Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>A drop in global demand resulted in international salmon prices declining 28% in the first six months of 2020. </p>
<p>In June of last year, China experienced a second Covid outbreak in Beijing that Chines authorities attributed to chopping boards used to handle imported salmon at the Xinfadi meat wholesale market. </p>
<p>Tasmania's <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/huon-aquaculture-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12348:1" rel="noopener">Huon Aquaculture (HUO AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tassal-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16234:1" rel="noopener">Tassal (TGR AU)</a> both sell salmon to China, although China's imports are primarily sourced from Chile, Denmark, and Norway.  </p>
<p>On the 26 February this year, Huon <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02347852-3A562617?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a loss of A$95.3mn for the 1H21, including a non-impairment charge of A$113.9mn. In a <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02336871-3A560489?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">market update</a> earlier that month, Huon said salmon prices had declined ~40% relative to the first six months of 2020.</p>
<p>Concurrent with its 1H21 results, Huon said...</p>
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<p>In light of recent unsolicited approaches, the board has initiated a strategic review to assess the potential for corporate-level transactions for the benefit of shareholders.</p>
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<p>In a follow-up announcement on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02387935-3A569418?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">25 June</a>, Huon said that strategic review remains ongoing. </p>
<p>Huon is in need of cash in the face of burgeoning debt amid falling salmon prices and rising freight expenses. A possible placement has been floated, although it would need to be substantial, which would reduce the Bender family's major shareholding. </p>
<p>A more likely outcome was a take-private transaction, yet an ongoing auction process, one that was (allegedly) repeatedly extended, appeared to be losing traction. As of about a week ago, reportedly only Brazil's <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jbs-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24455:1" rel="noopener">JBS SA (JBSS3 BZ)</a> was still in the running.</p>
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<h3>The New News</h3>
<p>Huon has now <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02404691-3A572314?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a firm Offer with JBS.</p>
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<p>Under the terms of the Offer, by way of Scheme, Huon shareholders will receive A$3.85/share in cash. A fully-franked dividend of $0.0125/share  - if paid - will be netted. The cash price is a 61% premium to the last close, before the strategic review was announced on the 26 February. </p>
<p>The founding family (the Benders) with 53% intend to vote all of their shares in support of the Scheme, in the absence of a superior offer.</p>
<p>In addition to a shareholder vote, this Offer requires approval from FIRB.</p>
<p>A Scheme meeting is expected to take place late October with possible competition in November. </p>
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<p>More below the fold.</p>
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<p></p>
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A drop in global demand resulted in international salmon prices declining 28% in the first six months of 2020. 
In June of last year, China experienced a second Covid outbreak in Beijing that Chines authorities attributed to chopping boards used to handle imported salmon at the Xinfadi meat wholesale market. 
Tasmania's Huon Aquaculture (HUO AU) and Tassal (TGR AU) both sell salmon to China, although China's imports are primarily sourced from Chile, Denmark, and Norway.  
On the 26 February this year, Huon announced a loss of A$95.3mn for the 1H21, including a non-impairment charge of A$113.9mn. In a market update earlier that month, Huon said salmon prices had declined ~40% relative to the first six months of 2020.
Concurrent with its 1H21 results, Huon said...

In light of recent unsolicited approaches, the board has initiated a strategic review to assess the potential for corporate-level transactions for the benefit of shareholders.

In a follow-up announcement on the 25 June, Huon said that strategic review remains ongoing. 
Huon is in need of cash in the face of burgeoning debt amid falling salmon prices and rising freight expenses. A possible placement has been floated, although it would need to be substantial, which would reduce the Bender family's major shareholding. 
A more likely outcome was a take-private transaction, yet an ongoing auction process, one that was (allegedly) repeatedly extended, appeared to be losing traction. As of about a week ago, reportedly only Brazil's JBS SA (JBSS3 BZ) was still in the running.

The New News
Huon has now announced a firm Offer with JBS.


Under the terms of the Offer, by way of Scheme, Huon shareholders will receive A$3.85/share in cash. A fully-franked dividend of $0.0125/share  - if paid - will be netted. The cash price is a 61% premium to the last close, before the strategic review was announced on the 26 February. 
The founding family (the Benders) with 53% intend to vote all of their shares in support of the Scheme, in the absence of a superior offer.
In addition to a shareholder vote, this Offer requires approval from FIRB.
A Scheme meeting is expected to take place late October with possible competition in November. 


More below the fold.





<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23755:1" rel="noopener">Square Inc (SQ US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/afterpay-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26940:1" rel="noopener">Afterpay (APT AU)</a> have <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02402191-3A571915?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a firm merger, the completion of which will create Australia's largest-ever buyout, exceeding <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unibail-rodamco-se" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21140:1" rel="noopener">Unibail-Rodamco SE (UL NA)</a>'s 2017 takeover of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/westfield-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:896:1" rel="noopener">Westfield Corp (WFD AU)</a> - discussed <a href="https://skr.ma/8TPFU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>Under the terms of the Offer, by way of Scheme, Afterpay shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.375 shares of Square Class A common stock for each Afterpay ordinary share.</p>
<p>Based on Square’s closing price of US$247.26 on July 30, 2021, this represents an implied transaction price of ~A$126.21 per Afterpay share, or a premium of ~30.6%.</p>
<p>Following completion of the transaction, Afterpay shareholders are expected to own ~18.5% of the merged entity on a fully diluted basis.</p>
<p>Square <em>may</em> elect to pay 1% of total consideration in cash.</p>
<p>Square has agreed to establish a secondary listing on the ASX to allow Afterpay shareholders to trade Square shares via CHESS.</p>
<p>The merger is tentatively expected to complete in the 1Q22. The Scheme has the unanimous backing of both Boards. </p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>

Square Inc (SQ US) and Afterpay (APT AU) have announced a firm merger, the completion of which will create Australia's largest-ever buyout, exceeding Unibail-Rodamco SE (UL NA)'s 2017 takeover of Westfield Corp (WFD AU) - discussed here.
Under the terms of the Offer, by way of Scheme, Afterpay shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.375 shares of Square Class A common stock for each Afterpay ordinary share.
Based on Square’s closing price of US$247.26 on July 30, 2021, this represents an implied transaction price of ~A$126.21 per Afterpay share, or a premium of ~30.6%.
Following completion of the transaction, Afterpay shareholders are expected to own ~18.5% of the merged entity on a fully diluted basis.
Square may elect to pay 1% of total consideration in cash.
Square has agreed to establish a secondary listing on the ASX to allow Afterpay shareholders to trade Square shares via CHESS.
The merger is tentatively expected to complete in the 1Q22. The Scheme has the unanimous backing of both Boards. 
More below the fold.

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<p>Despite a momentary memory lapse from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oil-search-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:773:1" rel="noopener">Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/santos-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:711:1" rel="noopener">Santos Ltd (STO AU)</a> <a target="_blank">confirmed</a> on the 20 July it had submitted a confidential, non-binding, indicative all-scrip merger proposal to Oil Search's board on the 25 June.</p>
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<p>Santos proposed Oil Search shareholders receive 0.589 new Santos shares for each Oil Search share held, resulting in Oil Search shareholders holding 37% of the merged group and Santos shareholders 63%. The implied transaction price, to be implemented via a Scheme, was A$4.25 per Oil Search share - based on Santos’ closing price on 24 June 2021 - or a 12.3% premium to Oil Search's closing price on the same day.</p>
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<p>Oil Search considered the terms were not fair but <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02397158-2A1310798?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agreed</a> there was strategic logic combining with Santos. </p>
<p>In <em><a href="https://skr.ma/epYxh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Santos/Oil Search: Getting Facts Straight</a></em>, I recommended buying Oil Search, with a view towards an improved ratio upwards of ~0.66x, or ~25% premium to last close using both share prices as 24 June. </p>
<p>This morning Santos <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02402372-2A1313090?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bumped</a> the consideration by 6.5% to 0.6275 new Santos shares for every Oil Search share.  This would give Oil Search's shareholders 38.5% of the merger group. The implied transaction price of A$4.52/share  - if using Santos price on the 24 June - is a 19.7% premium to the undisturbed price. </p>
<p>The Oil Search board recommends the Offer in the absence of superior proposal. Due diligence has been afforded.</p>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
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<p></p>
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Despite a momentary memory lapse from Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU), Santos Ltd (STO AU) confirmed on the 20 July it had submitted a confidential, non-binding, indicative all-scrip merger proposal to Oil Search's board on the 25 June.


Santos proposed Oil Search shareholders receive 0.589 new Santos shares for each Oil Search share held, resulting in Oil Search shareholders holding 37% of the merged group and Santos shareholders 63%. The implied transaction price, to be implemented via a Scheme, was A$4.25 per Oil Search share - based on Santos’ closing price on 24 June 2021 - or a 12.3% premium to Oil Search's closing price on the same day.


Oil Search considered the terms were not fair but agreed there was strategic logic combining with Santos. 
In Santos/Oil Search: Getting Facts Straight, I recommended buying Oil Search, with a view towards an improved ratio upwards of ~0.66x, or ~25% premium to last close using both share prices as 24 June. 
This morning Santos bumped the consideration by 6.5% to 0.6275 new Santos shares for every Oil Search share.  This would give Oil Search's shareholders 38.5% of the merger group. The implied transaction price of A$4.52/share  - if using Santos price on the 24 June - is a 19.7% premium to the undisturbed price. 
The Oil Search board recommends the Offer in the absence of superior proposal. Due diligence has been afforded.
More below the fold.





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<p>After <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02395702-2A1310049?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejecting</a> two take-private proposals from PR outfit firm KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spark-infrastructure-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:595:1" rel="noopener">Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU)</a> has ostensibly supported the Consortium's improved tilt of $2.95/share.</p>
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<p>The Consortium (KKR/OTPPB)'s latest proposal, up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share, was considered by Spark's board to be in the interest of its shareholders to engage further. As such, Spark has provided the Consortium with due diligence on a non-exclusive basis.</p>
<p>This Offer remains pre-conditional, and is subject to satisfactory DD, together with board approval from both KKR and OTPPB.</p>
<p>A firm Offer, should one unfold, would be subject to FIRB approval, and the approval from Spark's shareholders at a Scheme Meeting.</p>
<p>Yet this looks like a full (er) Offer than the one rejected on the 15 July.</p>
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<p>More below the fold.</p>
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After rejecting two take-private proposals from PR outfit firm KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU) has ostensibly supported the Consortium's improved tilt of $2.95/share.


The Consortium (KKR/OTPPB)'s latest proposal, up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share, was considered by Spark's board to be in the interest of its shareholders to engage further. As such, Spark has provided the Consortium with due diligence on a non-exclusive basis.
This Offer remains pre-conditional, and is subject to satisfactory DD, together with board approval from both KKR and OTPPB.
A firm Offer, should one unfold, would be subject to FIRB approval, and the approval from Spark's shareholders at a Scheme Meeting.
Yet this looks like a full (er) Offer than the one rejected on the 15 July.


More below the fold.


Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR & OTPPB Pay Up

<p>When questioned by analysts at an investor briefing on the 19 July as to any takeover offers, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oil-search-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:773:1" rel="noopener">Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU)</a>'s chairman Rick Lee denied it had received a change-of control approach.</p>
<p>That wasn't entirely incorrect. It wasn't even close. </p>
<p>The day after that briefing, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/santos-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:711:1" rel="noopener">Santos Ltd (STO AU)</a> <a href="file:///D:/Quiddity/Oil%20search/2924-02396991_NPS-2A1310715.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> that on 25 June 2021 it had submitted a confidential, non-binding, indicative all-scrip merger proposal to Oil Search's board.</p>
<p>The proposal, to be implemented through a Scheme, would result in Oil Search shareholders receiving 0.589 new Santos shares for each Oil Search share held. Upon completion, Oil Search shareholders would own 37% of the merged group and Santos shareholders 63%.</p>
<p>The implied transaction price was A$4.25 per Oil Search share, based on Santos’ closing price on 24 June 2021, or a 12.3% premium to Oil Search's closing price on the same day.</p>
<p>Oil Search <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02397158-2A1310798?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agreed</a> there was strategic logic combining with Santos, but that the terms of the combo were "demonstrably not" fair. </p>
<p>In addition, Oil Search's MD Kerian Wulff <a href="file:///D:/Quiddity/Oil%20search/2924-02396558-2A1310512.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resigned</a> for health reasons and that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>following the receipt of recent concerns and complaints about his (Wulff's) behaviour .... the Board considered that Dr Wulff had behaved in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected by the Board in relation to his management style.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Lots more below the fold.</p>

When questioned by analysts at an investor briefing on the 19 July as to any takeover offers, Oil Search Ltd (OSH AU)'s chairman Rick Lee denied it had received a change-of control approach.
That wasn't entirely incorrect. It wasn't even close. 
The day after that briefing, Santos Ltd (STO AU) confirmed that on 25 June 2021 it had submitted a confidential, non-binding, indicative all-scrip merger proposal to Oil Search's board.
The proposal, to be implemented through a Scheme, would result in Oil Search shareholders receiving 0.589 new Santos shares for each Oil Search share held. Upon completion, Oil Search shareholders would own 37% of the merged group and Santos shareholders 63%.
The implied transaction price was A$4.25 per Oil Search share, based on Santos’ closing price on 24 June 2021, or a 12.3% premium to Oil Search's closing price on the same day.
Oil Search agreed there was strategic logic combining with Santos, but that the terms of the combo were "demonstrably not" fair. 
In addition, Oil Search's MD Kerian Wulff resigned for health reasons and that:

following the receipt of recent concerns and complaints about his (Wulff's) behaviour .... the Board considered that Dr Wulff had behaved in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected by the Board in relation to his management style.

Lots more below the fold.

Santos/Oil Search: Getting Facts Straight

Australia

Sydney Airport operates the Sydney, Australia airport. The Company develops and maintains the airport infrastructure and leases terminal space to airlines and retailers.

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JBS Nets Huon Agriculture (ASX: HUO)

The company is on the back foot in the face of increasing debt amid falling salmon prices and skyrocketing freight prices. JBS appears the only...

David Blennerhassett

Afterpay Ltd (APT AU): All Squared Away

I think it is highly illustrative the co-founders are happy to kick out at price ~22% below the recent high of A$160/share, potentially suggesting...

David Blennerhassett

Santos and Oil Search Agree on Terms

This remains a non-binding offer but ostensibly is done. Yet Wulff's resignation, Mubadala's sell-down, and chairman Rick Lee's odd short-term...

David Blennerhassett

Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR & OTPPB Pay Up

Assuming ~5 months to complete, this is trading at a gross/annualised return of 5%/12.6%. I don't expect any shareholders to oppose, and FIRB...

David Blennerhassett

Santos/Oil Search: Getting Facts Straight

I would expect Oil Search to engage at ~0.66x, or ~25% premium to last close using both share prices as 24 June. I'd be buying here. I would expect...

David Blennerhassett

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