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.

Event-Driven

Hollysys Automation Technologies / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Bloomberg reports that the Recco consortium is considering “<em>a significantly higher</em>” <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> offer than Ascendent’s US$26.50 binding offer.</li>
<li>The Hollysys 6-K filling outlines the closing conditions - a simple majority YES vote, regulatory approvals, minimum net cash (waivable) and a 10% maximum dissent condition (waivable).  </li>
<li>Recco is a committed suitor and will not easily give up. The merger agreement clauses point to a Recco offer floor of US$27.03 and a ceiling of US$30.48.</li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that the Recco consortium is considering “a significantly higher” Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) offer than Ascendent’s US$26.50 binding offer.
The Hollysys 6-K filling outlines the closing conditions - a simple majority YES vote, regulatory approvals, minimum net cash (waivable) and a 10% maximum dissent condition (waivable).  
Recco is a committed suitor and will not easily give up. The merger agreement clauses point to a Recco offer floor of US$27.03 and a ceiling of US$30.48.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Merger Agreement Leaves the Door Ajar for a Higher Recco Offer

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> has agreed to be acquired by Ascendent Capital, the largest shareholder, for US$26.50, a 16.7% premium to the last close.   </li>
<li>The Board's claims of realising the highest shareholder value are not credible. The Board fails to explain why Ascendent’s offer is superior to Recco’s, although both have the same value.</li>
<li>Deal fatigue (the process first started in December 2020) and the 42% premium to the undisturbed price suggests meeting the simple majority threshold for a statutory merger is achievable.</li>
</ul>



Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) has agreed to be acquired by Ascendent Capital, the largest shareholder, for US$26.50, a 16.7% premium to the last close.   
The Board's claims of realising the highest shareholder value are not credible. The Board fails to explain why Ascendent’s offer is superior to Recco’s, although both have the same value.
Deal fatigue (the process first started in December 2020) and the 42% premium to the undisturbed price suggests meeting the simple majority threshold for a statutory merger is achievable.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Questionable Process Results in Ascendent’s Winning US$26.50 Bid

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> Board has finally succumbed to shareholder pressure by targeting a special meeting of shareholders in the week commencing 22 January 2024.</li>
<li>The special meeting is a side event as the Board targets a binding proposal by mid-December, with some bidders proceeding to the confirmatory due diligence stage.</li>
<li>The BVI takeover structure and Hollysys’ undemanding valuation facilitate a competitive bidding process. A 10% uplift to the current highest offer (Recco’s US$26.50 offer) is possible.</li>
</ul>


The Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) Board has finally succumbed to shareholder pressure by targeting a special meeting of shareholders in the week commencing 22 January 2024.
The special meeting is a side event as the Board targets a binding proposal by mid-December, with some bidders proceeding to the confirmatory due diligence stage.
The BVI takeover structure and Hollysys’ undemanding valuation facilitate a competitive bidding process. A 10% uplift to the current highest offer (Recco’s US$26.50 offer) is possible.


Hollysys (HOLI US): Progress as a Binding Proposal Targeted for Mid-December

<ul>
<li>Ascendent Capital has made a <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=317844343&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=eb09d796c5e38b2cb3fcc4b11a699c1a&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=SC+13D&amp;dateFiled=2023-11-06" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-binding proposal</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> at US$26.00 per share, a 4.0% premium to the MBO and Recco proposal of US$25.00 per share. </li>
<li>Ascendent has also become the largest shareholder by securing 13.69% of outstanding shares at an average price of A$20.84 per share. Ascendant is supportive of the special meeting request.</li>
<li>The Board has tried several delaying tactics, but the emergence of Ascendant ramps up the pressure on the Board to conduct a transparent sale process and address shareholder concerns. </li>
</ul>


Ascendent Capital has made a non-binding proposal for Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) at US$26.00 per share, a 4.0% premium to the MBO and Recco proposal of US$25.00 per share. 
Ascendent has also become the largest shareholder by securing 13.69% of outstanding shares at an average price of A$20.84 per share. Ascendant is supportive of the special meeting request.
The Board has tried several delaying tactics, but the emergence of Ascendant ramps up the pressure on the Board to conduct a transparent sale process and address shareholder concerns. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): Ascendent Capital Joins the Fray

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

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.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyse the changes of A-H premium on 146 stocks over the last week. The average A-H premium was 117.6% as of Nov 3rd.</li>
<li>The average A-H premium changed by -1.5ppt week on week, led by utilities, information technology, communication services and offset by energy.</li>
<li>We highlight weekly changes in A-H premium for Ganfeng Lithium, China Merchant Securities and Wuapptec.</li>
</ul>


We analyse the changes of A-H premium on 146 stocks over the last week. The average A-H premium was 117.6% as of Nov 3rd.
The average A-H premium changed by -1.5ppt week on week, led by utilities, information technology, communication services and offset by energy.
We highlight weekly changes in A-H premium for Ganfeng Lithium, China Merchant Securities and Wuapptec.


A-H Premium Weekly (Nov 3rd): Ganfeng Lithium, CMS, Wuxi Apptec

China

China Railway Signal & Communication Corporation Limited manufactures rail transit related systems. The Company researches, develops, designs, manufactures, sells and installs rail transit communication and signal systems. China Railway Signal & Communication also provides consulting, design and supervision work for urban transit projects and mainline railway projects.

China Railway Signal & Communi (688009 CH)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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China Railway Signal & Communi (688009 CH)

Hollysys (HOLI US): Merger Agreement Leaves the Door Ajar for a Higher Recco Offer

Bloomberg reports that the Recco consortium is considering “a significantly higher” offer. The merger agreement clauses point to a Recco offer...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Questionable Process Results in Ascendent’s Winning US$26.50 Bid

Despite a dubious sales process, deal fatigue and the 42% premium to the undisturbed price should help get the vote up. At the last close, the...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Progress as a Binding Proposal Targeted for Mid-December

An SEC filing on Friday disclosed that Ascendent Capital (13.7% shareholder) entered a confidentiality agreement with Hollysys, which includes a...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Ascendent Capital Joins the Fray

The Recco consortium has bumped its non-binding offer to US$26.50 per share, 1.9% higher than Ascendent’s offer. Recco notes that “shareholders...

Arun George

A-H Premium Weekly (Nov 3rd): Ganfeng Lithium, CMS, Wuxi Apptec

We analyzed A-H premium changes in the past week and highlight A-H premium changes for Ganfeng Lithium, China Merchant Securities and Wuapptec.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)