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

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> announced that it received a non-binding indicative proposal from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/carlyle-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33402:1" rel="noopener">Carlyle Group Inc (CG US)</a>. Carlyle will offer A$3.00 cash per share plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% shareholding in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a> (worth A$2.38 per Link share at PEXA’s share price of A$16.23 on 4 November). The total consideration of A$5.38 per share is a 24.2% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (on 4 November). Carlyle’s core Link (excluding PEXA stake) value of A$3.00 per share is a 53.8% premium to the implied core Link share price of A$1.95 per share (on 4 November). </p><p>Link is no stranger to bids and received several bids in the recent past, including from Carlyle. Carlyle and Pacific Equity Partners made an indicative A$5.20 per share offer on 12 October 2020, which was later raised to A$5.40 on 26 October but withdrawn on 28 April 2021. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> lobbed an A$5.65 per share offer on 7 December 2020 but withdrew the offer on 3 January 2021. Also, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kkr-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27333:1" rel="noopener">KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/domain-holdings-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26033:1" rel="noopener">Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)</a> proposed to acquire PEXA for A$3.1 billion on 27 May 2021 which was declined in favour of a separate listing for PEXA.  </p><p>Link’s Board has argued that the previous bids did not represent compelling value and sought to generate shareholder returns through the PEXA IPO and outlining ambitious FY26 targets in a November investor day. However, PEXA’s market cap of A$2.8 billion at last close is below KKR’s bid of A$3.1 billion. The lukewarm share price response (shares down -2% on the following day) to the investor day points to low confidence that the targets can be reached. </p><p>Carlyle’s latest offer is subject to due diligence, execution of transaction documents and securing debt financing. Due diligence should be short due to Carlyle’s access to the due diligence materials through its previous bid.  </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The Board’s previous track record of knocking back bids has resulted in Link’s last close price of A$4.70 trading at a wide 14.5% gross spread to the indicative offer of A$5.38 per share. However, due to the Board’s failure to generate shareholder value and there no longer being a debate on PEXA valuation (as PEXA is now listed), the Board will face pressure to engage with Carlyle. We also think that Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00 per share, which is 21% below its previous offer which valued core Link at A$3.80 per share. </p></div>

Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) announced that it received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Group Inc (CG US). Carlyle will offer A$3.00 cash per share plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% shareholding in PEXA Group (PXA AU) (worth A$2.38 per Link share at PEXA’s share price of A$16.23 on 4 November). The total consideration of A$5.38 per share is a 24.2% premium to the unaffected price of A$4.33 (on 4 November). Carlyle’s core Link (excluding PEXA stake) value of A$3.00 per share is a 53.8% premium to the implied core Link share price of A$1.95 per share (on 4 November). Link is no stranger to bids and received several bids in the recent past, including from Carlyle. Carlyle and Pacific Equity Partners made an indicative A$5.20 per share offer on 12 October 2020, which was later raised to A$5.40 on 26 October but withdrawn on 28 April 2021. SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) lobbed an A$5.65 per share offer on 7 December 2020 but withdrew the offer on 3 January 2021. Also, KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US) and Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU) proposed to acquire PEXA for A$3.1 billion on 27 May 2021 which was declined in favour of a separate listing for PEXA.  Link’s Board has argued that the previous bids did not represent compelling value and sought to generate shareholder returns through the PEXA IPO and outlining ambitious FY26 targets in a November investor day. However, PEXA’s market cap of A$2.8 billion at last close is below KKR’s bid of A$3.1 billion. The lukewarm share price response (shares down -2% on the following day) to the investor day points to low confidence that the targets can be reached. Carlyle’s latest offer is subject to due diligence, execution of transaction documents and securing debt financing. Due diligence should be short due to Carlyle’s access to the due diligence materials through its previous bid.  The Board’s previous track record of knocking back bids has resulted in Link’s last close price of A$4.70 trading at a wide 14.5% gross spread to the indicative offer of A$5.38 per share. However, due to the Board’s failure to generate shareholder value and there no longer being a debate on PEXA valuation (as PEXA is now listed), the Board will face pressure to engage with Carlyle. We also think that Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00 per share, which is 21% below its previous offer which valued core Link at A$3.80 per share. 

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
<p>Back on the 12 October last year,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02292481-2A1255763?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a conditional, non-binding indicative proposal from a consortium comprising Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and the Carlyle Group, by way of a Scheme. </p>
<p>The indicative cash price was A$5.20/share, a 30% premium to last close. Perpetual, holding 9.65% of shares out, said it would vote for a firm Offer of $5.20/share and above.</p>
<p>PEP had previously owned Link before it floated the company at A$6.37/share in 2015.</p>
<p>After Link <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02297758-2A1258281?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the proposal from PEP/Carlyle "<em>materially undervalued the company</em>", the following events took place:</p>
<div>
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<h3>Date</h3>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<h3>Data in the Date</h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">26-Oct-20</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">PEP/Carlyle <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02298663-2A1258716?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tabled</a> a A$5.40/share non-binding indicative Offer, in cash.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">28-Oct-20</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">Link <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02300645-2A1259592?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> that the proposal was not compelling - but gave the consortium DD access nonetheless.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">7-Dec-20</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">Software provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> pitched a non-binding indicative proposal, by way of Scheme, at A$5.65/share, 4.6% above PEP/Carlyle's proposal.<br><br><em><a href="https://skr.ma/aNsnW" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Admin (LNK AU): SS&amp;C Trumps PEP/Carlyle</a></em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>10-Dec-20</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>Link <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02320482-2A1269370?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grants</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> due diligence, despite Offer not being compelling. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>3-Jan-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">SS&amp;C <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02327774-2A1273133?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdraws</a> proposal for Link</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">26-Apr-21</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">Bids coming in for Link's 44% stake in PEXA, the digital property settlements group.<br><br><em><a href="https://skr.ma/BxzDT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Admin (LNK AU): PEXA Bidding</a></em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>28-Apr-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>After PEP/Carlyle <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02367784-2A1294740?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdrew</a> its proposal, Link said it had received non-binding indications for PEXA "significantly greater" than the $1.60/share proposed under the PEP/Carlyle Offer.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>27-May-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>Link <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02379094-2A1300378?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it had received an Offer from KKR, in partnership with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/domain-holdings-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26033:1" rel="noopener">Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)</a>, representing an EV of $3bn for 100% of PEXA, or A$1.38bn for Link's equity stake. <br><br><em><a href="https://skr.ma/NQHcJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Group (LNK AU): KKR Opens The Bidding For PEXA</a></em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>30 May-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>Link <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02379720-2A1300690?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it would take PEXA public on with an enterprise value of A$3.3bn.<br><br><em><a href="https://skr.ma/CrBHo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link Admin (LNK AU) Goes IPO Route For PEXA Afterall</a></em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>31-May-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/domain-holdings-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26033:1" rel="noopener">Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)</a><a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02379766-2A1300716?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it is no longer participating in the PEXA sale process. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>15-Jun-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a> prospectus <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02384387-2A1303417?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lodged</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>1-Jul-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>PEXA commenced trading at <a href="https://www.pexa.com.au/news/pexa-lists-on-the-australian-securities-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$17.13/share</a>. Link held 42.8% at the conclusion of the IPO.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 168.591px;">
<p>26-Aug-21</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 534.94px;">
<p>Link announced on-market buybacks up to <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02412381-2A1318563?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A$150mn</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>The New News</h3>
</div>
<div>
<p>Carlyle has returned to the well with a non-binding offer of <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02447824-2A1336602?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$5.38/share</a>, by way of a Scheme, valuing Link at A$2.8bn.</p>
<p>The Offer consideration is $3.00/share in cash for Link's core business, plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a>, which has a look-through value of A$2.38/share. Therefore Carlyle's proposal values each Link share at $5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to last close.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>That looks to be a compelling Offer.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
<p></p>
</div>


Back on the 12 October last year,  Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) announced a conditional, non-binding indicative proposal from a consortium comprising Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and the Carlyle Group, by way of a Scheme. 
The indicative cash price was A$5.20/share, a 30% premium to last close. Perpetual, holding 9.65% of shares out, said it would vote for a firm Offer of $5.20/share and above.
PEP had previously owned Link before it floated the company at A$6.37/share in 2015.
After Link said the proposal from PEP/Carlyle "materially undervalued the company", the following events took place:





Date


Data in the Date



26-Oct-20
PEP/Carlyle tabled a A$5.40/share non-binding indicative Offer, in cash.


28-Oct-20
Link responded that the proposal was not compelling - but gave the consortium DD access nonetheless.


7-Dec-20
Software provider Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) pitched a non-binding indicative proposal, by way of Scheme, at A$5.65/share, 4.6% above PEP/Carlyle's proposal.  Link Admin (LNK AU): SS&amp;C Trumps PEP/Carlyle




10-Dec-20


Link grants Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) due diligence, despite Offer not being compelling. 




3-Jan-21

SS&amp;C withdraws proposal for Link


26-Apr-21
Bids coming in for Link's 44% stake in PEXA, the digital property settlements group.  Link Admin (LNK AU): PEXA Bidding




28-Apr-21


After PEP/Carlyle withdrew its proposal, Link said it had received non-binding indications for PEXA "significantly greater" than the $1.60/share proposed under the PEP/Carlyle Offer.




27-May-21


Link announced it had received an Offer from KKR, in partnership with Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU), representing an EV of $3bn for 100% of PEXA, or A$1.38bn for Link's equity stake.   Link Group (LNK AU): KKR Opens The Bidding For PEXA




30 May-21


Link announced it would take PEXA public on with an enterprise value of A$3.3bn.  Link Admin (LNK AU) Goes IPO Route For PEXA Afterall




31-May-21


Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)announced it is no longer participating in the PEXA sale process. 




15-Jun-21


PEXA Group (PXA AU) prospectus lodged




1-Jul-21


PEXA commenced trading at $17.13/share. Link held 42.8% at the conclusion of the IPO.




26-Aug-21


Link announced on-market buybacks up to A$150mn





The New News


Carlyle has returned to the well with a non-binding offer of $5.38/share, by way of a Scheme, valuing Link at A$2.8bn.
The Offer consideration is $3.00/share in cash for Link's core business, plus a pro-rata distribution of Link’s 42.8% stake in PEXA Group (PXA AU), which has a look-through value of A$2.38/share. Therefore Carlyle's proposal values each Link share at $5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to last close.


That looks to be a compelling Offer.


More below the fold.



Link Admin (LNK AU): Carlyle Returns. With A Lower Offer

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

<p>Earlier today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> announced that it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Asia Partners to acquire 100% of the shares in Link Group by way of a Scheme of Arrangement for a consideration of A$3/share in cash plus a pro-rata distribution of Link Group's shareholding in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a>. At a lookthrough valuation of A$2.38 per Link Group share based on the PEXA holding, the Carlyle offer values <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> at A$5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to the last close.</p><p>This follows a consortium offer (of which Carlyle was a part) in October 2020 to acquire all the shares in Link Group at an indicative price of A$5.20/share. The Link Group board rejected the offer and then Carlyle upped their offer to A$5.40/share following which due diligence was granted. SS&amp;C then jumped into the fray with an A$5.65/share offer in December. Neither offer came to fruition and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> went ahead with the listing of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pexa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34716:1" rel="noopener">PEXA Group (PXA AU)</a>.</p><p>And now here were are again with Carlyle making another go for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a>.</p><p>We do not expect the Link Group Board to recommend the offer to shareholders but they could grant due diligence access in the hope of getting Carlyle to make a higher offer.</p>

Earlier today, Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) announced that it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Carlyle Asia Partners to acquire 100% of the shares in Link Group by way of a Scheme of Arrangement for a consideration of A$3/share in cash plus a pro-rata distribution of Link Group's shareholding in PEXA Group (PXA AU). At a lookthrough valuation of A$2.38 per Link Group share based on the PEXA holding, the Carlyle offer values Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) at A$5.38/share, a 24.2% premium to the last close.This follows a consortium offer (of which Carlyle was a part) in October 2020 to acquire all the shares in Link Group at an indicative price of A$5.20/share. The Link Group board rejected the offer and then Carlyle upped their offer to A$5.40/share following which due diligence was granted. SS&amp;C then jumped into the fray with an A$5.65/share offer in December. Neither offer came to fruition and Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) went ahead with the listing of PEXA Group (PXA AU).And now here were are again with Carlyle making another go for Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU).We do not expect the Link Group Board to recommend the offer to shareholders but they could grant due diligence access in the hope of getting Carlyle to make a higher offer.

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations

Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd / Event-Driven

<p>Australia-based third party fund administration services provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mainstream-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30611:1" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU)</a> has been the interest of multiple suitors in the last 3 months. The share price has more-than-doubled in this period.</p><p>It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders including US-based financial technology firm <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> and Global Fund Administrator <a href="https://www.theapexgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apex Group Limited</a> have gotten involved in this situation. </p><p>I have discussed the situation in the following insights so far.  </p><table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><h3>Date</h3></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><h3>Insight Title</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>9-Mar-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-group-mai-au-go-shop-provision-makes-it-interesting" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48962" rel="noopener">Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">On 12th April, US-based financial technology company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a> launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>15-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-massive-overbid-by-ss-c-now-vistra-has-to-respond" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50366" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;">MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>27-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-competition-forces-ss-c-to-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50762" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump</a> </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator <a href="https://www.theapexgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apex Group Limited</a> (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. </p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>29-Apr-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-three-in-a-row-bullseye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50761" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!</a></strong></td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>Apex <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02369747-2A1295495?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bumped</a> their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. </p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>2-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-more-than-double-in-less-than-2-months-after-apex-bump" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50950" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump</a>) </strong></p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p>I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02372009-2A1296693?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercised their matching right</a> and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. </p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>6-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 607px;"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-bidding-war-continues-as-ss-c-overbids-for-the-4th-time" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51146" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time</a> </strong></p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. </p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"><strong>14-May-21</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mainstream-mai-au-120-in-2-months-but-bidding-war-continues" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51451" rel="noopener">Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues...</a> </strong></p></td>
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<td style="width: 75px;"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Since the publication of this insight, there have been 5 new bids. </p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p><strong>Below is a discussion on the latest developments</strong> </p><hr><div class="content-remarks"><p><em>For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-australia-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:30118" rel="noopener">Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-m-a-australia-foreign-investment-reforms" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40210" rel="noopener">Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms</a></em></p></div>

Australia-based third party fund administration services provider Mainstream Group Holdings Ltd (MAI AU) has been the interest of multiple suitors in the last 3 months. The share price has more-than-doubled in this period.It all started when Hong Kong-headquartered Vistra launched a bid at A$1.20/share on 9th March 2021. Since then, multiple competitive bidders including US-based financial technology firm SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) and Global Fund Administrator Apex Group Limited have gotten involved in this situation. I have discussed the situation in the following insights so far.  

Date
Insight Title


9-Mar-21
Mainstream Group (MAI AU): Go-Shop Provision Makes It Interesting 



On 12th April, US-based financial technology company Ss&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US) launched a competing bid at A$2.00/share (a 66.7% increase from Vistra's A$1.20). 


15-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Massive Overbid by SS&amp;C, Now Vistra Has to Respond 



MAI received a bid at A$2.20/share from an unidentified 3rd party party and SS&amp;C bumped their bid to A$2.25/share on 27th April 2021. 


27-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More Competition Forces SS&amp;C to Bump 



After the close on 28th April, Global Fund Administrator Apex Group Limited (Apex) launched a non-binding bid at A$2.35/share and MAI matched this bid. 


29-Apr-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Three-In-A-Row! Bullseye!



Apex bumped their bid to A$2.55/share on 30th April 2021. 


2-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): More-Than-Double in Less than 2 Months After Apex Bump) 



I turned Bearish on the situation claiming that "as a Bump Option, this is not as attractive as the previous four instances". MAI AU shares dipped from A$2.65 on May 2nd to A$2.56 on May 6th and SS&amp;C exercised their matching right and raised their bid to A$2.56/share. 


6-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): Bidding War Continues as SS&amp;C Overbids for the 4th Time 



Apex raised their bid to A$2.60/share. 


14-May-21
Mainstream (MAI AU): +120% in ~2 Months but Bidding War Continues... 



Since the publication of this insight, there have been 5 new bids. 

Below is a discussion on the latest developments For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Australia, please refer to Quiddity Australia M&amp;A Guide 2019 and Quiddity M&amp;A: Australia Foreign Investment Reforms

Mainstream (MAI AU): Apex on Top Again as Bidding War Continues...

<div>
<p>Late last month, following a lull in corporate activity announcements subsequent to nonbinding Offers from both PEP/Carlyle and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ss-c-technologies-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3464:1" rel="noopener">SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Group (LNK AU)</a> said it was fielding interest for its 44.18% stake in PEXA, a digital property settlements group.</p>
</div>
<p>Bids were speculated to top A$2.5bn-A$3bn, or at least A$1.1bn A$2.05/share) for Link's stake. This compares to A$1.60/share under PEP/Carlyle's non-binding proposal.</p>
<p>Link has now <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02379094-2A1300378?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it has received an Offer from KKR, in partnership with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/domain-holdings-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26033:1" rel="noopener">Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU)</a>, representing an EV of $3bn for 100% of PEXA, or A$1.38bn for Link's equity stake. </p>
<p>The offer is subject to a number of conditions including FIRB and Link abandoning PEXA's IPO.</p>
<p>The proposal remains "<em>open and capable of acceptance</em>" until 5 pm on the 30 May. </p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>


Late last month, following a lull in corporate activity announcements subsequent to nonbinding Offers from both PEP/Carlyle and SS&amp;C Technologies (SSNC US), Link Group (LNK AU) said it was fielding interest for its 44.18% stake in PEXA, a digital property settlements group.

Bids were speculated to top A$2.5bn-A$3bn, or at least A$1.1bn A$2.05/share) for Link's stake. This compares to A$1.60/share under PEP/Carlyle's non-binding proposal.
Link has now announced it has received an Offer from KKR, in partnership with Domain Holdings Australia (DHG AU), representing an EV of $3bn for 100% of PEXA, or A$1.38bn for Link's equity stake. 
The offer is subject to a number of conditions including FIRB and Link abandoning PEXA's IPO.
The proposal remains "open and capable of acceptance" until 5 pm on the 30 May. 
More below the fold.

Link Group (LNK AU): KKR Opens The Bidding For PEXA

United States

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. develops and markets computer software for financial services providers.  The software enables trading and modeling, portfolio management and reporting, accounting, performance measurement, reconciliation, reporting, processing, and clearing.

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SS&C Technologies (SSNC US)

Link Gets Another Offer from Carlyle

Link received another offer from Carlyle worth A$5.38 per share. Carlyle has room to sweeten its bid as its latest bid values core Link at A$3.00...

Arun George

Link Admin (LNK AU): Carlyle Returns. With A Lower Offer

Trading at a gross/annualised spread of 13.1%/34.7%, assuming five months to complete. There are risks attached to Indicative Offers. However,...

David Blennerhassett

Link Group (LNK AU): Carlyle's Back

Carlyle is back with an offer for Link Group. The consideration is A$3/share in cash and a pro-rata distribution of Link's holding in PEXA Group....

Brian Freitas

Mainstream (MAI AU): Apex on Top Again as Bidding War Continues...

Apex climbs to the top again with a A$2.80 bid in the bidding war involving third party fund administrator Mainstream (MAI AU). Competing bidder...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Link Group (LNK AU): KKR Opens The Bidding For PEXA

Shares should pop tomorrow. There remain other interested parties in PEXA. Plus you still have PEP/Carlyle's non-binding Offer behind the scenes. I...

David Blennerhassett

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