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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-09/l-occitane-boss-is-said-in-advanced-talks-on-6-5-billion-buyout?in_source=embedded-checkout-banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Bloomberg</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.</li>
<li>The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.</li>
<li>The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. </li>
</ul>



According to Bloomberg, L'Occitane (973 HK) is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.
The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.
The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-25/l-occitane-owner-said-to-mull-buyout-of-4-billion-beauty-firm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Bloomberg</a>. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.</li>
<li>The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.</li>
<li>L’Occitane released a solid <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0725/2023072500263.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1QFY2024 update</a> today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. </li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, according to Bloomberg. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.
The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.
L’Occitane released a solid 1QFY2024 update today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/premier-anti-aging-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34292:1" rel="noopener">Premier Anti-Aging (4934 JP)</a> is a relatively small Japanese cosmetics company with a limited number of brands that focuses on the skin cleansing segment. The company was listed on the TSE mothers section in October last year at an IPO price of ¥4,140 per share. After a relatively slow start, the company’s shares rallied 353% to ¥18,740 per share by July 2021. Shares are currently trading at ¥15,060 a piece, around 20% below the previous peak.</li></ul>


Premier Anti-Aging (4934 JP) is a relatively small Japanese cosmetics company with a limited number of brands that focuses on the skin cleansing segment. The company was listed on the TSE mothers section in October last year at an IPO price of ¥4,140 per share. After a relatively slow start, the company’s shares rallied 353% to ¥18,740 per share by July 2021. Shares are currently trading at ¥15,060 a piece, around 20% below the previous peak.

Premier Anti-Aging Company Ageing Gracefully

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.</li>
<li>The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. </li>
<li>Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.
The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. 
Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).


L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> recommended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)</a>’s tender offer of JPY2,690, a 42.7% premium to the undisturbed price. </li>
<li>The timing looks opportunistic as Fancl's shares are down 20% YTD. The offer period is from 17 June to 29 July.</li>
<li>While the offer is attractive vs peer multiples, it is light vs historical trading ranges. Securing the required acceptance rate could prove challenging as the offer price is light. </li>
</ul>



Fancl Corp (4921 JP) recommended Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)’s tender offer of JPY2,690, a 42.7% premium to the undisturbed price. 
The timing looks opportunistic as Fancl's shares are down 20% YTD. The offer period is from 17 June to 29 July.
While the offer is attractive vs peer multiples, it is light vs historical trading ranges. Securing the required acceptance rate could prove challenging as the offer price is light. 


Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

Japan

POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC. develops, manufactures and markets cosmetic products, centering in skincare  products. Under its multi-brand strategy, the Company holds nine cosmetic brands including POLA, prestige skincare brand, ORBIS, oil-free skincare brand, H2O PLUS and Jurlique.

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Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

Premier Anti-Aging Company Ageing Gracefully

The company was listed on the TSE mothers section in October last year at an IPO price of ¥4,140 per share. After a relatively slow start, Premier...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

The timing is opportunistic. While the offer is attractive compared to peer multiples, it is light compared to historical trading ranges. Securing...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

Premier Anti-Aging Company Ageing Gracefully

The company was listed on the TSE mothers section in October last year at an IPO price of ¥4,140 per share. After a relatively slow start, Premier...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the 90% minimum acceptance condition. This looks like a done deal. At the current...

Arun George

Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

The timing is opportunistic. While the offer is attractive compared to peer multiples, it is light compared to historical trading ranges. Securing...

Arun George