Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

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Following the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luckin-coffee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28046:1" rel="noopener">Luckin Coffee (LK US)</a> debacle and the ensuing fallout (discussed in <a href="https://skr.ma/p7ikw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Car Inc (699 HK) - Needs A Hire Purpose</a> and <a href="https://skr.ma/4TZfG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Car Inc (699 HK): MBK's Firm Offer</a>), on the 13 November MBK <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1113/2020111301538.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tabled</a> a pre-conditional general cash Offer of $4.00/share for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/car-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:942:1" rel="noopener">Car Inc (699 HK)</a>, a 17.99% premium to last close.  
A truncated summary of the announcements below brings you up to date.:
</div>
<div>
<div>
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">
<h3>Date</h3>
</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
<h3>Data in the Date</h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">9-Apr-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">Car's largest shareholder, <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0409/2020040900021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold</a> 44.666mn shares, or 2.11% of shares out, on the day Car's shares collapsed. NOT a good look. UCAR held ~27.65% of shares out in Car after the sale. Lu is the controller of UCAR with a 39.94% stake. UCAR <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0512/2020051201219.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold</a> a further 100k shares (0.0047% of shares out) on the 11 May, and <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0623/2020062301508.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7.085mn</a> shares (0.33%) between the 12 May and 22 June.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">16-Apr-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Amber Gem <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0416/2020041601733.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered</a> into a SPA with UCAR to acquire 98.6mn shares (4.65% of shares out - known as the first tranche) from UCAR at HK$2.30/share; and 264.08mn shares (12.46% of shares out - the second tranche) at HK$3.40/share. This works out to an average price of $3.10/share.

At the time of the SPA, Amber Gem held 10.11%. According to the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0401/2020040101309.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019 annual report</a> (page 49), Warburg Pincus holds a 60.47% stake in Amber Gem. 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">1-Jun-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Car <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0601/2020060100013.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> Amber Gem and UCAR had terminated their second tranche. The first tranche <a href="https://di.hkex.com.hk/di/NSNoticePersonList.aspx?sa2=np&amp;scpid1=69816&amp;scpid3=0&amp;scpid2=109421&amp;sa1=pl&amp;scsd=21%2f07%2f2019&amp;sced=21%2f07%2f2020&amp;pn=Amber+Gem&amp;src=MAIN&amp;lang=EN&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appears</a> to have been completed on the 30 May, lifting Amber Gem's stake to 14.76%.

Separately  UCAR and BAIC Group <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0601/2020060100013.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered</a> into a non-legally binding strategic cooperation agreement, such that BAIC would acquire 450.79mn shares in Car, or 21.26% of shares out, from UCAR.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">9-Jun-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">Lu <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0610/2020061000043.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resigned</a> as Chairman and NED, with effect from June 9 (i.e. immediate).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">2-Jul-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Car announced UCAR had entered into an offer letter with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saic-motor-corp-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20833:1" rel="noopener">SAIC Motor (600104 CH)</a> such that SAIC will acquire UCAR's 20.87% stake in Car at HK$3.10.

Separately, SAIC entered into an offer letter with Amber Gem to acquire an 8.05% stake in Car, also at HK$3.10/share.  The completion of these Offer letters would result in SAIC holding 28.92%, below the 30% mandatory general offer threshold.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">20-Jul-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Car announced that UCAR has terminated its agreement with SAIC; and that UCAR had now entered into a SPA with Jinggangshan BAIC to acquire its 20.87% stake in Car at HK$3.10/share. Jinggangshan BAIC also signed an offer letter with Amber Gem to acquire an 8.04% of shares out (@ HK$3.10/share) - to collectively give Jinggangshan BAIC 28.91%. Amber Gem would be left holding 6.7% of shares out. 

Car <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0720/2020072001067.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it has been informed that "UCAR has received a notice from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (and that the) CSRC has initiated an investigation on UCAR in connection with suspected violations of information disclosure laws and regulations by UCAR". 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">24-Jul-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Profit warning. Car expects a net loss n the 1H20 vs. net profit of RMB279mn in 1H19. Looking at impairment charges with respect to is vehicle fleet of RMB2.5bn-3RMBbn. 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">26-Jul-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Amber Gem and Jinggangshan BAIC <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0726/2020072600011.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entered</a> into a SPA such that BAIC acquires 170.72mn shares (8.05% of shares out) from Amber at $3.10/share.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">3-Aug-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
Xiaogeng Li, an NED, <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0803/2020080300015.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resigned</a>, ceasing her membership of the audit and compliance committee
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">3-Aug-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
The CSRC <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0803/2020080300019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">completed</a> its (two-week) investigation and dished out some fines to UCAR and certain directors/senior management. 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">20-Aug-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
A Reuters article suggests MBK is kicking tyres
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">10-Nov-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/car-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:942:1" rel="noopener">Car Inc (699 HK)</a> <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1110/2020111001297.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the S&amp;P with UCAR, BAIC is terminated. MBK Partners to acquire ~20.86% of shares in Car for HK$1.77bn ($4/share).
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 115.258px;">13-Nov-20</td>
<td style="width: 588.274px;">
MBK's <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1113/2020111301538.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">firm Offer</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 115.258px;">Source: mainly HKEx announcements</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The pre-conditions to the Offer may be waived, either in whole or in part; the Offer is subject to only a simple merger case by SAMR; the UCAR SPA has now completed; and the Offer is subject to a 50% tendering condition - with MBK holding 47.41% at the completion of a SPA with UCAR, together with irrevocables. 
This looks done.
Yet, the gross spread has steadily widened since the 28 December. What gives? 
More thoughts below the fold.

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</div>


Following the Luckin Coffee (LK US) debacle and the ensuing fallout (discussed in Car Inc (699 HK) - Needs A Hire Purpose and Car Inc (699 HK): MBK's Firm Offer), on the 13 November MBK tabled a pre-conditional general cash Offer of $4.00/share for Car Inc (699 HK), a 17.99% premium to last close.  
A truncated summary of the announcements below brings you up to date.:







Date


Data in the Date



9-Apr-20
Car's largest shareholder, sold 44.666mn shares, or 2.11% of shares out, on the day Car's shares collapsed. NOT a good look. UCAR held ~27.65% of shares out in Car after the sale. Lu is the controller of UCAR with a 39.94% stake.  UCAR sold a further 100k shares (0.0047% of shares out) on the 11 May, and 7.085mn shares (0.33%) between the 12 May and 22 June.


16-Apr-20

Amber Gem entered into a SPA with UCAR to acquire 98.6mn shares (4.65% of shares out - known as the first tranche) from UCAR at HK$2.30/share; and 264.08mn shares (12.46% of shares out - the second tranche) at HK$3.40/share. This works out to an average price of $3.10/share.

At the time of the SPA, Amber Gem held 10.11%. According to the 2019 annual report (page 49), Warburg Pincus holds a 60.47% stake in Amber Gem. 



1-Jun-20

Car announced Amber Gem and UCAR had terminated their second tranche. The first tranche appears to have been completed on the 30 May, lifting Amber Gem's stake to 14.76%.

Separately  UCAR and BAIC Group entered into a non-legally binding strategic cooperation agreement, such that BAIC would acquire 450.79mn shares in Car, or 21.26% of shares out, from UCAR.



9-Jun-20
Lu resigned as Chairman and NED, with effect from June 9 (i.e. immediate).


2-Jul-20

Car announced UCAR had entered into an offer letter with SAIC Motor (600104 CH) such that SAIC will acquire UCAR's 20.87% stake in Car at HK$3.10.

Separately, SAIC entered into an offer letter with Amber Gem to acquire an 8.05% stake in Car, also at HK$3.10/share.  The completion of these Offer letters would result in SAIC holding 28.92%, below the 30% mandatory general offer threshold.



20-Jul-20

Car announced that UCAR has terminated its agreement with SAIC; and that UCAR had now entered into a SPA with Jinggangshan BAIC to acquire its 20.87% stake in Car at HK$3.10/share. Jinggangshan BAIC also signed an offer letter with Amber Gem to acquire an 8.04% of shares out (@ HK$3.10/share) - to collectively give Jinggangshan BAIC 28.91%. Amber Gem would be left holding 6.7% of shares out. 

Car announced that it has been informed that "UCAR has received a notice from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (and that the) CSRC has initiated an investigation on UCAR in connection with suspected violations of information disclosure laws and regulations by UCAR". 



24-Jul-20

Profit warning. Car expects a net loss n the 1H20 vs. net profit of RMB279mn in 1H19. Looking at impairment charges with respect to is vehicle fleet of RMB2.5bn-3RMBbn. 



26-Jul-20

Amber Gem and Jinggangshan BAIC entered into a SPA such that BAIC acquires 170.72mn shares (8.05% of shares out) from Amber at $3.10/share.



3-Aug-20

Xiaogeng Li, an NED, resigned, ceasing her membership of the audit and compliance committee



3-Aug-20

The CSRC completed its (two-week) investigation and dished out some fines to UCAR and certain directors/senior management. 



20-Aug-20

A Reuters article suggests MBK is kicking tyres



10-Nov-20

Car Inc (699 HK) announced the S&amp;P with UCAR, BAIC is terminated. MBK Partners to acquire ~20.86% of shares in Car for HK$1.77bn ($4/share).



13-Nov-20

MBK's firm Offer



Source: mainly HKEx announcements



The pre-conditions to the Offer may be waived, either in whole or in part; the Offer is subject to only a simple merger case by SAMR; the UCAR SPA has now completed; and the Offer is subject to a 50% tendering condition - with MBK holding 47.41% at the completion of a SPA with UCAR, together with irrevocables. 
This looks done.
Yet, the gross spread has steadily widened since the 28 December. What gives? 
More thoughts below the fold.




Car Inc (699 HK):  Are We Missing Anything?


For the month of December, 19 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$14bn.


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




Asaleo Care Ltd (AHY AU) 
Toiletries
0.3
Possible Scheme
24.7%


Asaleo (ASX: AHY)/Essity: Bottom Feeders







amaysim Australia (AYS AU) 
Mobile operator
0.2
Off-market takeover




Amaysim/WAM: A Question Of Franking Credits
Amaysim (AYS AU): A WAM RAM Stoush




WPP AUNZ (WPP AU) 
Marketing
0.1
Scheme
71%



WPP AUNZ: Mad Men At Work WPP AUNZ: More Mad Men At Work







Hong Kong




China Logistics Property (1589 HK) 
Logistics

Possible Offer



China Logistics (1589 HK): Possible Offer As Major Shareholders Seek Exit



Cowell E Holdings (1415 HK) 
Parts supplier
0.6
Possible MGO
2.98%


Cowell (1415 HK): "Maintain Listing" MGO



Huifu Payment Limited (1806 HK) 
Service provider
0.1
Scheme
26.8%



Huifu Payment (1806 HK): Scheme Offer
Huifu Payment (1806 HK): Early Withdrawal?




I.T Ltd (999 HK) 
Fashion
0.2
Scheme
54.6%


I.T. (999 HK): Management/CVC-Led Offer



SHK Hong Kong Industries (666 HK) 
Securities
0.1
Scheme
50.0%


SHK (666 HK): Allied Group Further Cleans House With Scheme Offer






Japan




Toa Oil Co Ltd (5008 JP) 
Refiner
0.2
Tender Offer
23%


Idemitsu Launches Lowball Tender Offer for Subsidiary Toa Oil (5008)










Malaysia




FGV Holdings Bhd (FGV MK) 
Palm Plantation
0.6
MTO
2.4%



FGV Holdings: Reading the Palm Fronds
FGV Holdings: Low-Ball MTO Triggered











New Zealand




Infratil Ltd (IFT NZ) 
Utilities
3.8
Possible Scheme
22.2%


Infratil (IFT NZ): Big Super's Infrastructure Grab






Philippines




Lopez Holdings (LPZ PM) 
Utilities
0.2
Vol. delisting
25%


Lopez Holdings (LPZ PM): Reverse Voluntary Delisting










Singapore




Hi P International (HIP SP) 
Manufacturing
0.2
Unconditional Offer
13.6%


Hi-P International: Unconditional Offer



Soilbuild Business Space REIT (SBREIT SP) 
REIT
0.4
Scheme



Soilbuild REIT: Offer From Blackstone/Lim Family










Taiwan




Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT) 
Finance
1.8
Tender Offer
18.7%


Fubon Financial Tender Offer for Jih Sun Financial



Thinflex Corp (3144 TT) 
Manufacturing
0.1
Partial Offer
7.15%


Arisawa (5208 JP) Partial Tender for ThinFlex (3144 TT)










Europe




Calisen PLC (1779730D LN) 
Energy
1.9
Cash Offer
26.3%


Recommended Private Equity Cash Offer



Recipharm AB (RECIB SS) 
Pharmaceuticals
2.8
Mandatory Offer
22.9%


Recipharm-EQT Takeout



Tele Columbus AG (TC1 GR) 
Fibre networks
0.5
Voluntary Offer
41.3%


Tele Columbus AG - Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Agreed Bid


Source: Smartkarma Insights 




The average premium for the new deals announced (or first discussed) in December was ~27% and the YTD average premium for all deals discussed on Smartkarma (158 all-in) is ~31%.  The average for all deals discussed on Smartkarma in 2019 (145 deals all-in) was, coincidentally, 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 December 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 December update




Cardinal Resources (CDV AU) 

23-Dec: Cardinal Resources: Shandong's Indicative Bump
24-Dec: Cardinal Resources (CDV AU). Exit Nord Gold, Enter Dongshan.




Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU) 

No December update




DWS Ltd (DWS AU) 

24-Dec: Scheme effective




Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) 

7-Dec: Link Admin (LNK AU): SS&amp;C Trumps PEP/Carlyle




Northern Star Resources (NST AU) 

10-Dec: Scheme book registered with ASIC for the Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) / Northern Star Resources (NST AU) merger. IFA says fair &amp; reasonable.




Regis Healthcare (REG AU) 

No December update




Think Childcare (TNK AU) 

No December update




Village Roadshow (VRL AU) 

4-Dec: BGH declares Offer for Village Roadshow (VRL AU) "best and final".   7-Dec: Both resolutions passed - 83.71% for Structure A and 84.95% for Structure B. Trading in Village Roadshow (VRL AU) to be suspended at the close of trading on the 16 December. 




Vitalharvest Freehold Trust (VTH AU) 

No December update











Hong Kong


Comments (with links to announcements &amp; insights)




Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (579 HK) 

8-Dec: Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (579 HK)'s composite doc delayed, as expected, to 31 Dec (on or before), from 8 Dec.
31-Dec: Composite doc is now out. THe H share class meeting is the 19 Feb. IFA says fair &amp; reasonable. 




Car Inc (699 HK) 
4-Dec: Car Inc (699 HK) has delayed the despatch of its Composite Doc to "within 7 days of fulfilment of the Pre-Conditions or 21 May 2021 (being 7 days following the No December update



CIMC-TianDa Holdings (445 HK) 
24-Dec: Scheme approved




Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) 

10-Dec: StubWorld: Last Roll Of The Dice For Haier




Hengxing Gold Holding (2303 HK) 

22-Dec: Scheme Document has now been issued. The EGM is the 13 January. First day of dealing in the new SDGM H shares is the 5 February. IFA says fair &amp; reasonable.




Shanghai Prime Machinery H (2345 HK) 

5-Dec: Pre-cons fulfilled for the Shanghai Prime Machinery H (2345 HK) Offer. Composite Doc to be despatched on or before the 11 December. 
10-Dec: Offer doc despatched.




Sun Art Retail (6808 HK) 

18-Dec: The MGO for Sun Art Retail (6808 HK) has closed with Alibaba holding 83.37%. The free float has fallen to 15.8159%. Alibaba will take steps to restore the float. Shares will continue to trade. 












India


Comments (with links to insights)




Allcargo Logistics (AGLL IN) 

No December update




Hexaware Technologies (HEXW IN) 

No December update




INEOS Styrolution India Limited (INEOS IN) 

2-Dec: INEOS Styrolution India Limited (INEOS IN) has been on a tear since just before earnings on 10 November.  The stock is up nearly 40% since the beginning of November.  Standalone net profit rose 262%yoy in the quarter to Rs 35.84 crore. Sales were down 10%yoy to Rs 394.58 crore.











Japan


Comments (with links to insights)




Cocokara Fine (3098 JP) 
No December update



Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP) 

No December update




Imasen Electric Industrial (7266 JP) 

9-Dec: The results of the Imasen Electric Industrial (7266 JP) Tender Offer have been announced. 7.161mm shares were tendered against a 5.209mm share buy which means a 72.75% pro-ration. 




Japan Asia (3751 JP) 

11-Dec: City Index Eleventh is now 14.91% of the register at Japan Asia (3751 JP).




Joban Kaihatsu (1782 JP) 

25-Dec: The bidder for Joban Kaihatsu (1782 JP) announced a change in the end date for the Tender Offer, changing the end date from 28 December 2020 to 25 January 2021.  28-Dec: Today Black Clover Limited reported that they had increased their position in Joban Kaihatsu (1782 JP) to 10.97%. 




Kansai Mirai Financial (7321 JP) 

10-Dec: The Tender Offer for Kansai Mirai Financial (7321 JP), interestingly, ended up gaining more shares tendered than the minimum. 34.44mm showed up. The pro-ration is 100% so no issues there, but it likely means other cross-holders decided to take the cash.




Keihanshin Building (8818 JP) 

17-Dec:  UGS and Strategic extended their partial tender offer for Keihanshin Building (8818 JP) from 17 Dec 2020 to 12 Jan 2021. It is not clear why - if the shares fall a bit, they could get hit, otherwise this is destined to be unsuccessful. 




Kenedix Inc (4321 JP) 

7-Dec: Fidelity was a 9+% holder of Kenedix Inc (4321 JP)  prior to the Tender Offer being launched and today reported that they are a 0.92% holder triggered by a change effective on 30 November.




Medical &amp; Biological Laboratories (4557 JP) 

No December update




NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP) 

2-Dec: The NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP) selldown for TOPIX was expected to be 30-33mm shares. We saw 34.8mm shares on the day which is about 26-28mm shares more than normal. That should be the last of the Docomo selling by passive. From now until month-end it is basically just the residual and arbs selling to each other.




Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP) 

11-Dec: It appears that DCM Holdings (3050 JP) has not extended the Tender Offer for Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP) which they had extended until today.  That suggests they are done with their bid, or that they will go in partnership to launch a new one.  I expect it is the former.
14-Dec: DCM Holdings (3050 JP)'s Tender Offer lapses.  They needed 19+mm shares to succeed. They got 32,000.  Nothing done here.  It looks like Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)'s bid for Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP) goes through.
29-Dec: Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) today announced that it had successfully completed the Tender Offer for Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP), gaining 77.04% of the shares outstanding. 




Softbrain (4779 JP) 

No December update




Tohto Suisan (8038 JP) 

No December update




Tokyo Dome Corp (9681 JP) 

1-Dec: Tokyo Dome – Assessing the Realism of Oasis Estimates
3-Dec: ISS Takes Umbrage with Tokyo Dome, Recommends Booting the CEO from the Board
8-Dec: Oasis Agrees To Tender Tokyo Dome (9681) - This Changes Things
17-Dec: Mitsui Fudosan (8801 JP) announces Tender Agreement with Oasis on Tokyo Dome Corp (9681 JP) 




Yomiuri Land (9671 JP) 

No December update










Malaysia


Comments (with links to insights and announcements)




Batu Kawan Bhd (BAK MK) 

No December update











Singapore


Comments (with links to announcements)




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

6-Dec: Chalk one up for investors as the ESR-REIT (EREIT SP) / Sabana Shari’ah Compliant REIT (SSREIT SP) merger is voted down.













Thailand


Comments 




COL PCL (COL TB) 
No December update












Middle East


Comments 




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

No December update










Europe/UK


Comments (with links to announcements and insights)




Ahlstrom-Munksjo (AM1 FH) 
No December update



Altice NV A (ATC NA) 


16-Dec: Next Private increases offer price to EUR 5.35 Boussard &amp; Gavaudan, Diameter, Elliott, LB Partners, Lucerne, Sessa, Sheffield and Winterbrook commit to tender their Listed Shares under the Offer.




Aryzta AG (ARYN VX) 


No December update




CaixaBank SA (CABK SM) 
7-Dec: CaixaBank - Bankia: Merger Approval at the EGMs, Spread




Entra ASA (ENTRA NO) 

28-Dec: Entra - SBB - Castellum: Bidding War Heats Up




G4S PLC (GFS LN) 

2-Dec: GardaWorld has increased its offer for G4S PLC (GFS LN) to GBp 235/ share and has said that the new offer is final and will not be increased further.
8-Dec: G4S has agreed to a 245 pence per share takeover offer from U.S.-based Allied Universal, the companies said on Tuesday, days after Canada’s GardaWorld had sweetened its bid to 235 pence per share for the British company.
11-Dec: Allied Universal's Agreed Offer




Globalwafers (6488 TT) 
21-Dec: GlobalWafers Cash Offer




Play Communications SA (1P1 GR) 
No December update



RSA Insurance (RSA LN) 
No December update



Talktalk Telecom (TALK LN) 
No December update



William Hill (WMH LN) 
No December update





Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

The Asia HY Trade Book for the month of December includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also features relative value charts and lists of the bonds in the Lucror Asia HY index.

  The Asia HY Trade Book for the month of December includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also features relative value charts and lists of the bonds in the Lucror Asia HY index. 

Asia HY Trade Book - December 2020 - Lucror Analytics

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

*SEC Settlement: On December 16, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Luckin Coffee had agreed to pay USD 180 mn to settle regulatory claims that it made its growth metrics appear more robust to meet earnings targets and achieve a better IPO valuation. As per usual when these cases are settled, Luckin Coffee neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s claim of fraud; and*Will CAR Crash Next?: In addition to the common ownership of Luckin Coffee and CAR, Inc. (699.HK), and common former senior company officer problem, we also note that Ernst &amp; Young in mainland China audits both Luckin Coffee and CAR, Inc. That in and of itself does not suggest there is a problem, but the commonality does raise eyebrows. While we are not suggesting that there is a problem with CAR Inc., there are areas where we see where the investment community could challenge CAR Inc. and seek a re-audit for CAR between 2008-18.

*SEC Settlement: On December 16, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Luckin Coffee had agreed to pay USD 180 mn to settle regulatory claims that it made its growth metrics appear more robust to meet earnings targets and achieve a better IPO valuation. As per usual when these cases are settled, Luckin Coffee neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s claim of fraud; and*Will CAR Crash Next?: In addition to the common ownership of Luckin Coffee and CAR, Inc. (699.HK), and common former senior company officer problem, we also note that Ernst &amp; Young in mainland China audits both Luckin Coffee and CAR, Inc. That in and of itself does not suggest there is a problem, but the commonality does raise eyebrows. While we are not suggesting that there is a problem with CAR Inc., there are areas where we see where the investment community could challenge CAR Inc. and seek a re-audit for CAR between 2008-18. 

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-16010'>Agung Podomoro Land</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-942'>Car Inc</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-7613'>China Aoyuan Property</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-479'>Evergrande</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-9757'>Fantasia Holdings Group Co</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-22202'>Vedanta Resources</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Agung Podomoro LandCar IncChina Aoyuan PropertyEvergrandeFantasia Holdings Group CoVedanta Resources

Morning Views Asia: Agung Podomoro Land, Car Inc, China Aoyuan Property, Evergrande

China

CAR Inc generates revenue primarily from car rental business and used car sales. The Company provides short-term and long-term rentals, and financial leasing services.  In addition, Car Inc offers other value-added services including accident coverage packages, GPS navigation systems, 24/7 roadside assistance, etc.

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Car Inc (699 HK)

Car Inc (699 HK): Are We Missing Anything?

I believe this deal remains on track to complete, and well ahead of the pre-con long stop date. MBK also has an excellent completion rate on firm...

David Blennerhassett

(Mostly) Asia M&A: 2020 Roundup

The average premium for the 19 new deals discussed on Smartkarma in December was ~27% and the YTD average premium for all 158 deals is ~31%. The...

David Blennerhassett

Asia HY Trade Book - December 2020 - Lucror Analytics

The Asia HY Trade Book for the month of December includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also...

Lucror Analytics

Luckin Coffee – Bad Luckin

LUCKIN COFFEE: On December 16, 2020, the SEC announced that Luckin had agreed to pay USD 180 mn to settle regulatory claims. Related CAR Inc. needs...

Thomas J. Monaco

Morning Views Asia: Agung Podomoro Land, Car Inc, China Aoyuan Property, Evergrande

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

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