Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<div>
ANE, an express freight network operator in China for less-than-truckload (LTL) market, raised around US$143m in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is backed by a host of financial investors including Centurium, Carlyle, CDH, CPE, NWS, Ping An, Goldman Sachs and Yili.
</div>
<div>We covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes,</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/compose/insight/59814/ANE%20Logistics%20Pre-IPO%20-%20Margins%20Expanding%20but%20Appears%20to%20Be%20Falling%20Behind" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ANE Logistics Pre-IPO - Margins expanding but appears to be falling behind,</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ane-logistics-pre-ipo-phip-updates-underlying-growth-is-far-from-clear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ANE Logistics Pre-IPO - PHIP updates - Underlying growth is far from clear</a> and</li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ane-logistics-ipo-weird-disclosures-continue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ANE Logistics IPO - Weird Disclosures Continue</a></li>
</ul>
In this note, we will talk about updates since our last note
</div>


ANE, an express freight network operator in China for less-than-truckload (LTL) market, raised around US$143m in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is backed by a host of financial investors including Centurium, Carlyle, CDH, CPE, NWS, Ping An, Goldman Sachs and Yili.

We covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes,



ANE Logistics Pre-IPO - Margins expanding but appears to be falling behind, 

ANE Logistics Pre-IPO - PHIP updates - Underlying growth is far from clear and
ANE Logistics IPO - Weird Disclosures Continue

In this note, we will talk about updates since our last note


ANE Logistics IPO Trading - No Demand, We Would Stay Clear

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<div>
Just plain horrible.
Following an indicative pre-market sell-off of 35%, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/51-job-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:532:1" rel="noopener">51 Job Inc (JOBS US)</a> closed down 19.2%, and is now 20% adrift of the undisturbed price. 
The news? As per 51job's <a href="https://ir.51job.com/ir/php/2021/PreRelease20211108.php?1108" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a>:
<blockquote>
that certain members of the buyer consortium that formed Garnet Faith Limited to acquire the Company ... have been in consultation with Chinese regulators on recent regulatory changes in China that may be applicable to the Company and the Proposed Transaction. The consultation process by these buyer consortium members is currently ongoing and a clear timeline to its completion cannot be provided at this time. 
</blockquote>
</div>
"Recent regulatory changes" emerged shortly after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI US)</a>'s listing in early July, and a broad regulatory crackdown followed, casting a net over sectors from education to technology. As quoted by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology spokesperson Zhao Zhiguo back in September: "we are guiding relevant companies to carry out self-examination and rectification".
Late last month State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) proposed a list of responsibilities it wanted internet platforms to uphold. This latest edict primarily targeted large platforms (such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>) and that they should (according to a Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-proposes-guidelines-internet-platform-responsibilities-2021-10-29/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a>) "abide by the principles of fairness when offering services and should open their services up to other platform operators. They should not obtain data without users' consent and should be transparent when using big data to recommend products."  The SAMR said these were draft guidelines that were open to public consultation until yesterday.
51job.com is the leading recruitment website/platform in China. Shares rolled over in July as the regulatory oversight on internet platforms ensnared more sectors/companies. 
Yet this latest announcement from 51job provides little new news to what was already known. Timing, admittedly, was not ideal, arriving shortly on the heels of last week's <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001295484/000110465921132333/tm2131363d1_sc13da.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement</a> that funding for the Offer had progressed.  
The significant price correction yesterday - which could all but be construed as a dealbreak - can ostensibly be put down to short-term investors piling into 51job on the financing news, then turning tail, exiting en-masse after the perceived financing head-fake.  
Yesterday's price movement appears overdone.  The gross spread to terms is now out to 45.8%.
<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/240/535/original/image_87521874221636431612863.png?1636431613" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="240535"></figure>
More below the fold.
</div>


Just plain horrible.
Following an indicative pre-market sell-off of 35%, 51 Job Inc (JOBS US) closed down 19.2%, and is now 20% adrift of the undisturbed price. 
The news? As per 51job's announcement:

that certain members of the buyer consortium that formed Garnet Faith Limited to acquire the Company ... have been in consultation with Chinese regulators on recent regulatory changes in China that may be applicable to the Company and the Proposed Transaction. The consultation process by these buyer consortium members is currently ongoing and a clear timeline to its completion cannot be provided at this time. 


"Recent regulatory changes" emerged shortly after DiDi Global (DIDI US)'s listing in early July, and a broad regulatory crackdown followed, casting a net over sectors from education to technology. As quoted by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology spokesperson Zhao Zhiguo back in September: "we are guiding relevant companies to carry out self-examination and rectification".
Late last month State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) proposed a list of responsibilities it wanted internet platforms to uphold. This latest edict primarily targeted large platforms (such as Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Tencent (700 HK), and Meituan (3690 HK)) and that they should (according to a Reuters article) "abide by the principles of fairness when offering services and should open their services up to other platform operators. They should not obtain data without users' consent and should be transparent when using big data to recommend products."  The SAMR said these were draft guidelines that were open to public consultation until yesterday.
51job.com is the leading recruitment website/platform in China. Shares rolled over in July as the regulatory oversight on internet platforms ensnared more sectors/companies. 
Yet this latest announcement from 51job provides little new news to what was already known. Timing, admittedly, was not ideal, arriving shortly on the heels of last week's announcement that funding for the Offer had progressed.  
The significant price correction yesterday - which could all but be construed as a dealbreak - can ostensibly be put down to short-term investors piling into 51job on the financing news, then turning tail, exiting en-masse after the perceived financing head-fake.  
Yesterday's price movement appears overdone.  The gross spread to terms is now out to 45.8%.


More below the fold.


Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paytm-mobile-solutions-pvt-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26149:1" rel="noopener">Paytm (PAYTM IN)</a>, India’s largest digital ecosystem for consumers and merchants has opened its book-building which will run from 08th November to the 10th of November. Paytm plans to raise INR183bn (approx. US$2.4bn) through the issuance of a mix of new shares (approx. INR83bn) and existing shares (INR00bn) at an indicative price range of INR2,080-2,150 per share. At the above price range, Paytm will have a market capitalisation of INR1,351.1-1,396.6bn and a post-money enterprise value of INR1,254.1-1,296.8bn.<table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Paytm IPO Details</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">@ INR2,080 </td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">@ INR2,150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Shares Outstanding Pre-IPO (m)</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">                                            609.7</td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">                       609.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Offer Shares/New Shares Issued (m)</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">                                              39.9</td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">                         38.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Total Shares Outstanding post-IPO (m)</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">                                            649.6</td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">                       648.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Market Cap (INRm)</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">                                1,351,111.5</td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">           1,393,788.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 192.0pt;">Post-Money Enterprise Value (INRm)</td>
<td style="width: 137.0pt;">                                1,254,116.5</td>
<td style="width: 87.0pt;">           1,296,793.4</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>Source: Company disclosures (offer shares calculated by dividing new share issue of INR83bn by the IPO price, Enterprise value after adjusting for net debt and net IPO proceeds (we have assumed underwriting and other costs to be about 7.25% of gross proceeds) and cash and debt as of June 2021)The company has already raised INR82.3bn from anchor investors (about 45.0% of the total offer) ahead of its IPO at a price of INR2,150 per share, and according to the company, its cornerstone investment was oversubscribed by more than 10x. These anchor investors include BlackRock, Vanguard, CPPIB, BirlaMF and GIC.Paytm plans to use the net proceeds from the IPO on growing and strengthening its Paytm ecosystem, investing on new business initiatives, acquisitions and strategic partnerships and for other general corporate purposes.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/240/442/original/image_54411635561636403842771.png?1636403843" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="240442"></figure>Source: Company disclosures

Paytm (PAYTM IN), India’s largest digital ecosystem for consumers and merchants has opened its book-building which will run from 08th November to the 10th of November. Paytm plans to raise INR183bn (approx. US$2.4bn) through the issuance of a mix of new shares (approx. INR83bn) and existing shares (INR00bn) at an indicative price range of INR2,080-2,150 per share. At the above price range, Paytm will have a market capitalisation of INR1,351.1-1,396.6bn and a post-money enterprise value of INR1,254.1-1,296.8bn.

Paytm IPO Details
@ INR2,080 
@ INR2,150


Shares Outstanding Pre-IPO (m)
                                            609.7
                       609.7


Offer Shares/New Shares Issued (m)
                                              39.9
                         38.6


Total Shares Outstanding post-IPO (m)
                                            649.6
                       648.3


Market Cap (INRm)
                                1,351,111.5
           1,393,788.4


Post-Money Enterprise Value (INRm)
                                1,254,116.5
           1,296,793.4

Source: Company disclosures (offer shares calculated by dividing new share issue of INR83bn by the IPO price, Enterprise value after adjusting for net debt and net IPO proceeds (we have assumed underwriting and other costs to be about 7.25% of gross proceeds) and cash and debt as of June 2021)The company has already raised INR82.3bn from anchor investors (about 45.0% of the total offer) ahead of its IPO at a price of INR2,150 per share, and according to the company, its cornerstone investment was oversubscribed by more than 10x. These anchor investors include BlackRock, Vanguard, CPPIB, BirlaMF and GIC.Paytm plans to use the net proceeds from the IPO on growing and strengthening its Paytm ecosystem, investing on new business initiatives, acquisitions and strategic partnerships and for other general corporate purposes.Source: Company disclosures

Paytm IPO: More Expensive than Global Payment Giants and SOTP Suggests More Than 40% Discount

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

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

Quantitative Analysis

Hong Kong SFC reported aggregate short position as of Oct 29. The aggregate short value for equities decreased by $10,647m (-14.9%) WoW and decreased by $4,955m (-7.5%) over the preceding four weeks. We note that the weekly short covers were the biggest YTD.  Most shorted stocks by aggregate short value of positions are Ping An Insurance (Group) Company Of China, Ltd./2318 HK($2,707m, -27.4% WoW), Tencent Holdings Limited/700 HK($1,644m, -32.5% WoW), Meituan/3690 HK($1,552m, -30.5% WoW), Byd Company Limited/1211 HK($1,448m, -11.2% WoW), Baba-Sw/9988 HK($1,366m, -11.9% WoW).<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/240/070/original/Hong_Kong_Market_Short_Position_Value_%28line%29_and_1W_Changes_%28bar%29_%28%24m%292021-11-06+10_03_41.png?1636256051" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="240070"></figure></section>

Hong Kong SFC reported aggregate short position as of Oct 29. The aggregate short value for equities decreased by $10,647m (-14.9%) WoW and decreased by $4,955m (-7.5%) over the preceding four weeks. We note that the weekly short covers were the biggest YTD.   Most shorted stocks by aggregate short value of positions are Ping An Insurance (Group) Company Of China, Ltd./2318 HK($2,707m, -27.4% WoW), Tencent Holdings Limited/700 HK($1,644m, -32.5% WoW), Meituan/3690 HK($1,552m, -30.5% WoW), Byd Company Limited/1211 HK($1,448m, -11.2% WoW), Baba-Sw/9988 HK($1,366m, -11.9% WoW).

HK Short Interest: Biggest Weekly Short Covers YTD

Equity Research in HK and Mainland China

Li Tang

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published two draft guidelines after market close last Friday, with the first document grouping internet platforms by their function and size, and the second statement listing their responsibilities, in order for internet platforms to standardise their operations, fulfil duties, and safeguard the rights of business operators and end customers on platforms. The public consultation of the two documents will last until 8 November.</li>
<li>We think the size-based grouping is more important than the second guideline which covers responsibilities of internet platforms, as the latter is not issuing new requirements.</li>
<li>We think this guideline is another milestone that sees changes to regulatory measures, refining actions to platforms on different business types and size in future.</li>
<li>We think the draft guidelines would work as a comprehensive checklist for internet platforms, especially the super large entities, which likely include <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a>, Douyin, Alipay, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> .</li>
</ul>


The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published two draft guidelines after market close last Friday, with the first document grouping internet platforms by their function and size, and the second statement listing their responsibilities, in order for internet platforms to standardise their operations, fulfil duties, and safeguard the rights of business operators and end customers on platforms. The public consultation of the two documents will last until 8 November.
We think the size-based grouping is more important than the second guideline which covers responsibilities of internet platforms, as the latter is not issuing new requirements.
We think this guideline is another milestone that sees changes to regulatory measures, refining actions to platforms on different business types and size in future.
We think the draft guidelines would work as a comprehensive checklist for internet platforms, especially the super large entities, which likely include Alibaba Group (BABA US), Douyin, Alipay, and Meituan (3690 HK) .


SAMR Drafts Overarching Guideline to Regulate Internet Platforms

China

Meituan operates as a web based shopping platform for locally found consumer products and retail services. The Company offers deals of the day by selling vouchers on local services and entertainment, dining, delivery, and other services. Meituan provides its services throughout China.

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

Meituan (3690 HK)

ANE Logistics IPO Trading - No Demand, We Would Stay Clear

ANE, an express freight network operator in China for less-than-truckload (LTL) market, raised around US$143m in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is...

Sumeet Singh

51job (JOB US): That Was An Overreaction

Trading at a gross spread of 45.8%. I expect this spread to stay wide given the opaqueness of the regulatory overlay, the (likely) vacuum of...

David Blennerhassett

Paytm IPO: More Expensive than Global Payment Giants and SOTP Suggests More Than 40% Discount

With not so conservative assumptions, our SOTP valuation suggests that Paytm's shares are significantly overvalued at the IPO price range. At the...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

HK Short Interest: Biggest Weekly Short Covers YTD

We high weekly short covers for Zhongsheng (881 HK), Ping An (2318 HK), Tencent (700 HK), and Meituan (3690 HK) based on the latest HK SFC short...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

SAMR Drafts Overarching Guideline to Regulate Internet Platforms

We think the draft guidelines would work as a comprehensive checklist for internet platforms, especially the super large entities

Li Tang

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)