Founder & CEO Bond Angle, LLC, Bond Angle, LLC

Vicki Bryan

Founder & CEO Bond Angle, LLC

Bond Angle, LLC

Insightful commentary and analysis on bond markets and market movers, including financial, economic, and industry catalysts and management shenanigans. 

High yield market investment research

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It's official: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/the-we-company-wework" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28061:1" rel="noopener">The We Company (WeWork) (WE US)</a> has decided to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-16/wework-is-said-to-likely-delay-ipo-after-valuation-plummets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pull its IPO for now, but still expects to complete it by yearend.</a>Don't hold your breath.This comes just days after WeWork <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-we-company-ipo-wework-confirms-nasdaq-listing-governance-changes-2019-9?utm_source=notification&amp;utm_medium=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed an amended S-1</a> announcing plans to list its new shares on the Nasdaq index even as its IPO valuation continues to dissolve. Reuters had reported on Friday that deal insiders were considering an implied equity valuation of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wework-ipo-valuation-exclusive-idUSKCN1VY1PB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just $10-12 billion,</a> a stunning 78% drop versus the extravagant $47 billion floated since January. My analysis shows even $10 billion is too high.So it's not surprising that long-term backer and top investor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)</a>, arguably the most responsible for WeWork's incredible equity valuations, had <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/111f8e00-d346-11e9-8367-807ebd53ab77" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urged the company to scuttle the IPO</a> given the "cool reception" it's been getting.Yet WeWork is compelled to push on regardless, seemingly <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f28474a2-d57e-11e9-a0bd-ab8ec6435630" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready to concede to any terms</a>to get a deal done, because its financial condition is much more fragile than it has been trying to project. It has little time to waste and few alternatives.That means Plan B must already be in the works.Either way, risk has intensified for WeWork's overpriced bonds.Read on for Bond Angle analysis: How did WeWork get so expensive and What's next? Plus a new WeWork model, equity valuation and forecast, and more.

It's official: The We Company (WeWork) (WE US) has decided to pull its IPO for now, but still expects to complete it by yearend.Don't hold your breath.This comes just days after WeWork filed an amended S-1 announcing plans to list its new shares on the Nasdaq index even as its IPO valuation continues to dissolve. Reuters had reported on Friday that deal insiders were considering an implied equity valuation of just $10-12 billion, a stunning 78% drop versus the extravagant $47 billion floated since January. My analysis shows even $10 billion is too high.So it's not surprising that long-term backer and top investor Softbank Corp (9434 JP), arguably the most responsible for WeWork's incredible equity valuations, had urged the company to scuttle the IPO given the "cool reception" it's been getting.Yet WeWork is compelled to push on regardless, seemingly ready to concede to any termsto get a deal done, because its financial condition is much more fragile than it has been trying to project. It has little time to waste and few alternatives.That means Plan B must already be in the works.Either way, risk has intensified for WeWork's overpriced bonds.Read on for Bond Angle analysis: How did WeWork get so expensive and What's next? Plus a new WeWork model, equity valuation and forecast, and more.

Gravity Works As WeWork Doesn't; Now Plan B

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The market cap of Vision Fund portfolio company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/the-we-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28061:1" rel="noopener">The We Company (WeWork) (WE US)</a> has fallen decisively below that of rival <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iwg-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28219:1" rel="noopener">IWG PLC (IWG LN)</a> for the first time</li>
<li>Still despite WeWork's constant drag on portfolio returns including c. $500mn this quarter, Vision Fund remains on track to end the quarter in the black (+$2bn QTD)</li>
<li>The holding company discount appears to have stabilized at 35% but this seems a bit steep with markets volatile again and a move to 40% would not surprise</li>
</ul>


The market cap of Vision Fund portfolio company The We Company (WeWork) (WE US) has fallen decisively below that of rival IWG PLC (IWG LN) for the first time
Still despite WeWork's constant drag on portfolio returns including c. $500mn this quarter, Vision Fund remains on track to end the quarter in the black (+$2bn QTD)
The holding company discount appears to have stabilized at 35% but this seems a bit steep with markets volatile again and a move to 40% would not surprise


Softbank Group - Requiem for WeWork’s Premium Valuation

WeWork and Bow Capital SPAC (BOWX US) announced agreement on a SPAC merger that would allow WeWork to reach public markets in Q3 21 at a suggested post-money enterprise value of $9bn. Expectations for a deal of this magnitude have been well-telegraphed so the announcement is not a surprise whilst, since it is a SPAC deal, a lack of financial statements/history isn’t either. We do know how the $9bn value is being justified and it is a bit of a stretch: markets need to believe WeWork can double its in-office user base and triple overall users, even as ARPUs rise and the absolute level of operating costs declines. Meanwhile, the only public comparable <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iwg-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28219:1" rel="noopener">IWG PLC (IWG LN)</a>  is roughly the same size with the same resources but has yet to recover value lost to the pandemic.

WeWork and Bow Capital SPAC (BOWX US) announced agreement on a SPAC merger that would allow WeWork to reach public markets in Q3 21 at a suggested post-money enterprise value of $9bn. Expectations for a deal of this magnitude have been well-telegraphed so the announcement is not a surprise whilst, since it is a SPAC deal, a lack of financial statements/history isn’t either. We do know how the $9bn value is being justified and it is a bit of a stretch: markets need to believe WeWork can double its in-office user base and triple overall users, even as ARPUs rise and the absolute level of operating costs declines. Meanwhile, the only public comparable IWG PLC (IWG LN)  is roughly the same size with the same resources but has yet to recover value lost to the pandemic.

WeWork - Still Asking for Way More than They Are Worth

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Although Japan is not out of the woods in terms of COVID-19 and the vaccine is not yet found, let alone distributed, investors have rushed to own <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tkp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28305:1" rel="noopener"> TKP Corporation (3479 JP)</a> as it was seemingly cheap in terms of PBR. The reality was that COVID-19 economic impact caused a weak earning and a secondary offering that boosted the book value has made the company's PBR looks cheap. TKP is the only one with negative earnings compared to its peers, underlining the economic reality that the company is more exposed to.
TKP's share price has risen more than doubled to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Its peers such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kenedix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11321:1" rel="noopener">Kenedix Inc (4321 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/katitas-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26073:1" rel="noopener">Katitas Co Ltd (8919 JP)</a> share price rose almost double but their business remains profitable during COVID-19 while TKP's earnings have turned negative. Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business condition improvement and the meteoric share price increase.

Although Japan is not out of the woods in terms of COVID-19 and the vaccine is not yet found, let alone distributed, investors have rushed to own  TKP Corporation (3479 JP) as it was seemingly cheap in terms of PBR. The reality was that COVID-19 economic impact caused a weak earning and a secondary offering that boosted the book value has made the company's PBR looks cheap. TKP is the only one with negative earnings compared to its peers, underlining the economic reality that the company is more exposed to.
TKP's share price has risen more than doubled to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Its peers such as Kenedix Inc (4321 JP) and Katitas Co Ltd (8919 JP) share price rose almost double but their business remains profitable during COVID-19 while TKP's earnings have turned negative. Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business condition improvement and the meteoric share price increase. 

TKP (3479): Slow Recovery yet Share Price Has More than Doubled?

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Ucommune Group Holdings Ltd / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ucommune-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:775:1" rel="noopener">Ucommune Group (UK US)</a> is the most recognised co-working space brand in China according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. It has filed for a US IPO to raise $100 million. However, the deal size is likely a placeholder for an IPO that could raise $200 million, according to press reports.<div class="content-highlight">Despite <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/we-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28061:1" rel="noopener">The We Company (WeWork) (WE US)</a> fiasco remaining fresh in the minds of investors along with carrying the tag of China’s answer to WeWork, Ucommune is rushing to IPO as soon as this month, according to press reports. We believe that like WeWork, Ucommune's fundamentals struggle to establish a clear path to profitability.</div>

Ucommune Group (UK US) is the most recognised co-working space brand in China according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. It has filed for a US IPO to raise $100 million. However, the deal size is likely a placeholder for an IPO that could raise $200 million, according to press reports.Despite The We Company (WeWork) (WE US) fiasco remaining fresh in the minds of investors along with carrying the tag of China’s answer to WeWork, Ucommune is rushing to IPO as soon as this month, according to press reports. We believe that like WeWork, Ucommune's fundamentals struggle to establish a clear path to profitability.

Ucommune IPO Initiation: Hot Desk, Cold Comfort

Switzerland

IWG PLC operates as a holding company. The company owns and provides office space.

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IWG PLC (IWG LN)

Gravity Works As WeWork Doesn't; Now Plan B

WSJ reports that WeWork will file bankruptcy next week, pending ongoing discussions with its beleaguered creditors. Surprised? You shouldn't be....

Vicki Bryan

Softbank Group - Requiem for WeWork’s Premium Valuation

WeWork’s market cap has fallen decisively below that of rival IWG for the first time as concerns on operating losses and free cash flow rise. It’s...

Kirk Boodry

WeWork - Still Asking for Way More than They Are Worth

WeWork's SPAC deal values it at $9bn but predictably that is too high. We look at fundamental reasons why although as a SPAC merger, values depend...

Kirk Boodry

Ucommune IPO Initiation: Hot Desk, Cold Comfort

Ucommune Group (UK US) is the most recognised co-working space brand in China according to Frost & Sullivan. It has filed for a US IPO to raise...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Gravity Works As WeWork Doesn't; Now Plan B

WSJ reports that WeWork will file bankruptcy next week, pending ongoing discussions with its beleaguered creditors. Surprised? You shouldn't be....

Vicki Bryan

Softbank Group - Requiem for WeWork’s Premium Valuation

WeWork’s market cap has fallen decisively below that of rival IWG for the first time as concerns on operating losses and free cash flow rise. It’s...

Kirk Boodry

WeWork - Still Asking for Way More than They Are Worth

WeWork's SPAC deal values it at $9bn but predictably that is too high. We look at fundamental reasons why although as a SPAC merger, values depend...

Kirk Boodry

TKP (3479): Slow Recovery yet Share Price Has More than Doubled?

TKP's share price has risen doubled compared to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business...

Henry Soediarko

Ucommune IPO Initiation: Hot Desk, Cold Comfort

Ucommune Group (UK US) is the most recognised co-working space brand in China according to Frost & Sullivan. It has filed for a US IPO to raise...

Arun George