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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a> aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Sep 23, it had 14.3m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.5tn.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). 
RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Sep 23, it had 14.3m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.5tn.
In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and updates since our last note.


Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35638:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)</a> (RB),  the online banking arm of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Group (4755 JP)</a>, raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.</li>
<li>RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Rakuten Bank (5838 JP) (RB),  the online banking arm of Rakuten Group (4755 JP), raised around US$630m in its Japan IPO. Its IPO linked lockup will expire soon.
RB is the largest internet bank in Japan, by number of accounts. As of Jun 23, it had 14.0m deposit accounts with a total deposit base of JPY9.4tn.
In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.


Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a> is massively net cash. And it's ofloading <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a>. Though we don't know what the future holds, Pasona is the wrong price.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a> controlling shreholder announced it intends to increase it stake. And it's been in the market almost everry day since the interims. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK)</a> announced its rights offering. It's at a long-term low price, and about to earn a long-term high net income, and have a long-term high payout ratio</li>
</ul>



Pasona Group (2168 JP) is massively net cash. And it's ofloading Benefit One Inc (2412 JP). Though we don't know what the future holds, Pasona is the wrong price.

ENN Energy (2688 HK) controlling shreholder announced it intends to increase it stake. And it's been in the market almost everry day since the interims. 

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK) announced its rights offering. It's at a long-term low price, and about to earn a long-term high net income, and have a long-term high payout ratio


Last Week in Event SPACE: Zhejiang, Pasona, ENN Energy, Asahi Group, Azure Minerals

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>ROE is now 24.4% in 1H24 compared with 18.0% last year. ROE consistently rising well, from 15.9% in FY21. </li>
<li>Quarterly net profit up 47% YoY in 2Q24. On an annualized basis, net profit in FY24 can show considerable delta from FY23, a year when returns and profit were good.</li>
<li>Costs are well-contained. SG&amp;A to assets was 23.7% at its recent peak and now it's 20.8%. SG&amp;A to revenue is now 55.5% compared with 65.3% at its recent peak.</li>
</ul>


ROE is now 24.4% in 1H24 compared with 18.0% last year. ROE consistently rising well, from 15.9% in FY21. 
Quarterly net profit up 47% YoY in 2Q24. On an annualized basis, net profit in FY24 can show considerable delta from FY23, a year when returns and profit were good.
Costs are well-contained. SG&amp;A to assets was 23.7% at its recent peak and now it's 20.8%. SG&amp;A to revenue is now 55.5% compared with 65.3% at its recent peak.


SPARX - Sharply Expanding ROE, 1H24 Profit Annualized Surges YoY, FUM Strongly Up, Costs Contained

APAC IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Clarence Chu

APAC IPOs & Placements

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders are looking to raise US$444m by trimming their respective stakes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ajinomoto-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8911:1" rel="noopener">Ajinomoto Co (2802 JP)</a> via an extended secondary follow-on.</li>
<li>While the selldown doesn't seem particularly well flagged, it won't be a very large one to digest at just eight days of three month ADV. </li>
<li>In a bid to cushion the selldown, Ajinomoto plans to buyback its stock to the tune of 10m shares, which would amount to 80% of the base shares on offer. </li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders are looking to raise US$444m by trimming their respective stakes in Ajinomoto Co (2802 JP) via an extended secondary follow-on.
While the selldown doesn't seem particularly well flagged, it won't be a very large one to digest at just eight days of three month ADV. 
In a bid to cushion the selldown, Ajinomoto plans to buyback its stock to the tune of 10m shares, which would amount to 80% of the base shares on offer. 


Ajinomoto Placement - Share Buyback Should Aid Group Selling

Japan

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. provides comprehensive financial services through its subsidiaries. The Group provides variety of financial services such as general banking, securities brokerage, trust banking, and assets management.

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Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP)

Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

Last Week in Event SPACE: Zhejiang, Pasona, ENN Energy, Asahi Group, Azure Minerals

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

SPARX - Sharply Expanding ROE, 1H24 Profit Annualized Surges YoY, FUM Strongly Up, Costs Contained

Continuously expanding ROE now to 24%, profit growth at 47% YoY in the quarter, can mean an exceptionally strong full year. Costs are well...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Rakuten Bank Placement - Was Expected at Some Point, Current Timing Seems Opportunistic

Rakuten Group (4755 JP) aims to raise US$430m via selling around 14.6% of Rakuten Bank (5838 JP). In this note, we talk about the deal dynamics.

Sumeet Singh

Rakuten Bank IPO Lock-Up - Parent and Company Will Come Out of Lockup

Rakuten has just announced that it will selldown some of its stake in Rakuten Bank in order to fund redemption of some of its bonds.

Sumeet Singh

Last Week in Event SPACE: Zhejiang, Pasona, ENN Energy, Asahi Group, Azure Minerals

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

SPARX - Sharply Expanding ROE, 1H24 Profit Annualized Surges YoY, FUM Strongly Up, Costs Contained

Continuously expanding ROE now to 24%, profit growth at 47% YoY in the quarter, can mean an exceptionally strong full year. Costs are well...

Daniel Tabbush

Ajinomoto Placement - Share Buyback Should Aid Group Selling

A group of shareholders are looking to raise US$444m by trimming their respective stakes in Ajinomoto Co (2802 JP) via an extended secondary follow...

Clarence Chu