Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Japan Petroleum Exploration / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Japanese companies are buying back more stock than ever before, and recent moves by the TSE and METI are effectively pushing for more.</li>
<li>The new goal is to lift PBR and ROE. The easiest way to lift ROE is reduce E. Low-PBR Cos with excess assets and cross-holdings (outbound and inbound) are targets.</li>
<li>In this insight I look at several possible rankings for potential large buyback targets.</li>
</ul>


Japanese companies are buying back more stock than ever before, and recent moves by the TSE and METI are effectively pushing for more.
The new goal is to lift PBR and ROE. The easiest way to lift ROE is reduce E. Low-PBR Cos with excess assets and cross-holdings (outbound and inbound) are targets.
In this insight I look at several possible rankings for potential large buyback targets.


JAPAN GOVERNANCE CHANGES II - Who Could Surprise on Buybacks? Quant Rankings

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.

<ul>
<li>Murakami's City Index Eleventh entity reported a 5.11% position in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jsr-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17620:1" rel="noopener">JSR Corp (4185 JP)</a>. The share purchases started on 19 March, the day of the tender start.</li>
<li>Murakami’s average buy-in price of JPY4,346.22 per share is broadly in line with the JPY4,350 tender offer. </li>
<li>Murakami's disclosure suggests two possibilities: starting an activist campaign for a bump or pursuing the appraisal process to determine a fair value. We think the latter is likely. </li>
</ul>


Murakami's City Index Eleventh entity reported a 5.11% position in JSR Corp (4185 JP). The share purchases started on 19 March, the day of the tender start.
Murakami’s average buy-in price of JPY4,346.22 per share is broadly in line with the JPY4,350 tender offer. 
Murakami's disclosure suggests two possibilities: starting an activist campaign for a bump or pursuing the appraisal process to determine a fair value. We think the latter is likely. 


JSR Corporation (4185 JP): Murakami Becomes a Substantial Shareholder

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lawson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1040:1" rel="noopener">Lawson Inc (2651 JP)</a> has announced that the pre-condition for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kddi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:639:1" rel="noopener">KDDI Corp (9433 JP)</a> tender offer is satisfied. The offer terms are unchanged at JPY10,360 per share. </li>
<li>The offer is arguably light due to the market re-rating, does not reflect significant synergies and is below the midpoint of the IFA DCF valuation range. </li>
<li>Nevertheless, the offer will likely succeed as it represents an all-time high, with no vocal opposition, an achievable 30.2% minority acceptance rate, and the shares never trading through terms. </li>
</ul>



Lawson Inc (2651 JP) has announced that the pre-condition for the KDDI Corp (9433 JP) tender offer is satisfied. The offer terms are unchanged at JPY10,360 per share. 
The offer is arguably light due to the market re-rating, does not reflect significant synergies and is below the midpoint of the IFA DCF valuation range. 
Nevertheless, the offer will likely succeed as it represents an all-time high, with no vocal opposition, an achievable 30.2% minority acceptance rate, and the shares never trading through terms. 


Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Tender Offer Launches

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>For the month of January 2024, 8 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$2bn.</li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in January was ~34%. </li>
<li>This compares to the average premium for transactions in 2023 (117 transactions), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) of 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.</li>
</ul>


For the month of January 2024, 8 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of ~US$2bn.
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in January was ~34%. 
This compares to the average premium for transactions in 2023 (117 transactions), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) of 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31% respectively.


(Mostly) Asia M&A, Jan 2024: Newmark, Eureka, Aoki, Medley, Payroll, Kerry Express, Genetron, TDCX

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life (8750 JP)</a> has the wherewithal, and probably the synergies to make a bump for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One (2412 JP)</a> work. M3 is clearly not in the driver's seat.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-united-network-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12620:1" rel="noopener">China United Network (600050 CH)</a> is, for all intent and purpose, a pseudo-A to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1016:1" rel="noopener">China Unicom (762 HK)</a>. Go long Unicom, short United due to Unicom's significantly cheaper valuation.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK)</a> has had a stonking run since its rights issue. Look to unwind this set-up and take the other side: short Expressway, long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zheshang-securities-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29981:1" rel="noopener">Zheshang Securities (601878 CH)</a>.
</li>
</ul>



Dai Ichi Life (8750 JP) has the wherewithal, and probably the synergies to make a bump for Benefit One (2412 JP) work. M3 is clearly not in the driver's seat.

China United Network (600050 CH) is, for all intent and purpose, a pseudo-A to China Unicom (762 HK). Go long Unicom, short United due to Unicom's significantly cheaper valuation.

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK) has had a stonking run since its rights issue. Look to unwind this set-up and take the other side: short Expressway, long Zheshang Securities (601878 CH).



Last Week in Event SPACE: Benefit One, China Unicom, Zhejiang Expressway/ Zheshang Sec, Hollysys

Japan

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Company Ltd. produces and sells pharmaceuticals, foods, and other related products. The Company also provides insurance and information processing services and operates hotel businesses.

MEDRx Co Ltd., is a pharmaceutical company. The Company develops medicines for the pharmaceutical industry based on drug formulation technologies required for Drug Delivery Systems.

Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd. produces and sells medicine for medical use.  The Company also produces medical, health, and cosmetics products.  Nippon Chemiphar sterilizes medical instruments for hospitals and operates nursing home for elderly.

WAKAMOTO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. produces and sells prescription and generic drug.  The Company's products include vitamins, external medicine, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and drugs for digestive organs.

RaQualia Pharma, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company. The Company develops compounds for patient studies and sells drugs to pharmaceutical manufacturers. RaQualia also provides research on remedies in gastrointestinal, liver diseases, and pain in general areas.

Symbio Pharmaceuticals Limited develops and commercializes prescription drugs n oncology, hematology and auto-immune disease for Japan and other Asia Pacific markets.

Taiko Pharmaceutical Co Ltd is a pharmaceutical company that manufactures and sells gastrointestinal pharmaceuticals and general use pharmaceutical products.

Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. produces and sells pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.  The Company's main products are transfusion fluid and artificial kidney dialysis fluid.  Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries also leases real estate properties and operates bowling places.

Daito Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. is a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures generic formulations as well as supplies APIs for generic products to generic marketers. Daito serves a broad range of clients including generic medicine suppliers, ethical prescription pharmaceutical companies, healthcare products companies and home delivery medicines groups.

Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets generic drugs.  The Company produces hormone agents for the obstetrics and gynecology fields, and chemicals for x-rays and infectious disease diagnosis kits.  Fuji Pharmaceutical also provides pharmaceutical information on after-market research and the effectiveness and safety of medications.

Pharmesis International Limited is a pharmaceutical company that produces western and traditional chinese medicine products. The Company's products are in the form of tablets and granules. Pharmesis sells its products through wholesalers to hospitals via sales and marketing networks.

Rhinomed Ltd. is a medical technology company.  The Company is focused on developing nasal, respiratory and nasal drug delivery technologies.

Zelira Therapeutics Limited operates as a global therapeutic medicinal cannabis company. The Company focussed on developing branded cannabis products for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions.. Zelira Therapeutics serves customers in Australia and the United States.

PT Merck Sharp Dohme Pharma Tbk manufactures and sells a variety of pharmaceutical and household products.  The Company produces medicines for humans and animals, toiletries, cosmetics, household cleaners, and related products.

Suntar Eco-City Ltd. sold its operating subsidiary.  The Company is exploring new business ventures.

Sanai Health Industry Group Company Limited operates as a drug products manufacturing company. The Company develops and markets western pharmaceutical products, modern Chinese medicine products, over the counter drugs, and other products. Sanai Health Industry Group markets its products throughout China.

Sanai Health Industry Group Company (1889 HK)

Endo International PLC provides specialty healthcare solutions. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and distributes pharmaceutical products and generic drugs. Endo International offers its products to the medical and healthcare industries around the globe.

Hygrovest Limited operates as an investment company. The Company focuses on investments in private and public companies in high growth industries. Hygrovest serves clients worldwide.

Wellfully Limited, doing business as OBJ Limited, operates as a science-based wellness company. The Company offers products for various target wellness sectors, such as personal care, healthcare and anti-aging, personalised medicine, nutrition, and weight loss. OBJ serves customers worldwide.

Phong Phu Pharmaceutical JSC is a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures medical drugs, tea products, dairy products and trades cosmetics and provides healthcare services.

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Company Ltd. produces and sells pharmaceuticals, foods, and  other related products. The Company also provides insurance agency and information processing services and operates hotel businesses.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP)

JAPAN GOVERNANCE CHANGES II - Who Could Surprise on Buybacks? Quant Rankings

JAPAN GOVERNANCE: There is a buyback story coming. It will be big. Bigger than the past year or two, and it will continue. What to buy?

Travis Lundy

JSR Corporation (4185 JP): Murakami Becomes a Substantial Shareholder

Murakami's disclosure suggests two possibilities: starting an activist campaign for a bump or pursuing the appraisal process to determine a fair...

Arun George

Lawson (2651 JP): KDDI Corp (9433 JP) Tender Offer Launches

On balance, the offer will likely succeed. At the last close and for a 7 May payment, the gross and annualised spread is 0.5% and 5.4%, respectively.

Arun George

(Mostly) Asia M&A, Jan 2024: Newmark, Eureka, Aoki, Medley, Payroll, Kerry Express, Genetron, TDCX

For the month of January 2024, 8 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall announced deal size of...

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: Benefit One, China Unicom, Zhejiang Expressway/ Zheshang Sec, Hollysys

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)