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>Dazheng (without Recco) has returned with <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231224144642/en/Buyer-Consortium-Led-by-Dazheng-Group-Announces-Enhanced-All-Cash-Proposal-of-US29.00-Per-Share-to-Acquire-Hollysys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a revised US$29.00 offer</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>, 9.4% higher than Ascendent Capital’s US$26.50 binding offer.</li>
<li>While Dazheng’s proposal represents an all-time high, it would likely not be a superior proposal based on the Ascendent merger agreement due to the clauses on financing and due diligence.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, to avoid the high risk that shareholders vote down the Ascendent offer and/or there are substantial dissenting shareholders, the Board will likely ask Ascendent to match Dazheng's offer.  </li>
</ul>


Dazheng (without Recco) has returned with a revised US$29.00 offer for Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US), 9.4% higher than Ascendent Capital’s US$26.50 binding offer.
While Dazheng’s proposal represents an all-time high, it would likely not be a superior proposal based on the Ascendent merger agreement due to the clauses on financing and due diligence.
Nevertheless, to avoid the high risk that shareholders vote down the Ascendent offer and/or there are substantial dissenting shareholders, the Board will likely ask Ascendent to match Dazheng's offer.  


Hollysys (HOLI US): Dazheng Ups the Ante with a US$29.00 Competing Offer

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 129.1% as of Dec 15th.</li>
<li>The average A-H premium changed by 0.2ppt week on week, led by consumer staples, communication services, real estate and offset by utilities, health care, information technology.</li>
<li>We highlight weekly changes in A-H premium for CMB, China Tourism, Ping An Insurance, BYD.</li>
</ul>


We analyse the changes of A-H premium on 146 stocks over the last week. The average A-H premium was 129.1% as of Dec 15th.
The average A-H premium changed by 0.2ppt week on week, led by consumer staples, communication services, real estate and offset by utilities, health care, information technology.
We highlight weekly changes in A-H premium for CMB, China Tourism, Ping An Insurance, BYD.


A-H Premium Weekly (Dec 15th): CMB, China Tourism, Ping An Insurance, BYD

<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

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 & Communication (3969 HK)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

China Railway Signal & Communication (3969 HK)

Hollysys (HOLI US): Dazheng Ups the Ante with a US$29.00 Competing Offer

While higher, the Board has the basis not to deem Dazheng’s proposal superior. However, due to the risk that shareholders vote down its offer,...

Arun George

A-H Premium Weekly (Dec 15th): CMB, China Tourism, Ping An Insurance, BYD

We analyzed A-H premium changes in the past week and highlight A-H premium changes for CMB, China Tourism, Ping An Insurance, BYD.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)