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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-09/l-occitane-boss-is-said-in-advanced-talks-on-6-5-billion-buyout?in_source=embedded-checkout-banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Bloomberg</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.</li>
<li>The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.</li>
<li>The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. </li>
</ul>



According to Bloomberg, L'Occitane (973 HK) is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.
The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.
The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-25/l-occitane-owner-said-to-mull-buyout-of-4-billion-beauty-firm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Bloomberg</a>. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.</li>
<li>The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.</li>
<li>L’Occitane released a solid <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0725/2023072500263.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1QFY2024 update</a> today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. </li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, according to Bloomberg. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.
The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.
L’Occitane released a solid 1QFY2024 update today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.</li>
<li>The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. </li>
<li>Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.
The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. 
Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).


L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> announced that the share alternative pre-condition was satisfied. However, The share alternative offer is at the offeror’s discretion and with the consent of the financing parties. </li>
<li>The share alternative offer poses a dilemma due to the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the upper limit of the share alternative offer.</li>
<li>The share alternative offer is a play on higher multiples by relisting the business. At HK$50.00, L’Occitane would trade in line with its median global beauty peers’ multiples.</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) announced that the share alternative pre-condition was satisfied. However, The share alternative offer is at the offeror’s discretion and with the consent of the financing parties. 
The share alternative offer poses a dilemma due to the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the upper limit of the share alternative offer.
The share alternative offer is a play on higher multiples by relisting the business. At HK$50.00, L’Occitane would trade in line with its median global beauty peers’ multiples.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Dilemma as the Share Alternative Pre-Condition Met

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> disclosed a conditional voluntary offer from Reinold Geiger at HK$34.00, a 15.3% premium to the last close and a 30.8% premium to the undisturbed price (5 February).</li>
<li>The minimum acceptance condition is that the offeror holds at least 90% of the shares held by disinterested shareholders, which enables the offeror to exercise compulsory acquisition rights.</li>
<li>Irrevocable and letters of support to accept represent 37.96% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer (representing an all-time high) should facilitate the offer being declared unconditional.</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) disclosed a conditional voluntary offer from Reinold Geiger at HK$34.00, a 15.3% premium to the last close and a 30.8% premium to the undisturbed price (5 February).
The minimum acceptance condition is that the offeror holds at least 90% of the shares held by disinterested shareholders, which enables the offeror to exercise compulsory acquisition rights.
Irrevocable and letters of support to accept represent 37.96% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer (representing an all-time high) should facilitate the offer being declared unconditional.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34

United States

Coty Inc. manufactures and distributes beauty products. The Company offers fragrances, color cosmetics, hygiene, sun care, and skin treatment products. Coty supplies its products to department stores, specialty retailers, mass-market retailers, and duty free shops in airports worldwide.

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Coty Inc Cl A (COTY US)

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34

The key condition is that the offeror holds at least 90% of the disinterested shares. An attractive offer (representing an all-time high) should...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the 90% minimum acceptance condition. This looks like a done deal. At the current...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Dilemma as the Share Alternative Pre-Condition Met

While a positive, the share alternative offer needs to balance the requirement to satisfy the minimum acceptance condition while not breaching the...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Conditional VGO at HK$34

The key condition is that the offeror holds at least 90% of the disinterested shares. An attractive offer (representing an all-time high) should...

Arun George