SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Equity Bottom-Up

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 <img src='https://api2.sgx.com/sites/default/files/2022-01/Capture_8.PNG' alt='Timeline of SREIT proposed and completed M&As since 2018' />
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 <div class='content-caption'>Timeline of SREIT proposed and completed M&As since 2018</div>
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For S-Reits, listing on the exchange is the beginning of a journey. Twenty-four S-Reits had announced asset acquisitions valued at over S$15.3 billion and exceeding S$12.7 billion in total purchase consideration in 2021.

Aside from asset acquisitions, S-Reits have also been active in terms of mergers and acquisition (M&amp;A) opportunities. They have seen at least 5 consolidations since 2018 and could be seeing 2 more this year.

The 5 consolidated S-Reits since 2018 are CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (by CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust), Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust (by Frasers Commercial Trust and Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust), Ascott Residence Trust (by Ascott Residence Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust), OUE Commercial REIT (OUE Commercial REIT and OUE Hospitality Trust), and ESR-REIT (by ESR-REIT and Viva Industrial Trust). 
Most recently announced on Dec 31, 2021 is the proposed merger between Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) to form Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT). 
The proposed merger is expected to propel the combined entity to be the seventh largest REIT listed in Asia with a market capitalisation of approximately S$10.5 billion. 
The combined portfolio will consist of 18 commercial assets diversified across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea with assets under management (AUM) of approximately S$17.1 billion (per MCT’s AUM as of 30 September 2021 and MNACT’s AUM as of 31 October 2021). 
The proposed merger is expected to be effected by a trust scheme of arrangement with MCT acquiring all MNACT Units in exchange for new units in MCT or a combination of cash and MCT Units.

Reit managers of MCT and MNACT view the merger as an opportunity to bring together 2 leading commercial Reits with highly complementary qualities and see the combined portfolio in providing higher financial flexibility and debt headroom to accelerate its growth and acquisitions.

The new entity is also expected to benefit from the increased representation in key indices and potentially attract a wider investor base and improved trading liquidity.

Another proposed merger in progress is by ESR-Reit and Ara Logos Logistics Trust (ALOG) to form ESR-LOGOS REIT (E-LOG), with a core focus on new economy real estate. 
The combined entity, E-LOG, will hold a diversified portfolio of 87 properties consisting of logistics/warehouse, high-specifications industrial properties, business parks and general industrial properties with total assets of approximately S$5.4 billion across Singapore and Australia (as of 30 June 2021). 
Similarly, via a trust scheme, the proposed merger will see ESR-Reit acquire all units in ALOG in exchange for a combination of cash and new units in ESR-Reit.

Reit managers of ESR-Reit and ALOG have noted that the proposed merger will enhance E-LOG's growth trajectory backed by its sponsor, ESR Group, by providing access to the sponsor's new economy pipeline properties in Asia-Pacific worth over US$50 billion.  REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/s-reits-bigger-and-bolder-over-the-years">read </a>the original version.
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    Timeline of SREIT proposed and completed M&As since 2018


For S-Reits, listing on the exchange is the beginning of a journey. Twenty-four S-Reits had announced asset acquisitions valued at over S$15.3 billion and exceeding S$12.7 billion in total purchase consideration in 2021.

Aside from asset acquisitions, S-Reits have also been active in terms of mergers and acquisition (M&amp;A) opportunities. They have seen at least 5 consolidations since 2018 and could be seeing 2 more this year.

The 5 consolidated S-Reits since 2018 are CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (by CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust), Frasers Logistics &amp; Commercial Trust (by Frasers Commercial Trust and Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust), Ascott Residence Trust (by Ascott Residence Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust), OUE Commercial REIT (OUE Commercial REIT and OUE Hospitality Trust), and ESR-REIT (by ESR-REIT and Viva Industrial Trust).  
Most recently announced on Dec 31, 2021 is the proposed merger between Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) to form Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT).  
The proposed merger is expected to propel the combined entity to be the seventh largest REIT listed in Asia with a market capitalisation of approximately S$10.5 billion.  
The combined portfolio will consist of 18 commercial assets diversified across Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea with assets under management (AUM) of approximately S$17.1 billion (per MCT’s AUM as of 30 September 2021 and MNACT’s AUM as of 31 October 2021).  
The proposed merger is expected to be effected by a trust scheme of arrangement with MCT acquiring all MNACT Units in exchange for new units in MCT or a combination of cash and MCT Units.

Reit managers of MCT and MNACT view the merger as an opportunity to bring together 2 leading commercial Reits with highly complementary qualities and see the combined portfolio in providing higher financial flexibility and debt headroom to accelerate its growth and acquisitions.

The new entity is also expected to benefit from the increased representation in key indices and potentially attract a wider investor base and improved trading liquidity.

Another proposed merger in progress is by ESR-Reit and Ara Logos Logistics Trust (ALOG) to form ESR-LOGOS REIT (E-LOG), with a core focus on new economy real estate.  
The combined entity, E-LOG, will hold a diversified portfolio of 87 properties consisting of logistics/warehouse, high-specifications industrial properties, business parks and general industrial properties with total assets of approximately S$5.4 billion across Singapore and Australia (as of 30 June 2021).  
Similarly, via a trust scheme, the proposed merger will see ESR-Reit acquire all units in ALOG in exchange for a combination of cash and new units in ESR-Reit.

Reit managers of ESR-Reit and ALOG have noted that the proposed merger will enhance E-LOG's growth trajectory backed by its sponsor, ESR Group, by providing access to the sponsor's new economy pipeline properties in Asia-Pacific worth over US$50 billion.   REIT Watch is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.



REIT Watch - S-Reits: Bigger and bolder over the years

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>There are currently 45 - mostly firm - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>One new deal discussed this week - SASAC-backed Hubei Ports' tilt for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-infrastructure-logis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16710:1" rel="noopener">China Infrastructure &amp; Logistics Group (1719 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>There were updates for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/crown-resorts-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:808:1" rel="noopener">Crown Resorts (CWN AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/razer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24380:1" rel="noopener">Razer Inc (1337 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/australian-pharmaceutical-industries-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19399:1" rel="noopener">Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/katakura-industries-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2007:1" rel="noopener">Katakura Industries (3001 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/irongate-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30897:1" rel="noopener">Irongate Group (IAP AU)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


There are currently 45 - mostly firm - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma.
One new deal discussed this week - SASAC-backed Hubei Ports' tilt for China Infrastructure &amp; Logistics Group (1719 HK).
There were updates for Crown Resorts (CWN AU), Razer Inc (1337 HK), Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API AU), Katakura Industries (3001 JP), and Irongate Group (IAP AU).



Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Summary: Razer, Crown Resorts, Katakura, Ausnutria, API, Irongate

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> announced it would start executing on its buyback mandate (10% of H-shares out (2.047bn shares). This is potentially enormous. And absolutely praise-worthy.</li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mapletree-commercial-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:106:1" rel="noopener">Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT SP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mapletree-north-asia-commercial-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5127:1" rel="noopener">Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MAGIC SP)</a> prospective merger means a lot of flow. Lots and lots of flow. </li>
<li>The market was assigning ₩18bn (₩232,000/share) less for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem (051910 KS)</a> stub ops since December 2020, when the battery business division (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-energy-solution" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33464:1" rel="noopener">LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS)</a>) was carved out.</li>
</ul>



China Mobile (941 HK) announced it would start executing on its buyback mandate (10% of H-shares out (2.047bn shares). This is potentially enormous. And absolutely praise-worthy.
The Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT SP) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MAGIC SP) prospective merger means a lot of flow. Lots and lots of flow. 
The market was assigning ₩18bn (₩232,000/share) less for LG Chem (051910 KS) stub ops since December 2020, when the battery business division (LG Energy Solution (LGENERGY KS)) was carved out.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Mapletree Merger, China Mobile, LG Chem, China Logistics

<ul>
<li>There are currently 45 - mostly firm - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma</li>
<li>For a change of pace, there were no new deals this week discussed on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>There were updates for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/katakura-industries-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2007:1" rel="noopener">Katakura Industries (3001 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-logistics-property-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22799:1" rel="noopener">China Logistics Property Holdings (1589 HK)</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10934:1" rel="noopener">ESR-REIT (EREIT SP)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ara-logos-logistics-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:937:1" rel="noopener">ARA LOGOS (ALLT SP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yorkey-optical-international-cayman" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12407:1" rel="noopener">Yorkey Optical International Cayman (2788 HK)</a>.</li>
</ul>


There are currently 45 - mostly firm - transactions currently being discussed and analysed on Smartkarma
For a change of pace, there were no new deals this week discussed on Smartkarma.
There were updates for Katakura Industries (3001 JP), China Logistics Property Holdings (1589 HK),  ESR-REIT (EREIT SP)/ARA LOGOS (ALLT SP), and Yorkey Optical International Cayman (2788 HK).


Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Summary: ARA LOGOS, Katakura Industries, China Logistics, Yorkey Optical

Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>On 31 December 2021, MCT and MNACT announced a SGD4.2 billion merger transaction </li>
<li>The prevailing sentiment is that MNACT unitholders get a better deal than MCT unitholders, as reflected in the share price and Moody's review of MCT's issuer rating for downgrade</li>
<li>In this Insight, we play the the devil's advocate and highlight how this merger results in a net benefit to MCT's unitholders</li>
</ul>


On 31 December 2021, MCT and MNACT announced a SGD4.2 billion merger transaction 
The prevailing sentiment is that MNACT unitholders get a better deal than MCT unitholders, as reflected in the share price and Moody's review of MCT's issuer rating for downgrade
In this Insight, we play the the devil's advocate and highlight how this merger results in a net benefit to MCT's unitholders


MCT and MNACT Merger - Against Expectations, Could MCT Be a Net Beneficiary?

Singapore

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust is a Singapore-focused real estate investment trust. The Trust invests on a long-term basis, directly or indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate used primarily for office and/or retail purposes, whether wholly or partially, as well as real estate-related assets.

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MCT SP)

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Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MCT SP)

REIT Watch - S-Reits: Bigger and bolder over the years

For S-Reits, listing on the exchange is the beginning of a journey. Twenty-four S-Reits had announced asset acquisitions valued...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Summary: Razer, Crown Resorts, Katakura, Ausnutria, API, Irongate

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: Mapletree Merger, China Mobile, LG Chem, China Logistics

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Asia-Pac Weekly Risk Arb Summary: ARA LOGOS, Katakura Industries, China Logistics, Yorkey Optical

This insight provides a summary of gross/annualised spreads (on deals discussed on Smartkarma) across Asia-Pacific as at the last trading date, and...

David Blennerhassett

MCT and MNACT Merger - Against Expectations, Could MCT Be a Net Beneficiary?

After MCT and MNACT merger was announced, the prevailing sentiment is that MNACT gets a better deal than MCT. We examine how the merger could...

Jason Yap, CFA

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