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>Bloomberg reports that <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> draws takeover interest from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/blackstone-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27166:1" rel="noopener">Blackstone (BX US)</a>, which is considering partnering with Chairman and largest shareholder Reinold Geiger.</li>
<li>Blackstone needs an attractive takeover premium due to the presence of significant disinterested shareholders (Mr. Geiger and Acatis KVG).</li>
<li>Shareholders will be wary of the latest rumour due to Mr Geiger’s aborted offer on 4 September 2023. Nevertheless, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples.</li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that L'Occitane (973 HK) draws takeover interest from Blackstone (BX US), which is considering partnering with Chairman and largest shareholder Reinold Geiger.
Blackstone needs an attractive takeover premium due to the presence of significant disinterested shareholders (Mr. Geiger and Acatis KVG).
Shareholders will be wary of the latest rumour due to Mr Geiger’s aborted offer on 4 September 2023. Nevertheless, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples.


L’Occitane (973 HK): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobayashi-pharmaceutical-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14930:1" rel="noopener">Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co (4967 JP)</a> witnessed business revival in Q3, especially in the domestic household and the U.S. business. In Q3, revenue increased 6% YoY and 13% QoQ to ¥45.4B.</li>
<li>Kobayashi has reiterated FY24 guidance. The company has guided for FY24 revenue of ¥172.0B (+4% YoY), operating income of ¥25.5B (-4% YoY), and net profit of ¥20.2B (-1% YoY).</li>
<li>By establishing the supplement business in North America and further expanding OTC medicines, the company aims to achieve sales of ¥34B in the U.S. in 2030, including ¥16B from healthcare.</li>
</ul>



Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co (4967 JP) witnessed business revival in Q3, especially in the domestic household and the U.S. business. In Q3, revenue increased 6% YoY and 13% QoQ to ¥45.4B.
Kobayashi has reiterated FY24 guidance. The company has guided for FY24 revenue of ¥172.0B (+4% YoY), operating income of ¥25.5B (-4% YoY), and net profit of ¥20.2B (-1% YoY).
By establishing the supplement business in North America and further expanding OTC medicines, the company aims to achieve sales of ¥34B in the U.S. in 2030, including ¥16B from healthcare.


Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co (4967 JP): Q3 Shows Early Signs of Business Revival; Aims Big for US

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lixil-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:454:1" rel="noopener">Lixil Group</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hakuhodo-dy-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8736:1" rel="noopener">Hakuhodo Dy Holdings</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobayashi-pharmaceutical-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14930:1" rel="noopener">Kobayashi Pharmaceutical</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/temp-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1428:1" rel="noopener">Persol Holdings</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kurita-water-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3870:1" rel="noopener">Kurita Water Industries</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gmo-payment-gateway-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1492:1" rel="noopener">GMO Payment Gateway</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keio-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1223:1" rel="noopener">Keio Corp</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ngk-insulators-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12580:1" rel="noopener">NGK Insulators</a> have underperformed the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei225</a> over the recent past.</li>
<li>The underperformance could lead to adjustments in global passive portfolios and liquidity events on some of the stocks.</li>
<li>Short interest has increased on some stocks and there could be more pre-positioning to come over the next few weeks.</li>
</ul>



CyberAgent, Lixil Group, Hakuhodo Dy Holdings, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Welcia Holdings, Persol Holdings, Kurita Water Industries, GMO Payment Gateway, Keio Corp and NGK Insulators have underperformed the Nikkei225 over the recent past.
The underperformance could lead to adjustments in global passive portfolios and liquidity events on some of the stocks.
Short interest has increased on some stocks and there could be more pre-positioning to come over the next few weeks.


Japan - Increase in Shorts on Some Interesting** Stocks

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.

<ul>
<li>Despite expected increased demand from returning Asian tourists, Japanese cosmetics companies have been hesitant to revise their 2H 2023 inbound demand projections.</li>
<li>We are long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kose-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18009:1" rel="noopener">Kose Corp (4922 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pola-orbis-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2287:1" rel="noopener">Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP)</a>, as consensus estimates look extra cautious and reasonable and appealing FY+2 valuation multiples.</li>
<li>We view the risk of Chinese consumers boycotting Japanese cosmetics due to Fukushima wastewater release as relatively low.</li>
</ul>


Despite expected increased demand from returning Asian tourists, Japanese cosmetics companies have been hesitant to revise their 2H 2023 inbound demand projections.
We are long Kose Corp (4922 JP), Shiseido Company (4911 JP), and Pola Orbis Holdings (4927 JP), as consensus estimates look extra cautious and reasonable and appealing FY+2 valuation multiples.
We view the risk of Chinese consumers boycotting Japanese cosmetics due to Fukushima wastewater release as relatively low.


Japanese Cosmetics Ready to Blossom with Asian Visitors

<ul>
<li>In response to media speculation, <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> has clarified that Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, is contemplating a possible transaction through a voluntary general offer.</li>
<li>However, the rumoured offer of HK$35 per share is false. Mr Geiger has confirmed that the potential offer price would be no less than HK$26.00 per share.</li>
<li>The floor price of HK$26 is light and needs a bump (towards HK$30), particularly if Mr Geiger wants 95% of voting rights to exercise the right of compulsory acquisition (squeeze-out).</li>
</ul>


In response to media speculation, L'Occitane (973 HK) has clarified that Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, is contemplating a possible transaction through a voluntary general offer.
However, the rumoured offer of HK$35 per share is false. Mr Geiger has confirmed that the potential offer price would be no less than HK$26.00 per share.
The floor price of HK$26 is light and needs a bump (towards HK$30), particularly if Mr Geiger wants 95% of voting rights to exercise the right of compulsory acquisition (squeeze-out).


L’Occitane (973 HK): Board Updates on the Potential Offer Structure and Price

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): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

L’Occitane is on a trading halt pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg reports that Blackstone is nearing a privatisation deal...

Arun George

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co (4967 JP): Q3 Shows Early Signs of Business Revival; Aims Big for US

Kobayashi experienced business revival in Q3, with revenue increasing 6% YoY and 13% QoQ to ¥45.4B. The company aims to establish supplement...

Tina Banerjee

Japan - Increase in Shorts on Some Interesting** Stocks

There are a few stocks in Japan that have underperformed the NKY over the last few months and that could lead to a liquidity event due to the...

Brian Freitas

Japanese Cosmetics Ready to Blossom with Asian Visitors

Japanese cosmetics companies were hesitant to revise their inbound demand projections despite expected increased demand from returning Asian...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

L’Occitane (973 HK): Board Updates on the Potential Offer Structure and Price

Reinold Geiger is contemplating a possible transaction through a VGO at a floor offer price of HK$26. The floor price is light if Mr Geiger wants...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

L’Occitane (973 HK): Blackstone Pondering an Offer

L’Occitane is on a trading halt pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Bloomberg reports that Blackstone is nearing a privatisation deal...

Arun George

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co (4967 JP): Q3 Shows Early Signs of Business Revival; Aims Big for US

​Kobayashi experienced business revival in Q3, with revenue increasing 6% YoY and 13% QoQ to ¥45.4B. The company aims to establish supplement...

Tina Banerjee

Japan - Increase in Shorts on Some Interesting** Stocks

There are a few stocks in Japan that have underperformed the NKY over the last few months and that could lead to a liquidity event due to the...

Brian Freitas

Japanese Cosmetics Ready to Blossom with Asian Visitors

​Japanese cosmetics companies were hesitant to revise their inbound demand projections despite expected increased demand from returning Asian...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

L’Occitane (973 HK): Board Updates on the Potential Offer Structure and Price

Reinold Geiger is contemplating a possible transaction through a VGO at a floor offer price of HK$26. The floor price is light if Mr Geiger wants...

Arun George

Kobayashi experienced business revival in Q3, with revenue increasing 6% YoY and 13% QoQ to ¥45.4B. The company aims to establish supplement...

Japanese cosmetics companies were hesitant to revise their inbound demand projections despite expected increased demand from returning Asian...