from its indices as of the close of 11 November 2020, contingent on the passage of the agenda items at the EGM allowing a squeezeout of minority shareholders. 
17-Sep: Familymart: What's Next? And Will Mitsubishi React?




Kawasumi Laboratories (7703 JP) 
No September update; offer closes 30 Sep



Keihin Corp (7251 JP) / Showa Corp (7274 JP) 
2-Sep: The Honda TOBs: FINALLY. Tenders for Showa, Keihin, and Nissin Kogyo




LIXIL VIVA (3564 JP) 

17 Sep EGM held 




Nichii Gakkan Co (9792 JP) 

Record Date for EGM 3 Sep, EGM for 16 Oct, Delisting expected 5 November




OOTOYA Holdings (2705 JP) 

9-Sep: They announced they had gotten to 46.77% in the Tender Offer,




Sanyo Chemical Ind (4471 JP) /  Nippon Shokubai (4114 JP) 
No September update



Softbrain (4779 JP) 

On 28 Sep, the Opinion Statement was revised slightly. A couple of minor changes to the doc.  Tender offer finally launched on 29 Sep.










Malaysia


Comments




TA Global Bhd (TAGB MK) 
No September update










New Zealand


Comments (with links to announcements)




Metlifecare Ltd (MET NZ) 

1-Sep: Scheme docs out - as previously flagged, the Scheme Meeting will be held on the 2 October.
14-Sep: MET has been advised by Asia Pacific Village Group Limited that the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office has granted APVG consent to acquire 100% of Metlifecare.











Singapore


Comments (with links to insights and announcements)




Accordia Golf Trust (AGT SP) 

10-Sep: Securities Investors Association (Singapore) has sent a letter to Accordia Golf Trust (AGT SP)'s management company with questions ahead of the EGM. 
14-Sep: The Accordia Golf Trust (AGT SP) General Meeting went off without a hitch.  The selldown was approved 97.55% FOR 2.45% AGAINST. The proposed winding up was 99.4% FOR 0.6% AGAINST. EGM Results here. 
17-Sep: Accordia Golf Trust (AGT SP) will be deleted from FTSE Small Cap as of the morning of Sep 30.  It goes out one trading day before.
24-Sep: Accordia Golf Gets Interesting - Main Payment Shortly Then Run The Residual




Capitaland Commercial Trust (CCT SP) 

7-Sep: Capitaland Mall and CCT Merger: Circular Finally Out. Looks Done.




ESR-REIT (EREIT SP) / Sabana Shari'ah Compliant Industrial REIT (SSREITR SP) 

16-Sep: Quarz Capital has raised its stake in Sabana Shari'ah Compliant Industrial REIT (SSREITR SP) from 5% to 6% - it restated it intends to vote down the merger with ESR-REIT (EREIT SP).    22-Sep: Sabana Shari'ah Compliant Industrial REIT (SSREITR SP) has received a notice from the Courts to convene a Scheme Meeting. It is understood Quarz and Black Crane continue to hold out against the deal.




Perennial Real Estate Holdings (PREH SP) 
11-Sept: Compulsory acquisition completed




Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP) / Sembcorp Marine (SMM SP) 

3-Sep: Sembcorp - Last Chance Before....
7-Sep:  Sembcorp Marine Rights Issue Results : Looks Like a Scheme of Introduction










Taiwan


Comments 




Boardtek Electronics (5349 TT) 
No September update



Casetek Holdings (5264 TT) 
No September update









Vietnam


Comments (with links to announcements)




Viglacera Corp (VGC VN) 
20-Sep: Gelex Bumps Viglacera Bid Again. High Pro-Ration Likely.. 





 






Middle East


Comments 




Samba Financial Group (SAMBA AB) /
National Commercial Bank (NCB AB) 

No September update 










Europe/UK


Comments (with links to announcements and insights)




Aker Solutions (AKSO NO) 

25-Sep: At the EGM, all proposals on the agenda were adopted, including approval of the merger plan.




Bolsas y Mercados Espanoles (BME SM) 
7-Sep: Bolsas Y Mercados - SIX Group: Squeeze-Out




CaixaBank SA (CABK SM) 
5-Sep: CaixaBank-Bankia Merger Conversations Announcement: First Take 18-Sep:  CaixaBank - Bankia: Definitive Agreement and Exchange Ratio




Mediawan (MDW FP) 
21-Sep: Antitrust approval received. 



NetEnt AB (NETB SS) 

No September update 








(Mostly) Asia M&A: September 2020 Roundup

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.</p>
<p>Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a>.</p>
</div><h3>Macro Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/could-emerging-markets-double-from-here" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43435" rel="noopener">Could Emerging Markets Double From Here?,</a> Strategist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/michael-j-howell" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:2312" rel="noopener">Michael J. Howell</a> revisits the Emerging Markets theme and take a positive view. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/set50-index-rebalance-preview-three-changes-for-now-could-be-one-more" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43285" rel="noopener">SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Changes for Now, Could Be One More,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> takes a look at the potential changes to the SET50 Index constituents at the next rebalance.</p><h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/berli-jucker-bjc-tb-se-asia-s-consumer-recovery-proxy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43086" rel="noopener">Berli Jucker (BJC TB) - SE Asia's Consumer Recovery Proxy,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits one of South East Asia most interesting consumer players, with interests in consumer packaging and retail, as well as the overall consumer supply chain after a conversation with management.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/erajaya-swasembada-eraa-ij-goodbye-blackmarket" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43353" rel="noopener">Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ) - Goodbye Blackmarket,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits Indonesia's largest mobile handset retailer after a conversation with management. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/wilmar-china-ops-ipo-one-step-closer" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43330" rel="noopener">Wilmar: China Ops IPO One Step Closer,</a> events specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/david-blennerhassett" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:840" rel="noopener">David Blennerhassett</a> takes a close look at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wilmar-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:172:1" rel="noopener">Wilmar International (WIL SP)'</a>s plan to spin off its China operations as a separate listing.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/col-central-retail-corp-thailand-delisting-offer-trading-tight" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43261" rel="noopener">COL-Central Retail Corp: Thailand Delisting Offer Trading Tight,</a> Quiddity Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/janaghan-jeyakumar-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3173" rel="noopener">Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA</a> zeros in on the acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/officemate-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17857:1" rel="noopener">COL PCL (COL TB)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/central-retail-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28240:1" rel="noopener">Central Retail (CRC TB).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/crc-acquisition-of-col-will-encourage-hardline-and-omni-channel-business" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43294" rel="noopener">CRC: Acquisition of COL Will Encourage Hardline and Omni-Channel Business,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> zero in on the potential synergies from the recently announced acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/officemate-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17857:1" rel="noopener">COL PCL (COL TB)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/central-retail-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28240:1" rel="noopener">Central Retail (CRC TB).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/dohome-expect-sssg-stronger-than-peers-in-2h20-and-2021" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43336" rel="noopener">DOHOME: Expect SSSG Stronger than Peers in 2H20 and 2021,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> upgrade their recommendation from a HOLD to BUY rating with a new target price of THB16.5 based on 33x FY21E PER (Previous TP is Bt12.5), which is close to the other biggest home-improvement player in Thailand, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/home-product-center-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9906:1" rel="noopener">Home Product Center (HMPRO TB)</a>.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/aot-short-set-long-a-compelling-pair" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43257" rel="noopener">AOT Short/SET Long a Compelling Pair,</a> technical analysis specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/thomas-schroeder" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:381" rel="noopener">Thomas Schroeder</a> explores this interesting pair trade. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/airports-of-thailand-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:239:1" rel="noopener">Airports of Thailand (AOT TB)</a> buy volume on the rise from mid-August warning that the rise is not only fragile but set for a hard decline from the 60/62 resistance zone. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tasco-medium-term-disruption-from-crude-switching" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43258" rel="noopener">TASCO: Medium-Term Disruption from Crude Switching,</a> our friends from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit Thailand's largest asphalt player. </p><h3>Sector and Thematic Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/south-asian-banks-state-banks-differ" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43383" rel="noopener">South Asian Banks - State Banks Differ,</a> banking specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/daniel-tabbush" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:12" rel="noopener">Daniel Tabbush</a> compares a select few South Asian State-owned banks including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-mandiri-persero-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:441:1" rel="noopener">Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ),</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krung-thai-bank-pub-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:298:1" rel="noopener">Krung Thai Bank Pub (KTB TB),</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/state-bank-of-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:160:1" rel="noopener">State Bank Of India (SBIN IN)</a>.</p><h3>Credit Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bangkok-bank-s-new-at1-overweight-on-relative-value" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43402" rel="noopener">Bangkok Bank’s New AT1 – Overweight on Relative Value,</a> Credit specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/warut-promboon" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1226" rel="noopener">Warut Promboon</a> takes a look at the latest bond issue from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-bank-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:213:1" rel="noopener">Bangkok Bank Public (BBL TB).</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-bank-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:213:1" rel="noopener">Bangkok Bank's (BBLTB)</a> inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond offers an attractive higher yielding coupon for the current interest rate environment. </p><div><p></p></div>


The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in ASEAN@Smartkarma.
Macro InsightsIn Could Emerging Markets Double From Here?, Strategist Michael J. Howell revisits the Emerging Markets theme and take a positive view. In SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Changes for Now, Could Be One More,Brian Freitas takes a look at the potential changes to the SET50 Index constituents at the next rebalance.Equity Bottom-Up InsightsIn Berli Jucker (BJC TB) - SE Asia's Consumer Recovery Proxy, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits one of South East Asia most interesting consumer players, with interests in consumer packaging and retail, as well as the overall consumer supply chain after a conversation with management.In Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ) - Goodbye Blackmarket,Angus Mackintosh revisits Indonesia's largest mobile handset retailer after a conversation with management. In Wilmar: China Ops IPO One Step Closer, events specialist David Blennerhassett takes a close look at Wilmar International (WIL SP)'s plan to spin off its China operations as a separate listing.In COL-Central Retail Corp: Thailand Delisting Offer Trading Tight, Quiddity Insight Provider Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA zeros in on the acquisition of COL PCL (COL TB) by Central Retail (CRC TB).In CRC: Acquisition of COL Will Encourage Hardline and Omni-Channel Business, our friends at Country Group zero in on the potential synergies from the recently announced acquisition of COL PCL (COL TB) by Central Retail (CRC TB).In DOHOME: Expect SSSG Stronger than Peers in 2H20 and 2021, our friends at Country Group upgrade their recommendation from a HOLD to BUY rating with a new target price of THB16.5 based on 33x FY21E PER (Previous TP is Bt12.5), which is close to the other biggest home-improvement player in Thailand, Home Product Center (HMPRO TB).In AOT Short/SET Long a Compelling Pair, technical analysis specialist Thomas Schroeder explores this interesting pair trade. Airports of Thailand (AOT TB) buy volume on the rise from mid-August warning that the rise is not only fragile but set for a hard decline from the 60/62 resistance zone. In TASCO: Medium-Term Disruption from Crude Switching, our friends from Country Group revisit Thailand's largest asphalt player. Sector and Thematic InsightsIn South Asian Banks - State Banks Differ, banking specialist Daniel Tabbush compares a select few South Asian State-owned banks including Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ),Krung Thai Bank Pub (KTB TB), and State Bank Of India (SBIN IN).Credit InsightsIn Bangkok Bank’s New AT1 – Overweight on Relative Value, Credit specialist Warut Promboon takes a look at the latest bond issue from Bangkok Bank Public (BBL TB).Bangkok Bank's (BBLTB) inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond offers an attractive higher yielding coupon for the current interest rate environment. 

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - SE Asia's Consumer Proxy, Wilmar's YKA IPO, and CRC

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-bank-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:213:1" rel="noopener">Bangkok Bank's (BBLTB)</a> inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond offers an attractive higher yielding coupon for the current interest rate environment. Thailand is a long-term Coronavirus vaccine recovery play. We recommend that investors overweight this security.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bangkok Bank’s 5% callable 2025 US$-AT1 bond was 2x subscribed with over 40% of orders from outside Asia, according to Bloomberg. This should keep some interest in this security over the near term. In addition to this technical, we outline what we like and dislike regarding the issuer and this security, which we elaborate on within.  </p><p style="text-align: justify;">What we like:</p><ul>
<li>The five percent coupon should attract investors searching for higher yielding product.</li>
<li>The relatively high coupon reset level at five-year US Treasuries plus 473 should enable call at first call date, absent considerable credit quality deterioration.</li>
<li>Bangkok Bank is likely the first of many AT1s to be issued by other Thai banks over the next few months. It should capture fund manager allocations in advance of others.</li>
<li>Relative to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tmb-bank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8090:1" rel="noopener">TMB Bank's (TMBTB)</a> AT1, we believe BBLTB’s AT1 has room to perform.  We see these bonds compressing onto each other on a relative value basis.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: justify;">What we dislike:</p><ul>
<li>Thai bank AT1 is subject to a tougher AT1 coupon payment requirement than is established in other countries.</li>
<li>Bangkok Bank’s purchase of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-permata-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:728:1" rel="noopener">Bank Permata (BNLI IJ)</a> may have been strategically sound, but in hindsight it was tactically poor given the change in operating conditions.</li>
<li>Disclosure is below that of other AT1 issuers in the region and below best practice internationally. Bangkok Bank does not appear to disclose the level of lending that is subject to debt relief due to Covid-19 measures. As such we assess the level of interest income reduction required to generate pre-provision losses at BBLTB versus TMBTB. The result is surprising.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Despite these misgivings regarding BBLTB, we anticipate that fixed income investors will continue to be pushed to higher yielding instruments including BBLTB’s AT1 bond. As such, a lot of positive developments may already be priced into this bond. For example, Thailand’s higher reliance on tourist generated revenue should benefit from the eventual development of a Coronavirus vaccine. This would prove beneficial for Thai-bank asset quality. At the same time, Bangkok Bank’s AT1 trades wider than TMB Bank’s relative to their Senior Unsecured notes. We expect this discount to evaporate. Taken together, <strong>we recommend that investors overweight BBLTB’s AT1 bond on a relative value basis.</strong>  Issued at T+476 and trading at around T+ 456, we suggest taking profits at T+400 and recommend a stop loss at T+550.</p>

Bangkok Bank's (BBLTB) inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond offers an attractive higher yielding coupon for the current interest rate environment. Thailand is a long-term Coronavirus vaccine recovery play. We recommend that investors overweight this security.Bangkok Bank’s 5% callable 2025 US$-AT1 bond was 2x subscribed with over 40% of orders from outside Asia, according to Bloomberg. This should keep some interest in this security over the near term. In addition to this technical, we outline what we like and dislike regarding the issuer and this security, which we elaborate on within.  What we like:
The five percent coupon should attract investors searching for higher yielding product.
The relatively high coupon reset level at five-year US Treasuries plus 473 should enable call at first call date, absent considerable credit quality deterioration.
Bangkok Bank is likely the first of many AT1s to be issued by other Thai banks over the next few months. It should capture fund manager allocations in advance of others.
Relative to TMB Bank's (TMBTB) AT1, we believe BBLTB’s AT1 has room to perform.  We see these bonds compressing onto each other on a relative value basis.
What we dislike:
Thai bank AT1 is subject to a tougher AT1 coupon payment requirement than is established in other countries.
Bangkok Bank’s purchase of Bank Permata (BNLI IJ) may have been strategically sound, but in hindsight it was tactically poor given the change in operating conditions.
Disclosure is below that of other AT1 issuers in the region and below best practice internationally. Bangkok Bank does not appear to disclose the level of lending that is subject to debt relief due to Covid-19 measures. As such we assess the level of interest income reduction required to generate pre-provision losses at BBLTB versus TMBTB. The result is surprising.
Despite these misgivings regarding BBLTB, we anticipate that fixed income investors will continue to be pushed to higher yielding instruments including BBLTB’s AT1 bond. As such, a lot of positive developments may already be priced into this bond. For example, Thailand’s higher reliance on tourist generated revenue should benefit from the eventual development of a Coronavirus vaccine. This would prove beneficial for Thai-bank asset quality. At the same time, Bangkok Bank’s AT1 trades wider than TMB Bank’s relative to their Senior Unsecured notes. We expect this discount to evaporate. Taken together, we recommend that investors overweight BBLTB’s AT1 bond on a relative value basis.  Issued at T+476 and trading at around T+ 456, we suggest taking profits at T+400 and recommend a stop loss at T+550.

Bangkok Bank’s New AT1 – Overweight on Relative Value

Indonesia

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.

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Bank Permata (BNLI IJ)

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