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

PHC Holdings and its shareholders aim to raise around US$1.8bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Japan IPO. The company is backed by KKR (48.7% stake pre-listing), Mistui (21.5%), Life Science Institute (13.4%) and Panasonic (11.5%).PHC is engaged in the development, manufacturing and sale of healthcare devices and services. The company has three main segments: Diabetes Management (35% of FY21 revenue); Healthcare Services (37.9% of FY21 revenue); and Diagnosis/Life Science (26.1% of FY21 revenue).PHC’s revenue has increased by 64% over FY19-FY21 and it was up another 29% in 1Q22. The growth has mainly been driven by acquisition of a number of firms over the reporting period. Although, its main division, Diabetes Management appears to be suffering from a decline in revenue that has been going on for a while. In addition, it's difficult to pinpoint the growth of its other segments owing to the acquisitions having been completed mid-year.Furthermore, it's not clear to us how the company acts as one firm, as all of its acquired firms appear to be working independently and there hasn’t been much mention of synergies.

PHC Holdings and its shareholders aim to raise around US$1.8bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Japan IPO. The company is backed by KKR (48.7% stake pre-listing), Mistui (21.5%), Life Science Institute (13.4%) and Panasonic (11.5%).PHC is engaged in the development, manufacturing and sale of healthcare devices and services. The company has three main segments: Diabetes Management (35% of FY21 revenue); Healthcare Services (37.9% of FY21 revenue); and Diagnosis/Life Science (26.1% of FY21 revenue).PHC’s revenue has increased by 64% over FY19-FY21 and it was up another 29% in 1Q22. The growth has mainly been driven by acquisition of a number of firms over the reporting period. Although, its main division, Diabetes Management appears to be suffering from a decline in revenue that has been going on for a while. In addition, it's difficult to pinpoint the growth of its other segments owing to the acquisitions having been completed mid-year.Furthermore, it's not clear to us how the company acts as one firm, as all of its acquired firms appear to be working independently and there hasn’t been much mention of synergies.

PHC Holdings Pre-IPO - Many Companies Rolled into One

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last November,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20799:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-chemicals-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1703:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui Chemicals (4183 JP)</a> jointly announced they would launch a Tender Offer for the 46% of shares of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honshu-chemical-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9094:1" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP)</a> that they did not own.I wrote about it in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/honshu-chemical-4115-an-embarrassment-of-riches" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45197" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical (4115) - An Embarrassment of Riches</a>. The deal was that after receiving all the approvals, perhaps in May 2021, they would launch a Tender Offer at ¥1830, which implied an EV//EBITDA of 2.7x.When Q3 earnings were announced in February, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honshu-chemical-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9094:1" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP)</a> lifted its OP forecast by 24% and its Net Income forecast by 33% to ¥1.8bn. But as there was no event yet for the Tender Offer, there was no "need" to review the Board's support for the Tender Offer. I wrote about how this was WRONGER in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/honshu-chemical-what-was-the-wrong-price-gets-wronger" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48124" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical - What WAS the Wrong Price Gets Wronger</a>.Last week I wrote about how this looked like it might get wronger still. On Friday, Honshu Chemical reported Revenues 2.4% higher than forecast for the full year (note the entire difference arrived in Q4. The OP result was more than 10% higher than the February upward revision to Guidance. The Net Profit number came in at ¥2.06bn, which was 14.4% higher than February guidance and 53% higher than guidance as of the Announcement. The extra cash added to the firm since then amounts to 3.3% of the Tender Offer Price. Conveniently, if any of this beat of forecasts on what the buyers called "high growth potential" would result in forward-looking forecasts different than the original management forecasts (note that the FY2021 OP result was the same as the FY2023 management forecast presented in November), the company is not showing FY2022 forecasts because of the takeover.

Last November,  Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP) and Mitsui Chemicals (4183 JP) jointly announced they would launch a Tender Offer for the 46% of shares of Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP) that they did not own.I wrote about it in Honshu Chemical (4115) - An Embarrassment of Riches. The deal was that after receiving all the approvals, perhaps in May 2021, they would launch a Tender Offer at ¥1830, which implied an EV//EBITDA of 2.7x.When Q3 earnings were announced in February, Honshu Chemical Industry (4115 JP) lifted its OP forecast by 24% and its Net Income forecast by 33% to ¥1.8bn. But as there was no event yet for the Tender Offer, there was no "need" to review the Board's support for the Tender Offer. I wrote about how this was WRONGER in Honshu Chemical - What WAS the Wrong Price Gets Wronger.Last week I wrote about how this looked like it might get wronger still. On Friday, Honshu Chemical reported Revenues 2.4% higher than forecast for the full year (note the entire difference arrived in Q4. The OP result was more than 10% higher than the February upward revision to Guidance. The Net Profit number came in at ¥2.06bn, which was 14.4% higher than February guidance and 53% higher than guidance as of the Announcement. The extra cash added to the firm since then amounts to 3.3% of the Tender Offer Price. Conveniently, if any of this beat of forecasts on what the buyers called "high growth potential" would result in forward-looking forecasts different than the original management forecasts (note that the FY2021 OP result was the same as the FY2023 management forecast presented in November), the company is not showing FY2022 forecasts because of the takeover. 

Honshu Chemical Shareholders Get the Short End of the Stick As The Board Is Ex-Gourd

In mid-November 2020, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20799:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-chemicals-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1703:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui Chemicals (4183 JP)</a> announced a transaction to take out minorities in jointly-held subsidiary <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honshu-chemical-industry-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9094:1" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical Industry Co (4115 JP)</a>. The price was at a 43% premium to then-traded price and a 20-year high. It was also<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/205/873/original/Screenshot+2021-05-13+at+10.55.05+AM.png?1620874520" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="205873"></figure></section>At the time, in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/honshu-chemical-4115-an-embarrassment-of-riches" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45197" rel="noopener">Honshu Chemical (4115) - An Embarrassment of Riches</a> I said...<blockquote>The result is a governance embarrassment for the two major acquirers, and the target company itself. </blockquote>The two companies, which combined owned 54% of Honshu Chemical, had said <blockquote>the Target has a high potential for growth with its various high-technologies in domains of high-performance monomer[s] related to ICT, Mobility and Healthcare.</blockquote>Then they decided that the "fair" value of the company (the Tender Offer Price) was decided at a 1-year forward EV/EBITDA of 2.7x (where net receivables and inventory was another 1.5x EBITDA), and a 1-year ex-cash PER of 3.7x. <section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/205/993/original/trump+low+price.gif?1620903117" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="205993"></figure></section>Three months later the company revised up its forecasts for EBIT and Net Profit for the full year this year by 25% and 33% respectively in February. This company has minimal debt, huge net cash. If you were to pay out the net cash, this 'fuddy-duddy' cyclical trades at 7x earnings, less than book, with a 16% ROE, and near 50% EBITDAROE.And it "has a high potential for growth."The procedures were expected to be completed in May, and then the tender offer would start. The company reports tomorrow 14 May after the close. Since the announcement, the two parent companies' total share return has averaged +30%. Since the original announcement, Honshu Chemical earnings forecasts are up 33% a share. A basket of mostly Chinese peer pure plays has outperformed Shanghai Composite by 13% since the announcement. This was always bumpable. This remains highly bumpable. With apologies to some of my (non-fella) readers...<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/205/925/original/more+cowbell.gif?1620889670" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="205925"></figure></section>

In mid-November 2020, Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP) and Mitsui Chemicals (4183 JP) announced a transaction to take out minorities in jointly-held subsidiary Honshu Chemical Industry Co (4115 JP). The price was at a 43% premium to then-traded price and a 20-year high. It was alsoAt the time, in Honshu Chemical (4115) - An Embarrassment of Riches I said...The result is a governance embarrassment for the two major acquirers, and the target company itself. The two companies, which combined owned 54% of Honshu Chemical, had said the Target has a high potential for growth with its various high-technologies in domains of high-performance monomer[s] related to ICT, Mobility and Healthcare.Then they decided that the "fair" value of the company (the Tender Offer Price) was decided at a 1-year forward EV/EBITDA of 2.7x (where net receivables and inventory was another 1.5x EBITDA), and a 1-year ex-cash PER of 3.7x. Three months later the company revised up its forecasts for EBIT and Net Profit for the full year this year by 25% and 33% respectively in February. This company has minimal debt, huge net cash. If you were to pay out the net cash, this 'fuddy-duddy' cyclical trades at 7x earnings, less than book, with a 16% ROE, and near 50% EBITDAROE.And it "has a high potential for growth."The procedures were expected to be completed in May, and then the tender offer would start. The company reports tomorrow 14 May after the close. Since the announcement, the two parent companies' total share return has averaged +30%. Since the original announcement, Honshu Chemical earnings forecasts are up 33% a share. A basket of mostly Chinese peer pure plays has outperformed Shanghai Composite by 13% since the announcement. This was always bumpable. This remains highly bumpable. With apologies to some of my (non-fella) readers...

Honshu Chemical (4115) Shareholders Perhaps One Day From a Wrong Price Takeover

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.

On 6 May 2021, Bloomberg reported that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20799:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP)</a>, the largest shareholder with a 32.90% stake, is currently exploring a proposal to privatise <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ihh-healthcare-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:876:1" rel="noopener">IHH Healthcare (IHH MK)</a>. Mitsui is aiming to partner with private equity firms and has reached out to Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the second-largest shareholder with a 26.02% stake, to acquire its stake, according to Bloomberg. Mitsui and IHH have not formally commented on the report. On the back of the report, the shares have risen 8.8% from the unaffected price of RM5.20 (5 May) to the last close price of RM5.66. IHH is listed on the Main Markets of Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Stock Exchange. In Malaysia, the threshold for triggering a mandatory general offer (MGO) is the offeror and concert parties owning 33% or more of the voting shares. Mitsui sits just below the threshold and the acquisition of further shares from Khazanah Nasional Berhad would trigger an MGO. <div class="content-highlight">We think that report has some credibility due to Mitsui’s view that IHH is a core asset to fulfil its ambition of expanding in the largest healthcare ecosystem in Asia. Also, Mitsui has a previous working relationship with Khazanah Nasional Berhad and announced the acquisition of a 16% stake in IHH from Khazanah Nasional Berhad in November 2018. Overall, at the last close price, the downside risk is low (trading close to break price) with a good probability of upside (announcement of a formal proposal). </div>

On 6 May 2021, Bloomberg reported that Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP), the largest shareholder with a 32.90% stake, is currently exploring a proposal to privatise IHH Healthcare (IHH MK). Mitsui is aiming to partner with private equity firms and has reached out to Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the second-largest shareholder with a 26.02% stake, to acquire its stake, according to Bloomberg. Mitsui and IHH have not formally commented on the report. On the back of the report, the shares have risen 8.8% from the unaffected price of RM5.20 (5 May) to the last close price of RM5.66. IHH is listed on the Main Markets of Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Stock Exchange. In Malaysia, the threshold for triggering a mandatory general offer (MGO) is the offeror and concert parties owning 33% or more of the voting shares. Mitsui sits just below the threshold and the acquisition of further shares from Khazanah Nasional Berhad would trigger an MGO. We think that report has some credibility due to Mitsui’s view that IHH is a core asset to fulfil its ambition of expanding in the largest healthcare ecosystem in Asia. Also, Mitsui has a previous working relationship with Khazanah Nasional Berhad and announced the acquisition of a 16% stake in IHH from Khazanah Nasional Berhad in November 2018. Overall, at the last close price, the downside risk is low (trading close to break price) with a good probability of upside (announcement of a formal proposal). 

IHH Healthcare’s Possible Privatisation by Mitsui

David Blennerhassett

On the <a href="https://www.bursamalaysia.com/market_information/announcements/company_announcement?keyword=&amp;cat=&amp;sub_type=&amp;company=5225&amp;mkt=&amp;alph=&amp;sec=&amp;subsec=&amp;dt_ht=02%2F10%2F2018&amp;dt_lt=29%2F12%2F2018%23%2F&amp;page=2#/?category=all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">29 November</a> 2018, Khazanah Nasional sold a 16%, US$2.01bn stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ihh-healthcare-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:876:1" rel="noopener">IHH Healthcare (IHH MK)</a> to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsui-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20799:1" rel="noopener">Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP)</a>, elevating Mitsui's long-time mid-teens stake to 32.9% - allowing Mitsui to become IHH's largest shareholder - with Khazanah's holding declining to 26%. Mitsui's stake is a shade below Malaysia's 33% mandatory takeover threshold. 
Reportedly Mitsui is now exploring a deal to take IHH private, and has been sounded out by private equity outfits as to a potential transaction. According to media reports, Khazanah has been approached to sell its stake. 
Shares closed up 7.88% yesterday on the rumours.
More below the fold.

On the 29 November 2018, Khazanah Nasional sold a 16%, US$2.01bn stake in IHH Healthcare (IHH MK) to Mitsui &amp; Co Ltd (8031 JP), elevating Mitsui's long-time mid-teens stake to 32.9% - allowing Mitsui to become IHH's largest shareholder - with Khazanah's holding declining to 26%. Mitsui's stake is a shade below Malaysia's 33% mandatory takeover threshold. 
Reportedly Mitsui is now exploring a deal to take IHH private, and has been sounded out by private equity outfits as to a potential transaction. According to media reports, Khazanah has been approached to sell its stake. 
Shares closed up 7.88% yesterday on the rumours.
More below the fold. 

IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): More Medicine For Mitsui?

Japan

Sumitomo Corp is a general trading company.  The Company imports and exports a wide variety of goods such as metals, machinery, chemicals, fuel,food products, and textiles.  Sumitomo also operates real estate, construction, shipping, insurance, finance, and leasing businesses.

Marubeni Corporation is a trading company with business divisions in iron & steel, information technology, utility & infrastructure, energy, food, metals & mineral resources, development & construction, and chemicals.  The Company markets its products globally through a network of sales offices and representative firms.

TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION, a member of the Toyota Group, is a trading company. The Company markets automobiles, trucks, steel products, industrial machinery, chemical products, and energy in both domestic and overseas markets.  Toyota Tsusho primarily exports Toyota cars to Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, and Latin America.

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

Mitsubishi Corporation is a general trading company.  The Company has business groups such as New Business Initiatives, IT & Electronics, Fuels, Metals, Machinery, Chemicals, Living Essentials, and Professional Services.  Mitsubishi diversifies by satellite communications through a joint venture.

MonotaRO Co., Ltd. mainly sells machine tools, engine parts, and factory consumable goods on the web site.

Sojitz Corporation is a general trading company.  The Company has business divisions such as Machinery & Aerospace, Energy & Mineral Resources, Chemicals & Plastics, Real Estate Development & Forest Products, Consumer Lifestyle Business, and New Business Development Group.  Sojitz was formed through the business integration between Nichimen and Nissho Iwai.

MISUMI Group Inc. distributes precision machinery parts by mail order. The products include a variety of components such as press die, plastic mold, automated machinery, pc & network, and wiring.  The Company also sells supplies for factories, hospitals, and restaurants and semi-conductors by mail order.

IWATANI CORPORATION is a trading company supplying gases for industrial and household use.  The Company also handles fuel, consumer products, industrial materials, minerals, construction, agriculture, and medical products.  Iwatani produces liquid hydrogen with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

NAGASE & COMPANY, LTD. is a trading firm specializing in chemical products such as dyestuff, synthetic resins and rubber, and inorganic and organic chemicals.  The Company also handles electronics such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and liquid crystal display (LCD) materials, as well as health care products such as cosmetics and medical equipment.

Adani Enterprises Limited is an international trading house that operates from offices in India as well as other countries. The Company is involved in coal mining, cargo handling and power generation.  Adani also trades in a large number of products including textiles, energy, metals and agricultural products.

United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiary, is an equipment rental company operating a network of locations in the United States and Canada.  The Company serves the construction industry, industrial and commercial concerns, homeowners, and other individuals.

Fastenal Company sell industrial and construction supplies in a wholesale and retail fashion.  The Company markets its products and services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Singapore, China, and The Netherlands.

Watsco, Inc. distributes air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, as well as related parts and supplies.  The Company operates various locations in the United States, with primary markets in the Sunbelt.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. distributes maintenance, repair and operating supplies, and related information to the commercial, industrial, contractor, and institutional markets in North America.  The Company's products include motors, HVAC equipment, lighting, hand and power tools, pumps, and electrical equipment.

Ashtead Group Plc is an international equipment rental company servicing customers nationwide in the US and the UK. The Company rents construction and industrial equipment. Ashtead generates approximately 85% of its revenue in the US through its subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals with 388 locations across the US. The Group's UK business, A-Plant, has 106 locations nationwide.

Bunzl plc is a distribution group supplying a range of non-food consumable products for customers to operate their businesses but which they do not actually sell. The Company partners with both suppliers and customers in providing outsourcing solutions and service oriented distribution. Bunzl's main customer markets include grocery, foodservice, cleaning and safety.

AerCap Holdings NV is the world's largest aircraft leasing firm by fleet value, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER). It has its headquarters in Dublin with offices in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Shannon, Fort Lauderdale, Singapore, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle and Toulouse.

Ferguson PLC distributes HVAC and industrial supplies. The Company offers products for heating and ventilation, fabrication, facilities supply, and residential construction. Ferguson serves customers in North America.

Ashtead Group plc operates as an international equipment rental company. The Company rents construction and industrial equipment. Ashtead Group serves customers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

MITSUI & CO., LTD. is a general trading company.  The Company has operating groups including Iron and Steel, Non-Ferrous Metals, Machinery, Chemicals, Foods, Energy, Textiles, and General Merchandise.  Mitsui also operates real estate and overseas development projects.

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Mitsui & Co Ltd (8031 JP)

PHC Holdings Pre-IPO - Many Companies Rolled into One

PHC Holdings and its shareholders aim to raise around US$1.8bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Japan IPO.

Sumeet Singh

Honshu Chemical Shareholders Get the Short End of the Stick As The Board Is Ex-Gourd

Honshu Chem OP and NP were up 38% and 53% for the year vs mgmt forecast just 6mos ago. What was super cheap is even cheaper. The Board didn't see...

Travis Lundy

Honshu Chemical (4115) Shareholders Perhaps One Day From a Wrong Price Takeover

Smallcap monomer maker Honshu Chemical is a TOB target. The parents decided in November to take out minorities. At the WRONG price. Directors...

Travis Lundy

IHH Healthcare’s Possible Privatisation by Mitsui

Mitsui, the largest shareholder, is currently exploring a proposal to privatise IHH. Overall, at the last close price, the downside risk is low...

Arun George

IHH Healthcare (IHH MK): More Medicine For Mitsui?

If Khazanah is onboard with a privatisation, expect the other government-link shareholders to follow suit, which together with Aydınlar's 5.9%...

David Blennerhassett

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