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>
<blockquote>
<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>
</blockquote>
<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>
<div>
<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>
</div>
<div>
<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>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p></p>
</div>

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.





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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

<div><p>S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> as part of the September index review on 3 September and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 17 September.</p></div><div>We are almost three quarters of the way through the review period. There are 3 potential inclusions at the review - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/centuria-capital-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15546:1" rel="noopener">Centuria Capital (CNI AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinnacle-investment-manageme" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20624:1" rel="noopener">Wilson (PNI AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sealink-travel-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6400:1" rel="noopener">Sealink Travel (SLK AU)</a> while the potential deletions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nuix-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31040:1" rel="noopener">Nuix Limited (NXL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nrw-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9271:1" rel="noopener">NRW Holdings (NWH AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/g8-education-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:581:1" rel="noopener">G8 Education (GEM AU)</a>.</div><div></div><div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13914:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Resources (GXY AU)</a> is placed in the inclusion zone but is unlikely to be added to the index given its pending merger with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orocobre-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3572:1" rel="noopener">Orocobre Ltd (ORE AU)</a>.</div><div></div><div>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/de-grey-mining-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6192:1" rel="noopener">De Grey Mining (DEG AU)</a> is a close add and the corresponding deletion is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/westgold-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24269:1" rel="noopener">Westgold Resources (WGX AU)</a>.</div><div></div><div>There is a large impact expected on the inclusions while the impact on the deletions is lower.</div><div></div><div>For <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/g8-education-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:581:1" rel="noopener">G8 Education (GEM AU)</a>, the short interest is close to the estimated passive selling. For the other two deletes, short interest is a lot smaller than the estimated passive selling and there will be more shorts created from now to rebalance implementation day.</div>

S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes to the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) as part of the September index review on 3 September and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 17 September.We are almost three quarters of the way through the review period. There are 3 potential inclusions at the review - Centuria Capital (CNI AU), Wilson (PNI AU) and Sealink Travel (SLK AU) while the potential deletions are Nuix Limited (NXL AU), NRW Holdings (NWH AU) and G8 Education (GEM AU).
Galaxy Resources (GXY AU) is placed in the inclusion zone but is unlikely to be added to the index given its pending merger with Orocobre Ltd (ORE AU).
De Grey Mining (DEG AU) is a close add and the corresponding deletion is Westgold Resources (WGX AU).There is a large impact expected on the inclusions while the impact on the deletions is lower.For G8 Education (GEM AU), the short interest is close to the estimated passive selling. For the other two deletes, short interest is a lot smaller than the estimated passive selling and there will be more shorts created from now to rebalance implementation day.

ASX200 Sep21 Index Rebalance Preview: Large Impact Names

<p>Post market close today, S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices has announced the list of changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> as part of the March index review that will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.</p><p>There are 6 inclusions and 6 exclusions in this review. This is more than what we expected - we had 3 adds and 3 deletes, and another 2 potential adds and 2 potential deletes.</p><p>The inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/codan-ltd-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6189:1" rel="noopener">Codan Ltd (CDA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19734:1" rel="noopener">Champion Iron (CIA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hub24-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12336:1" rel="noopener">Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nickel-mines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30639:1" rel="noopener">Nickel Mines Ltd (NIC AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nuix-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31040:1" rel="noopener">Nuix Limited (NXL AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pilbara-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7460:1" rel="noopener">Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU)</a>. </p><p>The exclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bravura-solutions-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23648:1" rel="noopener">Bravura Solutions (BVS AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gwa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:663:1" rel="noopener">Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sandfire-resources-nl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1259:1" rel="noopener">Sandfire Resources Nl (SFR AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smartgroup-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19954:1" rel="noopener">Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/service-stream-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18493:1" rel="noopener">Service Stream (SSM 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>.</p><p>Given there are only 5 trading days from now to implementation, there are significant days to trade on quite a lot of the stocks.</p>

Post market close today, S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices has announced the list of changes to the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) as part of the March index review that will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.There are 6 inclusions and 6 exclusions in this review. This is more than what we expected - we had 3 adds and 3 deletes, and another 2 potential adds and 2 potential deletes.The inclusions are Codan Ltd (CDA AU), Champion Iron (CIA AU), Hub24 Ltd (HUB AU), Nickel Mines Ltd (NIC AU), Nuix Limited (NXL AU) and Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU). The exclusions are Bravura Solutions (BVS AU), Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU), Sandfire Resources Nl (SFR AU), Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU), Service Stream (SSM AU) and Tassal (TGR AU).Given there are only 5 trading days from now to implementation, there are significant days to trade on quite a lot of the stocks.

ASX200 Index Rebalance: More Change Than Expected

<div><p>S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> as part of the March index review on 12 March and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.</p></div><div>
<p>The data cutoff for the March review was 26 February.</p>
<p>We see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nuix-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31040:1" rel="noopener">Nuix Limited (NXL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/codan-ltd-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6189:1" rel="noopener">Codan Ltd (CDA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pilbara-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7460:1" rel="noopener">Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU)</a> as potential inclusions to the index, while we see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/service-stream-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18493:1" rel="noopener">Service Stream (SSM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tassal-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16234:1" rel="noopener">Tassal (TGR AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bravura-solutions-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23648:1" rel="noopener">Bravura Solutions (BVS AU)</a> as potential exclusions from the index.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/champion-iron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19734:1" rel="noopener">Champion Iron (CIA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/de-grey-mining-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6192:1" rel="noopener">De Grey Mining (DEG AU)</a> are close adds while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gwa-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:663:1" rel="noopener">Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smartgroup-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19954:1" rel="noopener">Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU)</a> are close deletes.</p>
<p>Short interest on the potential inclusions has been decreasing and is currently near the lows while short interest on the potential deletions has been steadily increasing and is at the highs.</p>
<p>Since the last index review in December, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pointsbet-holdings-pty-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29102:1" rel="noopener">PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU)</a> was included in the index replacing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a> following its merger of equals with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/northern-star-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4243:1" rel="noopener">Northern Star Resources (NST AU)</a>.</p>
</div>

S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices will announce changes to the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) as part of the March index review on 12 March and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 19 March.
The data cutoff for the March review was 26 February.
We see Nuix Limited (NXL AU), Codan Ltd (CDA AU) and Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU) as potential inclusions to the index, while we see Service Stream (SSM AU), Tassal (TGR AU) and Bravura Solutions (BVS AU) as potential exclusions from the index.
Champion Iron (CIA AU) and De Grey Mining (DEG AU) are close adds while Gwa Group Ltd (GWA AU) and Smartgroup Corp (SIQ AU) are close deletes.
Short interest on the potential inclusions has been decreasing and is currently near the lows while short interest on the potential deletions has been steadily increasing and is at the highs.
Since the last index review in December, PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU) was included in the index replacing Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) following its merger of equals with Northern Star Resources (NST AU).


ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes & Some Close Names

<p>Following the merger of equals between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/northern-star-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4243:1" rel="noopener">Northern Star Resources (NST AU)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a>, Saracen's last trading day will be 3 February.</p><p>The various index providers will all delete <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a> at the close of trading on 3 February and increase the number of shares and investability weight for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/northern-star-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4243:1" rel="noopener">Northern Star Resources (NST AU)</a>. This will result in passive selling on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a> and passive buying on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/northern-star-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4243:1" rel="noopener">Northern Star Resources (NST AU)</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a>'s deletion from the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> will create a vacancy that will be filled by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pointsbet-holdings-pty-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29102:1" rel="noopener">PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU)</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pointsbet-holdings-pty-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29102:1" rel="noopener">PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU)</a>'s inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saracen-mineral-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2415:1" rel="noopener">Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)</a>'s deletion will also lead to changes in the names that are expected to be included in/excluded from the index at the March review.</p>

Following the merger of equals between Northern Star Resources (NST AU) and Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU), Saracen's last trading day will be 3 February.The various index providers will all delete Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) at the close of trading on 3 February and increase the number of shares and investability weight for Northern Star Resources (NST AU). This will result in passive selling on Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU) and passive buying on Northern Star Resources (NST AU).Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)'s deletion from the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) will create a vacancy that will be filled by PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU).PointsBet Holdings Pty Ltd (PBH AU)'s inclusion in the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) and Saracen Mineral Holdings (SAR AU)'s deletion will also lead to changes in the names that are expected to be included in/excluded from the index at the March review.

Australia

Tassal Group Limited produces and markets Atlantic salmon and ocean trout.  The Company's product is marketed under the Royal Tasman Salmon brand.  The products are distributed in Australia, Japan and other international markets.

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Tassal (TGR AU)

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

ASX200 Sep21 Index Rebalance Preview: Large Impact Names

We see 3 potential changes to the ASX200 at the Sep rebalance with CNI, PNI and SLK being included and NXL, NRW and GEM being deleted. Passive...

Brian Freitas

ASX200 Index Rebalance: More Change Than Expected

There are 6 inclusions and 6 exclusions for the ASX200 at the March review. There are a few 'surprises' and there is quite a lot of short interest...

Brian Freitas

ASX200 Index Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes & Some Close Names

We see three potential changes to the ASX200 in the March review while there are another two close adds/deletes. High short interest on the...

Brian Freitas

Saracen/Northern Star Merger: Index Flow

Saracen Minerals will be deleted from all indices at the close on 3 February following its merger with Northern Star. There could be a lot of flow...

Brian Freitas

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