Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>GQG Partners (GQG) raised US$868m in its Australia IPO in Oct 2021. Its IPO linked lockup is set to expire soon.</li>
<li>GQG is a global investment boutique with a focus on managing active equity portfolios.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>


GQG Partners (GQG) raised US$868m in its Australia IPO in Oct 2021. Its IPO linked lockup is set to expire soon.
GQG is a global investment boutique with a focus on managing active equity portfolios.
In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.


GQG Partners IPO Lock-Up - Tightly Held by Founders, PAC Could Exit

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 href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amtd-digital" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36214:1" rel="noopener">AMTD Digital (HKD US)</a> shares are up 230x since its listing at US$7.80 per ADS on 15 July. Its market cap is a staggering US$334 billion.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amtd-idea-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28137:1" rel="noopener">AMTD Idea Group (AMTD US)</a> accounts for 99.4% of the voting power. In January 2022, it increased its AMTD Digital shareholding to 97.1% of outstanding shares at US$1.2 billion valuation.</li>
<li>AMTD Digital’s financials are uninspiring and cannot justify the share price ramp. No sane valuation methodology can support the share price.    </li>
</ul>



AMTD Digital (HKD US) shares are up 230x since its listing at US$7.80 per ADS on 15 July. Its market cap is a staggering US$334 billion.

AMTD Idea Group (AMTD US) accounts for 99.4% of the voting power. In January 2022, it increased its AMTD Digital shareholding to 97.1% of outstanding shares at US$1.2 billion valuation.
AMTD Digital’s financials are uninspiring and cannot justify the share price ramp. No sane valuation methodology can support the share price.    


Event-Driven

China Vast Industrial Urban Development / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>After a prolonged delay, the Cayman Islands legislative gazette <a href="https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/AMENDING/2022/2022-0028/CompaniesAmendmentAct2021CommencementOrder2022SL28of2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was published on 29 July</a>, which stated that the amended Cayman Islands Act would come into force on 31 August. </li>
<li>The Act will remove the headcount test for schemes, eliminating a layer of uncertainty for controlling shareholders wishing to privatise listed Cayman-incorporated companies.</li>
<li>In light of this development, we look at current active privatisations, past failed privatisations and rumoured transactions which stand to gain a new lease of life from this Act.</li>
</ul>


After a prolonged delay, the Cayman Islands legislative gazette was published on 29 July, which stated that the amended Cayman Islands Act would come into force on 31 August. 
The Act will remove the headcount test for schemes, eliminating a layer of uncertainty for controlling shareholders wishing to privatise listed Cayman-incorporated companies.
In light of this development, we look at current active privatisations, past failed privatisations and rumoured transactions which stand to gain a new lease of life from this Act.


The Cayman Islands to Remove the Headcount Test on 31 August

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>Notwithstanding bright spots and positive long-term outlook, the ESG gold rush has created an acute state of chaos. Regulatory flux. Rampant greenwashing. ESG litigation. Elon and S&amp;P.</li>
<li>The silver lining? New ESG-<em>related</em> investing opportunities emerging from all the chaos; stocks poised to benefit, regardless of who else wins or losses. The new shovel-sellers, as it were.</li>
<li>One large opportunity is driven by new greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting regulations, specifcally leading GHG emissions software-as-a-service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) stocks.</li>
</ul>


Notwithstanding bright spots and positive long-term outlook, the ESG gold rush has created an acute state of chaos. Regulatory flux. Rampant greenwashing. ESG litigation. Elon and S&amp;P.
The silver lining? New ESG-related investing opportunities emerging from all the chaos; stocks poised to benefit, regardless of who else wins or losses. The new shovel-sellers, as it were.
One large opportunity is driven by new greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting regulations, specifcally leading GHG emissions software-as-a-service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) stocks.


Selling Shovels in a Gold Rush: SaaS Stocks Cashing in on Emissions Reporting Rules

Coast Entertainment Holdings L / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ardent-leisure-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29059:1" rel="noopener">Ardent Leisure Group Ltd (ALG AU)</a>'s shareholders have approved <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dave-buster-s-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19774:1" rel="noopener">Dave &amp; Buster'S Entertainment, Inc (PLAY US)</a> acquisition of Main Event business. Ardent will receive A$670.3 million.</li>
<li>Shareholders will receive a total return of A$0.95 through capital return (A$0.46) and unfranked special dividends (A$0.49) on 13 July. </li>
<li>Precedent transactions and peer multiples suggest that the remaining business is worth A$0.23-0.30, implying a 16%-21% upside to the last close. The remaining business would be attractive to private equity. </li>
</ul>



Ardent Leisure Group Ltd (ALG AU)'s shareholders have approved Dave &amp; Buster'S Entertainment, Inc (PLAY US) acquisition of Main Event business. Ardent will receive A$670.3 million.
Shareholders will receive a total return of A$0.95 through capital return (A$0.46) and unfranked special dividends (A$0.49) on 13 July. 
Precedent transactions and peer multiples suggest that the remaining business is worth A$0.23-0.30, implying a 16%-21% upside to the last close. The remaining business would be attractive to private equity. 


Ardent Leisure’s EGM Approves the Main Event Sale

United States

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a bank holding company, is a global investment banking and securities firm specializing in investment banking, trading and principal investments, asset management and securities services.  The Company provides services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net worth individuals.

Morgan Stanley, a bank holding company, provides diversified financial services on a worldwide basis.  The Company operates a global securities business which serves individual and institutional investors and investment banking clients. Morgan Stanley also operates a global asset management business.

BlackRock, Inc. provides diversified investment management services to institutional clients and to retail investors through various investment vehicles. The Company offers the BlackRock Funds and Blackrock Liquidity Funds, and also provides risk management services to fixed income institutional investors.

S&P Global Inc. provides clients with financial information services. The Company offers information regarding ratings, benchmarks, and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets. S&P Global operates worldwide.

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. operates global commodity and financial products marketplaces.  The Company operates electronic energy markets and soft commodity exchanges as well.  ICE offers access to contracts based on crude oil and refined products, natural gas, power and emissions, as well as agricultural commodities including cocoa, coffee, cotton, orange juice, and sugar.

CME Group Inc. operates a derivatives exchange that trades futures contracts and options on futures, interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities.  The Exchange brings together buyers and sellers of derivatives products on its trading floors, electronic trading platform, and through privately negotiated transactions that it clears.

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a variety of financial services to individual investors, independent investment managers, retirement plans, and institutions.  The Company provides its clients with securities brokerage, banking, and related financial services through offices in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.

Moody's Corporation is a credit rating, research, and risk analysis firm.  The Company provides credit ratings and related research, data and analytical tools, quantitative credit risk measures, risk scoring software, and credit portfolio management solutions and securities pricing software and valuation models.

KKR & Co. Inc. operates as an investment firm. The Company manages investments such as private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit strategies, and hedge funds. KKR & Co serves clients worldwide.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company. The Company provides asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer, clearing, and treasury services for institutions, corporations, and high net worth individuals.

Macquarie Group Ltd. offers banking, financial advisory, investment and funds management services.  The Company offers financial advice, cash management, wealth management and private banking, life insurance, securities brokerage, corporate debt financing, real estate funds management, real estate development financing, investment funds management, and foreign exchange services.

London Stock Exchange Group plc is the United Kingdom's primary stock exchange. The LSE provides markets that facilitate the raising of capital and the trading of corporate securities, access to a trading environment, as well as real-time pricing and reference information services worldwide.  Market coverage includes equities, derivatives and fixed-interest securities.

London Stock Exchange Group plc is the United Kingdom's primary stock exchange. The LSE provides markets that facilitate the raising of capital and the trading of corporate securities, access to a trading environment, as well as real-time pricing and reference information services worldwide. Market coverage includes equities, derivatives and fixed-interest securities.

London Stock Exchange Group PL (LNSTY US)

Banco BTG Pactual S/A. provides financial services. The Company offers asset and wealth management, investment banking, trading, corporate lending, sales, and other related solutions. Banco BTG Pactual serves customers in Brazil.

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. provides securities brokerage, trading, underwriting, investment banking, asset management, and investment consulting services.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited owns and operates the stock exchange, futures exchange, and their related clearing houses in Hong Kong.  The Company provides the trading platforms for a range of cash and derivatives products and the facilities for processing trades.

Deutsche Boerse AG provides a variety of stock exchange introduction, trading, and operational services to institutions and private investors. The Company offers electronic trading systems for buying and selling of securities on stock exchanges in Europe.  Deutsche Boerse offers indices such as DAX, MDAX, SDAX, and XTF, as well as trading in options and futures.

3i Group plc is an international investor focused on private equity, infrastructure and debt management. The Company's investments are located across multiple continents through local investment teams in Europe, Asia and North America.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited provides financial services. The Company offers securities trading, clearing, settlement and depository, and market data services. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing serves customers worldwide.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKXCY US)

Blackstone Inc. operates as an investment company. The Company focuses on real estate, hedge funds, private equity, leveraged lending, senior debts, and rescue financing. Blackstone serves customers worldwide.

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Blackstone (BX US)

GQG Partners IPO Lock-Up - Tightly Held by Founders, PAC Could Exit

GQG Partners (GQG) raised US$868m in its Australia IPO in Oct 2021. Its IPO linked lockup is set to expire soon, soon after it reports its results.

Sumeet Singh

AMTD Digital: Irrational Frenzy 2.0

The shares are currently up 143% today. AMTD’s financials are uninspiring and cannot justify the share price ramp. No sane valuation assumption can...

Arun George

The Cayman Islands to Remove the Headcount Test on 31 August

We expect the removal of the headcount test to stir up activity in privatisations of HKEx-listed Cayman-incorporated companies, especially in light...

Arun George

Selling Shovels in a Gold Rush: SaaS Stocks Cashing in on Emissions Reporting Rules

ESG investing has been complicated by evolving emissions reporting regulations. With the chaos, comes new investment opportunities. Such as in...

Kyle Rudden

Ardent Leisure’s EGM Approves the Main Event Sale

Shareholders have approved the sale of Main Event. Precedent transactions and peer multiples suggest that the remaining business is worth A$0.23...

Arun George

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