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

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a>/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its <em>DiDi Chuxing</em> app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uber-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1" rel="noopener">Uber (UBER US)</a> (12.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> (6.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:73:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Motor (7203 JP)</a>. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/didi-chuxing-xiaoju-kuaizhi-initiation-in-for-a-bumpy-ride" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53014" rel="noopener">Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?</a>, we opined that Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a company that possesses a highly profitable and cash generative core business. Unfortunately, Didi’s core china mobility business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. </p><p>Today, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/exclusive-chinas-ipo-bound-didi-probed-antitrust-violations-sources-2021-06-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters reported</a> that China's market regulator (SAMR) has begun an antitrust probe into Didi. SAMR is examining if Didi used any competitive practices that squeezed out smaller rivals unfairly. The regulator is also examining whether the pricing mechanism used by Didi's china mobility business is sufficiently transparent. Didi declined to comment on "<em>unsubstantiated speculation from unnamed source(s).</em>"</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In this note, we examine the key financial metrics of Didi china mobility and international business to the relevant business units of its peers - Uber, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lyft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24423:1" rel="noopener">Lyft Inc (LYFT US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a>. Our analysis suggests that Didi offers a trade-off between growth and profitability in comparison to its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang, we are inclined to remain on the sidelines.   </p></div>

DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its DiDi Chuxing app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), Uber (UBER US) (12.8%), Tencent (700 HK) (6.8%), Alibaba Group (BABA US) and Toyota Motor (7203 JP). In Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?, we opined that Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a company that possesses a highly profitable and cash generative core business. Unfortunately, Didi’s core china mobility business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. Today, Reuters reported that China's market regulator (SAMR) has begun an antitrust probe into Didi. SAMR is examining if Didi used any competitive practices that squeezed out smaller rivals unfairly. The regulator is also examining whether the pricing mechanism used by Didi's china mobility business is sufficiently transparent. Didi declined to comment on "unsubstantiated speculation from unnamed source(s)."In this note, we examine the key financial metrics of Didi china mobility and international business to the relevant business units of its peers - Uber, Lyft Inc (LYFT US) and Grab (0967655D SP). Our analysis suggests that Didi offers a trade-off between growth and profitability in comparison to its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang, we are inclined to remain on the sidelines.   

Xiaoju Kuaizhi (Didi Chuxing) IPO: Growth Vs Margin

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

<p>Didi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing platform in one of the world’s most compelling markets for shared mobility. It is a global leader in some respects (number of active users, drivers, and transactions) and its IPO could represent the second-largest China IPO in the US trailing only eCommerce giant Alibaba Group. We value Didi Chuxing at $63/share (the ADR exchange has not yet been announced) which implies a pre-IPO equity value for the entire company of $70bn. </p><p>This report includes full financial forecasts, valuation, a summary of investment highlights and a list of questions we would ask on the roadshow.</p>

Didi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing platform in one of the world’s most compelling markets for shared mobility. It is a global leader in some respects (number of active users, drivers, and transactions) and its IPO could represent the second-largest China IPO in the US trailing only eCommerce giant Alibaba Group. We value Didi Chuxing at $63/share (the ADR exchange has not yet been announced) which implies a pre-IPO equity value for the entire company of $70bn. This report includes full financial forecasts, valuation, a summary of investment highlights and a list of questions we would ask on the roadshow.

Didi Chuxing and Softbank - Long Awaited IPO of China’s Mobility Giant Worth $70bn

Full Truck Alliance   / Equity Capital Markets

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<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/full-truck-alliance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33429:1" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance (YMM US)</a>, known as <em>Manbang</em> in China, is the world’s largest digital freight platform by gross transaction value (GTV) in 2020, according to CIC. FTA was formed in 2017 through the merger of <em>Yunmanman</em> and <em>Huochebang</em>, which were founded in 2013 and 2011, respectively. FTA is backed by SoftBank Vision Fund (22.2% of the outstanding shares), Sequoia Capital (7.2%), Hillhouse and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>. </p>
<p>At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $17.00-19.00 per ADS, FTA will have a market cap of $19.6 billion. FTA will also raise an additional $200 million in concurrent private placements to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Mubadala Investment Company. At the mid-point of the IPO price range and including the concurrent private placement, the net proceeds are $1,620.7 million. FTA has received indications of interest from Fidelity ($100 million) and Invesco ($500 million). </p>
</div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/full-truck-alliance-ipo-initiation-a-less-than-perfect-delivery" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:52399" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance IPO Initiation: A Less than Perfect Delivery</a>, we stated that at first sight, FTA recent results look stunning due to fast-paced growth, improving margin and cash generation. However, a closer look, suggests that FTA has less than ideal disclosure, a regulatory overhang and potential corporate governance issues. We concluded that we cannot recommend FTA wholeheartedly and inclined to watch this IPO unfold from the sidelines.   </p></div><div><div>
<div class="content-highlight"><p>Our valuation analysis suggests that FTA trades at frothy multiples (EV/Sales and growth adjusted EV/Sales) compared to its peers. On the other hand, the indications of interest and the concurrent placing with blue-chip investors suggest that the IPO price range is grounded in some logic. We think that the IPO pricing seems reasonable based on recent share repurchases and the PEG multiple. While the recent first-day pops suggest an awakening of IPO animal spirits, we remain uncomfortable in recommending FTA based on our previously highlighted concerns and a rich valuation. </p></div>
<p><em><strong>For readers interested in peer</strong></em>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/foru-worldwide-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33314:1" rel="noopener">ForU Worldwide (FOYO US)</a>, which also recently filed for a $500 million Nasdaq IPO, we highlight our note - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/foru-worldwide-ipo-initiation-not-foru" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51888" rel="noopener">ForU Worldwide IPO Initiation: Not ForU</a>  </p>
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Full Truck Alliance (YMM US), known as Manbang in China, is the world’s largest digital freight platform by gross transaction value (GTV) in 2020, according to CIC. FTA was formed in 2017 through the merger of Yunmanman and Huochebang, which were founded in 2013 and 2011, respectively. FTA is backed by SoftBank Vision Fund (22.2% of the outstanding shares), Sequoia Capital (7.2%), Hillhouse and Tencent (700 HK). 
At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $17.00-19.00 per ADS, FTA will have a market cap of $19.6 billion. FTA will also raise an additional $200 million in concurrent private placements to Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Mubadala Investment Company. At the mid-point of the IPO price range and including the concurrent private placement, the net proceeds are $1,620.7 million. FTA has received indications of interest from Fidelity ($100 million) and Invesco ($500 million). 
In Full Truck Alliance IPO Initiation: A Less than Perfect Delivery, we stated that at first sight, FTA recent results look stunning due to fast-paced growth, improving margin and cash generation. However, a closer look, suggests that FTA has less than ideal disclosure, a regulatory overhang and potential corporate governance issues. We concluded that we cannot recommend FTA wholeheartedly and inclined to watch this IPO unfold from the sidelines.   
Our valuation analysis suggests that FTA trades at frothy multiples (EV/Sales and growth adjusted EV/Sales) compared to its peers. On the other hand, the indications of interest and the concurrent placing with blue-chip investors suggest that the IPO price range is grounded in some logic. We think that the IPO pricing seems reasonable based on recent share repurchases and the PEG multiple. While the recent first-day pops suggest an awakening of IPO animal spirits, we remain uncomfortable in recommending FTA based on our previously highlighted concerns and a rich valuation. 
For readers interested in peer, ForU Worldwide (FOYO US), which also recently filed for a $500 million Nasdaq IPO, we highlight our note - ForU Worldwide IPO Initiation: Not ForU  


Full Truck Alliance IPO: Valuation Insights

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.

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/full-truck-alliance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33429:1" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance (YMM US)</a> (FTA),  China’s largest digital freight platform by gross transaction value, aims to raise up to US$1.6bn via a US listing. It is backed by Softbank and Sequoia.</p></div><div><p>In our earlier notes, we spoke about the positive and negatives aspects of the deal, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/full-truck-alliance-pre-ipo-the-positives-category-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - The Positives - Category Leader</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/full-truck-alliance-pre-ipo-the-negatives-still-a-mixed-bag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Still a Mixed Bag,</a> as well as valuations in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/full-truck-alliance-pre-ipo-valuation-even-the-previous-round-might-have-been-a-stretch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - Valuation, Even the Previous Round Might Have Been a Stretch</a>.</p></div><div><p>In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework. </p></div>

Full Truck Alliance (YMM US) (FTA),  China’s largest digital freight platform by gross transaction value, aims to raise up to US$1.6bn via a US listing. It is backed by Softbank and Sequoia.In our earlier notes, we spoke about the positive and negatives aspects of the deal, Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - The Positives - Category Leader and Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Still a Mixed Bag, as well as valuations in Full Truck Alliance Pre-IPO - Valuation, Even the Previous Round Might Have Been a Stretch.In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework. 

Full Truck Alliance IPO - Decent Investor Line-Up, at Best a Punt at These Valuations

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/missfresh-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33468:1" rel="noopener">Missfresh (MF US)</a> is an online grocery platform in China. Missfresh notes that it ranked first in China’s on-demand DMW (distributed mini-warehouse) retail industry in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and ranked second in 2020 as measured by GMV (gross merchandise value), according to iResearch.</p><p>Missfresh is backed by Shunwei China Internet Fund IV (12.4% of outstanding shares, 3.8% of voting power) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> (8.1% of outstanding shares, 2.5% of voting power). Missfresh has filed for a Nasdaq IPO to raise $500 million, according to press reports. We also note that peer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dingdong-maicai" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33461:1" rel="noopener">Dingdong Maicai (DDL US)</a>, has also filed for an NYSE IPO to raise $500 million, according to press reports. </p><p>Missfresh was a beneficiary of the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in an exceptional 1Q20. However, the performance since 1Q20 has been lacklustre as Missfresh is facing the twin challenges of tough competition and a partial reversal of consumer behaviour. With the easing of lockdown restrictions and waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some consumer behaviour has shifted back to shopping offline for groceries. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>While the recent fundraisings to support <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a> (Duo Duo Maicai) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>’s online grocery delivery platforms underscores the opportunity, it also suggests that Missfresh will find it harder to compete and generate shareholder returns. Overall, we think that Missfresh is a challenged business and we would pass on the IPO.</p></div>

Missfresh (MF US) is an online grocery platform in China. Missfresh notes that it ranked first in China’s on-demand DMW (distributed mini-warehouse) retail industry in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and ranked second in 2020 as measured by GMV (gross merchandise value), according to iResearch.Missfresh is backed by Shunwei China Internet Fund IV (12.4% of outstanding shares, 3.8% of voting power) and Tencent (700 HK) (8.1% of outstanding shares, 2.5% of voting power). Missfresh has filed for a Nasdaq IPO to raise $500 million, according to press reports. We also note that peer, Dingdong Maicai (DDL US), has also filed for an NYSE IPO to raise $500 million, according to press reports. Missfresh was a beneficiary of the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in an exceptional 1Q20. However, the performance since 1Q20 has been lacklustre as Missfresh is facing the twin challenges of tough competition and a partial reversal of consumer behaviour. With the easing of lockdown restrictions and waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some consumer behaviour has shifted back to shopping offline for groceries. While the recent fundraisings to support Pinduoduo (PDD US) (Duo Duo Maicai) and Meituan (3690 HK)’s online grocery delivery platforms underscores the opportunity, it also suggests that Missfresh will find it harder to compete and generate shareholder returns. Overall, we think that Missfresh is a challenged business and we would pass on the IPO.

China

Tencent Holdings Limited operates as an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides Internet and mobile value-added services (VAS), online advertising, and e-commerce transactions. Tencent Holdings offers services to users worldwide.

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Tencent Holdings (ADR) (TCEHY US)

Xiaoju Kuaizhi (Didi Chuxing) IPO: Growth Vs Margin

We examine the key financial metrics of Didi to the relevant business units of its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory...

Arun George

Didi Chuxing and Softbank - Long Awaited IPO of China’s Mobility Giant Worth $70bn

This report includes full financial forecasts/valuation, the investment case top down and bottom-up,, Uber comps and a list of questions we would...

Kirk Boodry

Full Truck Alliance IPO: Valuation Insights

While the recent first-day pops suggest an awakening of IPO animal spirits, we remain uncomfortable in recommending FTA based on our previously...

Arun George

Full Truck Alliance IPO - Decent Investor Line-Up, at Best a Punt at These Valuations

Full Truck Alliance (YMM US), China’s largest digital freight platform by gross transaction value, aims to raise up to US$1.6bn via a US listing....

Sumeet Singh

Missfresh IPO Initiation: No so Fresh

Missfresh has filed for a Nasdaq IPO to raise $500 million, according to press reports. Overall, we think that Missfresh is a challenged business...

Arun George

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