Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

<p>Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.</p><ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-433'>Fosun International</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-13359'>Lenovo</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-10946'>Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-11842'>NTPC Ltd</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-31'>Rakuten</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Fosun InternationalLenovoLippo Malls Indonesia Retail TrustNTPC LtdRakuten

Morning Views Asia: Fosun International, Lenovo, Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust, NTPC Ltd, Rakuten

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>A couple of years ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a> - burning through cash to start its mobile business - announced it would its Bank and Securities units. Bank listed. Securities didn't.</li>
<li>Mizuho ended up buying 49% of Securities. Today, it was announced there would be discussions to put Bank, Securities, Card, and Insurance in a new listed Holdco.</li>
<li>How this works will end up being complicated. More complicated than it should be. But the complexity would make this more of a win-win for everyone. </li>
</ul>


A couple of years ago, Rakuten (4755 JP) - burning through cash to start its mobile business - announced it would its Bank and Securities units. Bank listed. Securities didn't.
Mizuho ended up buying 49% of Securities. Today, it was announced there would be discussions to put Bank, Securities, Card, and Insurance in a new listed Holdco.
How this works will end up being complicated. More complicated than it should be. But the complexity would make this more of a win-win for everyone. 


If Rakuten (4755) Combines Financial Units... Who Wins and How? Well... It's Complicated

<ul>
<li>Today, <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> announced it would propose an amendment to its Articles at the AGM (28 March) to issue "Bond-Type Class Shares."   First reaction: You wot, mate?</li>
<li>The company states it wants to <em>"strengthen its financial base through reducing interesting-bearing debt by equity-related financings and conduct proactive control of debt maturity schedule, etc."</em>
</li>
<li>Now it wants to issue listed bond-type shares. Dividends not interest. The last Japanese issuer of something similar was NEC in 2001. Few will remember, so we study the situation.</li>
</ul>


Today, Rakuten Group (4755 JP) announced it would propose an amendment to its Articles at the AGM (28 March) to issue "Bond-Type Class Shares."   First reaction: You wot, mate?
The company states it wants to "strengthen its financial base through reducing interesting-bearing debt by equity-related financings and conduct proactive control of debt maturity schedule, etc."

Now it wants to issue listed bond-type shares. Dividends not interest. The last Japanese issuer of something similar was NEC in 2001. Few will remember, so we study the situation.


Rakuten's New "Bond-Type Share" Issuance - Quite Quirky to Quantulate Rakuten's Quisquous New Quoz

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Since the US$1.4 billion secondary placement announcement, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP)</a>’s shares are up 0.9% from the undisturbed price of JPY2,564 per share (12 July).</li>
<li>Looking at recent large Japanese placements is instructive to understand the potential trading pattern. So far, Asics’ shares have deviated from the pattern of previous large placements.</li>
<li>The offering will likely be priced on 23 July. Investors who have participated in previous large Japanese placements tend to secure positive returns.</li>
</ul>


Since the US$1.4 billion secondary placement announcement, ASICS Corp (7936 JP)’s shares are up 0.9% from the undisturbed price of JPY2,564 per share (12 July).
Looking at recent large Japanese placements is instructive to understand the potential trading pattern. So far, Asics’ shares have deviated from the pattern of previous large placements.
The offering will likely be priced on 23 July. Investors who have participated in previous large Japanese placements tend to secure positive returns.


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.

<ul>
<li>A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP).</a>
</li>
<li>In our earlier note, we talked about the placement and ran the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the updates and share price performance since then.</li>
</ul>


A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of ASICS Corp (7936 JP).

In our earlier note, we talked about the placement and ran the deal through our ECM framework.
In this note, we talk about the updates and share price performance since then.


ASICS Placement Updates - Share Pop Done, Now Needs to Correct

Japan

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation operates discount stores which sell consumer electronics, daily necessities, groceries, watches, and sporting goods. The Company mostly operates small scale stores based in Tokyo.

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

RYOHIN KEIKAKU CO., LTD. is a retailer and wholesaler of Mujirushi Ryohin brand products, which were originally a generic private-brand product.  The Company's product line includes knitwear, food, and household items

J. FRONT RETAILING CO., Ltd. is a holding company established through the merger of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya.  J. FRONT RETAILING operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also manages subsidiaries which operate in wholesale businesses.

Takashimaya Company, Limited., founded in Kyoto in 1831, operates department stores.  The Company's main stores are located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Takashimaya also operates department stores in Paris, France, Singapore, China, Australia, and New York, USA.  The Company retails clothing, foods, art objects, sundry goods, and household utensils.  The Company also operates restaurants.

MARUI GROUP CO., LTD. operates department stores which sell clothing, accessories, home appliances, and food stuffs.  The Company also provides consumer loan services.  Marui Group operates in the Tokyo area.

H2O RETAILING CORPORATION founded in Osaka in 1929, operates railway terminal department stores.  The Company's main store is located at Hankyu terminal in Umeda (Osaka) and sells clothing, foods, sundry goods, furniture, and household utensils.  H2O Retailing also operates restaurants and coffee shops.

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

Seria Co., Ltd. operates 100 yen chain stores nationwide.   The Company also operates franchise business.  Seria's main product line includes household goods and snacks.

IZUMI CO., LTD. operates shopping centers mainly in the Chugoku area, selling food products, clothing, and household utensils.  The Company also operates real estate business and credit card services.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. operates a chain of retail stores that offers brand name products at discounted and closeout prices. The Company provides products, including housewares, food, books and stationery, bed and bath, floor coverings, toys, and hardware.

Ollie'S Bargain Outlet Holdings (OLLI US)

Dillard's, Inc. operates retail department stores located primarily in the southwestern, southeastern, and midwestern United States. The Company offers name-brand and private-label merchandise, including fashion apparel and home furnishings.

B&M European Value Retail S.A. operates as a general merchandise discount retailer. The Company sells products ranging electronics to home goods.

Marks & Spencer Group PLC is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides retail of clothing, food and home products.

Next Plc conducts retailing, home shopping, and customer services management operations.  The Company's retail stores sell ladies wear, mens wear, childrens wear, and housewares.

Falabella S.A. provides digital and physical retail space in Latin America. The Company runs different formats such as department stores, home improvement, supermarkets, regional shopping centers and power centers, and provide financial services. Falabella operates in 7 countries.

Canadian Tire Corporation Limited is a family of businesses that includes a retail segment, a financial services division and CT REIT. The Company's retail business provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its living, playing, fixing, automotive and seasonal categories. Canadian Tire Corporation's  retail products include casual, industrial and active wear.

El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV owns and operates retail stores and shopping centers located throughout the major cities of Mexico. The Company's stores sell apparel, novelties, and home items. El Puerto de Liverpool also leases retail space in shopping malls in Mexico.

El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de (LIVEPOLC MM)

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited is a holding company for companies and trusts in a third party franchise agreement. The franchises operate stores under the name "Harvey Norman Discounts," selling home wares and electrical goods. The Company also provides advisory and advertising to the franchises. In addition, the Company provides consumer finance and has property investments.

Hainan Island Construction Co Ltd.  is a property development company. The Company also operates regional malls and hotels.

Rakuten Group, Inc. provides Internet services. The Company offers Internet finance services which including "Rakuten Card" and "Rakuten Bank". Rakuten Group also provides digital content services including electronic book services.

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Rakuten (4755 JP)

Morning Views Asia: Fosun International, Lenovo, Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust, NTPC Ltd, Rakuten

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

If Rakuten (4755) Combines Financial Units... Who Wins and How? Well... It's Complicated

Seven weeks ago, Rakuten announced an effort to restructure itself. Rakuten Bank (RB) would become a holdco for Rakuten Securities, Card, and...

Travis Lundy

ASICS (7936 JP): The Current Playbook

The offering will likely be priced on 23 July. Investors who have participated in previous large Japanese placements tend to secure positive returns.

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Morning Views Asia: Fosun International, Lenovo, Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust, NTPC Ltd, Rakuten

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

If Rakuten (4755) Combines Financial Units... Who Wins and How? Well... It's Complicated

Seven weeks ago, Rakuten announced an effort to restructure itself. Rakuten Bank (RB) would become a holdco for Rakuten Securities, Card, and...

Travis Lundy

Rakuten's New "Bond-Type Share" Issuance - Quite Quirky to Quantulate Rakuten's Quisquous New Quoz

Rakuten (4755) today announced they would seek shareholder approval to issue "Bond-Type Shares". MILES better than Toyota's AA Shares. But odd....

Travis Lundy

ASICS (7936 JP): The Current Playbook

The offering will likely be priced on 23 July. Investors who have participated in previous large Japanese placements tend to secure positive returns.

Arun George

ASICS Placement Updates - Share Pop Done, Now Needs to Correct

A group of shareholders aims to raise around US$1.3bn via selling around 11% of ASICS Corp (7936 JP). We have looked at the deal dyanmics in our...

Sumeet Singh